[ASG111]

Is it illegal to change the retail prices just before you are having sale?

I noticed this recently with one of the sites I shop at... and there was an item that retailed for $670, they had it for 50% off, which equated to $335. Then they had another sale for 70% off, and they MARKED UP the price to $720.
so instead of paying $201, the customer would pay $216.

Yes i know, it's only a difference of $15 and it seems minimal, but I can imagine the retailer would mark up the retail price for practically every sale, and every item, and those minimal amounts would eventually add up to huge profits.

This is obviously unethical, but is it illegal and can it be said it is a form of false advertising? Just wondering whether anyone knows the ins and outs of this.. I'm curious as I have heard similar practices are also adopted at Bestbuy and Futureshop.

[sonick]

If the marked price is still below the MSRP I believe should be fine. The only issue is when the original price advertised is marked higher than the MSRP.

Sportchek got into shit for doing this a few years back.

[ASG111]

^ but as a customer shopping on an online website, we wouldn't know what's the MSRP

[sonick]

^ but as a customer shopping on an online website, we wouldn't know what's the MSRP

That's what they are banking on. Just look it up on the manufacturer's website.

[fishing666]

stop buying overpriced garbage.

underwear is 10$
pants are 40$
t-shirts are 10$
shoes are 50$
sweaters are 40$
jackets are 100$

[The_AK]

stop buying overpriced garbage.

underwear is 10$
pants are 40$
t-shirts are 10$
shoes are 50$
sweaters are 40$
jackets are 100$

Zellers regular?

[1exotic]

stop buying overpriced garbage.

underwear is 10$
pants are 40$
t-shirts are 10$
shoes are 50$
sweaters are 40$
jackets are 100$

where the fuck do you shop at? value village ?

Double or triple the price on most of those to be realistic.

[!Aznboi128]

^ outlet malls in the states can get you all that

[twitchyzero]

if you do notice something like this you can complain to the better business bureau
https://odr.bbb.org/odrweb/public/getstarted.aspx

[tool001]

fine print, all ads.
"prices are subject to change without notice"

[fishing666]

where the fuck do you shop at? value village ?

Double or triple the price on most of those to be realistic.

i shop at richmond mall. i visit the gap, shoe warehouse, and old navy. I only go to the gap and old navy when they email me those 30-50% off purchases coupons

they aren't trendy but the clothes are well made and looks decent

now here's the real post: where do u shop? you re being ripped off like crazy if u're paying double/triple for those clothes

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

wal-mart ftw
:thumbsup:

[hk20000]

Walmart can half those prices easily. LOL

[Manic!]

It's not illegal FS and BB do it all the time.

The prices fishing666 posted up also don't seem out of line. You can get everything for around that price at Costco, Winners and a lot of other places.

[unit]

i shop at richmond mall. i visit the gap, shoe warehouse, and old navy. I only go to the gap and old navy when they email me those 30-50% off purchases coupons

they aren't trendy but the clothes are well made and looks decent

now here's the real post: where do u shop? you re being ripped off like crazy if u're paying double/triple for those clothes

how is old navy good quality again?? or even look nice?

[Manic!]

how is old navy good quality again?? or even look nice?


Where was there ever a mention of quality or looks in fishing666 post.

[unit]

Where was there ever a mention of quality or looks in fishing666 post.

"well made and looks decent"

[fishing666]

how is old navy good quality again?? or even look nice?

the colours don't fade. the stitches are well in place holding the piece of clothing together. there's no thinning of material with each wash. This is just my t-shirt.

aesthetics is perceptive so i can't really argue with you about old navy looking nice

[sonick]

Old Navy fits like shit.

[Jsunu]

Wow, i didnt think i was clicking into a Fashion & Shopping thread.

[1exotic]

^ outlet malls in the states can get you all that

yeah easily, but I'm talking about the average malls in the lower mainland... I don't see shirts for $10, decent shoes for $50, and the others listed... it's usually twice as much.

