Sears.com Bait-and-Switch Pricing?

[Notorious BRT]

Just placed an order at Sears.com and I think I got screwed, at least a little. I needed a 1" 3/4 drive socket anyway and saw on here they had the 3 prybar set for $17.99 again so I threw an order together. Added the 40" metal creeper for $29.99 and the 20 piece Gearwrench set for $48 and change. Added a SYW coupon for $10 in free points and the little SYW thing at the bottom told me I would be getting 16,000 points for this order ($16). Sweet. Punch in my info without paying a lot of attention to the total, bumped the free shipping up to economy so I would get it this month (added like $5) and hit submit. Review the order and this is what I find:

1" socket, cart price $11.61, actual price $12.96

Creeper, cart price $29.99, actual price $29.99

Gearwrench set, cart price $48.??, actual price $54.05

Prybar set, cart price $17.99, actual price $19.99

I also earned 117 points instead of the promised 16,000. I did get some unknown discount for $11.71, so it claims, but as far as I can tell it is one of those BS discounts (you know, like Harbor Freight does, "SAVE $29!" when the item has never actually been priced that high).

It's not a lot of money, but I find it to be extremely dishonest. I'm displeased, to say the least.

 

[gdocktor3]

You should place the order, but pick up in store. Then bring it up to the cashier and have them adjust it.

 

[SJR033]

You have to watch very carefully. There are times when adding a coupon will remove another discount or "points back" offer. And there are times when things change from cart to check out. You just have to watch. My guess is when you added the $10 coupon it removed the "Friends & Family" promo.

 

[drink]

Have you tried reloading the same order back into your cart and got the lower prices with the 16000 points? Some of the items might have had restrictions on the reward points and caused the system to be thrown. If the second attempt order pulled as it should then you can simply cancel the wrong order. Sears is supposed to have free shipping on orders over $35. I don't know why their system pulls those pranks but they should stop it.

Another possible solution is to ask someone in the Sears Community if they can help correct the problem. When you type your question to get help do not add double spaces at the end of sentences. Simply ask your question in one sentence with a period at the end without a space. Click submit and somebody should respond soon. Replacing and cancelling the original order might be the simplest thing to do.

https://community.sears.com/

 

[finn]

Looks like the additional $11.71 discount more than covered the $8.53 "overcharge " on the three items you highlighted.

I don't see the issue here.

 

[franzdom]

Looks like the additional $11.71 discount more than covered the $8.53 "overcharge " on the three items you highlighted.

I don't see the issue here.

I didn't read it as an additional discount, just a stated red herring from Sears, like "you saved ***" when you really got screwed.

 

[Notorious BRT]

I didn't read it as an additional discount, just a stated red herring from Sears, like "you saved ***" when you really got screwed.

Precisely.

 

[Notorious BRT]

UPDATE: I just logged in again at Sears and they added 10,000 points to my account, not quite 16,000 but it makes me feel a little better. That poor website needs some help, though.

 

[winlinmac]

Head over to Sears Chat and inquire there. They will be more than willing to help you.

 

[SJR033]

Sometimes the points take a day to show up. Sometimes they do bonus points that aren't good until a later date. So they won't show until they are good.

 

[Tellingthem]

Yep coupons and codes can change the points and pricing. Plus if you bought during friends and family the prices show the 10% off but if you pick points then they go back to the regular price. Also they have been changing pricing on the website multiple times a day. Plus the website is always a mess anyway. Its less "bait and switch" and more "poor design" "confusing discounts" and "general incompetence".

 

[CNGsaves]

+1 that those bonus points sometimes LAG in showing up.

Here is CYA that I've been doing . . .
. . . .
. . . . . . . capture SCREEN SHOTS of you Sears order as you make it.

I do this then save into a Word file that I can document the entire transaction. This also gives you Credit Charge amount that you were expecting. If any shenanigans happens on Sears end, I have documentation to fight it. Always bring that printout when you go pickup your items at Sears so any major problems can be disputed with an actual human/rep at the store.

Finally I check my ShopYourWay account the next couple days to make sure I actually receive the bonus points promised.

This has helped me on roadtrip to TX when I bought stainless steel benchtop, they tried to charge me "Sears" price rather than SearsOutlet price which I had proof which I had ordered.

You've got to watch Sears like a hawk . . . and CYA !!

 

[BillK]

Sometimes I really wish that retailers would just put a fair price on everything and just get rid of all the coupons, points, discounts etc etc etc. Would sure make things a lot easier. Just go to the store (or web site) and pay the darn price. I personally think they would have a lot more satisfied customers.

Just my opinion,

 

[fastbike02]

yep more than once I've had to call to get my points added to my account, every time they have made it right and gave me a credit. But now I'm about out of stuff I want from sears lol

 

[Richard Cranium]

Bill K. Back in the mid to late 90s Sears went to every day low pricing. No sales. It lasted less then 6 months. Sears had taught it customers to wait, there will be a sale price. Any way it flopped. Does any one else remember his?

 

[RonnieC]

Just placed an order at Sears.com

Well there's your problem right there.

Sears wants to be an ongoing business like that Germanwings guy wanted to be a pilot.

 

[yamaha0343]

Bill K. Back in the mid to late 90s Sears went to every day low pricing. No sales. It lasted less then 6 months. Sears had taught it customers to wait, there will be a sale price. Any way it flopped. Does any one else remember his?

JC Penney tried the same thing a couple years ago. Also failed.

 

[SJR033]

Sometimes I really wish that retailers would just put a fair price on everything and just get rid of all the coupons, points, discounts etc etc etc. Would sure make things a lot easier. Just go to the store (or web site) and pay the darn price. I personally think they would have a lot more satisfied customers.

Just my opinion,

There are a few reasons retailers do things like this.
1) People like a deal. Or at least the perception of a deal.
2) Retailers know some people will not go to the trouble to do it and take the easy route. ie Menards 11% rebate. I wonder how many people don't fill out the rebate if the return is say under $10.
3) There are people that perceive a higher value to a higher priced item.

Let's use the Harbor Freight 44 tool chest.
Everyday "sale" price is $389.99 but it comps @ $1,029.99.
This makes some people feel like they got a deal.
It makes some people feel like it is great product because of how high it comps too. Then, they put out a coupon dropping the price to $369 or $349. But, how many people forget the coupon or didn't see it? HF is not dumb when it comes to pricing strategy. It is all a method to get you to spend money.

 

[Burgerkong]

See, you fellas thought I was crazy, but I'm not alone! I had to fight Sears recently over this, as I got charged $1XX for something that was $20 without me authorizing the $1XX charge.