Online VS Catalog Pricing? Why the difference?

[ReefWaters]

I got my new Marine Depot catalog in the mail just before Christmas.

I love having the hard copy to look at and make decisions on what I would like to buy.

The problem is, every time I go to place an order online, many, if not most, of the prices online are higher than the catalog. I called and asked which price they honor and the rep told me they only honor the one online, The Higher Price!

Why did you change prices so soon after sending out a catalog? Did you think people would not notice? Why will you not honor the lower price that is in YOUR catalog?

I try to spread my money evenly between Marine Depot and Premium Aquatics even though I believe Premium Aquatics' customer service is much better, but now I really don't think I will be ordering from Marine Depot anymore because of the deceiving pricing policy.

 

[ONEMANBAND]

How old is the catalog? is it recent or old?

 

[ReefWaters]

The front of the catalog says

"CATALOG 2006"

 

[ONEMANBAND]

Something seems wrong about that to me also. Did you try calling back, asking for a manager?

 

[ReefWaters]

ONEMANBAND..... No I did not. Lets see what they have to say about it here.

 

[MarineDepot]

Hello,

Thank you for your post, unfortunately prices do rise and the catalog price is not always the current selling price, this is the reason we have placed a disclaimer on the catalogs stating, " MArine Depot has tried to make this catalog as comprhesive and factual as possible. However we reserve the right to make changes without notice. Manufacterers specifications may have changed since the date of publication. You are welcome to call or visit our website to confirm pricing and availability" This disclaimer is located on the bottom of the table of contents page. We ask that you call or email us to get the current selling prices of product, we are only able to honor the online prices.
If you have any further questions please feel free to contact me at 714.385.0080 or via email at customercare@marinedepot.com


Walter
www.MarineDepot.com

 

[ReefWaters]

Walter,

Thank you for your response. I do understand your position and I did not see the disclaimer. Please understand that the only reason I even mention this issue, is because it seemed to me that the price increases on the items I was interested in were in my opinion, quite substantial and almost immediately after the catalog came out.

Thank you again for your time and I do promise to give Marine Depot another chance.

Sincerely,

Ross Waters

 

[ri]

This issue is not unique to MD.

I frequently order from a model train wholesaler - from their 2006 catalog - where 25% of the items I've tried to order have already been discontinued.

ri