Poll

As a buyer, what do you expect with regard to the price of an item when buying online?

I expect the price to be the best I can get, anywhere
2 (5.9%)
I expect the price to be dirt-cheap; after all, the seller doesn't have shop expenses.
1 (2.9%)
I don't care what the price is. It's the convenience of buying online that drives me to the purchase.
1 (2.9%)
I will only buy from a couple of online sites or sellers, and I don't shop around for the best price. I could end up buying something from a dodgy source if I did that.
2 (5.9%)
I do compare prices online, and I make my choice based on the best price online.
4 (11.8%)
I do compare prices online, and I make my choice based on the lowest TOTAL price (including shipping/postage).
8 (23.5%)
I do compare prices, both online and from bricks-and-mortar shops, and I will only buy online if the b&m shop prices are vastly higher than the same item online.
6 (17.6%)
I compare prices in shops (well, actually I browse in shops to see what I want, and take down the details), and then order online at the cheapest price.
2 (5.9%)
I don't order online at all if I can buy the item from a b&m shop, and price doesn't come into it.
1 (2.9%)
I don't shop around for the cheapest option, because if it's too cheap, I tend to think there is something underhanded going on. You never know if the online seller from whom you're buying is selling stolen goods. I won't take the risk
3 (8.8%)
My expectations are not covered by the above answers.
4 (11.8%)

Total Members Voted: 14

Author Topic: Reasonable buyers: price expectations  (Read 5358 times)

*CountessA*

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Reasonable buyers: price expectations
« on: October 28, 2010, 11:46:34 AM »
You can make up to 4 choices from the options listed.

I will give my own answer a little later on.
"No man is an Iland, intire of it selfe; every man is ...a part of the maine; ...any mans death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankinde"

tellomon

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Re: Reasonable buyers: price expectations
« Reply #1 on: October 28, 2010, 12:30:18 PM »
*snipe*
"The B@zturd Love Child of Comix & a News Organization"

*smee*

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Re: Reasonable buyers: price expectations
« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2010, 12:31:46 PM »
that was a very cheap snipe !

tellomon

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Re: Reasonable buyers: price expectations
« Reply #3 on: October 28, 2010, 12:33:31 PM »
It was a Bargain!
"The B@zturd Love Child of Comix & a News Organization"

*Brum6y*

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Re: Reasonable buyers: price expectations
« Reply #4 on: October 28, 2010, 12:37:35 PM »
that was a very cheap snipe !

Hey - Tello can't snipe on eBay any more - so he does his sniping here!

... and as for any snipe - you snipe for a win and hope for a bargain.


Tello's doing well on both counts.

*Brum6y*

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Re: Reasonable buyers: price expectations
« Reply #5 on: October 28, 2010, 12:38:30 PM »
It was a Bargain!

Posted whilst I was typing .....

tellomon

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Re: Reasonable buyers: price expectations
« Reply #6 on: October 28, 2010, 12:49:30 PM »
Yay! Tello's doing well!
"The B@zturd Love Child of Comix & a News Organization"

Centuries

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Re: Reasonable buyers: price expectations
« Reply #7 on: October 29, 2010, 12:57:39 AM »
Mmm! A crabby pumpkin.
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*CountessA*

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Re: Reasonable buyers: price expectations
« Reply #8 on: October 29, 2010, 11:04:12 AM »
My expectations on price are that I expect to pay for what I buy.

If I see something that is a LOT cheaper online than the RRP, I do wonder why. Is it a large company (VERY large company) trying to beat Amazon at their own game? Is it someone who's found lots of things that have "fallen off the back of a truck"? Is it someone who's done some breaking and entering? Is it someone selling fakes but marketing them as genuine?

If it's the first (Amazon would-be beater), I'll not be put off buying from that seller, although I think such companies are killing small/local businesses, and that is sometimes a factor (see my point 4 below). If it's any of the other possibilities, no.

When I look on eBay or other auction/e-commerce sites, I don't look for the cheapest price in isolation. Rather, that's not the ONLY thing at which I look.

  1. I'll look at the total price (incl. any conversion fees, postage/shipping, etc.). I'm not interested in whether or not the item price itself is cheaper than from anyone else; the TOTAL price is what counts price-wise.
  2. I won't buy from sellers/sources/websites which I have reason to consider are selling fraudulently or dishonestly.
  3. Customer service is also important, as is the issue of trust. I would rather pay somewhat more and feel I can rely on the seller, than pay less and worry about whether the item's actually going to turn up, or worry that the seller won't give any real customer service if there's a problem.
  4. I would rather buy from a local shop/business (Australian business, b&m shop with personal service and real people, as well as a range of items in stock to browse though or look at - particularly for specialist shops) than from an online seller. I like being able to support local business and do something to keep the Australian economy in flow, and I like helping small businesses make a go of it. I LOVE small businesses in Australia! I especially love specialist shops, and the expert advice one can get from the people there.
"No man is an Iland, intire of it selfe; every man is ...a part of the maine; ...any mans death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankinde"