NCIX's Price Matching is useless.

[Narci]

I walked into a NCIX and asked if they price matched. They said It depends, they'll try thier best or give me thier best price. I'm thinking...we'll that's not price matching is it?

So I get a ticket and wait. My turn comes up. I ask if I can PM something and he says 'Sure'. He asked me how much I saw the item for and I gave him a price. He didn't even check my PM Source. All he did was go onto NCIX's site and look up the item points out that he can't move on what the price says on the NCIX site.

So what's the point of having a price matching policy if:

A) You don't price match all legit PM's

B) You don't even check the source of the PM so see if it legit

C) You try to give the customer the best price but still above the PM's price.

[deep]

They are pretty clear about their concept of Price Matching...it's not an iron clad guarantee, but I'd still say it's better than nothing. I've never had an online PM rejected, but I've never tried a really crazy one, either.

Does NCIX.com match competitors’ pricing?

Although it is not always possible to match the prices offered by our competitors, we would like the opportunity to win your business. At the bottom of the checkout page, there is a Price Match button. Clicking this will allow you to enter competitive pricing, and the source for the price (which must be included). Unfortunately, Price Match is only offered to our Canadian customers at this time.

Prices considered for Price Match must be IN STOCK and available as a NEW item at a retail business or a web based store, with full e-commerce functionality, a valid SSL certificate and credit card verification. Exact items, model numbers and part numbers must match to qualify for Price Match requests. Most computer products are sold as Retail, OEM or Promotional products, and while they are often similar products, we cannot match prices on items with different packaging.

Prices submitted for Price Match must be from a Canadian retailer and must be in Canadian funds. No foreign retailer Price Match requests or currency conversion equivalents will be accepted. Price Match requests will be rejected for any competitor’s prices that appear to be a misprint, typographic error, fraudulent price or misrepresentation of a product.

As verification of competitors' pricing is done manually, allow up to an additional 1-3 business days for Price Match processing.

Please note that many competitors' quoted prices include a 2-3% cash discount, when their customers are paying by cash or certified check. In such cases, if we can match a competitors' price, the cash discount will be added back to the matched price.

[Rai_Polo]

I've never had them reject my price matches but I buy online. Maybe the price matching is more geared towards online buyers..:?: :?: :?: :?:

[lil Hercules]

There are many reason why a company even though they say they price match, cannot price match.. Stores like bestbuy or NCIX, have to match based on the item and the price..

Most of these stores like canada computers, tiger direct sell alot of products that are not authorized by the dealer, they carry no warranty by the manufacturer, which makes it cheaper to sell. They also sell OEM products which cannot be matched either even thought the product maybe the same, the situation in which it comes in is very different. This is not a great reason but sometimes they do not match the price because the competitors price is ridiculously cheaper then there cost price.. usually if this is the case then the store they're getting the cheaper price from has a reason for the cheaper price.

I'm not exactly sure what there reasoning was for not matching but, that could have been it.. .. lol. or you just got a bad sales person.

[Narci]

There are many reason why a company even though they say they price match, cannot price match.. Stores like bestbuy or NCIX, have to match based on the item and the price..

Most of these stores like canada computers, tiger direct sell alot of products that are not authorized by the dealer, they carry no warranty by the manufacturer, which makes it cheaper to sell. They also sell OEM products which cannot be matched either even thought the product maybe the same, the situation in which it comes in is very different. This is not a great reason but sometimes they do not match the price because the competitors price is ridiculously cheaper then there cost price.. usually if this is the case then the store they're getting the cheaper price from has a reason for the cheaper price.

I'm not exactly sure what there reasoning was for not matching but, that could have been it.. .. lol. or you just got a bad sales person.

The service rep didn't ask me where I got the price from or even looked at the site where the product was cheaper.

NCIX also sells OEM products. Both products were exactly the same and OEM.


On, maybe scam is a harsh word. If a mod can change scam to useless, thanks.

[Rai_Polo]

If you ask for a price match on a product that they aren't making profit on or are making very little profit they don't even need to know your source. They just can't match it.

