Am I in the wrong or right here? (PB Tech) question

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BillieJoe

15 posts

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# 205587 18-Nov-2016 18:35

This is regarding PB Tech's Cyber Monday sale. The item I was interested in (huawei mate 8) had it's price dropped to the sale price, but as soon as it was dropped the phone then became unavailable. I hit up the live chat to ask about it, who said that they sold out and wouldn't be getting stock for a long time as the phone was discontinued. As of several hours after the sale (at full price) the exact product is back in stock with 5 units at the head office.

Would I be wrong to assume that something shady is going on? Or am I looking to deeply into this?

Cheers guys.

https://i.gyazo.com/55e0ef72729caec68bb3165e53498569.png

https://gyazo.com/beeefdae5b210602613d1570d52cd103

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# 1673764 18-Nov-2016 18:43

Personally, ask PB Tech for explanation spelling out EXACTLY your process of observations (dates/times etc) and trying to buy. Once received (and it could be true or wonky), ask Consumer Affairs for their opinion.

PBT should know the rules around the Fair Trading Act, so benefit of the doubt at this stage?

BillieJoe

15 posts

Geek

# 1673766 18-Nov-2016 18:44

Rickles:

Personally, ask PB Tech for explanation spelling out EXACTLY your process of observations (dates/times etc) and trying to buy. Once received (and it could be true or wonky), ask Consumer Affairs for their opinion.

PBT should know the rules around the Fair Trading Act, so benefit of the doubt at this stage?

For sure. I've tried to contact them but it seems they are swamped with emails as its been a few days without a response. (Them being PB.)

Linux

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# 1673769 18-Nov-2016 18:53

2 people support this post

You expected something different from this dodgy outfit?

Linux

BillieJoe

15 posts

Geek

# 1673773 18-Nov-2016 18:55

One person supports this post

Linux:

You expected something different from this dodgy outfit?

Linux

Had good experiences with their Wellington store.

Do they have a reputation?

chevrolux

4204 posts

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# 1673775 18-Nov-2016 18:59

4 people support this post

Linux:

You expected something different from this dodgy outfit?

Linux

That's a bit unfair. PB Tech is still head and shoulders above the other NZ electronics stores. You get talking with anyone in-store and they are always willing to do a deal on stuff.

However, they do have a bit of a track record with their website doing funny things during sales. So I reckon worth at least having a go about this and see what comes of it. Worst case, you don't get a cheap phone.

BillieJoe

15 posts

Geek

# 1673776 18-Nov-2016 19:01

chevrolux:

Linux:

You expected something different from this dodgy outfit?

Linux

That's a bit unfair. PB Tech is still head and shoulders above the other NZ electronics stores. You get talking with anyone in-store and they are always willing to do a deal on stuff.

However, they do have a bit of a track record with their website doing funny things during sales. So I reckon worth at least having a go about this and see what comes of it. Worst case, you don't get a cheap phone.

Hey mate, do you have any examples of the things they do during sales?

surfisup1000

4367 posts

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# 1673777 18-Nov-2016 19:01

BillieJoe:

This is regarding PB Tech's Cyber Monday sale. The item I was interested in (huawei mate 8) had it's price dropped to the sale price, but as soon as it was dropped the phone then became unavailable. I hit up the live chat to ask about it, who said that they sold out and wouldn't be getting stock for a long time as the phone was discontinued. As of several hours after the sale (at full price) the exact product is back in stock with 5 units at the head office.

Would I be wrong to assume that something shady is going on? Or am I looking to deeply into this?

Cheers guys.

https://i.gyazo.com/55e0ef72729caec68bb3165e53498569.png

https://gyazo.com/beeefdae5b210602613d1570d52cd103

If it is exactly as you explained, then you have good reason to be suspicious .

Obviously you have not gone back to them about the fact the product was back into stock right after the sale ended -- ring them and interrogate to sort out the inconsistencies in their story.

It is unlikely a delivery truck arrived 2 hours after the sale ended haha.

BillieJoe

15 posts

Geek

# 1673778 18-Nov-2016 19:03

surfisup1000:

BillieJoe:

This is regarding PB Tech's Cyber Monday sale. The item I was interested in (huawei mate 8) had it's price dropped to the sale price, but as soon as it was dropped the phone then became unavailable. I hit up the live chat to ask about it, who said that they sold out and wouldn't be getting stock for a long time as the phone was discontinued. As of several hours after the sale (at full price) the exact product is back in stock with 5 units at the head office.

