My PetSmart matches prices.

[Bol]

They have the Fluval 404 for 174.99 in the store and it's 106.99 on the site.

But at Big Al's, it's $90.


This is nice of Petsmart, I guess, but I don't think I'll ever buy another heater or filter at an actual store again.

I can understand "overhead costs", and supporting your local business, etc., but 100% - 300% markups are just not reasonable, in my opinion.

 

[DOLORES]

Was it the manager's policy, the store's policy, or the chain's policy?

 

[cometcattle]

Was it the manager's policy, the store's policy, or the chain's policy?

The manager said it was the chain's policy.

 

[DOLORES]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH YEAH! that is sooo cool !! oh yeahh im so excited never again to pay those nasty prices in there!

thanx comtcattle!

 

[vantgE]

know about canada?

 

[Becca]

know about canada?

Canada should be included, as long as the location is part of the PetSmart chain. I don't believe there are franchises of PetSmart, so you should be safe. If you're not sure - call the location and ask if they'll honor Online Prices.

While I was at PetSmart last night, I spoke with another manager and confirmed if the policy is store or chain wide. He said that it should be chain wide. Also, from this thread alone, it appears as if several people from different areas have already done this without hassle. That backs up the "Chain Policy".

I asked about the markup. I bought a BioWheel 170 for the regular website price of $20.99 (In store it was $34.99 and at other LFS it was $50). He said his theory is that the markup in the store is the diferrence that the usual online customer will pay in Shipping & Handling. Those charges are rolled into the items sold in teh store and go to pay for the overhead of running the location. (Shipping, Staff Salaries, Utilities, etc.)

Rules about the policy: In order for the online price to be matched - you must find the item online, print out the advertisement, or item description, showing what the item is, how much it's listed for and then track it down in the store. I know there are some items in the store that are not online. Fish - obviously, I noticed BioWheel now has a 280(?) model out - it used to go from 170 to 330. Those are carried in store, but not online (yet). There may be other items not yet online.

My advice would be to check out the selection online. If you find it, print it out and go buy it. If you can't find it, then call the store and see if they have it. If it's too much money and you can put it off, just wait until PetSmart lists the item online.

Also, someone mentioned that one of the items that PetSmart had for around $100 was at Big Al's for about $90. That kinda left me wishing "Damn, I wish there was a Big Al's around me!" Not everyone's lucky enough to be close enough, or even know what Big Al's is!

I found their website http/www.bigalsonline.com/[/a] but can't seem to find locations - at least for the US portion of the site. Is this an Internet Only company? If there are locations in the US (or even Windsor - I'm in Detroit and pretty close to Canada, where my money is worth even more. ) where abouts are they?

 

[Shizat]

I've worked for petsmart for over 3 years now and I think this took effect in the last couple of months. It should be nation wide and all the stores will match the online prices now which is sometimes a savings of 5-100 US dollars.

 

[kittybug]

it is my understanding that walmart will beat anyadvertised price. never had to ask though because ive never found anything cheaper somewhere else. ive only bought smaller accesories and food there though so far.

 

[rollntider]

it is my understanding that walmart will beat anyadvertised price. never had to ask though because ive never found anything cheaper somewhere else. ive only bought smaller accesories and food there though so far.

yeah that is for the same Item though, why do you think they have regent filters? (marineland makes them) because no one else has them, if you try to get them to beat a bio wheel price they won't because it is a different brand. It doesnt have the same name on the box. A lot of stores does this , they get the manufactuer to make them their own "line" of products and they have it as an exclusive. That way they can say, "different brand". I worked at home depot a time ago and that is what they and lowes did. Lowes would have a dewalt drill with a battery and flash light for X amount of dollars, we could not match that price because ours had a different type of flash light. In most cases to keep from losing the sale I would match anyways, but dont expect all stores to do this.

 

[bkk_group]

know about canada?

Canada should be included, as long as the location is part of the PetSmart chain. I don't believe there are franchises of PetSmart, so you should be safe. If you're not sure - call the location and ask if they'll honor Online Prices.

While I was at PetSmart last night, I spoke with another manager and confirmed if the policy is store or chain wide. He said that it should be chain wide. Also, from this thread alone, it appears as if several people from different areas have already done this without hassle. That backs up the "Chain Policy".

I asked about the markup. I bought a BioWheel 170 for the regular website price of $20.99 (In store it was $34.99 and at other LFS it was $50). He said his theory is that the markup in the store is the diferrence that the usual online customer will pay in Shipping & Handling. Those charges are rolled into the items sold in teh store and go to pay for the overhead of running the location. (Shipping, Staff Salaries, Utilities, etc.)

Rules about the policy: In order for the online price to be matched - you must find the item online, print out the advertisement, or item description, showing what the item is, how much it's listed for and then track it down in the store. I know there are some items in the store that are not online. Fish - obviously, I noticed BioWheel now has a 280(?) model out - it used to go from 170 to 330. Those are carried in store, but not online (yet). There may be other items not yet online.

My advice would be to check out the selection online. If you find it, print it out and go buy it. If you can't find it, then call the store and see if they have it. If it's too much money and you can put it off, just wait until PetSmart lists the item online.

Also, someone mentioned that one of the items that PetSmart had for around $100 was at Big Al's for about $90. That kinda left me wishing "Damn, I wish there was a Big Al's around me!" Not everyone's lucky enough to be close enough, or even know what Big Al's is!

I found their website http/www.bigalsonline.com/[/a] but can't seem to find locations - at least for the US portion of the site. Is this an Internet Only company? If there are locations in the US (or even Windsor - I'm in Detroit and pretty close to Canada, where my money is worth even more. ) where abouts are they?

as far as i know big al's is in canada only. they have about 6 or 7 locations across canada though, very nice fish selection, kinda like the rolls royce of LFS around here