The great Comet (and the rest) rip-off

A._Badger

When is a 'sale' not a 'sale'?

Don't ask Comet, as they clearly don't know.

Last night I wandered into a branch of Comet to look at Beko fridge. In their 'sale' it was priced at £229, which it had been for a week or so.

Of course, it being Comet, I couldn't get anyone to help me so, as the shop was about to close, I wandered out again, having decided to order online today, instead.

Which I would have done - had not the price risen by a staggering £40 overnight.

Now, its a free market and Comet can charge what it likes for its products. But massive overnight price rises aren't really what you'd expect during a sale period are they?

It turns out wasn't just this fridge that had volcanically risen in price in the space of a few hours. The helpful chap at the Comet call centre told me that he'd had several complaints about this today - including one from a lady whose intended purchase (a laptop) had risen by £50.

It's not only would-be customers who are having trouble keeping up with Comet's greedy dance, either. Earier this afternoon, most of the price comparison sites were still showing last night's prices. And, of course, in the whitegoods flea market, all the other online retalers have floated their prices up to match Comet's (and, of course, some of those are Comet trading in disguise, anyway).

So watch your step in the sales, fellow MSEers, and don't expect any mercy from the likes of Comet during the 'sales period'. They'll still have the sign on the door - but it may not mean what you think it does.

Wonderful100

Funnily enough Very in the Littlewoods group appear to be doing the same thing and their sale prices online are changing on some products(and not for the better either).

I use Very all the time and have often seen sales prices come further down but never have I seen them go up while the sale is in full swing.

I suggest that anyones who is awaiting goods from them carefully double checks their invoices especially if they have slightly delayed in ordering the goods.

chalkysoil

today I noticed some massive increases in non food stuff in Tesco, 10 to 20% since a couple of days before xmas. ( I was looking at mesh office accessories and a dvd/vhs machine). Argos prices go up and down like a yo yo - maybe they are all going to do it.

NeverInDebt

I think they are all at it not just Comet, buyer beware

A._Badger

There's certainly a way in which they all price together. I suppose in a street market the same would happen. One barrow boy would sell his cabbages at 50p, so the rest would follow suit.

What it illustrates best is the way the whitegoods market in the UK has been destroyed and is now dominated by a handful of big players. The price comparison sites lead people to believe there's a competitive market - but there isn't really.

worcestersaver

A._Badger wrote: »

When is a 'sale' not a 'sale'?

Don't ask Comet, as they clearly don't know.

Last night I wandered into a branch of Comet to look at Beko fridge. In their 'sale' it was priced at £229, which it had been for a week or so.

Of course, it being Comet, I couldn't get anyone to help me so, as the shop was about to close, I wandered out again, having decided to order online today, instead.

Which I would have done - had not the price risen by a staggering £40 overnight.

Now, its a free market and Comet can charge what it likes for its products. But massive overnight price rises aren't really what you'd expect during a sale period are they?

It turns out wasn't just this fridge that had volcanically risen in price in the space of a few hours. The helpful chap at the Comet call centre told me that he'd had several complaints about this today - including one from a lady whose intended purchase (a laptop) had risen by £50.

It's not only would-be customers who are having trouble keeping up with Comet's greedy dance, either. Earier this afternoon, most of the price comparison sites were still showing last night's prices. And, of course, in the whitegoods flea market, all the other online retalers have floated their prices up to match Comet's (and, of course, some of those are Comet trading in disguise, anyway).

So watch your step in the sales, fellow MSEers, and don't expect any mercy from the likes of Comet during the 'sales period'. They'll still have the sign on the door - but it may not mean what you think it does.

Is the fridge still marked up as a sale? reduced item?

Enterprise_1701C

Call me cynical, but I think they are preparing for the VAT rise - they are probably going to turn around and say they have put their prices DOWN!

KickandRun

I had a great result from Comet. I just bought a 42" LCD and having checked on-line they were bundling a free £50 DVD player.
However this player was out of stock in store so when I queried this he went away to check and confirmed that they would match the on-line deal
As this player was out of stock he offered me a £200 Blu-ray player instead which was listed online as an additional purchase with the TV.
So I asked if this was a free with the TV as I thought I mis-heard him, he nodded.
Couldn't get out of the store fast enough before they realised their error.
Just checked on-line and they've taken the free DVD player off aswell as the additional purchase Blu-ray.

Antispam

Shops are the master of spin

when mse forums was down other day I read mse web site and found a video of Martin saying how shops spend millions every year trying to pull fast one on us.

A._Badger

worcestersaver wrote: »

Is the fridge still marked up as a sale? reduced item?

Being Comet, it's hard (impossible?) to say what is exactly 'in the sale' and what isn't. However, the fridge was marked down to £229 - with that shown as a reduction - and then was marked back up again.

And yes, I agree with the poster above that this is probably preparatory to some nifty footwork over the VAT increase that takes place tonight.

worcestersaver

If there is no sale or reduced ticket then it seems it has been taken out of the sale. Nothing morally wrong with a retailer to try a maximise their profit, after all it keeps people in jobs.
Why not try Comet's sister online company Laskys who I think have the fridge you are looking for @ £234.99