Are dealers allowed to sell for more than retail?!?!

[Luis G.]

I deal with this, literally, every day. Sometimes I can match the online price, and sometimes I can't.

When I can't, it's up to me to put a value to the higher price. Of course the customer is going to try to save a few bucks. That's what customers do. But if I can't beat an internet dealer on price, I know I can beat him on value, and I can do it every single time. Ultimately, it's up to the customer to decide if all he wants is the lowest price. If that's all he wants, I'm really not all that interested in having him as a customer...

You'd be surprised how many of those really are just looking for a better price and would of gone elsewhere for a small difference in cash.
Retail isn't a large portion of our business, services are. I don't have to deal with online prices like some other places, but I do have to deal with work at home "technicians" whom offer services for cheap.
Usually when I get people that make promises of future business or make claims about them wanting to support local business, most of the time they are lying.

My dad has lots of experience as a salesman (so much so, he was always sought after by competitors, and customers).
He told me: Everyone is smart. Never think they are dumb, because that's when they will get you (in a business transactions).

So far what I've seen is most customers are fair and honest customers. The few that haggle (for whatever reasons) are often ones who will forever haggle and have no qualms about lying.

I

 

[Steve5D]

I'm a salesman by trade. It's all I really know.

I don't have a problem with someone wanting to haggle. When it gets too absurd, I ask them if they go to Sears and try to haggle down the price of socks.

For me, the most important thing is a fair deal. In order to be fair, though, it has to be good for both parties. All too often, I see customers who don't believe that I need to make more than $100.00 on something that cost over $3,000.00 to bring into our store. That's just not fair and, if it's not fair, it's not worth getting involved with it.

I've lost count of the number of customers I've "walked" over the years, and I sleep pretty well at night.

If it's not a fair deal, I want no part of it...

 

[bertosknives]

If its 10% or less more than online prices I will buy at stores if its more than that wich it usally is I'll let them know how much more their price is and see if they can lower their price if not then I don't buy.

 

[Steve5D]

If its 10% or less more than online prices I will buy at stores if its more than that wich it usally is I'll let them know how much more their price is and see if they can lower their price if not then I don't buy.

I always do my level best to establish a relationship with my local dealer. 10% wouldn't be nearly enough to get me to bail on him. He takes the time to stock his store with wares that I can then go examine and try out. If I have questions about different items, I can compare them, side by side, right there. I don't have to get on the phone to get access to his expertise.

I dunno', having worked in retail for as long as I have, I've seen a lot of competitors close their doors because people today are interested in only the lowest price they can get.

"Value" and "price" are rarely the same thing, though, and I prefer to give, and get, value...