View Full Version : I though petsmart price matched???
SHK_ATK
08-29-2007, 12:49 PM
I went to Petsmart today to buy reef crystals I printed out the webpage for DR. F&S that said a 50G bag was being sold for $11.99
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=4856&N=2004+113009
I got to petsmart and decided since it was a pretty good price Id get two bags the orginal petsmart price was $23.99 I proceeded to go to the check out and said you guys price match right? She said yes, is it from petsmart.com? as to I replied no its from Dr. F&S she said I dont think we do for them, she picked up the phone and called what I assume was the Manager, and I assume the Manager said No. I ended up paying $25.61 for everything!! (this is why I dont shop there)
So my quest is does petsmart price match? or is it IN FACT they only do it on their stores website? Anyone work there?? or have taken stuff from the Dr's and gotten a price match??
To top it off I dont think I can compain about it as I just looked on the reciept and instead of saying instant ocean reef crystals (or something to that iextent) it marked that they sold me a "beverage" at $23.99 :rant2:
SDRANGER619
08-29-2007, 1:06 PM
contact their customer relations dept, they'll be able to clarify the issue for you plus address the problem with the associate working there.
Squawkbert
08-29-2007, 1:17 PM
I think that there may be some managerial discretion involved.
AFAIK, they are required to match their online prices (although I heard one instance of them trying to tack shipping onto the matched price).
Some managers will match the online prices of competitors, some won't. This is why I think that it is pretty much up to each manager. Some are nice, some aren't.
In any case, it does have to be the exact same product, in stock (ie - you bring in Reef Crystals price, all they have is Instant Ocean --- No, you're not getting any match, no matter the source of the online price).
SDRANGER619
08-29-2007, 2:32 PM
I work for a competitor and we do price match...but there are special rules to this...
We will not match pricing offered by Internet, catalog or distributor companies. The guarantee pertains to retail quantities only. Stores may match the price of an item carried at another store in the same market area.
Personnel must verify the product with the competitor and compare with the product in the store. • If the customer does not have a printed advertisement, anonymously telephone the competitor to verify price, description, and that the item is in stock. • Product must be identical including size, vendor and description (excluding Live Animals). • Competitor must have the item in stock.
So looks like PetsMart only price matches itself against their online store. Perhaps the store associate was misinformed?
KnaveTO
08-29-2007, 2:38 PM
I do know that some companies will price match with both online and retail outlets. However with the online outlets price most retail stores will tack on the advertiesed shipping cost as well so sometimes the price might look better but when you add the shipping it isn't.
SHK_ATK
08-29-2007, 6:23 PM
going on their website they dont even say they sell Reef Crystals, just reg instant ocean, I think I was better off buying the salt online. :flamed:
Mgamer20o0
08-29-2007, 8:33 PM
To back up our claim of Everyday Low Prices, we offer to price match items of local retail competitors. This guarantee states that if a Customer finds a lower price from a legitimate retailer on any identical item that they have purchased from PetSmart, we will price match the competitor's retail price at the PetSmart retail store. This guarantee gives our claim of Everyday Low Prices its credibility and is a vital part of our total company image. We only price match our own website here at PetSmart.
thats from a email. so the rule is.... only pm petsmart.com a lot of places will pm other sites. i pm big als many times but if they turn you down dont throw a fit. a heard people throwing big fits over this. A they are wrong B your screwing up your chance for next time. they will remember you and/or make sure everyone knows about the pm.....
Wicked1VA
11-11-2007, 4:31 PM
PETSMART.COM (VS) PETSMART RETAIL STORE
HEY ALL, I'M NOT FOR CERTAIN IF EVERY PETSMART PRICE MATCHES THE PETSMART.COM WEBSITE OR NOT, BUT I DO KNOW MY LOCAL STORE HERE IN VIRGINIA DOES. I DID CALL BEFORE I WENT IN TO MAKE SURE AND SPOKE WITH THE STORE MANAGER, SHE SAID IT WOULD BE NO PROBLEM WITH THE PETSMART.COM PRINT-OUT OF WHATEVER ITEMS I WANTED MATCHED! THAT'S AWESOME, PS.COM IS MUCH CHEAPER!! I ONLY PAID $42.99 FOR MY NEW EMPEROR 400 POWER FILTER RATHER THAN PAYING THE $69.00 STORE PRICE!!! I WAS EXCITED ABOUT THAT, THAT'S A $27.00 SAVINGS WITH NO S&H COSTS. I WILL SAY THAT THE CASHIER GUY WAS CLUELESS AS TO THE PRICE-MATCH POLICY AND JUST KINDA STARED AT THE PRINT-OUT I GAVE HIM; HE CALLED THE MANAGER OVER AND SHE WAS REAL NICE AND WALKED HIM THROUGH IT. I THINK THE MANAGERS HAVE TO OVER-RIDE SOMETHING IN THE REGISTER TO PRICE-MATCH. I WILL SURELY DO MY HOMEWORK BEFORE BUYING ANYTHING AT PETSMART BEFORE COMPARING IT TO THEIR PS.COM PRICE!!!
Mgamer20o0
11-11-2007, 5:31 PM
its their policy to pricematch their site.
the question was does it pricematch other stores or just its own.
Wicked1VA
11-17-2007, 4:42 PM
Make friends with a petsmart associate; one of my best friends works there and I have them buy everything for me to get their discount even on top of the PS.com price, makes for much better deals...who pays retail anymore?
People that don't want their friends to get fired?
mamasky
11-18-2007, 8:19 AM
I work at a petco and I know we don't match internet prices (not even petco's website) but we do match local pet store prices. We either have to see a current flyer or call the store and verify prices.
Wicked1VA
11-21-2007, 9:55 PM
A quick call to corprate put this entire issue to rest - here's the deal for petsmart and it's price matching. Here are the exact words:
Petsmart does not price match any online competitors.
Petsmart will price match Petsmart.com in any of it's retail stores, without limits...a print out of the items must be shown at the register.
Petsmart retail stores will price match it's local competitors, within the stores same city...price matches are not done by phone-calls to local competitors only advertisements in print.
This should put this to rest...pretty reasonable answers to me; I love petsmart though so I might not be the best judge. :)
Madcrawdad
11-21-2007, 10:48 PM
my petsmart matches any competitor... they've matched Fosters & Smith and Big Al's for me....
Grins
11-21-2007, 11:54 PM
Sounds like that manager may have authority to go beyond what corporate requires. I personally think corporate's policy is fair, it is difficult for any brick and mortar to compete with pricing of a web based shop.
loaches r cool
11-22-2007, 9:19 PM
Yeah consider yourself lucky if your petsmart matches an online seller. They are only required to match local retail stores and their own online store. Non around here I've tried will match online other than themselves.
J double R
11-22-2007, 9:25 PM
Sounds like that manager may have authority to go beyond what corporate requires. I personally think corporate's policy is fair, it is difficult for any brick and mortar to compete with pricing of a web based shop.
... and make any sort of profit. :)
Well, I work at a PetSmart and we honor competitor's coupons. I will ask tomorrow about matching prices on other websites.
S.