Jb Hifi and missing Model numbers

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wreck90

780 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#69164 4-Oct-2010 16:09

Why don't JB Hifi put the model numbers on the internet?

No prob with things like PS3, you can tell what that is.

But, with receivers, you have no idea what model they are trying to flog....

eg,

http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/jb-hi-fi-home-audio/receiver/onkyo/7-2-channel-av-receiver-sku-16319/

THey only print the SKU which is some internal jbhifi code (or a US zip code :) )

Kraven

729 posts

Ultimate Geek

#387749 4-Oct-2010 16:11

Click 'Buy Online' and it's there...

graemeh

2078 posts

Uber Geek

#387765 4-Oct-2010 16:59

wreck90: Why don't JB Hifi put the model numbers on the internet?

I believe the theory is it makes it harder to price match and forces you to come into the shop to find out more.

You'll probably notice that others do this in their print advertising too.

robbyp

1199 posts

Uber Geek

#387774 4-Oct-2010 17:10

graemeh:
wreck90: Why don't JB Hifi put the model numbers on the internet?

I believe the theory is it makes it harder to price match and forces you to come into the shop to find out more.

You'll probably notice that others do this in their print advertising too.

This pricing matching thing is a bit of a con. Often these companies will only price match, if the serial number is exactly the same. However many of the big players get their own serial numbers, so the products are just very slightly different, so they don't have to price match.

graemeh

2078 posts

Uber Geek

#387776 4-Oct-2010 17:16

robbyp:
graemeh:
wreck90: Why don't JB Hifi put the model numbers on the internet?

I believe the theory is it makes it harder to price match and forces you to come into the shop to find out more.

You'll probably notice that others do this in their print advertising too.

This pricing matching thing is a bit of a con. Often these companies will only price match, if the serial number is exactly the same. However many of the big players get their own serial numbers, so the products are just very slightly different, so they don't have to price match.

Yes you're right. Often the big players will have their own models which will be slightly different.

You can always get around that by shopping around and just buying from the company with the best price.

I find that for higher priced items you can buy from Mitre 10 Mega & Bunnings it works extremely well, you can normally find someone selling the same tool for less and "bingo" you just saved a pile of cash.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#387778 4-Oct-2010 17:26

graemeh:
wreck90: Why don't JB Hifi put the model numbers on the internet?

I believe the theory is it makes it harder to price match and forces you to come into the shop to find out more.

You'll probably notice that others do this in their print advertising too.

Bingo!
Stores want you to come in... for reasons that stretch from selling you add-on's - through to ensuring you're actually buying the correct product for your needs / current kit.

scuwp

3886 posts

Uber Geek

#387816 4-Oct-2010 19:02

I wondered if it was something to do with trying to fool search engines, for example stopping competitors just running programs to make price matching easier?

Most retailers have the "best price in store" anyway... so often once you know what you want it pays to go in with the relevant competitor info and start negotiating!

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

1080p

1332 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#388879 6-Oct-2010 19:09

robbyp: This pricing matching thing is a bit of a con. Often these companies will only price match, if the serial number is exactly the same. However many of the big players get their own serial numbers, so the products are just very slightly different, so they don't have to price match.

I disagree, with consumer electronics stores the units available to each different chain are almost always the same. There will be the same line of Onkyo products available to JB Hi-Fi as to Harvey Norman for example.

Price matching has _nothing_ to do with serial numbers and _everything_ to do with model numbers. Serial numbers are individual to each item whereas model numbers describe a set of the same units.

I can confirm that it is JB Hi-Fi's policy to omit model numbers from the print and online advertising. This is deliberate to encourage a phone call or a visit. They almost always have the best prices so don't need to worry about turning customers away as there are three more waiting in line. You'll also only get RRP or an advertised price over the phone/e-mail. All 'deals' are conducted in store as they will often require manager approval.

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

robbyp

1199 posts

Uber Geek

#388989 6-Oct-2010 22:37

1080p:
robbyp: This pricing matching thing is a bit of a con. Often these companies will only price match, if the serial number is exactly the same. However many of the big players get their own serial numbers, so the products are just very slightly different, so they don't have to price match.

I disagree, with consumer electronics stores the units available to each different chain are almost always the same. There will be the same line of Onkyo products available to JB Hi-Fi as to Harvey Norman for example.

Price matching has _nothing_ to do with serial numbers and _everything_ to do with model numbers. Serial numbers are individual to each item whereas model numbers describe a set of the same units.

I can confirm that it is JB Hi-Fi's policy to omit model numbers from the print and online advertising. This is deliberate to encourage a phone call or a visit. They almost always have the best prices so don't need to worry about turning customers away as there are three more waiting in line. You'll also only get RRP or an advertised price over the phone/e-mail. All 'deals' are conducted in store as they will often require manager approval.

I meant model numbers. I was mainly referring to my experience with hardware stores, where they trade on those policies, and I can confirm that although they may sell very similar products, the numbers are often slightly different. Simon Morton infact did a story on this on Radio NZ not that long ago, and the terms require the model numbers to be exactly the same. It would however depend on the manufacturer, how big the retail cahin was, and their relationship with the manufacturer. I recall one retailer recently having a netbook model specially made for them.