Ordering Online

audiobliss

If you've followed any of the threads in which I've tried to buy something/discussed buying something, you know how hard it's been for me to persuade the parents to let me buy anything on this forum. That also means you can probably guess that I've never bought anything online, and my parents do so VERY seldom.

However, I just made a transaction. I got a CC and Wallyworld gift card for Christmas, and just haven't made time to go to the stores and use them. Also, I wanted to spend them on music, and Walmart's in-store selection is much worse than their online selection. So, partly inspired by the classic rock thread in the music/movies forum, I just ordered Bob Dylan - Highway 61 Revisited, Cream - Wheels of Fire, Crosby, Stills & Nash - Deja Vu, and Frankie Vallie & The Four Seasons Anthology. Transaction went very smooth. So smooth, in fact, I think I could really like shopping online.

So then I went to CC's website to do the same thing. I started really having a good time 'cause I was finding lots of CD's I really wanted, with great songs on them, and at great prices! I picked out Blind Faith - Blind Faith, The Beatles - Abbey Road, Yes - Close to the Edge, Ted Nugent - Ted Nugent, and ZZ Top - Fandango. I was really excited about getting these CD's! BUT when I hit 'checkout' and went through the process, I read that I can't use a gift card to order music online! What in the world is that all about?

So I just wrote down my list, so I guess I'll have to go to a local CC and see if they actually have all these CD's in stock. Is it not stupid to not allow people to order CD's online with a gift card? I just don't get that! :mad:

Mike682

Circuit City is just plain stupid. I went into the store to buy an iPod with a print out from their own website. The item was on sale on the internet, but not in the store. The manager "matched" the price but continued to tell me that they are not supposed to match their own online prices....yep their own online prices....but I could order it from the site at home and pick it up 24 minutes later in the same store for the same price. I asked why they had that policy and he had no answer. I don't know if he was pretending he was doing me a favor so I would buy a warranty in return..

PhantomOG

Mike682 wrote:

Circuit City is just plain stupid. I went into the store to buy an iPod with a print out from their own website. The item was on sale on the internet, but not in the store. The manager "matched" the price but continued to tell me that they are not supposed to match their own online prices....yep their own online prices....but I could order it from the site at home and pick it up 24 minutes later in the same store for the same price. I asked why they had that policy and he had no answer. I don't know if he was pretending he was doing me a favor so I would buy a warranty in return..

yeah, I bought an item once for in store pickup because it was cheaper online. while i was checking out at the service desk in front the employees looked all pissed off and we're making comments under their breath about how annoying I was for making the purchase like this.

oh well, I guess I shouldn't expect too much from retail employees.

Polk65

I remember some ad campaign last year on TV about last minute shopping. The wife is going out the front door and asks about the present for so and so. Husband replies, sure I got it. He quickly orders it online and they pick it up at a store on the way to their friends house. Wasn't this CC?

If they spent millions on the commercials, it seems really lame to hassle you for bringing in a print out of their web ad. I've brought in a print out to BB several times and never had any problems.

Tour2ma

I know you have gift cards, but here's the place to go crazy...

http://www.bmgmusic.com/acq/loginenroll/;jsessionid=HO1NRBFY4DFDCCTI0U1CFFA?sessionImplicitEnd=yes&_requestid=101711

... and they'll take mon and Dad's checks...

Zen Dragon

It is a dumb policy. Here is part of the problem. When you order online, the item is stocked in a warehouse somewhere with real cheap rent. It's basically a warehouse with a shipping dept = low cost of operation.
When you go into a retail outlet, they are paying a premium rent for the hot retail location. They have to staff the builiding with at least semi-knowledgeable employees and a manager. I am also pretty sure that they pay a sales commission to the floor salesman, which is why they hover like vultures by the computer terminal, then descend down on you asking to help if you spend more than 10 seconds looking at something.
They have a higher cost of doing business in a large retail store on prime real estate, so the cost is passed on to the customer.

audiobliss

Got my CD's from WalMart today! :D:D:D

jruff98

Zen Dragon wrote:

It is a dumb policy. Here is part of the problem. When you order online, the item is stocked in a warehouse somewhere with real cheap rent. It's basically a warehouse with a shipping dept = low cost of operation.
When you go into a retail outlet, they are paying a premium rent for the hot retail location. They have to staff the builiding with at least semi-knowledgeable employees and a manager. I am also pretty sure that they pay a sales commission to the floor salesman, which is why they hover like vultures by the computer terminal, then descend down on you asking to help if you spend more than 10 seconds looking at something.
They have a higher cost of doing business in a large retail store on prime real estate, so the cost is passed on to the customer.

No commission for salesman, but nice discounts. I think they did away with commissions around 2001 or so. Guys were making tons of money working a few hours per week.