Do the store people actually look at what they put up? Or is it just "I need you to put this special advertised 59.99 sign over there by the regular 59.99 sign"?

Harbor Freight is a store that does have great deals. My guess is that they put of that sign the day before the sale, or just after so they could just adjust the numbers.

I love that store. Tools and stuff for 10% the cost of name brand. Yes, they aren't as good,but for the use I will be putting on it, more than good enough. Never had a HF item break on me.

Just noticed, I own that starter!!!

@joeblevins: And if they do break, they are pretty good at taking them back. Except for the VCR, I have my house recorded on their weatherproof cameras.

This seems like something that is normal. Target does it, putting out "As Advertised" flag tag things on their products like its a big sale when its usually not. As in the case of videogames.

I would see it being a problem if it was "As Advertised 59.99" "Normally 49.99" or something of that nature.

Yeah, it doesn't say anything about being on sale, or reduced, it just says "as advertised". They could very well be advertising the regular price, because it is just so damn good!

The more you buy, the more you save!

@socalrob: Yeah, but do those other places ALSO say, "regularly $x" in addition to the "as advertised, $x"? The issue here is not so much that it's advertised at $x, but that it says "regularly $x" AS IF the advertised price were better.

So that's how the owner of Harbor Freight was able to spend $50 million on a mansion in Beverly Hills.

@Greasy Thumb Guzik: Citations? Sources? I'd seriously like to see what a $50 million house looks like. Really. I'm not being sarcastic.

Just because something is advertised, doesn't mean it's on sale.

I think it's actually a sign of an honest business to post the regular price, even if it's the same price, on the "As advertised" sign. Without the regular price, you may be fooled into thinking it was on sale.

Harbor Freight is known to run usually 2 concurrent sales, and I've seen 4 sales on at the same time. I know a sale ended on 1/28, which is a Monday, so if Tuesday they changed the sign to normal price because the sale ended. Following the store layouts I have seen, this looks like it's on a mid-isle island, so rather than breaking down the display, they just changed the price.

@Antediluvian:
There are stores that do it. Target does it on occasion, I have noticed with the videogames. I go to target once or twice a week. Its a great way to walk around with the girlfriend and she enjoys just walking around and occasionally picking something up. We check out the Wii games and alot of times it will say on its tag that its "As advertised $xx.xx" and in small print "normally $xx.xx" which is the normal price.

There have been many a post in here of Walmart and Sears doing this also.

You wonder if the employees actually read what they're putting up or just going thru the motions. An employee should question to their management to make sure it's correct. Customers will look at this and think how stupid these guys really are.
If a district manager or other higher up person sees that signage, heads will roll.

Never heard of Harbor Freight. What do they do there, and is it worth moving for?

@bigsss:
I sure the employee did read the sign. He/she proably laughed at it, but it is not their call to correct it or argue with the logic behind such a sign. I mean why risk getting in trouble over a stupid sign?

I am amazed at how sloppy stores are with their posted prices. Consider the damage a dedicated shopper could do in a state that requires free product with pricing mistakes.

@VeeKaChu:

Harbor Frieght is a discount tool store. They also sell some hardware, gardening, and other type items. Pretty much everything they sell is their own brand. Most of it is super-low-quality, but also super cheap. They are good for tools that you don't need often, or if you frequently lose tools (or work in an office where people like to borrow your tools and don't return them, like I do).

Having worked in retail for many years, I think that's honest of them. You'd be surprised at how many stores will advertise a regular price and not say anything about the regular price.

Note that "as advertised" doesn't necessarily mean sale. Target have these all the time (e.g., video games, DVD box sets) for stuff that appeared in the ad at the original price, only they do not actually list the original price. It attracts the eye, and if you're a sucker, you wouldn't know the difference and buy ut.

The trick is, when you're putting up a sign like that leave off the "regular price" if it's less than or equal to the advertised price.

It just says "as advertised", so there's no implied sale or discount...

@VeeKaChu: yes, it's worth moving for. i love that place.

The exact same product in that picture used to be for sale at Costco ... used to be. It is no longer sold at costco because those chargers are known to do two things:

1. Blow up in people's faces.
2. The claim part that clamps onto the batteries were cheaply made and broke after two uses.

@Git Em SteveDave: You'll be amazed what you can find with the Google. Try it some time:

Wall Street Journal

@VeeKaChu:
You don't have to move. You can buy online. [www.harborfreight.com]

@Git Em SteveDave:
OK, so Eric Smidt paid $46 million for the place, but with the necessary redecorating & such, it will be over $50 mil.

@rjhiggins:
Thanks, I forgot the guy's name.

That's hot man!! super deal making, snap!!!

Papyrus had a sign for Valentine's Day themed stuffed animals. It said
$9.99 for Valentine's puppies!" and the rack was filled with polar bears.

@Greasy Thumb Guzik: @rjhiggins: Thanks! Yet another house I will never be in. I still like Travolta's w/the jetway.

@socalrob: Big, "smart" stores might do it too (Target, Walmart, Sears), but the point is still the same: it's stupid. It's (hopefully) a mistake. It's silly, and unhelpful to shoppers and stores alike.

@Git Em SteveDave:
Everything you want to know about the house: [www.newyorksocialdiary.com]

I was just at my local IGA and saw the following tag on the Schneider's Hot Stuffs:

OUR WEEKLY SPECIAL: $2.29
REGULAR PRICE: $2.19

Great deal -- for IGA.