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NetBuyer and PriceWatch

User Comments

Wed Jan 28 13:20:54 EST 1998

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MINOR Problem: Experienced Jun, 0017

I have few comments about NetBuyer. Although this tool allows the user to search for many computer-related items, manufacturers, and vendors it is not always accurate with respect to purchase price. I have been searching for a Monitor for several weeks now using both NetBuyer and PriceWatch. Both do a great job accessing pertinent information. However, when it comes time to purchase the products at the price that was quoted in NetBuyer or PriceWatch there clearly becomes a problem with the purchase price. Either there was a misprint, or the stated purchase price was for only cash purchases, or finally the purchase becomes inflated due to the shipping charges.To be more specific, why would the shipping cost from New Jersey to Virginia be more expensive than shipping the same item at the same cost from California to Virginia? One particular vendor was willing to knock a little off the shipping charge to give me a better deal. I didn't realize companies had that flexibility, not unless they do their own shipping! Another example happened twice. I called two different vendors about the same product. Each vendor first asked me "what was the price of the item that I saw advertised." As soon as I even mentioned the price both Sales Reps. began sighing, "there must have been a misprint" and "I'm sorry sir but I'm going to have to speak to my supervisor." One of the vendors who told me of the misprint in NetBuyer is still advertising the Viewsonic PT775 for $647, even after he told me that it would be corrected. These inconsistencies are frustrating and time consuming. I'm sure I'm not the first one to reveal this little scam, but I think someone should investigate.

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