Argos and mobile phones

pixel_pixel · 19-03-2007, 19:04

I in was in Argos the other day and they had a sign up saying something like only one mobile phone per customer. Did not really pay much attention at the time - what's all this about?

bradisace · 19-03-2007, 19:09

It means that only one person can have one mobile phone.

It is the sort of rule that is just there for the people that take the p**s with it i.e. buying vast amounts each week.

pixel_pixel · 19-03-2007, 19:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradisace

It means that only one person can have one mobile phone.

It is the sort of rule that is just there for the people that take the p**s with it i.e. buying vast amounts each week.

Why would anyone want to buy in bulk?

bradisace · 19-03-2007, 19:35

Well when there is a sale and some phones are sold at an OK price there used to be a lot of people coming in just to buy the phones and then sell them on abroad.

Unwritten · 19-03-2007, 23:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixel_pixel

Why would anyone want to buy in bulk?

Independant shop owners = buy half prices phones in Argos = sell on for full price.

pixel_pixel · 20-03-2007, 00:03

A sale is a sale isn't it?

iDan · 20-03-2007, 00:05

Yes, for customers, not for abusers.

Unwritten · 20-03-2007, 08:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixel_pixel

A sale is a sale isn't it?

Oh dear.

Customer comes to shop. No phones left because some trader bought loads. Customer goes elsewhere. Remembers previous experience with Argos having no phones in stock. Doesn't buy from them again. Tells friends Argos never have phones in stock. Other people avoid Argos and buy phones elsehwere. Argos loses customers.

Come on it's not rocket science.

wernroe · 20-03-2007, 08:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unwritten

Oh dear.

Customer comes to shop. No phones left because some trader bought loads. Customer goes elsewhere. Remembers previous experience with Argos having no phones in stock.....

....customer then uses Argos' stock checker on website next time

Unwritten · 20-03-2007, 09:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by wernroe

....customer then uses Argos' stock checker on website next time

But that would still have the same outcome. Whether you check instore or go online, there'll still be no mobiles left and people will still go elsewhere.

wernroe · 20-03-2007, 09:40

So just because one store would be sold out, all others in the surrounding areas would too?!

Ever heard of Argos' home delivery service?

You seem to be saying that just because they don't have one item in stock that customers will never buy from them again.

To be honest mate I think you're trying too hard to prove a very tenuous point.

Unwritten · 20-03-2007, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by wernroe

So just because one store would be sold out, all others in the surrounding areas would too?!

Ever heard of Argos' home delivery service?

You seem to be saying that just because they don't have one item in stock that customers will never buy from them again.

To be honest mate I think you're trying too hard to prove a very tenuous point.

I'm just saying that for those who don't shop on the internet, and for those who don't want to inconveniently have to travel to another store possibly in another town, then it's going to create a bad impression.

Of course my opinion isn't valid though. You're right, you know the truth.

DXRulz · 20-03-2007, 17:04

If i need to buy something from Argos, i reserve online then pay and pick up in-store the next day. That way im guaranteed to get what i want

wernroe · 20-03-2007, 17:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unwritten

I'm just saying that for those who don't shop on the internet, and for those who don't want to inconveniently have to travel to another store possibly in another town, then it's going to create a bad impression.

Of course my opinion isn't valid though. You're right, you know the truth.

Don't be so facetious - your opinion is as valid as anyone elses. The point I'm trying to make is you need to look at this matter a little more realistically.

The scenario you describe certainly would create a bad impression in some but do you honestly think it would happen enough to make any noticeable dent in Argos' finances? Anyone who abandons use of one particular retailer due to a product not being on a certain branch on one occasion certainly has a very curious outlook on shopping.

Unwritten · 20-03-2007, 17:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by wernroe

Don't be so facetious - your opinion is as valid as anyone elses. The point I'm trying to make is you need to look at this matter a little more realistically.

The scenario you describe certainly would create a bad impression in some but do you honestly think it would happen enough to make any noticeable dent in Argos' finances? Anyone who abandons use of one particular retailer due to a product not being on a certain branch on one occasion certainly has a very curious outlook on shopping.

I see what you mean. I don't think it would create much damage to the companies' finances, but, as a company, wouldn't they rather have more happy customers than fewer?

wernroe · 20-03-2007, 17:39

I'm sure if they lifted their stance on wanting to make a profit, and decided lower all prices to 50% of cost then they'd have even more happy customers.

It's all about practicalities. They don't want to disappoint anyone however they have to weigh that up with common sense.

Ben Williams · 30-03-2007, 21:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixel_pixel

Why would anyone want to buy in bulk?

Because most of the time when you buy in bulk you get a discount.

prking · 31-03-2007, 08:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by wernroe

Don't be so facetious - your opinion is as valid as anyone elses. The point I'm trying to make is you need to look at this matter a little more realistically.

...

Nonsense, retailers do this for various reasons. You are ignoring other consequences.

Do you think that retailers have these policies just to be awkward.
1)To prevent bulk buying, despite what you say, customers do complain. They will even go to the ASA/trading standards/watchdog when an advertised offer isn't available. Retailers have been fined before because of this. Much of the value of a retail company is in brand and goodwill.

2)In the case of mobiles, providers are wary of phones being sold on. Both abroad and by dodgy sellers.

3)The VAT rules are different for wholesalers and retailers.
Etc. Etc

19-03-2007, 19:04	#1
pixel_pixel Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 4,684	Argos and mobile phones I in was in Argos the other day and they had a sign up saying something like only one mobile phone per customer. Did not really pay much attention at the time - what's all this about?