What did you ask for? What was the product?

[GVRtrader]

The service rep didn't ask me where I got the price from or even looked at the site where the product was cheaper.

NCIX also sells OEM products. Both products were exactly the same and OEM.


On, maybe scam is a harsh word. If a mod can change scam to useless, thanks.

You can actually change it yourself.

NCIX's price match policy = generally the first thing they do is look at the cost of the item. If you're PMing something below their cost, they generally won't even bother looking at it because odds are its a different product or they PM to lose money on sale (stupid isn't it?).

Also PMing in store, they generally try to make as much money as possible so (mainly in Richmond), they will offer you a slightly lower price but not the PM value. If you PM online with an authorized retailer, than you generally will get the PM unless its below cost.

Also, even if the product is OEM, NCIX carries a warranty on it (as in they will warranty it if the manuf doesn't). Not every retailer will do that.

Bottom line, its better to have their PM policy than no policy at all. Their policy is also a lot better than other companies because they are willing to match other places in Canada (Canadacomputer, TD, etc). If you actually ordered online from any of those locations, you will need to pay shipping... that generally cancels any saving you get anyways. Basically, you should feel lucky if the PM, because if the place was local, why would you PM in the first place?

For example, Anitec has something cheaper, why bother going to NCIX to PM when you can easily goto Anitec to get the product? If you are heading to NCIX or NCIX is closer, you can try, if they reject, just goto Anitec (replace Anitec with any local company). Speaking of Anitec, their PM policy is easier for local stores (altho i believe they only match local stores). So far i have had 100% full PM @ Anitec for local stores (PM just 'cause i was there buying something on sale... successful stores include a-power, cancomputer, ncix).

[crimsona]

Did you walk into the Richmond location by any chance?

In any case, NCIX has PM'ed 100% of the stuff I've purchased, all online with instore pickup

[Firefoxer]

Did anyone got rejected with pms from DirectCanada or NXSource?

[Jon Lai]

Did anyone got rejected with pms from DirectCanada or NXSource?

Nope, they always PM their own sister companies.

[divx]

How does their sister companies work? Anyone know a bit of economics? I don't understand why they have their subsidiary companies in direct competition with each other.

[crimsona]

I figured DC is a way of nabbing the marketshare of internet direct order companies, against competition across provinces (TD, CC, etc), while being able to keep prices high for (what I guess) is the more lucrative and higher margin in-store customers at NCIX

If NCIX had DC prices (and DC did not exist), their gross margins would decrease a lot, although their out-of-province sales would go up. This way, by having a fairly lenient PM process, they lose that margin only on a small minority of in-store orders rather than every order.

In short: Targeting slightly different markets, and eating the cost of PMs to build customer loyalty. I know I haven't stepped into a non-NCIX computer parts store in years - I just get literally everything pricematched.

Addendum: NXSource seems more focused on business users while the other two are consumer

[Amourek]

NCIX pricematching - lesson 1: Always pricematch online. It will go through 99% of the time. In-store, YMMV greatly.

[gman]

NCIX pricematching - lesson 1: Always pricematch online. It will go through 99% of the time. In-store, YMMV greatly.

+1. So far, they never fail me. However, I did not push the envelop either such as PM price error, door crash sale item, etc.

[torontoraptor]

Anyone ever been successful in PMing an out of stock item? I want to PM some RAM but it's not in stock at the other store. It's not a sale or anything but it is a decent amount cheaper than at NCIX.

[GVRtrader]

Did anyone got rejected with pms from DirectCanada or NXSource?

Never reject but does not work well at Richmond (rarely get 100% match). Works 100% online so whenever i PM either, i just do it online with instore pickup.

[cloneman]

So what's the point of having a price matching policy if:

A) You don't price match all legit PM's

B) You don't even check the source of the PM so see if it legit

C) You try to give the customer the best price but still above the PM's price.

I love it when people complain when they have it too good. Perhaps in-store PMs are more difficult, I wouldn't know, as most of my PM's are make 5,000km away from the nearest store.

