Attempt at Price Matching (Ritz Camera)

[98 SNAKE EATER]

I'm currently in the market for a new Rebel XT and thought I'd give Ritz a whirl since I they offer Price Matching...

After doing a search, I found nothing but complaints about their claim to match prices, so I got in touch with one of their live online reps and here's how the conversation went....

Please wait while we find an agent to assist you...
You have been connected to Louis J.
Louis J: Hello Rick, Welcome to RitzCamera.com. I will be glad to assist you.
Louis J: Yes. We do offer Price matching. Can I have the catalog number of the item to check this information/
Rick: I'm looking to get a new Canon XT and I would like to buy from my local Ritz outlet, but the price is quite a bit higher than advertised prices online
Louis J: Please give me a moment while I check this information.
Rick: the catalog number is 541161212
Rick: Black version with 18-55mm AF Lens
Louis J: I would like to inform that www.RitzCamera.com and stores are two separate companies.
Louis J: You will not be able to pick up an online order in a store.
Rick: ah, I was not aware of that
Louis J: We do not charge sales tax.
Louis J: We offer free shipping on orders above $100.
Rick: so no online discount will apply at local chains?
Louis J: Yes.
Louis J: We have the camera in stock.
Rick: ok, well, let me know about pricing and we'll go from there
Louis J: This kit is priced at $949.99.
Louis J: We offer free shipping and no sales tax.
Rick: One of the online stores (butterflyphoto) has it listed for $855 and I have bought 3 cameras from them in the past 6 months without any problems
Louis J: Please give me a moment while I check this information.
Rick: alright
Louis J: I am sorry, we do not price match on Rebel XT. It is one of the fast selling models.
Louis J: We do not price match on fast selling models.
Rick: ah, ok
Rick: I kinda figured you would say that
Rick: I've read many instances on online forums where would be customers are lured into your "Price matching" scam only to get shot down for a BS reason like that

(10 minutes pass and no reply)

Rick: copy/paste/post on forum, thanx for your time

If they're not gunna Price match, they shouldn't advertise it....








Rick

[Newbie]

So what ? they will only price match the models that they can't sell, the ones which are discontinued and that never really sold... Wow, that's really amazing!

[Rhys]

I bought mine in a Ritz store with a coupon from the newspaper that gave me $50 off. That pretty much knocked out the 6% sales tax.

[polemistis]

it seems to (so long that theres no * next to these claims) that this may be illegal. there are making a claim that lures you in. and once you're hooked they decide to inform you that the claim isn't as true as it seemed. its been my experience in the past (shopping in general) that if something doesn't seem right, it never hurts to drop "Better Business Bureau" in the conversation. any respectable company would start listening after that.