Weird pricing on the RS website - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Electr0nicus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2015, 01:44:42 pm
content: HiToday I wanted to buy a U1272A multimeter from RS- components. During the ordering process, I noticed something strange.The multimeter costs 352€ when I'm not logged into RS's website, which changes to 382€ "special price"when I log in.When not logged in:When logged in:Anyone experienced something like that too, is it a bug in their webshop?Or is there a reasonable explanation why the multimeter costs 30€ more when I'm logged in compared to when Ibrowse the RS website as a "anonymous" user.I have a private account there. Of course the 20% VAT is also added to the overall order price additionally.Kind regardsGregor

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2015, 01:56:29 pm
content: Individualized pricing.Welcome to the internet age, when retailers dreams come true.

author: Electr0nicus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2015, 03:28:06 pm
content: Yeah it seems soThis is actually the first time that the "special price" is higher as the regular price, so that's why I wondered so much about it.It's also a funny coincidence that the new higher prices on RS's website are extactly the same as the prices (to the Cent) you will get on farnell.I normally order things from farnell, but decided this time to order from RS, because they seemed cheaper, but it seems I got too early excited about it

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2015, 03:32:29 pm
content: Can you log out, add it to your basket, then log in?

author: Electr0nicus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2015, 03:35:58 pm
content: It doesn't matter. When not logged in it's cheaper, when logged in it's more expensive.

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2015, 07:26:09 pm
content: Maybe registering another account with those fools?Or buy from someone who treats you fair?

author: cosmicray
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2015, 07:27:52 pm
content: Maybe they want the (not logged in) search-engine crawlers to see a lesser price.

author: Tandy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2015, 08:25:25 pm
content: I had this weirdness as well, as RS & Farnell are the contract manufacturers of the Raspberry Pi every other retailer has to get their stock from one of them. The price for the new Raspberry Pi was lower on their site than it was when I logged in to get our special reseller discounted price. I wonder if they have a problem with an old dataset being used for custom prices.

author: donotdespisethesnake
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2015, 10:54:21 pm
content: Quote from: Electr0nicus on February 07, 2015, 01:44:42 pmFor me the price goes from €398 (equivalent) not logged in to my "special price" of €432... so you are doing better than me.RS say on their homepage "You told us, we changed it." I'm pretty sure being conned on pricing was not something anyone asked for !

author: Tandy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2015, 10:57:03 pm
content: I guess it is possible there is a bug in their system that is adding a percentage on to prices instead of taking it off.

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2015, 11:16:29 pm
content: I see £296, whether I'm logged in or not, which is about €399. I've found it £1 cheaper at Rapid Electronics, everywhere else is even more costly.

author: jc101
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2015, 01:23:35 pm
content: HHmmm, RS for me went from £296 to £321. I might drop them an e-mail...Obviously something is going on.

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2015, 01:33:39 pm
content: If that is a deliberate decision, they are being very foolish. Punishing loyal customers...

author: wreeve
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 08, 2015, 07:55:27 pm
content: Must be a bug, went from 296 to 321 when added to the cart....and I am not even logged in!

author: ElektroQuark
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 09, 2015, 10:44:59 am
content: 353E at TME.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 09, 2015, 11:00:19 am
content: Same price in RS Australia, $509, logged in or not.

author: Chris Jones
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2015, 07:30:53 am
content: A guy at work who normally gets a good discount from RS (often ~20%) was finding that the prices for a few parts were instead higher when he logged in than when not logged in. He complained, and they raised the lower price to match the higher one! Now we don't complain any more.