20-03-2007, 09:40	#11
wernroe Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 348	So just because one store would be sold out, all others in the surrounding areas would too?! Ever heard of Argos' home delivery service? You seem to be saying that just because they don't have one item in stock that customers will never buy from them again. To be honest mate I think you're trying too hard to prove a very tenuous point. Last edited by wernroe : 20-03-2007 at 09:41.

19-03-2007, 19:09	#2
bradisace Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 518	It means that only one person can have one mobile phone. It is the sort of rule that is just there for the people that take the p**s with it i.e. buying vast amounts each week.

19-03-2007, 19:23	#3
pixel_pixel Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 4,684	Quote: Originally Posted by bradisace It means that only one person can have one mobile phone. It is the sort of rule that is just there for the people that take the p**s with it i.e. buying vast amounts each week. Why would anyone want to buy in bulk?

19-03-2007, 19:35	#4
bradisace Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 518	Well when there is a sale and some phones are sold at an OK price there used to be a lot of people coming in just to buy the phones and then sell them on abroad.

19-03-2007, 23:51	#5
Unwritten Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 409	Quote: Originally Posted by pixel_pixel Why would anyone want to buy in bulk? Independant shop owners = buy half prices phones in Argos = sell on for full price.

20-03-2007, 00:03	#6
pixel_pixel Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 4,684	A sale is a sale isn't it?

20-03-2007, 00:05	#7
iDan Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,812	Yes, for customers, not for abusers.

20-03-2007, 08:37	#8
Unwritten Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 409	Quote: Originally Posted by pixel_pixel A sale is a sale isn't it? Oh dear. Customer comes to shop. No phones left because some trader bought loads. Customer goes elsewhere. Remembers previous experience with Argos having no phones in stock. Doesn't buy from them again. Tells friends Argos never have phones in stock. Other people avoid Argos and buy phones elsehwere. Argos loses customers. Come on it's not rocket science.

20-03-2007, 08:57	#9
wernroe Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 348	Quote: Originally Posted by Unwritten Oh dear. Customer comes to shop. No phones left because some trader bought loads. Customer goes elsewhere. Remembers previous experience with Argos having no phones in stock..... ....customer then uses Argos' stock checker on website next time

20-03-2007, 09:05	#10
Unwritten Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 409	Quote: Originally Posted by wernroe ....customer then uses Argos' stock checker on website next time But that would still have the same outcome. Whether you check instore or go online, there'll still be no mobiles left and people will still go elsewhere.

20-03-2007, 16:44	#12
Unwritten Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 409	Quote: Originally Posted by wernroe So just because one store would be sold out, all others in the surrounding areas would too?! Ever heard of Argos' home delivery service? You seem to be saying that just because they don't have one item in stock that customers will never buy from them again. To be honest mate I think you're trying too hard to prove a very tenuous point. I'm just saying that for those who don't shop on the internet, and for those who don't want to inconveniently have to travel to another store possibly in another town, then it's going to create a bad impression. Of course my opinion isn't valid though. You're right, you know the truth.

20-03-2007, 17:04	#13
DXRulz Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oswestry, Shropshire Posts: 4,196	If i need to buy something from Argos, i reserve online then pay and pick up in-store the next day. That way im guaranteed to get what i want

20-03-2007, 17:20	#14
wernroe Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 348	Quote: Originally Posted by Unwritten I'm just saying that for those who don't shop on the internet, and for those who don't want to inconveniently have to travel to another store possibly in another town, then it's going to create a bad impression. Of course my opinion isn't valid though. You're right, you know the truth. Don't be so facetious - your opinion is as valid as anyone elses. The point I'm trying to make is you need to look at this matter a little more realistically. The scenario you describe certainly would create a bad impression in some but do you honestly think it would happen enough to make any noticeable dent in Argos' finances? Anyone who abandons use of one particular retailer due to a product not being on a certain branch on one occasion certainly has a very curious outlook on shopping.

20-03-2007, 17:23	#15
Unwritten Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 409	Quote: Originally Posted by wernroe Don't be so facetious - your opinion is as valid as anyone elses. The point I'm trying to make is you need to look at this matter a little more realistically. The scenario you describe certainly would create a bad impression in some but do you honestly think it would happen enough to make any noticeable dent in Argos' finances? Anyone who abandons use of one particular retailer due to a product not being on a certain branch on one occasion certainly has a very curious outlook on shopping. I see what you mean. I don't think it would create much damage to the companies' finances, but, as a company, wouldn't they rather have more happy customers than fewer?

20-03-2007, 17:39	#16
wernroe Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 348	I'm sure if they lifted their stance on wanting to make a profit, and decided lower all prices to 50% of cost then they'd have even more happy customers. It's all about practicalities. They don't want to disappoint anyone however they have to weigh that up with common sense.

30-03-2007, 21:55	#17
Ben Williams Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Welwyn Garden City, Herts! Posts: 550	Quote: Originally Posted by pixel_pixel Why would anyone want to buy in bulk? Because most of the time when you buy in bulk you get a discount.

31-03-2007, 08:18	#18
prking Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Weston-super-Mare Posts: 9,167	Quote: Originally Posted by wernroe Don't be so facetious - your opinion is as valid as anyone elses. The point I'm trying to make is you need to look at this matter a little more realistically. ... Nonsense, retailers do this for various reasons. You are ignoring other consequences. Do you think that retailers have these policies just to be awkward. 1)To prevent bulk buying, despite what you say, customers do complain. They will even go to the ASA/trading standards/watchdog when an advertised offer isn't available. Retailers have been fined before because of this. Much of the value of a retail company is in brand and goodwill. 2)In the case of mobiles, providers are wary of phones being sold on. Both abroad and by dodgy sellers. 3)The VAT rules are different for wholesalers and retailers. Etc. Etc

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Argos and mobile phones