If I call the convenience store and ask them what the price for today's gas is, they won't tell me. If I call a business that advertises certain items and ask for a price, they won't give it, instead they want to know everything about you so that they can send you a catalog.
Why can't people have enough consideration for other people's time to answer a simple question that doesn't take that long to answer?
What's up with that?
2007-11-13 07:38:59 · 5 answers · asked by beehasitall 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Other - Business & Finance
It's called MARKETING, and you are quite right, it can be so annoying that it turns people OFF and they will then NOT shop there. Not only that, those annoyed people will tell all their friends NOT to shop there.
2007-11-13 07:47:49 · answer #1 · answered by Mike 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You're dealing with businesses where prices change all the time, and competition is fierce. They're not in the position where they want to make it easy for a competitor to undercut them, SO they don't give out prices over the phone DELIBERATELY.
Gas stations make a VERY SMALL profit on the gas. Most of the money comes from the convenience store and car wash addons!!! You'd be better asking the price of a Twix or a car wash - they'd probably answer those questions. Try it and see.
2007-11-13 19:44:35 · answer #2 · answered by Shell Answer Man 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone is trying not to lie to you. You’re dealing with front end customer service-people who have no control over the prices or the policies, but worry about that you’ll come in and chew them a new one if they gave you information that was accurate as of when you called, but has changed by the time you came in.
Gas stations don’t get advanced notice when they need to change their price; it just happens very quickly.
If you’re calling a national number for a retailer, they will likely resist giving you a price because prices can vary regionally.
With other industries, travel for example, you can’t just call up and ask how much a plane ticket or hotel room are without giving dates because those prices vary based on time & length of trip. Aditionally, those prices will changed
2007-11-13 15:54:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, they are in the business of sales. If they present you with a price without priming you for it, you may get sticker shock and go somewhere else. So they are trying to prevent that from happening. There are websites on the internet that show you where to get the cheapest gas in your area btw.
2007-11-13 15:49:04 · answer #4 · answered by largegrasseatingmonster 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its called consumer rip-off they all want to know if you can get it somewhere else cheaper then if you cant they will sell it to you for more
2007-11-13 15:47:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