Shays MIA

[3rdrail]

It is possible that the original web page was put up in error and the actual price paid by Klein's was inadvertently posted, rather than the proposed customer price. People do make mistakes like that. Then when the error was caught, the page was revised.

One of the reasons I had to be so careful when publishing tariffs in the ICC era was that if the wrong price was in the tariff, the railroads had to honor it until it was amended, and that required 30 days' notice! Klien's is under no such legal obligation.

So the question becomes, do you lose money or lose goodwill? Looks like Ted has opted to lose the goodwill.

[Nelson]

It is possible that the original web page was put up in error and the actual price paid by Klein's was inadvertently posted, rather than the proposed customer price. People do make mistakes like that. Then when the error was caught, the page was revised.

Gregg, This is certainly possible, but the right thing for them to do would have been to alert everyone that had placed an order at that price that it was an error, and given them the option to cancel their order.

 The page was posted on 6/30/06 and I placed my order on 7/3/06. The first time I saw the higher price listed was when they switched over to the new web site. That is why I saved the old web page and that was 10/21/06, so that page was up for over 3 months with the $119.99 price.

[dclyde]

Thanks for the offer Nelson, I may take you up on it.

I reserved my shay so long ago that the credit card I used had expired.  I received a notice from Rob to give him a call with the new cc info.  I returned his call and left a voice mail on how to contact me and I also mentioned the price thing.  I haven't heard back yet.  It will be interesting to see what happens.

I'll keep everyone informed if interested.

Dave

[dclyde]

Sorry for such a fast repost but I just got off the phone with Rob.  He indicated that the $119.99 price was a mistake that was posted by the Webmaster and that $119.99 (as others have indicated), is MBK's price.

He did offer to let me pick up the shay from the new store which saves shipping and insurance.  Although, he probably didn't do me a big favor as he also indicated that the new store is opening tomorrow, Saturday June 23.

So, the bottom line is that the shays are going for $133.99 plus applicable charges (tax, shipping, insurance, etc).

Dave

[Bob Bufkin]

Can someone give me direction on how to get to their new store coming up 95 from Wash, DC.
Bob.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Sure!

Take I695 toward west toward Towson.
Then take I83 north.
Take the exit for "Warren Road".
Make a left at the first light "Beaver Dam Road".
Cross the light rail tracks.
Make a right onto Cockeysville Road. They're the first lot on the right.

When do you think you'll be in the area, I'm hitting the Timonium show and MBK's opening day with my dad, it'd be cool to meet you.

[John]

Probably going to hit MBK around 1pm ... then the show ..

[dclyde]

Ed,

You're not going to the BANTRAK picnic?

Dave

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I thought that was last month? Oh wow, I just realized it's tomorrow.

But no, my dad's coming down to hit the show with me, so I'm booked.

[Bob Bufkin]

Sure!

Take I695 toward west toward Towson.
Then take I83 north.
Take the exit for "Warren Road".
Make a left at the first light "Beaver Dam Road".
Cross the light rail tracks.
Make a right onto Cockeysville Road. They're the first lot on the right.

When do you think you'll be in the area, I'm hitting the Timonium show and MBK's opening day with my dad, it'd be cool to meet you.

Which show is in Timonium this weekend.  I know there is one in August.  If I have time I might try to get there tomorrow.
Bob

[Ed Kapuscinski]

It's the Great Scale Show, but it's the small one in the "domestic arts hall":
http://www.gsmts.com/a_datesplaces.html

[Bob Bufkin]

I'll try an hit MBK sometime in the afternoon and then do some area railfanning later.  I'll be in a blue baseball cap with Sea Shadow on it.

[Nelson]

Well I received a reply to my email forwarding the web page showing the price.

This is the reply that I received in its entirety:

The prices are wrong.

That's it, the total response. sheesh.
I suppose my only recourse now is to dispute the charge with my CC company and let them try to get the difference back.

So the question becomes, do you lose money or lose goodwill? Looks like Ted has opted to lose the goodwill.

In this case it will be both. They made an extra $42 on my 3 Shays. With the releases now scheduled, my future business with them would have been considerably more in the next 2 months alone.

[bsoplinger]

In most states, to put up a sign stating one price and then charging another is called "bait & switch" and is illegal. I can understand that mistakes are made, but the store is stuck until they change the sign. I always make sure when arguing about the stated price of something to offer the suggestion that they (the store, business) immediately change the sign.

[John]

In Maryland, the Attorney General Consumer Protection Division handles these matters if you are so inclined. http://www.oag.state.md.us/Consumer/index.htm