Comparison Shopping - Getting the Best Deal

Comparison Shopping – Buyer Beware

Not long ago, I had a customer ask for a price match with one of our competitors. I looked at their website and despite their price of $24 versus our price of $40, I mentioned to the customer that I believed our prices may be better. Since I had time to perform a price check while the customer was there, I went through ordering the competitor’s product until I reached their check out page. At that point, their $24 product was over $50. My customer was surprised and asked how that was possible.

**Below, you’ll see what the competitor’s initial product price showed and how pre-selected, add-on charges, only visible once you’re in the shopping cart, jacked up their price.   

I understand getting the best ‘bang for your buck’ when shopping, and we all do comparisons, but do we really compare apples to apples? This experience made me realize that perhaps not everyone is doing an apple-to-apple comparison of prices, so I did a little of that for you.

I decided to compare prices for one of our major brass products. A quick Google search led me to selecting 5 of the top 10 competitor listings. The following chart shows price differences for 1,000 Once Fired Brass 9mm Luger; washed and polished.

Prices fluctuate over time. Prices above reflect the date this article was written.

As well, I understand from my customers that some retailers will charge a credit card fee to cover their processing costs. That fee doesn’t appear on the order form. It only shows up when you receive your credit card statement. Since I didn’t complete any of the orders from my competitors, I can’t verify this, but folks, that seems like a hidden fee.

We may not always be the least expensive place to buy from, nor do we claim to be. However, we want to ensure customers know the facts and aren’t scammed by other retailers.

 ** PRE-SELECTED charges on the retailer’s order form for:  Insurance - $2.50 and “Signature” Service - $6.35.  If you don’t deselect those options, the total would be $52.09.