The point of their policy is that they are trying to be fair and reasonable to get your business. Do you think NCIX makes profits ANYWHERE NEAR bestbuy, futureshop, staples? They have what, 4 stores? Each of the former must have at least 200 across Canada. The fact that they even have a price match policy at all is impressive.

I find particularly convenient to be able to buy all my stuff from them, since if a find a slightly lower price, they have no trouble with PM and I save from shipping from multiple stores.

In montreal, we have squat in terms of computer stores. There are a bunch of little mom & pop stores, but they usually have very little in stock. Our biggest chain is microbytes (they have quite a few stores) but they also have very little in stock, and their prices are now very average.

In summary, consider yourself lucky to have NCIX & their "we won't lose money" price matching policy.

[InvisibleSoul]

I will also vouch for the fact that I've only had a single pricematch denied online at NCIX out of literally hundreds of items over the years.

However, doing a pricematch in person at a retail location results in a much higher failure rate, especially at the Richmond location. They just don't seem to want to bother with it as much at the moment of purchase, and at best it seems they'll only offer a discount, but not actually match the price.

So, the best bet is to just order online for in-store pickup.

[Narci]

It was a one day sale I wanted to PM and I never got a response back online about the PM. It gave me this message about how it's 20% off the NCIX price and it can be due to my error by reporting a USD price.

I'm not lucky to have a chance for places to PM. If the places around you don't PM, then it's not my fault...why don't you move to a place where prices are cheaper or stores allow you to PM?

The whole point of price matching it to match prices. If your only going to partially match it, don't call it price matching but call it competetive pricing or something like that.

So this is my first time trying to PM at the store. What a waste of time and gas only to get denied. I'll try online from now on.

Thanks all.

[GVRtrader]

It was a one day sale I wanted to PM and I never got a response back online about the PM. It gave me this message about how it's 20% off the NCIX price and it can be due to my error by reporting a USD price.

I'm not lucky to have a chance for places to PM. If the places around you don't PM, then it's not my fault...why don't you move to a place where prices are cheaper or stores allow you to PM?

The whole point of price matching it to match prices. If your only going to partially match it, don't call it price matching but call it competetive pricing or something like that.

So this is my first time trying to PM at the store. What a waste of time and gas only to get denied. I'll try online from now on.

Thanks all.

1 day sell = limited time. Try that @ Bestbuy, Futureshop, etc... they clearly state they will not match limited time offers (1 week = not limited, 1 day = 100% limited time).

They (NCIX) clearly state their PM policy just like BB, FS, etc. As part of advertising and getting you in the store, they won't say they will try to match the price, they will say they will match the price.

Also by the sounds of things, its a 1 day sell somewhere that will require you to ship (or at least too far for you to drive there). NCIX is very good with PMing in Canada but if you went to other stores, they wouldn't even consider it or add shipping to the price of the product because you would be paying for that anyways. Take Staples online for example, they will add shipping charges even if you PM FS (+15 to whatever you buy). Futureshop for example will match NCIX once in a while but will never match a store like Canadacomputer if you live in Vancouver. Opposite can be said about people that live in Toronto. Prices are generally regional, and stores with PM policy will only be interested in the regional market not the global.

There is no point in complaining about not getting a better deal than you should.:razz:

[Narci]

1 day sell = limited time. Try that @ Bestbuy, Futureshop, etc... they clearly state they will not match limited time offers (1 week = not limited, 1 day = 100% limited time).

They (NCIX) clearly state their PM policy just like BB, FS, etc. As part of advertising and getting you in the store, they won't say they will try to match the price, they will say they will match the price.

Also by the sounds of things, its a 1 day sell somewhere that will require you to ship (or at least too far for you to drive there). NCIX is very good with PMing in Canada but if you went to other stores, they wouldn't even consider it or add shipping to the price of the product because you would be paying for that anyways. Take Staples online for example, they will add shipping charges even if you PM FS (+15 to whatever you buy). Futureshop for example will match NCIX once in a while but will never match a store like Canadacomputer if you live in Vancouver. Opposite can be said about people that live in Toronto. Prices are generally regional, and stores with PM policy will only be interested in the regional market not the global.

