Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Proof that different Targets have different pricing...


WestHollywoodPatch conducted a recent survey of 3 Los Angeles area stores, and found prices at the West Hollywood location up to 20 percent higher on some items, compared to the prices at the next two closest Target stores.

On Nov. 20th, Patch surveyed 50 items in all departments (grocery, healthy/beauty, clothing, baby supplies, pet supplies, housewares, electronics and toys) at three Targets — the 7100 Santa Monica Blvd. location in West Hollywood, the North Hollywood store at 11051 Victory Blvd. and the Culver City location at 3535 La Cienega Blvd. Patch looked at a range of products, from high-ticket items like video games and small appliances to everyday items like pet food and dish detergent. This non-scientific study found that the West Hollywood store had the highest prices of the three stores.

A Radio Flyer plastic wagon was $12 higher in Weho. A box of Pampers disposable diapers was $3.50 higher. A bottle of Advil ibuprofen was $3.40 higher. Tide Ultra laundry detergent was $2.10 higher, Purina dog food was $1.50 higher, Kellogg’s Raisin Bran cereal was $.55 higher, and Chips Ahoy cookies were $.50 higher than the other two stores.

When contacted by Weho Patch, the Target corporate office in Pasadena acknowledged they do have different prices in different stores. A corporate spokesperson released this statement:

Target strives to offer the best selection at the best price and our goal is to be competitively priced in each trade area. Target accepts price-match on items in the same store where the item was purchased. Competitive pricing is based on the retail environment for each individual community and can vary between Target stores. This is a common practice among retailers.

6 comments:

katie@tulsadetails said...

I live in Tulsa, OK and often shop at a target closer to downtown during lunch and a different Target close to my house on a regular basis. I have seen this on multiple items I have bought that they are less expensive closer to downtown than near my home. Specifically, I have seen video games $10 less and a toothbrush holder set as well (random, I know).

Anonymous said...

I've had the same experience at The Gap; an item I bought from the store was significantly less online. When a call into Customer Service didn't produce a fair outcome, that was my last purchase from Gap!

Critifur said...

Ugh, another reason to not shop Target.

Jenny K. said...

This is true among almost all retailers. I work at a clothing store, and sale prices differ from location to location based on what kinds of items sell better in that area. Online prices also vary greatly from stores. Usually, store prices are cheaper.

Lesa said...

I really didn't want to know this info (but thank you) I live in between an "upscale" Super Target and a regular neighborhood Target, guess where I am shopping now?

blackrose said...

This is good to know! I recently went to Target to buy a desk, I saw one that I liked in the box, but there was no price on the shelve and it was not on display. I used the Target iPhone app to scan the barcode, got my price (cheaper than the desk on display) and went to pay and it rang up $20 more! So I explained to the cashier that the price wasn't posted and used the app to get the price and showed the cashier my iPhone. She looked and said, "yeah, the prices are different online..." so I just ordered it online, had it delivered to my place. Seems to be a better idea to honor their own online price, save the shipping cost (I paid with my redcard, so 5% off and free shipping) and move the stock out of their store.