Ink Cartridges from Staples

Fuchsia_2

Im not sure if this is the right place to post this, as its my first posting in a while!

I checked online at the Staples website and found that my HP 363 ink for a colour cartridge was reduced from £8.99 to £6.95. The black ink I required was also reduced from £26.99 to £20.25. Great I thought. Cheaper than HP online, where I normally purchase.

Imagine my surprise this afternoon when I went into the store, to discover that the colour cartridge cost £12.99 and the black a staggering £39.99. How come the online store can be cheaper than the shop itself? I discussed this with the Manager and he agreed to reduce the cost, after first checking the online website.

Just a warning to others, that it can be cheaper online than the shop. And shops wonder why they are going out of business.

Fuchsia

shaun_from_Africa

How come the online store can be cheaper than the shop itself?

Because the online store doesn't have to pay:

Wage bill for lots of staff,
large electricity and heating bills
Public liability insurance
Rent for the building, probably in a very expensive area,
etc
etc

Justicia

Fuchsia wrote: »

Just a warning to others, that it can be cheaper online than the shop.
Fuchsia

I can assure you that you have not found an isolated incident - this is very, very common :D

KxMx

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

Because the online store doesn't have to pay:

Wage bill for lots of staff,
large electricity and heating bills
Public liability insurance
Rent for the building, probably in a very expensive area,
etc
etc

Online stores are run from warehouses surely? So all those still apply, plus bills such as packaging.

Coopdivi

Yes KxMx, but they don't have to have 300 warehouses dotted all over the country like they do with their shops. And who do you think pays for the packaging?

shaun_from_Africa

Online stores are run from warehouses surely?

Yes, but as mentioned by Coopdivi, it will be one warehouse probably employing only a few dozen staff at most.
It will likely be in a not very expensive area rent wise, no public access allowed so no public indemnity insurance to pay, no large customer carpark needed etc.

The overall cost of running one central distribution depot will probably only be a tiny percentage of running dozens of retail outlets spread all over the country.

cyberbob

Fuchsia wrote: »

Just a warning to others, that it can be cheaper online than the shop. And shops wonder why they are going out of business.

Fuchsia

In more shocking news the Earth isn't Flat.

Where have you been for the past 10 years?

Fuchsia_2

Thanks for your replies folks, interesting. But I will certainly think twice next time and not assume the price I see, albeit good, is the best one. I usually buy from HP direct online, which I thought would be cheaper, but it isnt the case.

One week it might be cheaper in a shop, the next a warehouse. Keeps us on our toes if nothing else.!

Fuchsia

geo555

See here regarding different rices online and instore.

http://www.staples.co.uk/wrapper.aspx?param=help_faq_answer_59

Fuchsia_2

Thanks geo555 for the link.

Fuchsia