Does chapters.ca PM amazon.ca prices?

[HighFlyer]

The book I want to buy is listed at $40 on chapters.ca, but sells for $28 on amazon.ca. Will chapters match that price? I could buy it at amazon, but I have a gift card I want to use. Thanks.

[ledorky]

I thought they did before when Amazon.ca was launching.
It's probable they will if you email them nicely :).

[jstarr7827]

I tried to have them PM amazon.ca and they said, "Some items we have are better priced than Amazon.ca". My reply was: you're $5 more expensive on this particular item, I'm calling as a courtesy as I'd prefer to shop Canadian... Anyway CSR did not price match, I was shocked and ordered from Amazon.

[synaptech]

Chapters has never PMed for me. Hell, the B&M say they won't even PM their own website...

[mbg]

I never got the impression that Chapters would pricematch. They did try to match Amazon.ca's policies when the latter started out (i.e. 30% off books over $30), but it was just policy emulation and not a case-based or book-by-book pricematch, and Amazon.ca has a lot of books cheaper than Chapters outside of the policy.

[bylo]

Chapters and Indigo used to PM each other when they were separate entities. In fact I used to PM then use a coupon. Once I recall, one had the lower price on a book I wanted and offered a $10 off coupon. I PM'ed the other then asked if they'd honour the coupon. They did.

Ah...the good old days...:)

[HighFlyer]

Just gave them a call. They wouldn't price match amazon.ca and gave the same excuse that jstar7827 got: "on most items we are more competitive than amazon.ca". BS. I've never come across an item that they were lower than amazon.ca or even .com with the USD exch rate taken into consideration.

So now I challenge them on the 30% off books over $30 promo. The book I wanted to buy did qualify with amazon, but apparantly not with chapters, even though they had the same terms and conditions. Again, more bs about how they couldn't comment on amazon, nor match their prices. I didn't have time to put up with that nonsense, so I ordered it through amazon. So much for buying Canadian :roll:

[siriuskao]

Most if not all of Chapters books is a lot higher price than Amazon, if they say they ARE competitive, I'd like them to show me.

Their only advantage is they have B&M stores where you can going and check out books. As for their paid book club membership? I don't think it's a hugh saving.

For me I just goto chapters to check out books and if I want it, I order from Amazon. Sometimes I will buy it from Chapters first and still order one from Amazon, when order arrives, I return it to Chapters(14day return policy). That way I can read while I wait... :wink:

[synaptech]

Their only advantage is they have B&M stores where you can going and check out books. As for their paid book club membership? I don't think it's a hugh saving.


Their selection in the B&M really stinks now. Most books I'm looking for have to be ordered... the only reason I go to the B&M now is to use my 2for1 Starbucks coupons :P

[anounymouse]

write a complaint!

[synaptech]

I have complained several times, even tried to escalate it, but they are arogant and stubborn. I don't have any problem buying elsewhere now, in fact I only use them as a price check because once in a blue moon they misprice a book.

[MrDisco]

it is quite disappointing to see chapters failing their core market. i placed an order for the new Potter book waaay back. now it turns out there are 2 different covers that you can choose (adult and kids version). amazon has both up for preorder yet Chapters still only has the one. that is very poor :|

[hp]

Harry Potter preorder is $5 cheapers at Chapters than Amazon.

Or at least it was last time I checked.

They do have some stuff cheapers, but in general most of their prices are the same.

And ofcourse some are more expensive.

I just find that Amazon have a better customer service than Chapters

[bfurtado]

Remember when Amazon was moving into Canada and there was all the controversy about killing Canadian businesses? I can admit, that at one point I cared, but as a consumer I want the best price (or value). If it were only a dollar or two more, I may chose the Canadian company, but the price differences are ludicrous. The reason American businesses are stiffling Canadian ones is for one reason only: Many Canadian businesses do not know how to compete and are overpriced. Chapters should take a lesson from Zellers. Although Wal Mart usually has a cheaper price, they are often close and will price-match. They run seniour discounts, FREE (YES, FREE) points/rewards clubs, and every so often, have some fantastic specials. They do not feel that they are OWED business b/c they are Canadian, they know they are in competition and work hard for it. There is a Wal Mart and Zellers beside eachother where I live, and if an item is the same price or a dollar or to more, I buy from Zellers, price-match and collect my points.

