This actually transpired last week but I became so irritated with the situation that it led me to post this complaint.
Last week, - was running a sale on a few of their laptops in their weekly circular (sale date from July 16-22 2006). One in particular caught my eyes the Toshiba M105-S3041 was selling for $599.99. The original price was $749.99 but there was an Instant Savings for $150.00 which drove the price down to $599.99. I had been pondering over whether or not to buy the laptop at the beginning of the week and finally decided I would purchase it on Friday night.
Before I actually went to - to purchase the laptop I checked around on the internet to see how much that particular laptop was selling for at other retail stores. The price along with its feature could not be beat by their competitors.
But then I remembered Circuit City has a price matching policy for 110%. Here is their unbeatable prices GUARANTEED policy verbatim on the back of their local circular dated from July 16-22 2006.
Nothing's worse than paying too much.
If you see a lower advertised price from another local store with the same item in stock, we'll gladly beat their price by 10% of the difference. Even after your Circuit City purchase, if you see a lower advertised price (including our own sale prices) within 30 days, we'll refund 110% of the difference.
I verified the Toshiba M105-S3041 Circuit City was offering for $749.99 was the identical model with the exact same specifications as the one on sale at Best Buy. Here is a break down of the specifications for both models:
- Centrino Core Solo Processor T1350
- Intel PRO/Wireless LAN 802.11g
- 512 MB DDR2 memory
- 80 GB hard drive
- DVD/CD burner
I went to the store at approximately 8:00 PM EST on July 21. I went to the computer department and talked to the sales associate named Pierce. He was helping some customers but a few minutes later I was able to get his attention. I asked him if he had any of the Toshiba M105-S3041 laptops in stock and he stated he would check. I followed him over to his computer station and he told me there were 2 in stock according to his computer records.
I said great and I also mentioned that - had it advertised for a lower price. He said he recalled having the laptop price matched earlier in the day. He asked me if I was interested in their advantage protection plan but I declined. Pierce told me I would have to go to the customer service desk to complete the transaction and pickup the laptop.
I walked over to the customer service desk and a heavy set African American customer service representative assisted me. I showed him the - ad and he gave a peculiar look at the price. He said they did not honor rebates or anything of that sort. I told him I know and there were no rebates associated with Best Buy's advertised price in the circular.
He proceeded to make a phone call to the manager I assume and when he put down the phone he told me they would not price match the $599.99 for the laptop because it was an Instant Saving. I began to question his ideology so he said that was the manager's decision and proceeded to walk over towards him. I followed a few seconds later because he was not talking to the manager since he was on the phone.
After the manager, Ian Maybery, got off the phone he told me he would not price match the Best Buy advertise price. He said it was at his discretion on whether or not he would match any advertised price. I asked him about their price matching policy on the back of their local circular.
He didn't bother to look their policy instead he told me - had a great deal for that laptop and said there was one up the road and I could go there to purchase it. I could see Ian was not going to honor the price matching policy so I left the store without the laptop I set forth to buy when I initially step in.
Needless to say I went to - the next morning and purchased the laptop. I am also using it to post this complaint. So to round things out I will recap the events that led up to this posting:
- Found a good deal for Toshiba M105-S3041 selling for $599.99 at
- Checked around scope out the price at other stores
- Verified model was exactly the same at Circuit City
- Decided to go to Circuit City for price match
- Went to the store and manager refused to price match the laptop
- Left the store very disappointed that Circuit City is dishonest about price matching policy
One thing is for sure though I will not be bringing my business to Circuit City any longer. I WILL NOT conduct business with a company that treats a loyal customer such as myself with such dishonest business practice. It is very important to me that a company honors their word especially when it is advertised every week in their local circular.
I am dissatisfied and disappointed at how Ian Maybery handled the situation by telling me to go to Best Buy to purchase this laptop. Bottom line I will take my business elsewhere when I purchase another piece of electronics.
K
Atlanta, Georgia
U.S.A.
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