[InvisibleSoul]

Not sure if it's "illegal", but it's against the Competition Act.

http://www.bureaudelaconcurrence.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/eng/01227.html

The Ordinary Price Claims Provisions of the Competition Act
Subsections 74.01(2) and 74.01 (3) of the Act are civil provisions. They prohibit the making, or the permitting of the making, of any materially false or misleading representation, to the public, as to the ordinary selling price of a product, in any form whatever. The ordinary selling price is determined by using one of the two following tests: (1) either a substantial volume of the product was sold at that price or a higher price within a reasonable period of time before or after the making of the representation (volume test); or (2) the product was offered for sale, in good faith, at that price or a higher price for a substantial period of time recently before or immediately after the making of the representation (time test). Subsection 74.01(6) directs that the general impression conveyed by a representation, as well as its literal meaning, be taken into account when determining whether or not it is false or misleading in a material respect. Pursuant to subsection 74.1(1), if a court determines that a person has engaged in conduct contrary to subsections 74.01(2) or 74.01(3), it may order the person not to engage in such conduct, to publish a corrective notice and/or to pay an administrative monetary penalty.

[StylinRed]

welcome to the world of business

almost all places adjust their prices higher prior to a sale, even futureshop/bestbuy etc (FS BB usually adjust their prices a couple weeks or even a month prior to a sale)

[unit]

the colours don't fade. the stitches are well in place holding the piece of clothing together. there's no thinning of material with each wash. This is just my t-shirt.

aesthetics is perceptive so i can't really argue with you about old navy looking nice

only thing ive ever bought there was socks, and most of them fell apart in under 6 months.
wore out at the heels mostly.

my friend used to buy old navy jeans and used to complain that they dont last longer than a year.

luxury goods arent really 'worth it' but i'd say middle of the road stuff usually is. like paying $70 for a pair of levis instead of $30 for a pair of old navys.

[Manic!]

yeah easily, but I'm talking about the average malls in the lower mainland... I don't see shirts for $10, decent shoes for $50, and the others listed... it's usually twice as much.

Nike Air Max Train II Training Shoes Mens $49.99
http://www.sportchek.ca/product/index.jsp?productId=3988923

Dickies T-shirt $8
http://www.walmart.ca/details?tabId=10&departmentId=41&categoryId=379&lang=en&assetId=57336

[.Dream.Time]

Do all you guys use candles too? to save money on electricity?

Just because you're cheap and not willing to fork out the money...doesn't necessarily make it overpriced.
Everyone has their own limits, who are you to tell someone how to shop? are you a woman?

Just because that guy has a benz and you drive a hyundai, must mean that the benz is overpriced and you decided to settle for less with the hyundai because it's the best bang for the buck...right?

[gabi]

Not sure if it's "illegal", but it's against the Competition Act.

http://www.bureaudelaconcurrence.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/eng/01227.html

The Ordinary Price Claims Provisions of the Competition Act
Subsections 74.01(2) and 74.01 (3) of the Act are civil provisions. They prohibit the making, or the permitting of the making, of any materially false or misleading representation, to the public, as to the ordinary selling price of a product, in any form whatever. The ordinary selling price is determined by using one of the two following tests: (1) either a substantial volume of the product was sold at that price or a higher price within a reasonable period of time before or after the making of the representation (volume test); or (2) the product was offered for sale, in good faith, at that price or a higher price for a substantial period of time recently before or immediately after the making of the representation (time test). Subsection 74.01(6) directs that the general impression conveyed by a representation, as well as its literal meaning, be taken into account when determining whether or not it is false or misleading in a material respect. Pursuant to subsection 74.1(1), if a court determines that a person has engaged in conduct contrary to subsections 74.01(2) or 74.01(3), it may order the person not to engage in such conduct, to publish a corrective notice and/or to pay an administrative monetary penalty.


competition act is the answer...

it's worth a quick 30 second email saying what you noticed and your awareness of the competition act, and that you think it's unethical and unfair to you the consumer (that is if you plan on actually buying the item)... if they care at all they should get back to you and make things right... if not, then i wouldn't bother shopping with them

too many retailers give the consumer little credit, ppl notice little thing like price changes right before a promo

[johny]

most electronic stores do this... FS etc. boxing day sales are bad for this...