/Rant

Brian

[MrDisco]

Harry Potter preorder is $5 cheapers at Chapters than Amazon.


as of 3:07 pm april 9 both places have it for $25.80 (including the adult jacket available at amazon)

[Exoticar]

Here's what I got when I e-mailed them about PMing. Amazon.ca had the new Roger Rabbit dvd for $25 but it was $30 at Chapters.

"Thank you for contacting us at Chapters Indigo Online.

While we recognize that some online retailers are drastically discounting selected items, we are not attempting to match these companies when they choose to price items below cost. We will continue to make every effort to offer our customers competitive prices and we encourage you to take advantage of our various price and shipping promotions online and to investigate services such as iRewards, our customer loyalty program which entitles members to 10% off their regularly-priced purchases, frequent double-points promotions every month and other special offers.

If you are not currently a member of our iRewards program, you can view program details here: http://chapters.indigo.ca/iREWARDS/Default.asp

If we can be of any further assistance, please let us know.

Thank you for choosing Chapters Indigo Online."

The next day, Chapters changed the price to $25. Those b@stards.

[jstarr7827]

I agree with every post in this thread, I think we all prefer to shop Canadian however we're not prepared to pay extra to do so. Chapters should not be giving away market share like this, eventually all of us will stop searching at Chapters first and go direct to amazon.

[RayzorC]

Just an update, because I haven't tried to PM chapters against Amazon.ca before.... but the CSR told me they still do not PM. bummer - I was hoping to save $40, then add today's expiring coupon on top of it!

Guess I'll be using the Amazon $5 today instead.

RayzorC

[justlooking]

Wow I was reading this thread and didn't realize it started in April. Anyway, I went to use that $10 off coupon today, but it won't accept it. It says midnight Sep 30. (I wonder which timezone) which already occurred. If anyone got this coupon working today, let me know.

[cOmAtOaSt]

Remember when Amazon was moving into Canada and there was all the controversy about killing Canadian businesses? I can admit, that at one point I cared, but as a consumer I want the best price (or value). If it were only a dollar or two more, I may chose the Canadian company, but the price differences are ludicrous. The reason American businesses are stiffling Canadian ones is for one reason only: Many Canadian businesses do not know how to compete and are overpriced. Chapters should take a lesson from Zellers. Although Wal Mart usually has a cheaper price, they are often close and will price-match. They run seniour discounts, FREE (YES, FREE) points/rewards clubs, and every so often, have some fantastic specials. They do not feel that they are OWED business b/c they are Canadian, they know they are in competition and work hard for it. There is a Wal Mart and Zellers beside eachother where I live, and if an item is the same price or a dollar or to more, I buy from Zellers, price-match and collect my points.

/Rant

Brian

I agree 100% with you. When Amazon.ca was first moving in, I also thought "I hope nothing happens to Chapters". Now I realize Chapters for what they are - lazy, uncompetitive, & wanting you to pay full price so that you can "buy Canadian". I don't even bother checking Chapters.ca anymore, I head straight over to Amazon.ca. Ever notice that every discount or promotion Chapters has, that Amazon has done it first? Like 30% off books over $30? Free shipping on orders over $39? Amazon comes up with the deals, and Chapters lazily goes "oh jeez, we'd better do that too, now!". They are followers, not leaders.

