Last month, both Bug and I needed eye exams and new glasses. There was a place offering free eye exams and two pair of glasses for $69.00. I decided that was a best deal for us and we headed down. We were asked to pay $49.00/each for the eye exam, but were told that the price of it would be deducted off of our eyeglass purchase. So, I paid and we were examined. New prescriptions were given and we were directed over to where all the frames were on display. No one waited on us. No one told us anything, all associates seemed to be busy with someone. So we started looking at frames without any help or direction. We looked at the lower end of the price range. FINALLY, we both settled on two frames each that we liked. We were also finally approached to be waited upon. We sat down and I told them we both wanted single vision glasses and both wanted the glare resistant lenses, which I knew would up the cost each a little. Then I was presented with a price over $400!!! with our exams deducted. I said, "You advertise two pair for $69. I expected to pay more for the anti-glare, but never expected anything like this. The fellow took out a chart and did some calculations and then adjusted the price down by $100. That left me still paying $100 more than I expected. But I took it, and I paid it. At this point I was so exhausted and hungry I did not care.
Moral of the story, if you try to take advantage of a deal like this, be sure to wait or make someone explain in detail to you the requirements to get the deal BEFORE you even start browsing.
Have you ever felt someone pulled a "Bait & Switch" scam on you? Do you think it is ethical to offer something to draw people in and then try to obscure how to get the advertised deal once they are in? Have you ever had a job were you were required or encouraged to use such methods?
Barbara In Caneyhead
I think it's a totally unethical practice! And if any job I ever held had required me to pull a stunt like that, I would have fought it, or quit outright.
ReplyDeleteThat sucks. Sometimes you just have to walk out.
ReplyDeleteThis is something a little different with my Opthomologist (sp). I pay dearly and do without other things to have good insurance besides my Medicare sine I have a blood disease and don't want to have to change any of my doctors. Last time I had my eye exam I got prescription sunglasses. They charged me for the prescription and I paid it. Then he and his grown kids were going to another country to help people with surgery etc. He sent out a letter asking for a donation of any amount. I sent $25. I could see out of the sunglasses pretty well so I took the prescription back to Walmart eye vision and ask to have some glasses msde from the same prescription. I felt since I had paid $50.00 for it it was mine. They said they would have to call the doctor. He didn't even do me or them the courtesy to call back.
ReplyDeleteSeems like this happens quite a lot. It shouldn't be allowed. I now ask in advance. That is totally crazy!!
ReplyDeleteI also believe it's wrong to advertise one thing and then give people another. I'm sure business has changed a lot since I was growing up, but there are always shady characters everywhere.
ReplyDeleteSunni
There is always that "hidden" thing they add on in very fine print or not at all that is only presented after you are already deep into or when you are ready to just get it done. Happened with the recent vehicle we bought back in October The deal on the TV was nowhere the deal they wanted to offer in the dealership, but hubby who does this for a living (negotiating contracts) kept working away with them until he got pretty much what they had advertised on TV.
ReplyDeletebetty
Definitely unethical! It's too early in the morning for me to think about an occasion it might have happened to me :( But you could probably complain to the BBB or some other government/consumer advocacy group, which is what I would do.
ReplyDeleteoh yeah, if it's too good to be true, it usually is. I tend to be wary of those "get you in the door" prices. Then again, my eyes are bad. I go to a regular opthomalogist (sp?) and pay the full price. Sigh
ReplyDeleteSadly, this becomes more and more common in all business transactions in person, on paper, and online. Ask questions, veryify, and take down names, because most likely you'll be needing that information in the future when you try to get them to live up to what they promised. I get so tired of customer service runarounds too! I treat people fairly and honestly, and I expect the same. I am too often disappointed.
ReplyDeleteMany companies practice reeling customers in by advertising a special. You have to be careful!
ReplyDelete