One price for stores, a cheaper for the internet - Argos

Northants_Simon

I'm venting about Argos.

I purchased a vacuum cleaner from an Argos store for £230, then discovered later the same day that they are selling the same vacuum cleaner for £46 less online.

I phoned customer services and explained this, asking if they could refund the difference. I was told they couldn't as the price was for online only.

I know lots of stores have online specials, Comet for example have cheaper prices online, The difference is that Comet have honoured online prices in the store when pushed. Argos it seems are happy to annoy customers by making them pay 20% extra for making a purchase in a store.

I could of course put the vacuum cleaner back in it's box, lie and say I haven't used it, then return it under the 30 day refund policy that Argos have. Then order online and get it for £46 less. What I don't understand is why Argos customer service seem to prefer I do this than just refund the difference.

Velcro_Hotdog

Because if they refund the difference to everyone how complained it would defeat the purpose of having an online price and store price.

Northants_Simon

Velcro_Hotdog wrote: »

Because if they refund the difference to everyone how complained it would defeat the purpose of having an online price and store price.

Sure, but it would also be good customer service. I doubt that many people actually bother to complain anyway.

I don't see why they can't refund the difference when there is nothing stopping me taking back an open box for a refund and then ordering online. I would have thought it is more hassle for Argos to deal with an open box return than to just let me purchase an item for what they are selling it for online.

Is Argos two different companies? online and stores?

trumpton

Lots of stores do this, I'm afraid. The most notable items are games, cd's, and dvd's. HMV are especially likely to have lower on-line prices. I think they would expalin it by saying that the overheads of running a shop mean it will more expensive in-store.

I agree though, that they should be prepared to refund the difference. If I hadn't used it much, I think I would have taken it back and ordered online.

MX5huggy

If you have the free cash (credit card balance space) buy the on-line one cheep, then return it new in box for a refund against the higher priced one.

NeverInDebt

In future check before buying then it saves us readings your vents because you made the mistake of not looking, most shops sell goods at different prices online and in store