I needed to buy a underground grease trap, the builders are in tomorrow, I just wanted to get ahead of the curve.

After checking on shopee, I found a DOS 50L for 2800B, pretty reasonable. I then noticed it was from a local independent hardware / DIY store, so I jumped in the truck, took a screenshot and sent the wife in to pick it up.

She calls and tells me, the price is 3600B, the salesman showed me the sticker.

I said, ask him to discount, ask to see the manager and explain that you are passing, and rather than wait for delivery, you just want it at the price advertised or at least lets talk. The sales person refused, wouldn't get the manager even though it isnt a very busy shop. I think we had this issue before when buying a lawnmower from the place, but I dont think the saving was much.

I just finished ordering from shopee, with vouchers the price was 2521B inc free shipping.

im just trying to fathom the logic in turning away money, do they get instant payment with shopee? How can they offer 1000B discount via the app and not even consider a small discount from a walk-in, strange.

It's possible that's a Shopee discount rather than seller discount

22 minutes ago, recom273 said:

I needed to buy a underground grease trap, the builders are in tomorrow, I just wanted to get ahead of the curve.

After checking on shopee, I found a DOS 50L for 2800B, pretty reasonable. I then noticed it was from a local independent hardware / DIY store, so I jumped in the truck, took a screenshot and sent the wife in to pick it up.

She calls and tells me, the price is 3600B, the salesman showed me the sticker.

I said, ask him to discount, ask to see the manager and explain that you are passing, and rather than wait for delivery, you just want it at the price advertised or at least lets talk. The sales person refused, wouldn't get the manager even though it isnt a very busy shop. I think we had this issue before when buying a lawnmower from the place, but I dont think the saving was much.

I just finished ordering from shopee, with vouchers the price was 2521B inc free shipping.

im just trying to fathom the logic in turning away money, do they get instant payment with shopee? How can they offer 1000B discount via the app and not even consider a small discount from a walk-in, strange.

Works the same if you book a hotel through a travel agent (sic). The agent gets the discount which they may pass on to you or not. If you walk into the hotel the "rack rate" will be more than the agent advertised.

Your "local independent hardware / DIY store" gave a discounted price to Shopee to attract business. Since your wife walked through the door they didn't need to "attract" her business.

Or the store owner/management authorized the discount. The local manger doesn't have the authority to do the same. (If you have a coupon you get the coupon price. No coupon, no coupon price)

33 minutes ago, recom273 said:

I just finished ordering from shopee, with vouchers the price was 2521B inc free shipping.

Internet discount.

Delivery online can vary, if urgent best to buy in shop

39 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

It's possible that's a Shopee discount rather than seller discount

Ahh, yes .. could be. This is why I posted.

20 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

Works the same if you book a hotel through a travel agent (sic). The agent gets the discount which they may pass on to you or not. If you walk into the hotel the "rack rate" will be more than the agent advertised.

Your "local independent hardware / DIY store" gave a discounted price to Shopee to attract business. Since your wife walked through the door they didn't need to "attract" her business.

Or the store owner/management authorized the discount. The local manger doesn't have the authority to do the same. (If you have a coupon you get the coupon price. No coupon, no coupon price)

Yes, totally agree, but who wouldn’t do a deal?

When you do the Agoda thing, you just walk outside and get a small discount, I saved over 1000B by ordering online, I’m sure it will be here tomorrow.

3 minutes ago, recom273 said:

Yes, totally agree, but who wouldn’t do a deal?

The local staff are not given any authority to negotiate the price.

I had a similar case some months ago during a Lazada promotion when wanting to buy a video camera. To get the item more quickly I went to the seller, a well known camera chain store. The price in the shop was higher. When I showed the sales staff their own promotion price the answer was that Lazada is getting a high volume discount for a guaranteed sales quantity and also that Lazada pays a percentage in addition to that to attract more buyers to the Lazada platform. Therefore the shop cannot sell it to me for the same price.

Baring in mind if its broken or doesnt work etc- you then have hassle of returning and fighting to get the money back online - buy it from the storore and its a conversation right there and then.

One thing that always bothers me about the online retailers is they let the "seller" decide if he wants to accept a return- they never support the buyer. (in my experience)

One does scratch one's head at times, with some pricing, online or in person. Especially when it comes to hotel reservations. Online products almost understandable, unless same vendor, as brick & motar w/employees vs drop ship or warehouse purchase.

Strange some employees, managers, can't or won't adjust to a lower discounted price. I've been at chain hotels, and booked online in the lobby for discount prices. Same with HomePro, same item, paid online, then pick up at the store while there.

