Gas prices have finally fallen below $2 per gallon where I live, but that’s still a fortune compared to what some motorists in Ohio encountered over the weekend. A computer glitch of some sort made the price at a Pilot Travel Center plummet as low as a few pennies, which attracted opportunistic shoppers. Then the Circle K across the street decided to keep up with their competitors by lowering their prices, too. [More]
price wars
Amazon Sellers Engaging In Price Wars, Shift Prices Multiple Times Each Day
By 9.5.12
While some people who shop on Amazon are only looking for items sold — or at least fulfilled — by Amazon, lots of you are also buying things from the many, many third-party sellers who use the site as an online storefront. And these sellers are getting increasingly savvy about having a price that will position their item in a space ideal for bargain-hunting shoppers. [More]
Blame Manufacturers For Annoying Hidden Prices Online
By 2.10.10
Have you been noticing more and more lately that no matter which online retailer you visit, you have to add the item to your shopping cart to see the price? Blame it on manufacturers, who are taking advantage of a 2007 Supreme Court ruling to be more aggressive about controlling pricing online, writes the New York Times. [More]
Customer Punches Grocery Store Manager Over Price Of Crab Cakes
By 1.28.10
A man in Sandusky, Ohio, grew so angry at the price of some crab cakes that he punched the store manager “five or six times,” head butted him, and spit in his face. According to the Associated Press article, there was a pricing error in the customer’s favor, and the manager had offered to give the customer the first crab cake at the incorrect price but wanted to charge full price for the rest. [More]
Walmart Wants You To Buy All Your Turkey And TV From Them This Year
By 11.4.09
Walmart is ramping up the price war on another front. Instead of hardcovers, this time the retailer is cutting prices on turkey and flat-panel TVs, reports Bloomberg.
T-Mobile Launches Unlimited Everything For $79.99 Plan
By 10.27.09
Codenamed “Project Dark,” Tmobile has launched a $79.99 unlimited plan with no annual contract.
Walmart Now Offering New Hardcovers For $9
By 10.16.09
Walmart just tried to undercut Amazon on, of all things, books. They’ve announced that they’re now selling the “top 10 pre-selling books” for $9 each, with free home delivery. Amazon has responded by dropping its price to $9 on the same titles, but their free shipping doesn’t kick in until you buy $25 worth of merchandise (or pay the annual fee for Amazon Prime). Price war!
Microsoft Lowers High-End 360 Price To Match PS3
By 8.24.09
Responding to Sony’s announcement that a new, cheaper PS3 — as well as a universal price cut to $300 — is imminent, Microsoft is understandably lowering the price of its Xbox 360 Elite to $300, matching the new PS3.
Southwest Is Coming To LaGuardia. Hello, Price War!
By 6.27.09
Starting tomorrow, Southwest will fly out of New York‘s LaGuardia airport, which hopefully means that flying between New York, Boston, Chicago, and Washington is about to get a whole lot cheaper.
T-Mobile Customers Can Take Advantage Of Cheaper Plans Starting Today
By 3.2.09
The rumor was true—T-Mobile has started offering cheaper unlimited voice plans to existing customers. Matthew wrote to us, “The TMO loyalty plans are showing up on the site as of today…we just moved to the Unlimited Loyalty Family Plan at $89.99, which is $10 cheaper than the 2000 minute Family Plan we’d been on.”
Southwest Raises Fares $10
By 11.27.06
Southwest Airlines raised fares as much as $10 each way over the Thanksgiving weekend. This will be the 5th price hike this year for the discount carrier. Southwest faces rising fuel and labor costs that are only going to get worse.
Target Offers $4 Drugs At All Pharmacies
By 11.22.06
Target is set to begin offering its $4 generic drug program at all of its 1,287 pharmacies. Previously, Target only offered the program in markets where Walmart was offering their $4 program. No longer. From Reuters:
Target Holding Its Own Against Walmart
By 11.14.06
Third quarter profit reports are out today and both Walmart and Target did well.
Airlines Cut Fares Through Dec 12
By 11.14.06
According to the LA Times, “Led by Delta Air Lines Inc., most major carriers cut leisure fares through Dec. 12, although the deals don’t apply to the busiest days around Thanksgiving and may sell out quickly.
