mull-berry-ish Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 I currently work p/t at Kohl's. Not my dream job, but the hours work and it's extra income. However, their pricing strategies have raised my eyebrows more than once. I wonder if other department stores, JCPenneys, Belks, Dillards, do the same thing. Anyone know? TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Oh, do tell! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheBrink Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 I think all retail stores have similar pricing strategies, but I have nothing to base that on, it's jmo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plucky Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 I'm so glad you brought this up. I went to JcPenney's yesterday to buy a gift and was surprised at how jacked up the prices were. Of course, they were having a 50% off sale. So ultimately I bought a gift that was regular priced. What are you experiencing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mull-berry-ish Posted March 16, 2009 Author Share Posted March 16, 2009 I guess for a store to be considered a dept store (as opposed to a discount store), merchandise has to be offered for sale at its regular price a certain percent of the time ... like, so many days per year. So, an item at Kohls will fluctuated between regular price, a mid-range sale price then a deep discount sale price. I've noticed that these fluctuations coincide with other promotions. For instance, on a day that they may offer a 15% senior discount, some items jump up in price 15% or go back to their regular price ... even if it's for the same one day. I don't think they are doing anything wrong, but it is truly "buyer beware" or at least, be aware!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamato3 all-boy boys Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Someone just told me that Kohls and JCP are owned by the same parent company. I don't know if that is true, but I think those types of pricing strategies are common. I will say, I was pretty stoked to get my favorite fitting jeans at Kohls on Friday night for only $10! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mull-berry-ish Posted March 16, 2009 Author Share Posted March 16, 2009 I'll have to look into that (same parent company). The 'ad set' is done on a timed basis, it has to be done so quickly that you don't notice that changes. Normally, an item stays at a certain price unless it goes on sale, or you have a coupon. But there, the price goes up and down, so using a coupon may/may not be your best price. I was wondering if other stores did this also. You really wouldn't notice unless you worked there or were in the store daily. If all stores did this, then okay. If not, I might change jobs. It just doesn't seem right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kari C in SC Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 I don't know anything about working there, but I do know about the prices. You just have to watch them carefully and you can get great deals. I wait till I get my 15/20/30% off coupon and then go look at the clearance or at least 50% off prices. It always ends up being a great deal if I do it that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 I haven't worked in clothing stores but I can tell you that the practice is very common in All types of stores. It is marketing, nothing more, nothing less. They aren't being dishonest, IMHO, they are drawing in different types of customers based on how each customer perceives a bargain. Some people like Buy one, get on free. They feel like they really got something for free, not that they were forced to buy two items and got 50% off each. Some people like "x% off everything", because they can depend on the savings, not be tricked by picking up an item that isn't on sale. These type of sales also are earlier in the season, so there is more of a selection. Some like the Extra x% off, because then they really feel like they got a bargain. Even though, like you pointed out, the price may be adjusted on the first sale price to make it not such a good bargain after all. It is all about perception of the buyer. About what will draw each person in. As long as the prices are clearly marked...it isn't dishonest and is common in all retail settings (even grocery stores). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarheel Heather Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Prices are also set according to the profit margin for certain products. They make money on some items, and others they break even. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mull-berry-ish Posted March 16, 2009 Author Share Posted March 16, 2009 Thanks for all your input! I guess since I work there and change prices two, three, even four times in one week ... then see all the accompanying promotions, it's easy to get jaded. My husband and others I know refuse to buy there just because of it. A new Penney's opened across the street. I didn't know if anyone here worked there to see if they do the same thing. Guess they do!!! : ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoughCollie Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 (edited) I think it is dishonest for a store to raise prices to compensate for a sale price. If I am selling a book for 10% off, I am not going to raise the price right before I announce the sale so that I end up with full price for the book. That is not a sale. I would be lying to the customer, wouldn't I, by calling it a sale? The answer is "yes". I think it is an ethical issue, if nothing else. It doesn't matter how many other stores are doing it, and whether everyone else finds it acceptable to do so. Edited March 16, 2009 by RoughCollie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joannqn Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 It's the job of the company to get people to buy their products. Pricing strategies and marketing is part of how they accomplish that. The company is not forcing the consumer to buy it. It would only be unethical, to me, if there was coercion or government mandated monopoly preventing competition. It is the job of the consumer to decide how, when, and where they will spend their money. If they choose to buy something because "it's on sale" without considering the value or doing price comparison, that is their choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snickelfritz Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 He went in on a weekday and asked a salesperson why they were so much higher than he normally paid. The salesperson said it wasn't their sale day. Something like Monday and Tuesday, they are "regular" priced. Their sale days run the rest of the week. Every week. So, when dh wants to buy pants he now knows what days to go shopping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kari C in SC Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 It's the job of the company to get people to buy their products. Pricing