How come some retailers on here won't post prices.

[nadroj81]

when you ask about a price for a specific product they do not respond to that comment in the thread or they say please call/PM. do prices really vary that much based on who is calling? I find it somewhat upsetting that seller cant give you a straight forward anwser to the masses.

[spindrome]

In a lot of industries there's something called MAP or "Minimum Advertised Price" that limits what a retailer can advertise a product's price on. These prices are set by each manufacturer and it's used basically to protect the street price of each product.

Note, this doesn't mean that the retailer can't sell for lower than the map price.

[nadroj81]

This is true, but some are the manufactures, and they aren't posting. But, i won't name names.

[madrussian]

Vorsteiner... I said it.

[JoJo]

Because they want to rip you off. I find that its very rare if you go to an aftermarket auto store (i'm talking a mom & pop operation, not a big chain), that they will even have the products in the store marked with prices. They always want to wheel and deal with you. They'll give you an insane price. If you pay full price, congrats, you're a moron. Otherwise, you have to deal them down. I find this with stereo shops also. Now maybe if you know the owner, or you buy from the shop a lot, then they will start to cut you a deal. Same goes for retailers online. If you haven't done your research, they will most definitely take advantage of you. Thats why you have to call up and say "oh yea..well i got a price of xx.xx for x product from the other retailer, what can you do", and go back and forth. If you talk your way down to a great deal, they might not want everyone else getting the same deal, and they'll try to recoup some cash on the next moron. Also, if a retailer posts prices online, other retailers selling the same product can automatically see what the competition is selling for, and offer better deals.

[A4 - Oh Snap]

The aftermarket parts industry is a rough industry. in the end, you're dealing with sales people. Just like how we all pay different prices for our cars and different prices for our airline tickets. As long as you do your homework and you are happy with what you are paying, that is all the matter. It never hurts to ask around. But it will always be a game of us versus them.

[e36341hp]

Originally posted by spindrome
In a lot of industries there's something called MAP or "Minimum Advertised Price" that limits what a retailer can advertise a product's price on. These prices are set by each manufacturer and it's used basically to protect the street price of each product.

Note, this doesn't mean that the retailer can't sell for lower than the map price.

Smart man!!!!

This is the most common reason-speaking from a shop owners point of veiw.