BEATING ELECTRONICS SUPERSTORES by Al Hoff Published March 24, 1997 other columns by Al Hoff	Stop me if you've heard this already — Friday morning, I grab the advertising circular from my nearby electronics superstore. Cool, there's the best TV advertised at a deliciously low price. By 7 p.m. Friday, I'm standing in the store's TV aisle in dismay as the salesman tells me that the advertised product is sold out, but he'd like to show me a different, but comparable model. Advertising a product not in stock is wrong, but there's loophole language in those ads like "Not all advertised items available at all locations" or "Because of the great demand for items in this advertisement, there is a possibility some items may oversell. In that event, we will attempt to offer a substitute of equal value, if available." (My emphasis: Take note of these vague words. The store is not guaranteeing anything.) Electronics superstores often advertise yummy deals to lure you into the store, eager to buy. Admittedly, there are some good deals at these stores if you're prepared to fight for them. Here's a few battle plans: Take the Other Offered Product. I recommend this only if you are familiar with the merchandise and you, not the salesman, can verify that it is a product of equal or greater value. And never pay more than the original advertised price. On a VCR quest, I was offered an alternative model that had additional features and cost $50 more. I insisted if it was to be a replacement for the advertised product then I would pay no more than the advertised price. The salesman grudgingly agreed. Stand Your Ground. Do not let the salesman get away. Make it clear that you want this product and you're not leaving. Insist, politely and firmly, that they answer your questions: Why isn't the product in stock? When do they expect another shipment? Why was this advertised now if the delivery truck is still in Kansas? Can he call other stores in the area to see if they have it in stock? Repeat as necessary.
Why was this advertised now if the delivery truck is still in Kansas?	Don't Get Angry — you'll lose all your standing as "a worthy customer." But, if you don't mind the theatricality of it, speak in a louder-than-normal voice. (The store doesn't want other customers hearing you asking again and again why the store will not make good on its advertising.) The more time you spend legitimately pestering the salesman (cut off his patter about substitute products), the more likely you will finally get a deal. Every minute they waste with you is lost time when they could be making other sales. Often, the salesman will cut a deal just to get rid of you. Be Prepared to Wait. Despite their big ticket items, these stores rely on impulse buying. The ads get you hepped up about a product. Most customers want instant gratification, but the smart shopper doesn't mind waiting a couple of weeks. Stores may spin some yarn about how the delivery trucks are on the way and you should keep checking back. Ask for a raincheck signed by a manager. Make sure the exact model number and advertised price are listed, as well as the date and your name. I've had sporadic success with this. Some stores will flat out refuse to give a raincheck, and if the merchandise has been advertised with any caveats, they have no obligation to provide one. I have also received rainchecks for products that never showed up! If the product is in the pipeline somewhere (a store in another state or on the truck), make them honor their words. Offer to buy the item right now at the price advertised, and let them know you'll come collect it, pre-paid, when it arrives. The very logic of this offer is hard for them to dismiss. It's in theory win-win: They get rid of you, they honor their advertised price, they satisfy a future customer and you get the deal you wanted.
Twenty minutes spent needling a salesman is quickly forgotten once I'm home watching "The Simpsons" on my new TV.	Make sure you get a detailed receipt that includes their written promise (and ideally a manager's signature) to provide that product by a specific date. Stay alert. Call the store regularly to check on your order. Don't accept any deviation from the terms laid out in the written sales receipt (i.e. accept only the exact model you paid for). Use a credit card to make these promissory deals. If the store has not honored its commitment by the date stated, inform them they have 48 hours after the date promised on the receipt to make good on the deal or you are canceling the credit card payment. Still no response? Well, rush to your phone and cancel that payment. Have all the information handy to explain to the credit card people how you didn't receive a product for which you paid. You cannot be held liable for a product you never received. Credit card companies want you to get the product (they get the money), so often they will prod the store to action after "freezing" the charge. Why not have some gigantic credit card company on your side? Executing any of the above maneuvers does take time and energy. However, twenty irritating minutes spent needling a salesman is quickly forgotten once I'm home watching "The Simpsons" on the TV I wanted, and purchased at the price I wanted. And there's the thrill of victory; I love beating these stores at their own games. I'm the consumer, after all — and ultimately, they need me more than I need a TV. Al "Girl Reporter" Hoff is the editor and publisher of Thrift SCORE!, the preeminent thrifting zine in the world. She lives in Pittsburgh, PA in a house full of amazing junk. © 1997 Al Hoff, all rights reserved.