Pretty much everyone does it - prime examples are Dell and HP. You can almost always find better deals on the Small Business sites than you can on the K12 sites. Usually if you can get a rep involved you can get custom deals that are about the same or a little better.
-TS -----Original Message----- From: tech-geeks-boun...@tech-geeks.org [mailto:tech-geeks-boun...@tech-geeks.org] On Behalf Of Dana Fellows Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2010 3:14 PM To: 'Tech-Geeks Mailing List' Subject: Re: [tech-geeks] OT - Staples: I smell a rat I wanted to buy some episodes of Forensic Files, mostly the ones that have to do with Computer Forensics, for my classes to watch. The Forensic File people quoted me a price of 39.99 per 20 minute episode but stated they had "special educational pricing." I thought that 39.99 was high so I emailed back for the special pricing. That price was 129.00 per episode. :( I notice that TigerDirect does the same thing. One price on their regular price but sometimes exact same item is more on their biz.tigerdirect.com page. Dana Fellows Computer Technology Instructor / Network Administrator Whiteside Area Career Center 1608 Fifth Avenue Sterling, IL 61081 Email, dfell...@wacc.cc Website, www.wacc.cc Phone: 815-626-5810 ext. 206 Available via phone between 2:30 and 3:30 PM Central Time MCP, MCSA, MCSE, A+, Network+, CIW AAS - Network Administration BA - Information Systems MS - Instructional Technology -----Original Message----- From: tech-geeks-boun...@tech-geeks.org [mailto:tech-geeks-boun...@tech-geeks.org] On Behalf Of Mike Oliveri Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2010 2:11 PM To: tech-geeks List Subject: [tech-geeks] OT - Staples: I smell a rat Is anyone else using Staples for their office supply and toner orders? We've been using them for as long as I've been here, and we get free overnight shipping and there's a Rewards program where they cut you a gift certificate based on spending. However, today I noticed a discrepancy of anywhere from $6-10 on some products from their basic portal to when you log in to your account. For example, my principal sent me a screen grab of an electronic punch and asked me to order it (I handle the account). It showed he found it for $94.49 without logging in. When I pulled up the same item number, logged in to our account, it came up at $103.99. Just for kicks, I opened a second browser, went to Staples.com without logging in, and started comparing toner prices. I found similar discrepancies. I accessed their Live Chat and asked what was up. She claimed it's based on the zip code for your account, and pricing varies by regions. Now, I'm no marketing major, but does a 10% markup make sense? I asked her what zip code they were assuming and all she would tell me is the price varied by region. Given we're not all that far from Chicago, I don't see why there's a such a big difference. Maybe if we were in Hawaii and they had to ship across the ocean, or in the middle of the desert states and not in a Staples market. If anyone else is using Staples, I'd be curious as to whether you're seeing the same thing. My concern is they're using a lower price on their main site to suck people in, say when they're comparison shopping with other vendors. Then they hit account holders with the real price. Or, more nefariously, this is how they're making up for free shipping and the Rewards program. Thanks, Mike | Subscription info at http://www.tech-geeks.org | | Subscription info at http://www.tech-geeks.org | | Subscription info at http://www.tech-geeks.org |