Would I be wrong to assume that something shady is going on? Or am I looking to deeply into this?

Cheers guys.

https://i.gyazo.com/55e0ef72729caec68bb3165e53498569.png

https://gyazo.com/beeefdae5b210602613d1570d52cd103

If it is exactly as you explained, then you have good reason to be suspicious .

Obviously you have not gone back to them about the fact the product was back into stock right after the sale ended -- ring them and interrogate to sort out the inconsistencies in their story.

It is unlikely a delivery truck arrived 2 hours after the sale ended haha.

That's what I was trying to say to the dude on the phone but I think he worked in the warehouse and didn't really take me seriously.

Andib

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# 1673779 18-Nov-2016 19:04

**These are only rumors I've heard and I don't have any evidence to back them up so take it with a truck load of salt**

I have heard rumors that they have increased RRPs the week prior to sales to inflate the discounts. But then again they have sales almost every weekend so products hardly go to their true price.

BillieJoe

15 posts

Geek

# 1673780 18-Nov-2016 19:06

Andib:

**These are only rumors I've heard and I don't have any evidence to back them up so take it with a truck load of salt**

I have heard rumors that they have increased RRPs the week prior to sales to inflate the discounts. But then again they have sales almost every weekend so products hardly go to their true price.

Hmm. The sale price was good, I was more than willing to pay it either way.

gzt

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# 1673784 18-Nov-2016 19:15

BillieJoe:

This is regarding PB Tech's Cyber Monday sale. The item I was interested in (huawei mate 8) had it's price dropped to the sale price, but as soon as it was dropped the phone then became unavailable. I hit up the live chat to ask about it, who said that they sold out and wouldn't be getting stock for a long time as the phone was discontinued. As of several hours after the sale (at full price) the exact product is back in stock with 5 units at the head office.

Hard to know. Have the chat record? Buy the phone and sort out the difference with them later.

It is kind of possible they allocated say 2 phones for the sale and these sold very quickly leaving no more stock allocated for the sale.

Imo the commerce commission would take a dim view of this if the quantity available was not advertised. You want to buy a phone not enter a click bait competition. Disputes tribunal, I'm not sure. Depends on the evidence.

Depends on the timing I guess. Hard to know if shady or just a popular item and bad explanation from sales chat. Depending on the timing but not a good look.

Personally I like pbtech overall. Any problems have been sorted instantly.

I did once have to deal with a very grumpy senior staff member who did not have my order and then got nasty to a subordinate and not very nice to me when I then refused to take display stock but that was a one off I like to think. The dude subsequently demonstrated exactly why I refused display stock when he slammed it back down on the shelf in a huff : p

Signature goes here.

surfisup1000

4367 posts

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# 1673785 18-Nov-2016 19:16

BillieJoe:

That's what I was trying to say to the dude on the phone but I think he worked in the warehouse and didn't really take me seriously.

You need to speak with someone higher up in the company -- CEO would be best.

If you can get hold of them, explain this.

BillieJoe

15 posts

Geek

# 1673787 18-Nov-2016 19:17

surfisup1000:

BillieJoe:

That's what I was trying to say to the dude on the phone but I think he worked in the warehouse and didn't really take me seriously.

You need to speak with someone higher up in the company -- CEO would be best.

If you can get hold of them, explain this.

Is there someone related to them on the forum?

I'd love to talk with the CEO or someone more than a CSR rep.

Thanks for all the help guys.

reven

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# 1673789 18-Nov-2016 19:25

completely agree, pbtech is shady. well not shady, but yeah they got big, then they got crap. such a PITA to deal with at times. mightyape is my go to store, they are big, but way more friendly and willing to help etc. their price match is pretty great too.

and theres computer lounge.

so no OP, i think youre in the right.

BillieJoe

15 posts

Geek

# 1673790 18-Nov-2016 19:27

reven:

completely agree, pbtech is shady. well not shady, but yeah they got big, then they got crap. such a PITA to deal with at times. mightyape is my go to store, they are big, but way more friendly and willing to help etc. their price match is pretty great too.

and theres computer lounge.

so no OP, i think youre in the right.

Thanks for your opinion!

I like ape as well but they have the phone for quite a high price.

Does anyone have a direct line of someone at PB I could get too?

Cheers all.

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