Never knowingly undersold

rogercr

I have just had an argument on the phone with a lady from John Lewis. Is the slogan 'Never Knowingly Undersold' to be believed? According to the lady at John Lewis it's just a slogan! It's not just the price that should be considered it's the service as well. At the beginning of last week I informed them that a camcorder was a lot cheaper at several places on the internet and High Street. It took 5 days to finally persuade them to a match a price but then they wouldn't include the free extras that the other shop was offering. So I bought it from a local shop with an amazing 5 year Panasonic guarantee which John Lewis were not offering. I paid £143.00 less than the John Lewis asking price. On the internet I could have saved £190.00. Okay so John Lewis had an excuse for not matching the deal I was after. But after 10 days how can they still claim they are not aware it's much cheaper elswhere? They are still asking their high price. Of course they know they are more expensive on many items. In my conversation with this JL lady she said that they would only adjust the price displayed in their shop if the same item is for sale at a lower price in a shop within an 8 mile radius of the JL store. They don't say that on the telly do they? So this means that they knowingly sell certain products at much higher prices compared to shops more than 8 miles from a JL store. The slogan should be 'NEVER KNOWINGLY UNDERSOLD WITHIN AN 8 MILE RADIUS OF A STORE' It's only when you go to the trouble of asking them to match a price that you may get it cheaper. The fact that they are prepared to match a price of a high street shop anywhere in the country on asking can mislead. It is a huge mistake to shop at John Lewis believing you are always getting a good price. On expensive items it's essential to always check elswhere, especially outside of the 8 mile radius. :mad:

DCodd

It's common practise, most shops who have a price guarantee will only match the price of shops within a certain area and then it has to be instock and available and not just advertised. It stops their competitors offering silly deals in far flung corners of the UK and making them match it.

dmg24

Was there any reason for an argument?

The website clearly states eight miles, and matching extras has never been part of the incentive.

KeithP

This leaflet details their price matching policy, and is readily available in their stores.

Sorry I cannot comment on the eight miles issue, but I have recently asked JL in Southampton to price match a television with an independent store in Glasgow.
JL were happy for me to buy from them at the Glasgow shop's price.

Oh, and that was a bundle with a bluray player too.

I have always found John Lewis to have the highest level of customer service.

vikingaero

I find JL's price match promise to be hollow. If you want something, you let them know, a department checks out the competitors offer, and then they call you back and say that you can come back and purchase it at the discounted price. Unless there is a JL warranty attached to it I don't bother.

KeithP

vikingaero wrote: »

I find JL's price match promise to be hollow. If you want something, you let them know, a department checks out the competitors offer, and then they call you back and say that you can come back and purchase it at the discounted price. Unless there is a JL warranty attached to it I don't bother.

Absolutely true, Vikingaero.

Which is one reason why it may be worthwhile buying a tv from them.
They offer a free five year warranty on all televisions sold. Even after a price match.

:beer:

rogercr

KeithP wrote: »

Absolutely true, Vikingaero.

Which is one reason why it may be worthwhile buying a tv from them.
They offer a free five year warranty on all televisions sold. Even after a price match.

:beer:

The warranty is an issue. Don't make the mistake that they offer 5 yr guarantee on all their electrical goods. They don't, they only offered 2 years on the camcorder. I got the item locally with a 5 year Panasonic guarantee and £143.00 below their asking price from a reputable shop in Windsor. John Lewis knowingly sells goods at much higher prices than stores more than 8 miles from them. Always check before you buy.

rogercr

DCodd wrote: »

It's common practise, most shops who have a price guarantee will only match the price of shops within a certain area and then it has to be instock and available and not just advertised. It stops their competitors offering silly deals in far flung corners of the UK and making them match it.

If John Lewis slogan was to be believed we should only rarely have to go to the trouble and embarrassment of asking them to price match. What sort of service is it forcing the customer to find an item at a reasonable price outside of the 8 mile radius and then ask for a price match? John Lewis knowingly sells items at a much higher price compared to shops more than 8 miles from them. Do you think their slogan is a pretence?

DCodd

rogercr wrote: »

If John Lewis slogan was to be believed we should only rarely have to go to the trouble and embarrassment of asking them to price match. What sort of service is it forcing the customer to find an item at a reasonable price outside of the 8 mile radius and then ask for a price match? John Lewis knowingly sells items at a much higher price compared to shops more than 8 miles from them. Do you think their slogan is a pretence?

To be pedantic, no it is not a pretence. JL have not said that they have checked prices/deals of their competitors and as such could be justified in requiring the customer to do the research. It's just a slogan at the end of the day a bit like McDonnalds "I'm loving it", well I don't love it but am not preparing a case against them for misrepresenation.

If you are really annoyed by it I would suggest you find a better price ask JL to match it and then tell them that you will be buying it from their competitors in protest.

rogercr

DCodd wrote: »

To be pedantic, no it is not a pretence. JL have not said that they have checked prices/deals of their competitors and as such could be justified in requiring the customer to do the research. It's just a slogan at the end of the day a bit like McDonnalds "I'm loving it", well I don't love it but am not preparing a case against them for misrepresenation.

If you are really annoyed by it I would suggest you find a better price ask JL to match it and then tell them that you will be buying it from their competitors in protest.

I wish to correct you - the lady from John Lewis stated that they do check prices and try to match those within an 8 mile radius of a store. The problem with these forums is you can't can't help but wonder if some of the writers have a vested interest in a company that is being complained about?

Hintza

Well at least they are still on the high street more than can be said for similar retailers.