Just ran across this article about a specialty food store in Brisbane...

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/201...-practically-everyone-has-done-at-some-point/

From what I can see, the store is charging a $5 cover charge just to walk in the door. What happens if you pay the charge, but it turns out that they are out of stock on the item you want?

Now I understand that some people will use their smartphone to compare prices, but the policy seems a bit extreme to this Yank. Particularly when stores in the US are doing the opposite:

http://www.businessinsider.com/best-buy-new-price-matching-policy-2013-2

My advice to the owners would be that if you really can't compete with prices or better service, then you'd be better served to close your doors as soon as possible to preserve your capital for better uses.

Your thoughts?
gatorcpa

 

And Jessops went into administration fairly recently...

 

I wanted to see some of the reactions about this, particularly from Dennis, before saying anything else.

You see, Dennis and I visited an Omega Boutique over the weekend. Saw some nice watches and the saleswoman definitely noticed the nice new AT on Dennis's wrist. He mentioned that he got it a jeweler back home at a nice discount.

She understood, and then went on to mention that while she couldn't meet the discount, there were benefits from buying at the Boutique. Jennifer was very nice about it and was perfectly trained in how to handle the inquiry.

Moral of the story...You'll catch more (but not all) flies with honey than with vinegar.

gatorcpa

 

Its not how Australians treat customers, its how Australians treat Celiacs, its the first disease that's ever been "trendy".

 

Visit New York. Every disease has its following and cachet - the more trivial, the more fervent its adherents.

 

Yes, I know.

Effin' iPhone!
gatorcpa

 

I can guarantee this place would be over-charging by far more than what should be necessary.

To generalize, many small to medium-sized Australian businesses are extremely uncompetitive and customer-hostile. The most common scenario is finding items here priced at over 2 times what it would cost to simply order from the US (including USPS Priority shipping, or better).

I can often use Amazon + freight-forwarding + DHL.. still 40-50% cheaper.

I've seen it hundreds of times. I give many places a chance to price-match or adjust their price. Excuses and attitude is all you'll receive.

 

The boutiques though aside from revenue from sales I think serve as a great marketing and advertising tool for the brand so I think even if many of those who browse and ask questions (and hopefully learn more about the brand and its products) go elsewhere and buy omegas then the boutique has achieved something. That's not the case with a chain store like Best Buy here in the US to use as an example - they are in the business of profit from sales so if their stores are used as a showroom for eventual internet purchases then it is a loss for them.

 

Well, the pleasure of dealing with KatYap would be one.

 

I learned that the term for this practice is "showrooming." It was discussed on NPR this morning, which picked up the story of the Australian business that started this thread, and attributed to the ready availability of identical product at better prices on line.

 

Yet another noun that has been turned into a verb

 

Mutable language, is English. Like "extreme mild normal wear"