A Sale Isn’t Always a Sale…

I know… I tried to sell this blog to the unsuspecting public as a light-hearted attempt at humor.  And then THIS post comes along…  “Bah, humbug!”  I guess that deep down I’m just as untrustworthy and disingenuous as the American institution known as Macy’s. 

Let’s get to the meat of the subject: “The Big Home Sale” catalog came out this past week, with the event slated to run Wednesday, January 27^th through Sunday, January 31^st.   I’m NOT an investigative reporter and should NEVER be confused with one.  I have NOT researched all the prices in this catalog and don’t intend to – but if there’s something that YOU have been wanting and think that this might just be the “sale of a lifetime”, do a little research before you dive into those big savings!

The thing that has totally soured me toward Macy’s is on page 63 of this catalog: the Breville Barista Espresso Maker, model number BES870XL.  Save $260!  Regularly $859.99… SALE $599.99 !!!  Amazing deal – never have I seen this unit have such a price cut.  No, seriously… never.  And that means NOW. 

I have been looking at this particular model for the past six months or so, wishing upon a star that one day it might suddenly appear in my kitchen.  Of course I don’t have any real need for this unit as the old “Starbucks Barista” espresso maker I’ve got works just fine, after at least 13 years of service (and maybe more).  But you never know, as one day a sale so huge might come along that I just can’t resist the allure of savings galore.  But folks, this “sale” ain’t it!

This unit has been selling at every store I’ve been in (including Macy’s) in the price range of $599.95 to $599.99 – yes, that’s a four-cent fluctuation in the retail prices.  Williams Sonoma, Sur la Table, Best Buy, Whole Latte Love.com and Bed, Bath & Beyond all come in with this four-penny price range. 

The only difference I’ve seen is on Amazon.com, where one of these units is listed at $479.99 with free shipping.  (This is the stainless steel model; the black and red units still sell for $599.95)  Amazon also plays the “suggested retail” price fibbing game as well, suggesting the unit was originally listed at $999.99, as does Sur la Table.  Macy’s made-up suggested list price was $149.00 lower to start with (such a bargain) but the bottom line is that none of these prices seem to actually matter – the espresso machine sells in the $599 range. 

To add insult to injury, Macy’s had a sale a couple of months ago where some of their kitchen items were being given a discount upon purchase (it could have been something like 20%... I don’t remember the exact amount).  Funny thing – the Breville had a tag on the shelf that said something to the effect of “Because of the already low price of this unit, it is not eligible for this discount”.  Already low price?  Really?

Now I wouldn’t want to hurt Macy’s feelings by calling them liars.  But I can’t really call them honest and trustworthy either.  I don’t suppose there’s a law on the books anywhere that says you can’t make up a ridiculously high “suggested retail” price and then lower it and call it a “sale”.  Then again, just because you cando something doesn’t always mean you should do it.  And Macy’s… your credibility has slipped several points with this one; I really expected better tactics from you.

So just how do I knowthat this price isn’t a great deal?  Other than this is the price that everyone seems to always be selling this unit at (and it never seems to actually go on a real sale anywhere), there’s the Breville website.  And guess what they’re selling this same unit for?  $599.99!  At least Breville has the good taste not to post a ludicrous “suggested retail” price and then dropping the price right back down to the $599 range.

Final thoughts:  Macy’s may very well have some items that truly are on “sale”.  This particular item is NOT one of them, no matter how high the pretend original price is listed at.  You are reading this blog via the internet, therefore you have the ability to go search out any item that is allegedly on sale and research the prices to determine whether or not said sale is valid or constructed of low-grade manure.  This applies to any retailer, not just Macy’s. 

If and when I want to be amazed with slight of hand and impressive trickery, I turn to Penn & Teller.  When I want honesty and integrity in marketing, I turn to… well, gosh!  I’m not exactly sure… but Macy’s no longer is on my list!