[nathanbrazil]

I spotted a bargain on the RIcher Sounds website, last of stock clearance of the Cambridge Audio Sonata NP30. As these are currently changing hands on E-Bay (the company that charges you three times) for upwards of £200, I though that RC's deal of £149.95 was great. Until I tried to buy. Unable to purchase this on-line, I called the number provided.

NB - Hi, I'd like to buy the Cambridge Audio Sonata NP30 as shown on your website.

RC - Ah, there might be some of those left. Oh, it's store only, sir.

NB - So, you have the product available, but won't sell it to me over your telesales line?

RC - That's correct, sir.

NB - I'd be happy to pay extra postage.

RC - Sorry sir.

NB - But, if I were to travel to my nearest store, not only would that swallow the entire saving, I'd actually be paying more than the second hand price.

RC - Sorry, sir.

[Nigel Goodwin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanbrazil

Oh, it's store only, sir.

Do you have trouble understanding such a clear and simple statement?

Presumably mail order and web sales are distributed from a central depot?, so 'shop only' will mean any remaining stock is already in the shops, so can't be supplied from the distribution network.

[evil c]

The thing is that the clearance bargains are not held in a central distribution warehouse but instead are from each store. It clearly states at the top of the clearance page, 'This is a selection of clearance bargains available to take away at your local store today'.

Further down the page there's a pic of a bloke with a speech bubble saying, 'Please ensure that you call your local store to check stock/condition and reserve your clearance bargain before making a special journey'.

So they are making it quite clear as far as I can see.

http://www.richersounds.com/clearance

[Tassium]

It's not "twisted logic" but in a situation like this a clever manager would agree to post it out for, say, £15

Difficult times require a can-do attitude.

I must say I'm frequently surprised at the laziness of British firms, it's like the fifties all over again.

[koantemplation]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tassium

It's not "twisted logic" but in a situation like this a clever manager would agree to post it out for, say, £15

Difficult times require a can-do attitude.

I must say I'm frequently surprised at the laziness of British firms, it's like the fifties all over again.

Yes 'out of the box' thinking isn't something that come naturally to some institutions.

[ironjade]

Quote:

Originally Posted by koantemplation

Yes 'out of the box' thinking isn't something that come naturally to some institutions.

True. I once asked after a particular model of radio in my local Curry's and they said the only one they had was at their store in Beckton, which is a something of a trek at the best of times. He could have arranged to have it sent to me as I was intending to buy it, or at least to his branch but no.
Curry's 0: Gill Wing (in the much closer Islington) 1.
That branch of Curry's is now gone. Can't think why.

[Deacon1972]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanbrazil

I spotted a bargain on the RIcher Sounds website, last of stock clearance of the Cambridge Audio Sonata NP30. As these are currently changing hands on E-Bay (the company that charges you three times) for upwards of £200, I though that RC's deal of £149.95 was great. Until I tried to buy. Unable to purchase this on-line, I called the number provided.

NB - Hi, I'd like to buy the Cambridge Audio Sonata NP30 as shown on your website.

RC - Ah, there might be some of those left. Oh, it's store only, sir.

NB - So, you have the product available, but won't sell it to me over your telesales line?

RC - That's correct, sir.

NB - I'd be happy to pay extra postage.

RC - Sorry sir.

NB - But, if I were to travel to my nearest store, not only would that swallow the entire saving, I'd actually be paying more than the second hand price.

RC - Sorry, sir.

What would be your reaction and response to Richer Sounds when you found the delivered item to have missing part(s) and/or minor marks - all possible with their clearance bargains?

They prefer their clearance items to be seen in person before being sold so the customer knows exactly what they are buying, that to me is as far away from twisted logic as you can get.

[nathanbrazil]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

Do you have trouble understanding such a clear and simple statement?

Not at all. It would be better however if you spoke from knowledge rather than presumption,.

[nathanbrazil]

Quote:

Originally Posted by evil c

Further down the page there's a pic of a bloke with a speech bubble saying, 'Please ensure that you call your local store to check stock]

Sure, but why can't that store post a parcel?

[nathanbrazil]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deacon1972

What would be your reaction and response to Richer Sounds when you found the delivered item to have missing part(s) and/or minor marks - all possible with their clearance bargains?.

The same as any other goods sold that are not fit for purpose.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deacon1972

They prefer their clearance items to be seen in person before being sold so the customer knows exactly what they are buying, that to me is as far away from twisted logic as you can get.

Merely looking in a box would only determine if there was cosmetic damage. The law requires goods to be as stated and fit for purpose. So if they're selling spare parts, an item should be clearly advertised as such.

[mac2708]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

Do you have trouble understanding such a clear and simple statement?
.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanbrazil

Not at all. It would be better however if you spoke from knowledge rather than presumption,.

The site can't be any clearer than this:

"Remember, these are clearance items and therefore condition and accessories supplied may vary. Please call the store to check the stock/condition and reserve your clearance bargain before making a special journey. Due to costs, we cannot transfer clearance stock between branches or sell via mail order - sorry!"

