I acknowledge that this might be quite petty. However, I like when companies are honest and upfront. Anyway, I generally have had good experiences with Road Runner Sports (RRS).
However, here is my issue. When you are a VIP (meaning you paid $1.99 or something) you automatically get 10% off each order. They often will send out an email with a code for an additional amount off, such as an extra 15% on top of the 10% vip discount. They even show in the ad the total savings: On a $100 item, you save 10% ($10) and an additional 15% ($15) for a total of $75. However, RRS calculates the 10% first then takes the remaining discount off of that amount, leaving the savings 1.5% less than claimed, so $4.50 per $300 order. RRS is well aware of what they are doing, having told me that they know this is what happens, but “their computers are not set up to run the discount any other way.” They claim it is legal and not dishonest b/c the fine print makes it clear what they are doing. However, they are never willing to show me where it says that when I ask them. Also, their position makes no sense when their ad shows the actual savings incorrectly, even if there were fine print somewhere.
While 1-1.5% isn’t a lot per individual order, it really seems like RRS is defrauding customers. When you add up every single order on which they have done this over the years, they have probably made a lot of money to which they were not entitled.
There’s nothing dishonest at all about it IMO. It’s very clear to me that it’s an additional discount taken after the item is discounted. Stacking multiple discounts is very common practice with big retail and in RRS case, they really are offering something to their VIP members.
I say move on and focus your attention elsewhere. Take the discount or switch retailers.
Dude. . .Macy’s (and other retailers) does the same thing. It’s just that triathletes are the only ones anal-retentive enough about their purchases to catch it. It is not an uncommon practice and I wouldn’t really characterize it as deceptive. I don’t know enough, or care enough to check. . .but I bet it says it somewhere.
Edit: Reread where you say it gives an example of 10% + 15%= 25%. Hmm. . .
Honestly IMO the whole VIP thing is a little bit of scam - If you don’t like it then don’t buy from Road Runner. Personally I have not bought from them in years and instead have looked elsewhere.
I once bought something that was 50 percent off and then had a coupon for 50 percent off. It should’ve been free?
Haha nah but it was 75 percent off it th end.
Any retailer that does. It differently is not the norm.
I don’t think anyone has a problem with how they calculate the discount. The dishonest part is that they specifically state the discounts will be applied independently. Not a big deal, but something they should probably fix.
That is how most multiple discounting arrangements work. For example in our business we give a 10-10 discount to certain customers. On a $100 purchase that is $10 off, then another 10% off $90 for a total discount of $19. Its as old as retailing!
This type of adding % discounts is so common it’s on the GREs,. I don’t think I’ve seen a place that directly adds them so 10%+10%=20%, it’s always 10% then 10%
Honestly IMO the whole VIP thing is a little bit of scam - If you don’t like it then don’t buy from Road Runner. Personally I have not bought from them in years and instead have looked elsewhere.
Agreed.
I used to buy all of my shoes from RRS. Prior to the VIP club, they had another buyers club (I think it was called Run America Club) which I joined around 1988-89 when it was all mail order. It was “join once, benefit forever”. When they rolled out the VIP club on top of the old program (which still exists, but doesn’t get the same bargains that VIP does) that was it for me. I can still get discounts through the RAC program, but they don’t even match what I can find every day from their competitors. So much for your customer loyalty program.
If they are showing a different discount than you get when you check out then I would question it but if it is 10% and then 15% of the remainder that is ok and expected
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Not to mention one year after you sign up for the $1.99 VIP club your credit card is hit with a $24.95 annual VIP membership fee.
That is the WORST! I was absolutely irate when they did this to me, and haven’t bought anything from them since. What poor business practice! They didn’t ask permission, didn’t send an e-mail, nothing. Is there some fine print that I missed saying they would charge this?
If you call them up, they will give you your money back- so make sure to call and complain!!
It’s in the fine print when you sign up at the 1.99 rate. It’s says you agree to autorenew but may cancel anytime. I just call and they refund it and sign me back up at 1.99. I typically by most of my running shoes there, it seems like they are the cheapest (esp when combining the coupons) and have a nice return policy
It’s in the fine print when you sign up at the 1.99 rate. It’s says you agree to autorenew but may cancel anytime. I just call and they refund it and sign me back up at 1.99. I typically by most of my running shoes there, it seems like they are the cheapest (esp when combining the coupons) and have a nice return policy
Ok- at least it’s written out somewhere, thanks! It still seems pretty shady that they do that, though, but I agree- the shoes can be ridiculously cheap…
How about all of you that are flat out f’kn whining practice something called “Personal responsibility”.
Here’s the blurb right on their front page advertising the 1.99 VIP club:
As a VIP Member taking advantage of your benefits couldn’t be easier. There are no renewal notices to send back and no chance of missing a discount because your annual dues will be charged to your credit/debit card on file. Rest assured you can cancel this option at any time. The $1.99 price is a first year introductory special. Annually the Club renews at $24.99. Benefits are subject to change.
Wow. How about that? 4th line on the front page. There goes the whining about “They charged me $24.99 to renew! Whaaaaaa!”
For the original whiner, it’s pretty standard business practice. You’re also glossing right over the free shipping, which takes care of that massive $4.50 difference on a $300 order. Or the price matching. Or the priority placement of orders, etc.
I don’t see the issue. If they were advertising it as a 25% discount and only giving 23.5% (effective 10%+15%) there is an issue. But you are receiving a 10% discount and then an additional 15% it seems all fair to me.