Crocs

They raise their prices to compensate for their new "sales" and don't bother removing the lower priced stickers to at least hide that's what they're doing. Details, if you're interested, below.



I went in looking for baby crocs for my 8 month old. Silly, but long story. I had recently (the week before) had surgery on both of my feet (with pins sticking out of my toes) so I knew I wouldn't be getting anything. To my surprise...I found a couple of pair of sandals that I actually liked and could try on! I was ecstatic. I fought with myself about if it was worth it to pay $30 for a pair of sandals (I'll admit, I'm cheap...crappy feet = shoes wear out easily). I finally decided to give in and was looking for other shoes (buy 2 get 1 free, yes please!) I found a couple of other pair, but they were cheaper. Sounds dumb, but I want to maximize on my free pair. I don't want to spend $50 to get a $15 pair free. There are stacks of price tag stickers on these shoes. I look closely, and the tag below my $30 sticker said "$20.00." Huh. I made a comment to the sales associate that I was very disheartened at seeing the lower price sticker under the higher price. The response I got was a callous "Well I'm sorry, our prices fluctuate." What I heard was "We marked the shoes up to compensate for the new buy 2 get 1 free" promotion. I told her that they really should take the old stickers off if they are raising the price because it makes people feel cheated, and that seeing a 33% raise in price (with a stack of at least 5-6 stickers below the $20 one, so who knows what was under that) made me want to put everything back and not buy anything. The response I got was "Well I'm sorry" with a shoulder shrug. *blink* really? I know I was being a little sensitive...but that infuriated me. From a retail therapy high to an immediate "I'm done shopping for the day" in 2 seconds flat. I know that my measly $50 doesn't mean anything for them, but they shouldn't let customers see that their $50 purchase doesn't matter. I then left not only the store, but the shopping center. I was so disappointed in how I was talked to that I left the store in tears (again, I just had surgery a week before so I realize my emotions were out of whack and I was a bit sensitive).



After leaving, I got a phone call from my sister (who stayed to buy shoes for her kids) to let me know what happened with her purchase. She had selected shoes out of some $10 bins in the store. She got to the register, and one of them rang up for $15. She let them know that she got them from the $10 bin and showed that the price sticker ON the shoes said $10. I suspect it was the same sales associate who had spoken with me (unless they have multiple rude associates which is entirely possible), but she was told that the $10 sticker was the old price, and the price is now $15 and she pointed to a wall display with these shoes. My sister showed her at least 5 or 6 other pair of shoes that were exactly the same that were in the $10 bin with the $10 stickers, and she was told "I'm sorry, they're all in the wrong place with the old stickers. They're $15." Luckily, the store manager was around and heard this one and told her to give them to my sister for the $10, but it appears that their sticker system is not only disheartening when prices are raised, but also innacurate. You won't really know what you're paying until you get to the register.