[ArrichMer]

A lady just collected her machine, sadly the fault was so intermittant we weren't able to track it down. As she was leaving she got out a piece of paper with a PCWorld Packard Bell system spec and price on it. Scrawled next to the £399 price was £299 SPECIALL!! in Biro (yes, 2 L's).

Cust: "Can you match that price?"

Me: "hmmm.. well, possibly. I'd need to check the price of the relative parts."

Cust: "They were going to give us Microsoft office and a free monitor too."

Me: "In that case no, I doubt anyone would offer a system at that price with that spec and throw in £200 worth of extras free."

Cust: "So you're not going to match it?"

Me: "No, sorry"

Cust: "Well I think trading standards would be interested to hear about that since you say you'll match any price."

Me: "Well, firstly, we say we'll match any "Local Independants" price, so PC world and Internet shops don't apply. Secondly it's Consumer Direct now. Thirdly we are under no obligation to sell anything to anyone and are perfectly entitled to refuse service to anyone we wish. Finally, we do not price match without a quote or similar document outlaying everything that's been offered."

Cust: *stares blankly* "So you're not going to match it?"

Me: "No"

Cust: "I'll go and buy it from them!"

Me: "OK"

Cust: "I will, it's a really good deal."

Me: "I agree."

Cust: *Silence*

Me: "Anything else I can help you with?"

Cust: "Do you have a price list?"



I'd have been a little more subtle but I feel like arse today so I'm not very patient.