Price Reduction on PC

[gumboot]

I bought a PC base unit with Windows XP Media Centre installed two days after the release of Windows Vista. The PC cost �549.99 and was bought in a Comet branch. At the time, I was not bothered about having the latest operating system.

I've just checked the Comet website tonight about another matter and discovered that the PC I bought has now been reduced to �499.99.

Now I've read in the newspapers since buying the base unit that XP systems might be reduced by retailers due to Windows Vista appearing and I admit, I might possibly had done better if I'd waited a few days. All the same, I needed a PC urgently.

Do I stand a chance of reclaiming that �50 if I approached the Comet branch or their head office about it?

I noticed at the time of purchase that the sales assistant had an in-depth conversation with someone that looked like the store manager before he completed the sale and I find it hard to believe that the store did not have advance notification of the impending reduction.

I know I'm clutching at straws but I feel like I've been mugged!

[Buenchico]

You wrote: "I find it hard to believe that the store did not have advance notification of the impending reduction". You may well be right but why should that make them want to tell you about it? As employees of the company, it's their duty to seek to maximise the firm's profits. Probably far more importantly, from their point of view, they'd also like to maximise their commission. It's very rare that you'll find a company employee telling customers about forthcoming price reductions. Most firms would probably regard it as a disciplinary offence if they did so.

There's absolutely no chance that you'll get a refund because the price went down.

Chris

PS: I know how you feel. Last year I was tempted to take a flight to Barcelona. The price of the outbound flight was just �19.99. I couldn't make my mind up for a few days but I kept checking the price and it stayed at �19.99. I finally decided to book the flight and found that, in the few hours since I'd last checked the price, it had gone up to �29.99. I kicked myself for prevaricating but I still booked it anyway. I consoled myself that I'd got a much better price than if I'd left it a few days longer. So, a few days later, I checked the price again to see how much I'd saved. The fare was now 49p!

[joko]

what would be the point of having a date set for the price reduction if staff are telling people beforehand?

why have a date at all?

the date gives them as long as possible to sell at full price before they choose to reduce.
they will not have wanted to reduce it at all and were probably only doing it because they felt it was the best thing.

you bought the item at the price it was advertised at - they are not obliged to tell you of their upcoming pricing structure.

i know its a bummer but you have no rights in this matter

[Hammer]

They offered something for sale, and you agreed the price and bought it. End of story.

It might be worth checking out their returns policy though...