Registered: Mar 2000
Location: NC, Indiana
Posts: 465

Online Price Matching at B&M Stores

I am looking to buy a digital camera. Cheaper prices can be found online as I'm sure you would expect. The chain stores have price matching policies. I have called Staples and the guy said that it wouldn't be a problem. Just bring in the printed webpage and have it include shipping and they'd match it.

Office Max was definitely a lot more uneasy. The guy kept talking about how they have to verify it and make sure its not a refurb and the likes a couple times. He said they have to add on next-day shipping.

Does anyone know of any other chain stores available in the Midwest I should check out? Staples looks the best so far.

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-Vincent

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Posts: 23

The other stores in the Midwest that I can think of to check
include: Best Buy, Circuit City, Office Max, and Office Depot.
Of these, I like Best Buy the most. They have a pretty good selection
and pretty good prices.

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: NC, Indiana
Posts: 465

Afraid we don't have a Best Buy or a Office Depot in this city. I could go to Indy but I'd rather not. I called Circuit City--they said they couldn't do online price-matching. I also called Wal Mart, HH Gregg, and Meijer and they only price-match with competitors that are local.

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-Vincent

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 278

I have found in the past that no one will price match an online store.

--David

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: NC, Indiana
Posts: 465

Really? Staples said they would with shipping with no problem. Officemax was definitely more hesitant. I can see them not honoring it. I don't know if I want to buy local anyway. I would be paying for taxes too..

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-Vincent

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Enumclaw, Wa
Posts: 268

I'd go with staples since they seem to be the only one readily matching online prices.

If the digital camera is over $500, might want to consider printing off of outpost.com since they dont't charge shipping on orders over $500.

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God bless the USA! The country I love, and will support at all costs.

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: NC, Indiana
Posts: 465

In stores the camera (Canon S110) is $500. However I see it online for $390 (plus an inflated $18 for standard shipping). I wonder if Staples will require me to do overnight shipping? That would bring the savings down to $440. On top of that I would have to pay taxes which would be about $22. However I would be getting much better DOA insurance.

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-Vincent

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: June 10, 2001 San Clemente Pier , CA
Posts: 211

I have not had an ONLINE price matching problem with Staples or Office Max. Check with the mgr. or even another location.

I have had to pay the online listed shipping or $5 at Staples. OK with me. Still better than the horror stories you read about the net stores sometimes, although I still buy online often.

LASTLY, I like Staples because I usually buy their repair/replacement policy. Works out well for me and my family of guys. For a camera, for sure, I would buy the policy.

Example: HATED, HATED the Palm IIIC I bought. After 3 mos.(i tried, i really tried), took it back to staples with my policy, they gave me FULL credit towards a Prism. I'm happy!

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"I cannot live without books." Thomas Jefferson

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: NC, Indiana
Posts: 465

I suppose I should go into the store and talk to the manager then. If they won't charge me for overnight shipping (just $5 would be great!) than I wouldn't mind the tax so much considering I'd have excellent DOA support (aka drive over to Staples and request immediate replacement ) Thanks for the post!

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-Vincent

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 1883

quote:

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Originally posted by Vinny
I suppose I should go into the store and talk to the manager then. If they won't charge me for overnight shipping (just $5 would be great!) than I wouldn't mind the tax so much considering I'd have excellent DOA support (aka drive over to Staples and request immediate replacement ) Thanks for the post!

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Do files get embarrassed when they get unzipped?

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: NC, Indiana
Posts: 465

That is very true toolkit. I am not saying it's wrong for them to charge overnight. However, as you know, these websites that have cheap pricing have outragous shipping. Overnight shipping is $50. That would make it not worth it for me personally. If this were a normal retailer who charges regularly-priced overnight shipping than I would definitely price-match at Staples.

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-Vincent