Ridiculously BAD "sales" ("over 50% off") - Can they fool anybody?

[FJB]

I don't know who would possibly fall for this "sale" scam.
A well known online pet supplies seller, which includes a full line of aquarium items, has many fish items "on sale" now at over "50% off".
If you jack up your list price so much, certainly any price below that may appear attractive to some. But to whom? How can anyone fall for that? It seems almost criminal deceit, but it is of course perfectly legal.

 

[twentyleagues]

Online places have done this forever. Great case of buyer beware. It became very evident to me years ago when looking into switching from t5 to led on my reef tanks. Places would post kessil or ecotech or some of the other high end lights at some % off. These are all sold at a standard price from the manufacturer to the sellers. They also require the sellers to remain at a no higher then "x" price point. Those certain places would post them at at whatever % over that and then say at % off. I'm guessing it brings traffic to their site. I agree not a good practice imo.

 

[TwoHedWlf]

That looks like an awesome deal if it was here, list price is $1,331, but there's a sale for $739.99.

 

[FJB]

That looks like an awesome deal if it was here, list price is $1,331, but there's a sale for $739.99.

I am sorry to hear. Those are crazy high prices.
Here, memorial day weekend is coming (weekend after current week). In the past, some stores, namely PerSmart, have their Fluval at very good prices. In 2 of the previous several years, I bought FX6's for U$179 and $199 respectively (before tax).

 

[The Masked Shadow]

Yup. I have seen some stuff at Aquarium Fish Depot, and it was like "29-gallon cube rimless tank. Heater, lights, stand and filter included. Was $900, now only $400".

 

[johnny potatoes]

Damn it!
So you're telling me I was ripped off when i paid $899.99 for an FX6 ?
I though $60 off was a good deal.

 

[tlindsey]

Online places have done this forever. Great case of buyer beware. It became very evident to me years ago when looking into switching from t5 to led on my reef tanks. Places would post kessil or ecotech or some of the other high end lights at some % off. These are all sold at a standard price from the manufacturer to the sellers. They also require the sellers to remain at a no higher then "x" price point. Those certain places would post them at at whatever % over that and then say at % off. I'm guessing it brings traffic to their site. I agree not a good practice imo.

Absolutely! Worked at a Petstore that had a 200% markup on most aquarium items. That was in the 80's.

 

[twentyleagues]

Absolutely! Worked at a Petstore that had a 200% markup on most aquarium items. That was in the 80's.

Yeah that's how I knew about the pricing thing. I can't remember what they called it. I was working at a reef specialty store and he got in alot of those high end units. The companies dictated what to sell them for and it wasn't much more then what he paid. Obviously he could have gotten a better price by buying more from the company and becoming a certified dealer, but at the time the led industry was just getting started (well at least for our use) and he didn't want to put all the eggs in one basket so to speak. Even if he got a better deal they dictated what to sell each unit for, he couldn't discount them if he wanted to.

 

[TwoHedWlf]

Absolutely! Worked at a Petstore that had a 200% markup on most aquarium items. That was in the 80's.

My brother in law used to run a garden center here. His standard markup on most things was just a little below 200%. That was barely enough to make a profit after rent, wages, taxes, various expenses.
Maybe it wasn't quite enough in hindsight, they closed a few years ago.

 

[tlindsey]

My brother in law used to run a garden center here. His standard markup on most things was just a little below 200%. That was barely enough to make a profit after rent, wages, taxes, various expenses.
Maybe it wasn't quite enough in hindsight, they closed a few years ago.

Sorry to hear that.