[bdckr]

I agree 100% with you. When Amazon.ca was first moving in, I also thought "I hope nothing happens to Chapters". Now I realize Chapters for what they are - lazy, uncompetitive, & wanting you to pay full price so that you can "buy Canadian". I don't even bother checking Chapters.ca anymore, I head straight over to Amazon.ca. Ever notice that every discount or promotion Chapters has, that Amazon has done it first? Like 30% off books over $30? Free shipping on orders over $39? Amazon comes up with the deals, and Chapters lazily goes "oh jeez, we'd better do that too, now!". They are followers, not leaders.

It's not Chapters anymore. It's really just Indigo (http://www.goodreports.net/news2.htm#218). I miss Chapters.

[Txiasaeia]

SCREW CHAPTERS! Bought a membership card in April 2003, and half way through the year-long membership they changed the online discount from 10% to 5%. Bastards refused to refund my membership card. I have not bought a book from Chapters since and will never do so again. Last Christmas I received a couple of gift certificates for Chapters & I sold them for half value rather than shopping there.

Anyway. Neither Amazon nor Chapters will PM - I've tried with both. Amazon.ca doesn't charge PST (I'm in Sask, and PST is applicable on DVDs and games), they have $5 coupons, and the books I order from them aren't mangled, like supposedly brand new books from Chapters. It's a wonder they still exist.

I've had such a rotten experience with Chapters and on the other hand such positive experiences with Amazon.ca/com/uk. I once ordered a book from .UK, and it came damaged during shipping - they sent me another copy of the book, free of charge. I got two for the price of one (granted, one was dinged up). Books that I've received from Chapters that have been mangled? "Sorry, damage during shipping is not our responsibility" (and neither is properly packaging books either, apparently).

I ordered a book from .CA for a class in April of last year, and when September rolls around I found out that it was the wrong edition. I asked .CA if I could return it, even though I didn't have an invoice and I ordered it more than a month ago (their return/exchange/refund policy) - they did a full refund to my credit card. Chapters? "No exchanges or refunds without receipt or if 15 days after purchase (straight from a CSR).

Damn Chapters to *hell* (it'll be the first kiosk on the right past the entrance and Satan). I spent $1000 a year for the past six or so years at chapters (sometimes more - I'm a book junkie & an English lit student) and they treat me with no respect. Horrible, horrible company. The Amazons get *all* my business now. End rant.

[jadm]

Well, if buying Canadian is important to you, there is another option. Go to www.archambeault.ca. They're a Quebec store, and the site comes up in French by default, but the English translation is available. The link is for the English version is at the top right of the home page.

Prices are OK (unfortunately, Amazon.ca does seem to have sightly better prices), service is definitely very good.


hmmm... I'm also browsing the site as I'm writing this, and it seems to revert to French once you dig a bit deeper. Well, I know the English version is a recent development ;), so if you use it, write to tell them and encourage them to develop it further.

jadm

[Shiifty]

Well, if buying Canadian is important to you, there is another option. Go to www.archambeault.ca. They're a Quebec store, and the site comes up in French by default, but the English translation is available. The link is for the English version is at the top right of the home page.

Prices are OK (unfortunately, Amazon.ca does seem to have sightly better prices), service is definitely very good.


hmmm... I'm also browsing the site as I'm writing this, and it seems to revert to French once you dig a bit deeper. Well, I know the English version is a recent development ;), so if you use it, write to tell them and encourage them to develop it further.

jadm
I agree, their service is very good, and they don't charge pst outside of Quebec.

[QBert]

In defense of Chapters/Indigo, they do have a B&M counterpart at which you can make returns, and it's free to do so (e.g. you don't have to pay to ship back). I purchased some DVDs last year, and with their promotional offer of 10% off all DVDs using iRewards + coupons, I was able to get some unbeatable prices. I also purchased something earlier this year, in which the DVDs were defective; exchange was handled professionally and easily.

Granted neither amazon.ca nor chapters.ca does any PMing (although amazon.ca will refund any price drops within 30 days), but to be fair, both have a wealth of $5/$10 coupons that help bring additional value when shopping there.