[nathanbrazil]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tassium

It's not "twisted logic" but in a situation like this a clever manager would agree to post it out for, say, £15.

YES, thank you. That is all I was asking for. Not being awkward, not a stroppy customer, just a bloke trying to buy something.

[nathanbrazil]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mac2708

Due to costs, we cannot transfer clearance stock between branches or sell via mail order - sorry!"

This is clearly rubbish. I would be paying any postage costs.

Why even bother advertising on the Interweb, when something is only ever going to be available very locally. No one distant is ever going to spend much more than a product is worth to collect a 'bargain' in person.

[nathanbrazil]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tassium

I must say I'm frequently surprised at the laziness of British firms, it's like the fifties all over again.

Yet there are really good examples. Not so long ago I bought a lot of AV gear from Super-Fi. As I wanted to hear this in action, I opted for a demo. I live in the Isle of Wight, and my demo was in Birmingham, where I happened to have other business. Super-Fi could not have been more helpful. Great, highly informative demo, no hard sell, they kept hold of what I bought until I was ready for delivery, and after sales were brilliant.

Ironically, there was a Richer Sounds just across the road. I popped in for quick look, and just as quickly popped out again. It was like the difference between M&S food and what you get in a corner shop Co-Op. Today, I found that nothing much has changed.

[Larry_Kirsten]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanbrazil

This is clearly rubbish. I would be paying any postage costs.

Why even bother advertising on the Interweb, when something is only ever going to be available very locally. No one distant is ever going to spend much more than a product is worth to collect a 'bargain' in person.

Maybe because someone who has a local branch isn't aware of such bargains and may want such an item?

Wow, who'd have thought that a company might want to sell stuff to local people?

Keep stamping your feet whilst screaming and threaten to do so until you're sick. It apparently works for some.

[unique]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanbrazil

I spotted a bargain on the RIcher Sounds website, last of stock clearance of the Cambridge Audio Sonata NP30. As these are currently changing hands on E-Bay (the company that charges you three times) for upwards of £200, I though that RC's deal of £149.95 was great. Until I tried to buy. Unable to purchase this on-line, I called the number provided.

NB - Hi, I'd like to buy the Cambridge Audio Sonata NP30 as shown on your website.

RC - Ah, there might be some of those left. Oh, it's store only, sir.

NB - So, you have the product available, but won't sell it to me over your telesales line?

RC - That's correct, sir.

NB - I'd be happy to pay extra postage.

RC - Sorry sir.

NB - But, if I were to travel to my nearest store, not only would that swallow the entire saving, I'd actually be paying more than the second hand price.

RC - Sorry, sir.

how is this twisted logic? it's an "in store only offer" so why would they sell it online or over the phone? it would be twisted logic to say it was instore only and then sell it online or over the phone

the goods are in stores all over the uk and not in a warehouse that's set to distribute goods sold by phone or online. the stores won't have the same facilities and staffing to check the contents of the box are complete, pack and wrap and get ready to post and then take to the post office. couriers that collect often charge more so the delivery charges, which would need to include insurance for damage and loss, would push the price up to that of ebay prices

the low price instore is so the item sells quickly so it gets it out the way with the least amount of hassle

if they said, yes we can post it but it would cost £50 to include staffing costs, plus packing and postage to make it worth our while, would you buy it? and if you did, or even if you didn't, would you then moan online that they wanted £50 for the cost of packing/wrapping and delivery?

[evil c]

I don't know why you bothered starting the thread if you only wanted opinions that agreed with yours. It's not like Richer Sounds are forcing you to buy from them. They make it quite clear what they will do and what they will not do. You justed wanted a rant didn't you, but it didn't go the way you hoped.

[Minkinit]

The other issue with posting out a clearance item, is that you would have additional rights under consumer contract regulations regarding item condition.

[Deacon1972]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanbrazil

The same as any other goods sold that are not fit for purpose.

Precisely why they won't deliver clearance items, it's not worth the hassle having idiots ringing complaining when the item delivered has a scuff mark or the battery compartment cover from the remote is missing, even though it clearly states the condition and accessories will vary on each item.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanbrazil

Merely looking in a box would only determine if there was cosmetic damage. The law requires goods to be as stated and fit for purpose. So if they're selling spare parts, an item should be clearly advertised as such.

Clearly states condition and accessories will vary on all clearance items and why RS require you to check the item in person before buying so there's no comeback - put simply, they are in store offers only.

[Dan Sette]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tassium

It's not "twisted logic" but in a situation like this a clever manager would agree to post it out for, say, £15

Difficult times require a can-do attitude.

I must say I'm frequently surprised at the laziness of British firms, it's like the fifties all over again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by koantemplation

Yes 'out of the box' thinking isn't something that come naturally to some institutions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanbrazil

Sure, but why can't that store post a parcel?

Perhaps it because they are using it as a loss leader.

They want you in the store so they can sell you something else in addition / upsell.

That's usually why there are store only offers. It may very well be the case that the item is on the shelf and the only one left.