As far as refunds @CharlieH if not very inexpensive, just buy from LAZ Flagship or Mall vendors, and refund is usually instant, as soon as its scanned when picked up. Shopee has official stores also, and I only buy from them to ensure prompt refunds.

I usually don't bother with other vendors, unless direct manufacturer vendor, and Central Online is very good with refunds, no questions asked.

Most other vendors, have no warranty stated, or 'no change of mind', defect only, or you have pay for return shipping, with silly 7 day returns only. NO THANKS, just pay a few baht, not worth the hassle.

2 hours ago, recom273 said:

I just finished ordering from shopee, with vouchers the price was 2521B inc free shipping.

Who pays :-

Free shipping voucher - Often the platform sometimes shared with the seller.

Seller specific voucher - The seller.

Sitewide discount voucher - Usually the platform

Coins and rewards - Usually the platform.

2 hours ago, recom273 said:

I needed to buy a underground grease trap, the builders are in tomorrow, I just wanted to get ahead of the curve.

After checking on shopee, I found a DOS 50L for 2800B, pretty reasonable. I then noticed it was from a local independent hardware / DIY store, so I jumped in the truck, took a screenshot and sent the wife in to pick it up.

She calls and tells me, the price is 3600B, the salesman showed me the sticker.

I said, ask him to discount, ask to see the manager and explain that you are passing, and rather than wait for delivery, you just want it at the price advertised or at least lets talk. The sales person refused, wouldn't get the manager even though it isnt a very busy shop. I think we had this issue before when buying a lawnmower from the place, but I dont think the saving was much.

I just finished ordering from shopee, with vouchers the price was 2521B inc free shipping.

im just trying to fathom the logic in turning away money, do they get instant payment with shopee? How can they offer 1000B discount via the app and not even consider a small discount from a walk-in, strange.

This is common practice in the west, a tradesperson will always mark up their gear that they install.

What I find hard to believe, you've gone to the trouble to broadcast this

Edited July 28Jul 28 by SAFETY FIRST

32 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

One thing that always bothers me about the online retailers is they let the "seller" decide if he wants to accept a return- they never support the buyer. (in my experience)

Lazada/Shopee

Buyer requests a return or refund then seller reviews the request first. If there is a continued dispute the platform decides.

1 minute ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

This is common practice in the west, a tradesperson will always mark up their gear that they install.

Dependent on what the gear, product is, the tradesperson is probably getting a discounted price when purchasing the said product, not available to retail customer. When I worked for a plumber, the invoices I saw, were priced way below retail prices.

That can range from simple 10% to 30% or much more, depending on product and source, how many middle persons before buying. I used to sell firearms & chimney products, and price differred depending which warehouse purchased from.

Depending on what, my profit margin, I'd charge accordingly, depending on what was available to a retail customer. Sometimes 10% - 30% especially firearms, as mark is low, but sometimes 100% on chimney products, as something just not available on retail market.

My brother worked at local hardware store, before the big DIY chains arrived, and all stock, mostly, got a 45% mark up above suppliers price. Almost across the board. That's the profit margin the owner wanted, and got, until DIY chains arrived.

Large warehouse selling & online has changed all that, for the consumer a good thing. For Ma/Pa vendors, not so good.

Edited July 28Jul 28 by KhunLA

8 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

The local staff are not given any authority to negotiate the price.

But the manager is. You bet I would have seen him!

Just now, unblocktheplanet said:

But the manager is. You bet I would have seen him!

He might be in a hi-rise office in Bangkok.

7 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Dependent on what the gear, product is, the tradesperson is probably getting a discounted price when purchasing the said product, not available to retail customer. When I worked for a plumber, the invoices I saw, were priced way below retail prices.

That can range from simple 10% to 30% or much more, depending on product and source, how many middle persons before buying. I used to sell firearms & chimney products, and price differred depending which warehouse purchased from.

Depending on what, my profit margin, I'd charge accordingly, depending on what was available to a retail customer. Sometimes 10% - 30% especially firearms, as mark is low, but sometimes 100% on chimney products, as something just not available on retail market.

My brother worked at local hardware store, before the big DIY chains arrived, and all stock, mostly, got a 45% mark up above suppliers price. Almost across the board. That's the profit margin the owner wanted, and got, until DIY chains arrived.

Large warehouse selling & online has changed all that, for the consumer a good thing. For Ma/Pa vendors, not so good.

If ya shoot up the chimney, you might hit Santa. Bad karma.

The sales staff in the shop would not give up their 50THB commission !!....that to when a falang wants to buy. Chances are that even when there is a discount offered, some may try and not hand it out when it's a falang.