Bought an item on Saturday. 6 hours later they dropped the price by $10

[holidayshopper201]

I purchased an item from a major electronic retailer's eBay store. Not sure if I can name them.

When I made my purchase, the item was $59.99 plus tax (w/ free shipping):

Order status: Paid $64.34 with PAYPAL on Jul 20, 2019 15:58 PDT 

In checking the listing a little later, I was surprised to see this revision:

Jul-20-19 22:06:37 PDT Quantity Buy It Now Price

Buy it Now price is now only $49.99 (still free shipping) 

They dropped the price $10 only 6 hours and 8 minutes after I bought it! Being a Saturday when purchased, they still haven't processed the order so I called them first thing this morning asking what could be done. I wanted a $10 refund. 

After 20+ minutes on the phone, they finally agreed to do a one-time courtesy $10 refund. I was nice and polite and pointed out how it wasn't fair and how upset I was. It wasn't even a day, it was only 6 hours!  Supposedly, 24-48 hours from now I should see the $10 back in my Paypal account. I mentioned the possibility of cancelling/returning (14 day policy) and reordering at the lower price, but since they hadn't shipped it yet, I suggested they would most likely come out ahead by simply refunding the $10.

Perhaps my thousands of dollars of business with them over the years made a difference - or perhaps it was just to get me off the phone. It was a pleasant conversation, but I was left a little stressed out at how illogical they were being. I had even asked to speak to a supervisor, however they were busy on another call. Their nice call center lady finally caved.

Does anyone else have any experience with price adjustments after the sale? Was I out of line for being disappointed and requesting the difference?

And OY, their feedback. The percentage isn't shown on their listings, and I was neglectful in not clicking to check. I never imagined it would be so bad -worse than a lot of Chinese sellers - only 97.1%. Yikes. 

I hope they come through with the $10.

[lintbrush*]

Why isn't it fair?  Are price adjustments not allowed to happen?  What is fair?  1 day? 6 hours? 6 minutes?  It's all fair.  Those price adjustments were probably long set to take place in their system before you pondered your purchase.

BB does price match for sales/price changes within the return period when purchased from their site or in-store.  I'm not sure about eBay.

I can understand you wanting the price match, but I can't understand why you think it's not fair or got so upset about it.

[myescape]

So how long since the last sale should it be before the price is reduced or item put on sale?

It was not unfair and it was not personal

[emerald1830]

Can you imagine having to track each buyer and each sale and  not price adjust because someone might get upset?

[holidayshopper201]

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@lintbrush* wrote:

Why isn't it fair?  Are price adjustments not allowed to happen?  What is fair?  1 day? 6 hours? 6 minutes?  It's all fair.  Those price adjustments were probably long set to take place in their system before you pondered your purchase.

BB does price match for sales/price changes within the return period when purchased from their site or in-store.  I'm not sure about eBay.

I can understand you wanting the price match, but I can't understand why you think it's not fair or got so upset about it.

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She was saying that since the price also dropped in their regular store/site, that they couldn't honor a price match for something purchased via their ebay store.  I never visited their regular site for any part of this transaction. I only shopped the ebay store.  Knowing their normal price match guarantee, the illogicalness of it was what made me upset/frustrated. But I was polite during the entire conversation. A lot of people go off the rails during similar conversations. I was very respectful.

[holidayshopper201]

Yes, the logistics on that would be a nightmare, but if someone takes the time to inquire politely, it's not unreasonable to think they could be accommodating. 

[angelasellsitall]

It's not personal that the price dropped after you made your purchase. Most big box eBay shops have preset sales that are automatically done and has nothing to do with you. I am glad they were able to offer you the discount though.

[holidayshopper201]

I have no answer for that. Sorry.

But I do expect major retailers to have the same level of customer support on their ebay store that they have on their regular site and in-store.  There should be consistent policies across all of their selling platforms. We buy an exorbitant amount of items from them, all tied to my phone number and email address which she verified.

[myangelandmyprincess]

I think it's unreasonable.  eBay platform isn't like their own website platform and comes with its on fees and policies

id be kicking myself for buying and then the price lowered but I'd never dream of insisting on a refund for the difference 

[jameshen1]

If the prices raises by $10 a few hours after your purchase, do you contact them and asked to be charged more? Only fair according to your thinking.

[7606dennis]

Just out of curiosity, would you be upset if you found that the item that had been on sale for $49.95 went off sale shortly after you bought it at the lower price?

[alcoforever]

Thanks for posting.

[ed8108]

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@holidayshopper201 wrote:

I have no answer for that. Sorry.

But I do expect major retailers to have the same level of customer support on their ebay store that they have on their regular site and in-store.  There should be consistent policies across all of their selling platforms. We buy an exorbitant amount of items from them, all tied to my phone number and email address which she verified.

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It's wise not to assume, which avoids disappointment or putting in the time & effort to make your assumption into reality.

[*madison]

Was I out of line for being disappointed and requesting the difference?

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Yes.

[myboardid]

"But I do expect major retailers to have the same level of customer support on their ebay store that they have on their regular site and in-store.  There should be consistent policies across all of their selling platforms. We buy an exorbitant amount of items from them, all tied to my phone number and email address which she verified."

I strongly disagree.  There is no reason why they have to have exactly the same policies on all platforms. 

First you say policies should be the same, then you imply that because you buy a lot from them you should get special treatment.  So which is it?

If you had bought from my retail store and I started a sale even 10 minutes after your purchase, you would not have gotten a refund.