Musicians Friend's current stunt..

[napalmdeath]

Is it me, or have others noticed this....

They list an item at a "closeout" price, and many times have no stock on it. Then when the item is back in stock, the price goes up?

This has happened to me twice. Both items, once I was alerted they were back in stock, went up over $200. The only reason I don't "preorder", is because I've heard tales of people getting charged, (even though they claim they don't, until the item ships).
Now, we can argue authorization, vs. actually charged, but it still ties up funds.

 

[journeyman73]

You are purchasing the item - and then when it ships being charged a higher price?

If you are just ‘reserving’ and then when back in stock its a higher price i dont really see an issue.

That is no different than a seller having a right to change a price whenever they want...if there is no purchase (and thus no commitment to buy or sell at a given price) I would be ok with it.

 

[napalmdeath]

You don't see reserving an item at $699, and charged $949 when it ships an issue? It's kinda bait and switch, don't you think?

They'll put an "authorization" on your card, then adjust it to a higher price when it ships.

 

[NeubyWanKaneuby]

If it's not in stock, I go look elsewhere.

 

[napalmdeath]

If it's not in stock, I go look elsewhere.

That's the thing. Many of their highly discounted items show no stock. What's the point of listing it? So people foam at the mouth at a great deal, only to pay more when it's back in stock.

 

[RedB4Black]

You don't see reserving an item at $699, and charged $949 when it ships an issue? It's kinda bait and switch, don't you think?

They'll put an "authorization" on your card, then adjust it to a higher price when it ships.

You said in the first post you don't pre-order. Are you just watching till it comes back in stock and then price goes up. Or are you actually purchasing it and getting a confirmation. If that's the case then you've already bought the product at the lower price. If they try to charge you more, then you have a receipt from when you purchased it to dispute with the CC company. MF has never charged my card for something that hasn't shipped. They may do an authorization yes, but that's not a charge. If you don't have enough credit limit on your card to float an authorization, then you probably shouldn't pre-order I guess. I think the dates they give for when something will be back in stock are generally BS though. I typically wait for them to be back in stock before I would order.

 

[journeyman73]

You don't see reserving an item at $699, and charged $949 when it ships an issue? It's kinda bait and switch, don't you think?

They'll put an "authorization" on your card, then adjust it to a higher price when it ships.

don't get me wrong, I think it sucks - but I don't know that its 'wrong'...

it does get more grey to me that they 'authorize' - but only in so much as that impacts your available funds on the card, I think?

probably what they should do that would be most equitable, honestly, is take a refundable deposit at the time of reserving. that should lock the price in, while giving them a slightly higher level that someone is actually going to purchase....either that or do away with the BS of 'reserving' and just 'notify when in stock'....

frankly, the reserving tactic only works for them - but im not opposed to the subsequent price increase vs why should my funds be tied up if you don't even have the item available.

 

[Beyond Black]

You don't see reserving an item at $699, and charged $949 when it ships an issue? It's kinda bait and switch, don't you think?

They'll put an "authorization" on your card, then adjust it to a higher price when it ships.

don't get me wrong, I think it sucks - but I don't know that its 'wrong'...

it does get more grey to me that they 'authorize' - but only in so much as that impacts your available funds on the card, I think?

probably what they should do that would be most equitable, honestly, is take a refundable deposit at the time of reserving. that should lock the price in, while giving them a slightly higher level that someone is actually going to purchase....either that or do away with the BS of 'reserving' and just 'notify when in stock'....

frankly, the reserving tactic only works for them - but im not opposed to the subsequent price increase vs why should my funds be tied up if you don't even have the item available.

There’s nothing grey about it. If they advertise an item for a certain price, they should honor that price, regardless of whether it’s in stock or not. Anything else is as ND said, a “bait and switch” and shady af.

 

[Norton666]

You don't see reserving an item at $699, and charged $949 when it ships an issue? It's kinda bait and switch, don't you think?

They'll put an "authorization" on your card, then adjust it to a higher price when it ships.

You said in the first post you don't pre-order. Are you just watching till it comes back in stock and then price goes up. Or are you actually purchasing it and getting a confirmation. If that's the case then you've already bought the product at the lower price. If they try to charge you more, then you have a receipt from when you purchased it to dispute with the CC company. MF has never charged my card for something that hasn't shipped. They may do an authorization yes, but that's not a charge. If you don't have enough credit limit on your card to float an authorization, then you probably shouldn't pre-order I guess. I think the dates they give for when something will be back in stock are generally BS though. I typically wait for them to be back in stock before I would order.

This

 

[journeyman73]

You don't see reserving an item at $699, and charged $949 when it ships an issue? It's kinda bait and switch, don't you think?

They'll put an "authorization" on your card, then adjust it to a higher price when it ships.

don't get me wrong, I think it sucks - but I don't know that its 'wrong'...

it does get more grey to me that they 'authorize' - but only in so much as that impacts your available funds on the card, I think?

probably what they should do that would be most equitable, honestly, is take a refundable deposit at the time of reserving. that should lock the price in, while giving them a slightly higher level that someone is actually going to purchase....either that or do away with the BS of 'reserving' and just 'notify when in stock'....

frankly, the reserving tactic only works for them - but im not opposed to the subsequent price increase vs why should my funds be tied up if you don't even have the item available.

There’s nothing grey about it. If they advertise an item for a certain price, they should honor that price, regardless of whether it’s in stock or not. Anything else is as ND said, a “bait and switch” and shady af.

Thats ridiculous.

You see something on the web today at a given price, don’t buy it, it goes up in price later and that’s not fair?

Here’s an idea - you want something at a given price? Just buy the fucking thing at that price. It’s pretty simple.

The issue isn’t whether its in stock or not - the issue is the person didn’t buy it.

 

[Beyond Black]

You don't see reserving an item at $699, and charged $949 when it ships an issue? It's kinda bait and switch, don't you think?

They'll put an "authorization" on your card, then adjust it to a higher price when it ships.

don't get me wrong, I think it sucks - but I don't know that its 'wrong'...

it does get more grey to me that they 'authorize' - but only in so much as that impacts your available funds on the card, I think?

probably what they should do that would be most equitable, honestly, is take a refundable deposit at the time of reserving. that should lock the price in, while giving them a slightly higher level that someone is actually going to purchase....either that or do away with the BS of 'reserving' and just 'notify when in stock'....

frankly, the reserving tactic only works for them - but im not opposed to the subsequent price increase vs why should my funds be tied up if you don't even have the item available.

There’s nothing grey about it. If they advertise an item for a certain price, they should honor that price, regardless of whether it’s in stock or not. Anything else is as ND said, a “bait and switch” and shady af.

Thats ridiculous.

You see something on the web today at a given price, don’t buy it, it goes up in price later and that’s not fair?

Here’s an idea - you want something at a given price? Just buy the fucking thing at that price. It’s pretty simple.

The issue isn’t whether its in stock or not - the issue is the person didn’t buy it.

I meant if you reserve an item with cash down. If they advertise at a discounted price, don’t have the item in stock, accept your cash to reserve the item, then they should honor the discounted price.

 

[geetar_geek79]

You don't see reserving an item at $699, and charged $949 when it ships an issue? It's kinda bait and switch, don't you think?

They'll put an "authorization" on your card, then adjust it to a higher price when it ships.

What happened when you disputed the charges to Musician's Friend or your credit card company?