It pays to shop around

Press, 15 July 1980, Page 12

It pays to shop around

“These days, you ■ are well-advised not to buy something without comparing prices, in a range of shops.” This, is the opinion of Consumers’ Institute, which has been-• doing regular price surveys .to help its members know which prices represent good value. ' • A survey in late January showed intense competition in small appliances.- Here are some examples: • 1. Astra coffee -percolator — cheapest price $31.50, dearest $52.95. • 2. Ralta Crockpot . — $56.95 to $76.95. 3. Braun Special shaver —537.35 to $59.95. 4. Wella Haircare set — $29.95 to $45.95. 5. Starmix handmixer — $34.95 to $72. 95. 5. Sunbeam 2-slice toaster —528.95 to $59.95. 7. Ultimate steam and dry iron — $39.50 to $59.95. 8. Zip lightweight aim minium frypan — $49.35 to $79.95. HEAVY DISCOUNTS In mid-March the Institute surveyed colour television sets and found a number of methods were being used by - retailers to make into a sale: A Significant number were prepared to give a

discount if you paid cash on the spot. Some would give a high trade-in value on your old -TV set, which is effectively a discount. . One, ' at least, would > give.you a free small appliance — again effectively a discount.

Some firms would give a $l7 reduction to a customer who paid cash and took the television set away with him.

Some firms would give a reduction for “shop soiled” goods that were scarcely marked.

Others might sell new stock as “old stock” at the “old price.” At least one shop would sell an aerial at half price — again, effectively a discount on the price of the TV set.

Says the Institute: “Our impression is that if you walk into many ’stores with cash in hand and offer $3O or $5O less than the' advertised price, the firm will accept your offer rather than lose a sale. It depends very much how desperate they are to make sales.” WIDESPREAD DISCOUNTING

A survey of advertisements in late April showed that while - most discounting occurred in the main centres, there was p|-o some to be found in such places as

G i s b o r n e j Wanganui, Palmerston North, Nelson, Greymouth. Timartt, ()ainaru and Invercargill. Some examples:

Furniture: Reduction of $lOO to $3OO on lounge suiles were quite common.

Carpets: Reductions of $lO to $2O per metre were quite common, and for some higher-priced brands discounts of $5O to $7O per metre.

Stereo sets: Discounts of $5O to $lOO were common with smaller sets and $lOO to $2OO with larger sets.

Electric soves: Some discounts of $5O to $l5O, and $lOO-worth of free goods was offered with purchases of a particular brand. Cameras: Discounts of $.30 to $2OO were quite common.

Sewing machines: Discounts from $49 to $llO were noted. Electric heaters: Reductions of $8 to $2O were quite common, and in some cases $3O and-even $4O.

The surveys also showed discounting of -hardhouse paint, curtain materials, clothing, footwear, blankets, sheets, dressmaking materials, mattresses, sleeping bags, wallpaper, binoculars and other items.

“Such a spread in- magnitude in price discounting

has probably never before been seen in the New Zealand market place says, the Institute. It intends to continue its regular price surveys, and will be publishing the results in “Consumer” magazine.