There is no point in complaining about not getting a better deal than you should.:razz:

NCIX didn't look or ask where I was pricematching. They just asked me for the price and they said no.

If they attempted to look at where I was PMing then yeah...I can tske the excuses but they didn't even look.

[Jon Lai]

NCIX didn't look or ask where I was pricematching. They just asked me for the price and they said no.

If they attempted to look at where I was PMing then yeah...I can tske the excuses but they didn't even look.

That's because their policy says they will accept only if it is not below their cost.

[Narci]

That's because their policy says they will accept only if it is not below their cost.

Doesn't say that in thier policy.

Does NCIX.com match competitors’ pricing?

Although it is not always possible to match the prices offered by our competitors, we would like the opportunity to win your business. At the bottom of the checkout page, there is a Price Match button. Clicking this will allow you to enter competitive pricing, and the source for the price (which must be included). Unfortunately, Price Match is only offered to our Canadian customers at this time.

Prices considered for Price Match must be IN STOCK and available as a NEW item at a retail business or a web based store, with full e-commerce functionality, a valid SSL certificate and credit card verification. Exact items, model numbers and part numbers must match to qualify for Price Match requests. Most computer products are sold as Retail, OEM or Promotional products, and while they are often similar products, we cannot match prices on items with different packaging.

Prices submitted for Price Match must be from a Canadian retailer and must be in Canadian funds. No foreign retailer Price Match requests or currency conversion equivalents will be accepted. Price Match requests will be rejected for any competitor’s prices that appear to be a misprint, typographic error, fraudulent price or misrepresentation of a product.

As verification of competitors' pricing is done manually, allow up to an additional 1-3 business days for Price Match processing.

Please note that many competitors' quoted prices include a 2-3% cash discount, when their customers are paying by cash or certified check. In such cases, if we can match a competitors' price, the cash discount will be added back to the matched price.

[tsehou]

Doesn't say that in thier policy.

Does NCIX.com match competitors’ pricing?

Although it is not always possible to match the prices offered by our competitors, we would like the opportunity to win your business. At the bottom of the checkout page, there is a Price Match button. Clicking this will allow you to enter competitive pricing, and the source for the price (which must be included). Unfortunately, Price Match is only offered to our Canadian customers at this time.

Prices considered for Price Match must be IN STOCK and available as a NEW item at a retail business or a web based store, with full e-commerce functionality, a valid SSL certificate and credit card verification. Exact items, model numbers and part numbers must match to qualify for Price Match requests. Most computer products are sold as Retail, OEM or Promotional products, and while they are often similar products, we cannot match prices on items with different packaging.

Prices submitted for Price Match must be from a Canadian retailer and must be in Canadian funds. No foreign retailer Price Match requests or currency conversion equivalents will be accepted. Price Match requests will be rejected for any competitor’s prices that appear to be a misprint, typographic error, fraudulent price or misrepresentation of a product.

As verification of competitors' pricing is done manually, allow up to an additional 1-3 business days for Price Match processing.

Please note that many competitors' quoted prices include a 2-3% cash discount, when their customers are paying by cash or certified check. In such cases, if we can match a competitors' price, the cash discount will be added back to the matched price.

Well they of course they won't clearly state that in their policy. But the clause is there, written in a more appropriate way:

Although it is not always possible to match the prices offered by our competitors, we would like the opportunity to win your business.

NCIX is trying to run a smart business.

[Jon Lai]

Doesn't say that in thier policy.

Does NCIX.com match competitors’ pricing?

Although it is not always possible to match the prices offered by our competitors, we would like the opportunity to win your business. At the bottom of the checkout page, there is a Price Match button. Clicking this will allow you to enter competitive pricing, and the source for the price (which must be included). Unfortunately, Price Match is only offered to our Canadian customers at this time.