strategies and marketing is part of how they accomplish that. The company is not forcing the consumer to buy it. It would only be unethical, to me, if there was coercion or government mandated monopoly preventing competition. It is the job of the consumer to decide how, when, and where they will spend their money. If they choose to buy something because "it's on sale" without considering the value or doing price comparison, that is their choice. :iagree: As I said in my other post, I use these sales to my advantage. I almost always get a 30% coupon off on everything even clearance. I have bought New Balance shoes that were marked 50% off and then got an additional 30% off making them less than $20 a pair. If they were full price, I would skip it. I only use my 30 ADDITIONAL % off if something is on sale or on clearance. I get super deals this way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deece in MN Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 I guess for a store to be considered a dept store (as opposed to a discount store), merchandise has to be offered for sale at its regular price a certain percent of the time ... like, so many days per year. So, an item at Kohls will fluctuated between regular price, a mid-range sale price then a deep discount sale price. I've noticed that these fluctuations coincide with other promotions. For instance, on a day that they may offer a 15% senior discount, some items jump up in price 15% or go back to their regular price ... even if it's for the same one day. I don't think they are doing anything wrong, but it is truly "buyer beware" or at least, be aware!!! I work at Kohl's doing ad set and although I have noticed the price changes I don't think it is as bad as you are making it sound. Yes, the price of items fluctuate and sometimes they go up when there is some other promotion, but it is not as if every item in the store will go up 15% to compensate for a 15% off promotion. There are also many items that go down in price even when there is some other promotion going on. I think there are multiple factors that go into the pricing of items. I do think it is good to be aware of prices/pricing no matter where you shop. I still shop at Kohl's, but I watch the prices on things we may want to buy and when they are at a good price I will buy it. Anyway, you do what you feel is right, but I don't think it will be any different at another store. JMHO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joannqn Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 As I said in my other post, I use these sales to my advantage. I almost always get a 30% coupon off on everything even clearance. I have bought New Balance shoes that were marked 50% off and then got an additional 30% off making them less than $20 a pair. If they were full price, I would skip it. I only use my 30 ADDITIONAL % off if something is on sale or on clearance. I get super deals this way. :iagree: As someone who can only wear New Balance, and only certain styles at that, I can tell you that is an awesome price. Good for you! Can you buy me some next time? We don't have Kohls around here that I've seen. Because I am limited to only one or two styles of New Balance, I'll pay $50 a pair if I have to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deece in MN Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 I think it is dishonest for a store to raise prices to compensate for a sale price. If I am selling a book for 10% off, I am not going to raise the price right before I announce the sale so that I end up with full price for the book. That is not a sale. I would be lying to the customer, wouldn't I, by calling it a sale? The answer is "yes". I think it is an ethical issue, if nothing else. It doesn't matter how many other stores are doing it, and whether everyone else finds it acceptable to do so. This isn't exactly what is happening though. They are not raising the regular price of an item to compensate for some other promotion. Most items at Kohl's are "on sale" all the time. Very few items are sold at the regular ticketed price. It is the sale price that will fluctuate. One day you may go into Kohl's and an item is 15% off and the next time you go it may be 30% off. It is then possible to go again and see that item back to 15% off. Sometimes this will coincide with other promotions that are going on and sometimes it won't, but the retail price does not change. I don't know all the particulars about the pricing schedule and I am not saying that price changes are right or wrong. I am just saying that I don't think Kohl's is the only one doing this and I don't think it is as bad as the op made it sound. JMHO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mull-berry-ish Posted March 18, 2009 Author Share Posted March 18, 2009 Most items at Kohl's are "on sale" all the time. Very few items are sold at the regular ticketed price. It is the sale price that will fluctuate. One day you may go into Kohl's and an item is 15% off and the next time you go it may be 30% off. It is then possible to go again and see that item back to 15% off. Sometimes this will coincide with other promotions that are going on and sometimes it won't, but the retail price does not change. That's what I'm talking about ... the fluctuating sales price. In the course of one week, that sales price will change 3-4 times. So, if I plan to purchase an item and want to use, for example, the 15% 'pick-a-day" (which is good for 10 or so days) ... if I don't go on the right day, it's not a discount at all. In fact, in those 10 or so days that the 'pick-a-day' is valid, that sales price will fluctuate about 5-6 times. That's what I'm talking about. You'd think they were trying to get you to be in the store on a daily basis. Regardless, my husband won't shop there anymore. And I get tired of it. Just wondered if other stores did same ... I get embarrassed when customers point that out to me. Personally, I have a problem with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 I know I've heard the attorney general of New York has prosecuted stores for deceptive sale claims. http://www.oag.state.ny.us/media_center/2006/mar/mar14a_06.html Here's what the Federal Trade Center has to say about it: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/guides/decptprc.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erica in PA Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 I think it is dishonest for a store to raise prices to compensate for a sale price. I agree. The customer's obvious assumption, when seeing that items are 25% off, for example, is that they will pay 25% less than the usual price for that item. Not 25% off of an artifically inflated price. I don't think I could feel good about working at a place that does that, especially if I was the one who had to go around marking up prices in anticipation of a sale. I have noticed before that Kohl's does this, and as a result I am much less likely to shop there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.