Circuit City has a price protection plan called their Unbeatable Price Guarantee. To quote it:
Q: Will Circuit City match its own prices?
A: Yes, if you purchase an item from us (in-store or on circuitcity.com) and we advertise the same item at a lower price within thirty days of your purchase, we will refund you 100% of the price difference. Bring the advertisement and your original sales receipt to your local Circuit City for the refund.
Of course, you need to beware the EXCEPTION:
Circuit City's Unbeatable Price Guarantee does not apply to services, nor does it apply to special offers or promotions, including rebates, mail-in offers, free-with-purchase offers, limited quantity offers, bundled promotions and special financing. Circuit City's Unbeatable Price Guarantee does not apply to products and services offered by third parties operating in Circuit City's stores.
Under what circumstances would there ever be an advertised special that isn't a "Special Offer or Promotion" is my question? Isn't that the point? When would Circuit City or anyone else for that matter advertise a price anywhere unless it was a "Special Offer or Promotion"? Sounds like a wonderful escape clause if you ask me.
Buyer Beware as usual.
Why does this matter? Well, I wanted to buy Super Mario Galaxy for the Wii tomorrow even though I happen to know that there is a special being offered on Black Friday and the Saturday following for $15 off. You would think I'd be able to use their Unbeatable Price Guarantee (say that with a little reverb in a deep voice for the best effect) and get my money back. Guess not! I wonder how many other consumers will be out of luck because of this?
Personally, I'd like to say the heck with Circuit City but I'll probably end up waiting until Thanksgiving anyway. My Wii Remote will just have to wait a little longer I guess. $15 is just too much to part with willingly. Either way, CC is probably losing money on that as a loss leader so it'll be my way of sticking it to them!
People are going to think I'm obsessed with video games and I'm not really. I just like to blog about them. Honest....it's true...
1 comment:
The bet is that Circuit City can offer you a lowest price guarantee, but you'll be too lazy to actually do your legwork if a lower price comes up.
So they advertise it, knowing you'll assume that it means they simply have the lowest price.
If too many people make use of the guarantee, or if they need an out on some particular product price difference, they're covered.
It's unbeatable for them. Not for you.
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