Prices considered for Price Match must be IN STOCK and available as a NEW item at a retail business or a web based store, with full e-commerce functionality, a valid SSL certificate and credit card verification. Exact items, model numbers and part numbers must match to qualify for Price Match requests. Most computer products are sold as Retail, OEM or Promotional products, and while they are often similar products, we cannot match prices on items with different packaging.

Prices submitted for Price Match must be from a Canadian retailer and must be in Canadian funds. No foreign retailer Price Match requests or currency conversion equivalents will be accepted. Price Match requests will be rejected for any competitor’s prices that appear to be a misprint, typographic error, fraudulent price or misrepresentation of a product.

As verification of competitors' pricing is done manually, allow up to an additional 1-3 business days for Price Match processing.

Please note that many competitors' quoted prices include a 2-3% cash discount, when their customers are paying by cash or certified check. In such cases, if we can match a competitors' price, the cash discount will be added back to the matched price.

The first line implies that:
Although it is not always possible to match the prices offered by our competitors...

Why is it not always possible? Because it's under cost. That's the only reason to deny a price match.

[Narci]

The first line implies that:


Why is it not always possible? Because it's under cost. That's the only reason to deny a price match.

Still doesn't say under cost..it does say this:

Prices considered for Price Match must be IN STOCK and available as a NEW item at a retail business or a web based store, with full e-commerce functionality, a valid SSL certificate and credit card verification. Exact items, model numbers and part numbers must match to qualify for Price Match requests. Most computer products are sold as Retail, OEM or Promotional products, and while they are often similar products, we cannot match prices on items with different packaging.


Stores like staples and such do pricematch even if it's undercost...then right away they either lower the price or say it's out of stock and hide it in the back somewhere.

[Jon Lai]

Still doesn't say under cost..it does say this:

Prices considered for Price Match must be IN STOCK and available as a NEW item at a retail business or a web based store, with full e-commerce functionality, a valid SSL certificate and credit card verification. Exact items, model numbers and part numbers must match to qualify for Price Match requests. Most computer products are sold as Retail, OEM or Promotional products, and while they are often similar products, we cannot match prices on items with different packaging.


Stores like staples and such do pricematch even if it's undercost...then right away they either lower the price or say it's out of stock and hide it in the back somewhere.

They have different policies. Staples/FS/BB doesn't say "we may not always be possible to PM"

[gman]

NCIX didn't look or ask where I was pricematching. They just asked me for the price and they said no.

If they attempted to look at where I was PMing then yeah...I can tske the excuses but they didn't even look.

They don't need to look if they knew they cannot match the price without losing money. If they look, it means they don't trust what you said and he has to confirm that personally. Take that as a complement.

[crimsona]

Look, so you got rejected for a PM. Just realize that doing it in-store in Richmond is a bad idea.

Do it different next time, suck it up, move on.

Excuses can come out of anybody's ass. See: Staples during 150% PM

[GVRtrader]

Still doesn't say under cost..it does say this:

Prices considered for Price Match must be IN STOCK and available as a NEW item at a retail business or a web based store, with full e-commerce functionality, a valid SSL certificate and credit card verification. Exact items, model numbers and part numbers must match to qualify for Price Match requests. Most computer products are sold as Retail, OEM or Promotional products, and while they are often similar products, we cannot match prices on items with different packaging.


Stores like staples and such do pricematch even if it's undercost...then right away they either lower the price or say it's out of stock and hide it in the back somewhere.

Read the first line over again. Go ask any lawyer. With that first line, NCIX actually can reject your PM while someone else walks in (say a PP member that everyone in the store knows) and does the same PM plus get the PM. They try to win your business but they don't have to.

Also note, it does not mean below cost or anything. NCIX can reserve the right to make X profit. If they don't make that amount of profit, they can refuse to PM for you. Your only right when trying to PM (anywhere) is to try and ask. No company has to give you a PM (read the fine print in every policy, every store reserves the right to reject a PM).

