Circuit City #920 Misleading advertising / Possible staff scam Antioch Tennessee

I was shopping for a computer, and decided to stop in and see what Circuit City had to offer. In the front of the store was a table set up with open box and display models. Placed in front of each computer was a card showing the model number, retail price, and sale price.

The computer that I was interested in had a sale price of $499. This was in line with what I expected, as I had seen the same model (new) in Best Buy for $550. I told a sales associate I wanted to purchase the computer. He called another associate over and asked "Is this the right price for this computer?" The second associate looked at an invoice taped to the side of the computer and replied "It has to be, let's go look it up." The two associates walked off (even though a product kiosk was right there).

A few minutes later a third associate approached and asked which computer I was interested in. I pointed it out, and without consulting anything he said it was priced at $700. I asked him why the price tag said $499, and he mumbled something about that being part of a package price with installation.

I pointed out that the sale price of $499 was misleading, and the associate became confrontational, saying it wasn't his job to make sure the displayed prices were correct and "Here, I'll get rid of the tags if it makes you feel better."

I ended up purchasing a newer model in the same product line from Office Max. The price (new) was $600. I suspect this was a scam perpetrated by store employees...I can't imagine this kind of bait-and-switch to be a corporate thing.

Jon
Nashville, Tennessee
U.S.A.