Fry's Fry's Electronics Bait and switch on HP 16GB USB flash drive Plano, Texas

The Frys.com web site offered the "HP 16GB V165 USB Flash Drive Mini-Mobile Design" for $22.99, and with the also-offered $10 mail-in rebate, a final price of $12.99.  I checked availability at the Plano store prior to placing the order, and specified in-store pickup at the store.  The confirmation page said I would receive a confirmation email within 20 minutes, which would mean my order is ready for pickup.  When I saw the confirmation email show up on my iPhone, I headed to the store.

At the store checkout counter the Fry's sales clerk told me that they didn't have any of the item in stock.  When I told her that I had confirmed availability at that store before placing the order, she explained that the web site inventory check is designed to show items to be in-stock even if they don't have one you can buy (floor models, etc).  In other words, it's designed to always tell you whatever your looking for is in stock regardless if whether there's any chance of walking out of the store with one.

Of course, I'm welcome to check the flash drive aisle to see if they have something comparable I would like instead.  All comparable USB flash drives (16GB) in the aisle were $45 and up (minimum 300% of what I came there to spend).

So they lure me in with a $12.99 price tag offered, and then only have $45+ products to offer.

Bait and switch?  Sure looks like it to me.