Singapore Retail Website Grumble

[Travailes]

Why do so many websites here exclude any prices for their goods ?
It is so frustrating and ensures I will never buy or visit.
I have been looking for some outdoor furniture and a BBQ -
No one seems to quote any prices.

After some research I have found that most retailers sell everything at the manufacturers RRP so there are no internet savings to be had as far as I can see.

[Mary Hatch Bailey]

I find they also don't include important information like the hours of operation as well. The average Singaporean retailer seems to shy away from accountability, which is one of the reasons they make you test every electronic item to prove it's working before you leave the store.

The old attitude that you can simply run out and visit the store because Singapore is so small doesn't really apply anymore thanks to tighter schedules, over crowding, traffic, parking costs, etc. Ever see the queue of cars waiting to get into IKEA on the weekends? Just awful.

[x9200]

Why do so many websites here exclude any prices for their goods ?
It is so frustrating and ensures I will never buy or visit.
I have been looking for some outdoor furniture and a BBQ -
No one seems to quote any prices.

Hmm, that's interesting, we are looking for exactly the same things... BBQ - I found at least 4 online stores and they list the prices (to my surprise actually).

http://www.outbackbbq.com.sg/
http://www.bbqgrillculture.com/
http://onggas.com/
http://www.cookaburra.com.sg/

More list than don't. For outdoor furniture it is much worse - I found probably 2/10 where the prices are given.
At least some of them don't list the price so they could offer you a tailored one as per their perception how much they can milk you out. I don't buy in such places neither.

[Miss Swan]

I can answer the OP's question. The idea is to exclude the prices so that potential customers will either call up or visit the store to make an enquiry. Once that happens, the salesperson can try to offer the customer bargains or upsell other things.

By revealing prices on the website, customers will say "aye" or "nay" without giving the store a try.

[nakatago]

The good news is, some stores have websites with their products' prices on them--even if they don't offer online shopping. For example, some stores that sell phones put their prices (if bought by cash, card, with or without GST...the whole shebang). You can either call them up to reserve a product or just go to their store and proceed the old-fashioned way and no, they won't change prices on you. I've also bought a camera lens based on the price on a store's website. Their prices may change on a daily basis but at least it's not because they think they can shaft you for more money.

Unlike in some stores, you walk in to ask and the first they ask you is "how much is your budget?" so they can either sell you the product at a higher price if you don't know how much it should really cost or try to sell you a more expensive product.

[x9200]

I can answer the OP's question. The idea is to exclude the prices so that potential customers will either call up or visit the store to make an enquiry. Once that happens, the salesperson can try to offer the customer bargains or upsell other things.

By revealing prices on the website, customers will say "aye" or "nay" without giving the store a try.

Probably the local market is different but not including the price many customers will exclusively say "nay" so this is at least a double edge sword.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Sure is. I run up on a site without giving prices, I'm outta here. I figure they are going to try to rip me off so I just give 'em a miss.

[Travailes]

I can answer the OP's question. The idea is to exclude the prices so that potential customers will either call up or visit the store to make an enquiry. Once that happens, the salesperson can try to offer the customer bargains or upsell other things.

By revealing prices on the website, customers will say "aye" or "nay" without giving the store a try.

Probably the local market is different but not including the price many customers will exclusively say "nay" so this is at least a double edge sword.

If they can't quote any prices I simply will not buy or visit. I'm not prepared to be made a one day only special offer or be upsold something I don't want.

[ksl]

I can answer the OP's question. The idea is to exclude the prices so that potential customers will either call up or visit the store to make an enquiry. Once that happens, the salesperson can try to offer the customer bargains or upsell other things.

By revealing prices on the website, customers will say "aye" or "nay" without giving the store a try.

[ksl]

I can answer the OP's question. The idea is to exclude the prices so that potential customers will either call up or visit the store to make an enquiry. Once that happens, the salesperson can try to offer the customer bargains or upsell other things.

By revealing prices on the website, customers will say "aye" or "nay" without giving the store a try.

Or could it be that price is dependant on if you are local or a foreigner Wouldn't be the first time I have come across this in Singapore! Never buy when you see no price on an item, the odds are you will be ripped off including locals.

[Miss Swan]

Same theory with how any salesman would talk about their products and leave the price till the last...

No salesman starts off with "Hi, do you want a ____? It costs $___. Now what's great about it is _________"

[sundaymorningstaple]

Nope. Pure BS. Sorry. That's why online stores in Singapore don't go anywhere. The thinking is totally backwards. If you don't dangle a carrot, you ain't gonna get any nibbles.

[ksl]

Same theory with how any salesman would talk about their products and leave the price till the last...

No salesman starts off with "Hi, do you want a ____? It costs $___. Now what's great about it is _________"

Internet selling is far from the same approach, for one thing the majority are looking for truthful and clear instructions, simplicity, service and benefits, for purchasing online. One thing they are not interested in, is spending money on phone calls to be hassled by sales!

[x9200]

Same theory with how any salesman would talk about their products and leave the price till the last...

No salesman starts off with "Hi, do you want a ____? It costs $___. Now what's great about it is _________"

If I encounter your type of the salesman (not that frequently as you suggest) I interrupt him half a word and request the price. If he continues his show I simply say thank you and walk away. I only make sometimes compromises if this is a purchase for work, then the project's needs have the highest priorities and handling some salesmen *beep* is a part of the job.

[movingtospore]

I think it's partly because locals don't shop online much. Nor do they demand good customer service and competitive pricing.

There is not a lot of retail competition here. So they charge what they want, and don't seem to care about losing customers due to a lack of transparent pricing, bad customer service or over-inflated prices. They just don't care as far as I can tell - I don't think it would even occur to a lot of retailers here to put prices on their web sites - even just for customer service! And, as other pointed out then maybe they would have to start being more competitive on price...

I actually make it a point now to tell shop-keepers each and every time I see something overpriced. I tell that that I will wait and order in from out of country at a cheaper price. They usually just stare at me blankly.

Time and again I hear people blaming expats for the high prices here but I dunno, most expats I know buy from outside SP because they demand better prices. It's interesting!