BBQ price hike

[dave*bolton]

With the fabulous deal offered by eBay today I notice new BBQ listings asking up to double rrp. Does this unethical practice fall short of any guidelines?

[phorum_junkie*]

No

A seller is entitled to offer their goods at any price they want as long as they are not claiming they are selling for less than they were previously listing for if that is not true.

Just because something costs $X in the shops doesn't mean someone can't offer it for sale at $X+Y, that often happens if items are in short supply or not available in all areas.

It is up to buyers to do their homework if they are bothered about getting the best deal. I have seen second hand items of mine sell for more than exactly the same item brand new in my store, buyer numptiness is not the seller's fault.

[thecatspjs]

If sellers did that to "take advantage" of the 50% off bbq price eBay big sunday special - they are greedy scumbags in my opinion and their listings should be clearly branded so buyers can see that their goods are not eligible for the promotion as the price has recently changed.

[cherry*135]

How many overall do you think did that?

Most people know the usual price of what they are buying, for example, I was looking at one that was $300, if it was $600 I wouldn't even consider it. I would go to the local hardware store and buy one there for $300. I looked at a few sellers that had the usual prices ($300 for the one I looked at so good price @ $150), and they had sold heaps today.

It was a good deal today (postage excl from the 50% off).

Most were pick-up though.

[dave*bolton]

I hadn't counted how many or what percentage of the offers they represented, but they were obvious with new listings for $100 + above the normal competative price. I can see there's an opportunity for sellers here too but it's the level of greed that amazes me. In some cases the end price after the 50% discount was above the normal range advertised by the majority early in the day. I can't see eBay offering many deals like this in future when some sellers work so far outside intended spirit of the offer, and eBay pays the seller 50% of highly inflated prices. 

I agree that buyers should do their research to determine what's best for them, but I also think that some sellers are very poor eBay 'citizens' focussed on taking full advantage of less seasoned buyers.

Weber baby Q Q1000 LPG BBQ - Brand New in Box with Warranty

Ended: 31 Aug, 2014 20:26:04 AEST

Price: AU $550.00

(typically $289 rrp & on line elsewhere)

Weber Q Q2000 Natural Gas BBQ - Brand New in Box with Warranty - Free Delivery!!

AU $540.00

(typically $389 rrp & elsewhere)

RED HOT HALF PRICE OFFER Purchase and Pay for one of these fantastic BBQ's on Sunday the 31st August 2014 between 8AM and 10PM Perth time (10AM and MIDNIGHT AEST) allows the buyer to pay only $270.

Weber® baby Q™ (Q1000AU) FREE DELIVERY

AU $399.00

(typically $289 rrp & elsewhere)

[dylan11235813]

Are you saying that they are increasing the price and then having the 50% off sale?

I don't think a business is allowed to double the price of an item and then claim it is on sale for 50% off bringing it back to the normal price.

[dave*bolton]

The thought crossed my mind too but maybe I'm just one of a minority who still beleives in ethical practices. I expect some less experienced people were caught out buying in good faith.

[digital*ghost]

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@dave*bolton wrote:

With the fabulous deal offered by eBay today I notice new BBQ listings asking up to double rrp. Does this unethical practice fall short of any guidelines?

---

It's an interesting situation. Technically, eBay is providing the discount, so I don't know how that would all play out in regards to whether the actual practice could be reported.

As dylan noted, a business definitely can not inflate their prices for their own promotional event (eg they were selling it at $300, upped it to $600 and then had a 50% off sale of their own volition and independent of any eBay promotions). 

Of course, having knowledge of eBay's promotion may mean they are in breach of regulations anyway, but I don't know enough about the intricacies of the law etc to be able to hazard a guess. 

Either way, I personally couldn't call it ethical, regardless of whether eBay running the promotion provides a convenient loophole. 

[go-tazz]

I hope I'm wrong but I've reported one of the sellers selling the BBQ's,(they have a feedback score of 88 ).

Mainly a ticket seller with 8 sales this year and then sells these out of the blue after setting up a basic store.

Weber baby Q Q1000 LPG BBQ  -   149 sold  at $185.50 each 

Weber Q Q2000 LPG BBQ - 317 sold  -  at  $250 each

Weber Q Q2000 Natural Gas BBQ - 16 sold -  at $ 270 each

[cherry*135]

Weber baby Q Q1000 LPG BBQ  -   149 sold  at $185.50 each 

Thats about $100 less than retail price. They are usually $289-$299 where I live.