Since you mentioned Staples... here's part of their policy

We reserve the right to limit quantities sold to an individual customer. The price guarantee does not apply to competitors advertising that states “limited quantities”, “while supplies last”, “clearance”, “close-outs” or “bankruptcies”. We do not match typographical errors in competitors’ advertisements. OEM, government and educational prices may be excluded. Prices do not include applicable taxes. We reserve the right to modify the terms of our price guarantee from time to time.

Clearly as you can see, Staples would've also not honored your PM request. #1 This was a limit time offer #2 Staples can easily claim this is a typo. #3 Staples has the right to modify the term of their price guarantee... meaning if they want, they can say its below cost and you can't sue them (they won't if its Futureshop/Bestbuy because in these cases, they would rather lose money than lose business but they will if its say NCIX).

Think what you want about NCIX's PM policy, but i don't think you will get much support here about your theory (as shown by other posters). PM does not mean 100% PM, it just means a chance of getting a PM or at least a reduced cost of buying from a different store. Just because NCIX threw you out without looking at the store, does not mean their PM policy stinks... it just means you tried to get them to #1 PM a limited time sale, and #2 They refused to lose money/make less money selling something to you.

[Narci]

So it's ok to complain about Staples not honoring PM but I cannot complain about NCIX?

That's fine. I understand what everyone else is saying as well but I still have my own personal views on this.

The difference was $10 on an item over $100. I wasn't PMing something crazy like 50% price difference.

BTW, how exactly does the PM Online work? Do i just enter the PM price and link and go pick it up or do I have to wait for an email or something?

[Jon Lai]

BTW, how exactly does the PM Online work? Do i just enter the PM price and link and go pick it up or do I have to wait for an email or something?

You place and order, then in the shopping cart, there is a button for price match. You then enter the competitor's price and the URL to their product page. The CSRs will process your order manually and will let you know if it's accepted or denied. If it's denied, they will give you their "Best Offer". I've only been denied once.

[Firebot]

I've always had nothing but success with NCIX pricematches. Heck, I've bought systems complete from them, price matching every piece, and I can trust them far better then other retailers.

[van]

Anyone ever been successful in PMing an out of stock item? I want to PM some RAM but it's not in stock at the other store. It's not a sale or anything but it is a decent amount cheaper than at NCIX.

I have, and they will PM an out of stock item, but only if the PM is not below their cost. The only way you'll find out is to just PM it.

[van]

The difference was $10 on an item over $100. I wasn't PMing something crazy like 50% price difference.

My experience (dealing with the Langley location) is that they will never PM anything in-person. Generally speaking though, the in-store NCIX sales reps are totally useless, they are nothing more then just order takers.

Online is different. They've always PM everything online for me, so far. So what I do is just PM or order online, then pickup at a local branch. Don't bother wasting your time talking to an in-store rep.

[Stinger]

For future info.
There are two different types of "OEM"
First type is the type NCIX mostly deals with which is OEM Packaging, it comes with nothing extra just basic accesories if that and is usually covered by a manufacturer warranty as well or else an extended retailer warranty
The second is OEM is pure plain OEM hardware that many companies such as TD, Acer, HP and most other large retailers or shady business's will purchase.
These are often purchased in high volume at VERY low costs but the ONLY warranty for these are through the reseller and carry no manufacturer warranty. If you have ever tried to RMA Acer laptop hard drive you will see what I mean. The manufacturer will refuse to touch it.

[bargainbug]

Try using pcheck. net to compare prices with ncix. It's local to Vancouver.

[crimsona]

Pricecanada is probably a better bet than pcheck. For one, it also looks up DC and NXSource

[eagles88]

says it takes NCIX 2-5 days to accept or reject a PM. Is this true? The PM is from Futureshop and only $20 below what NCIX is selling the item at. IS NCIX pretty quick with the PM online?

[crimsona]

Why Pricecanada is better - it searches ALL of Canada.

Just bought something for in-store pick up, price matched the item against Canada Computer's cash-only price, despite me being in Vancouver and nowhere near a CC.

Got the PM within 1 business day. I doubt I would get this PM at any of the NCIX locations if I walked in.