I couldn't sleep late Saturday / early Sunday morning and I was thinking about upcoming projects. I want to buy another magnetic locator, so I got online and checked out a couple of equipment suppliers. I checked the "specials" page for Allen Precision Equipment and noticed a Nikon 3" Total Station for $28 with shipping. I got my credit card, ordered and paid for the total station. I checked my bank account Sunday during the day and noticed I had already been debited.
Needless to say, I got a phone call from Allen this morning. Sounds like they're not going to honor that price.
Year ago Sears advertised Marlin shotguns in the Sunday paper on sale for 99å¢. Needless to say my Dad was in line bright and early on Sale Day. Sears announced it was a typo but honored the 99å¢ price until they ran out of stock.
There is a story or urban folk tale that I remember from youth about a car dealer who ran a TV ad to the effect that said that he would sell a particular new model car for xxxx amount of bananas. I think it was a "Vette".
So some guy showed up with a truck of xxxx bananas and demanded his new car. The tale was that he went to court and was awarded the car. Truth in advertising?
Oh, I wrote the wrong supplier name. It was Allen Instrument Company, not Allen Precision. My mistake. And as of a few minutes ago, the mistake is STILL on Page 6 of the specials on their website! Also a Spectra Digi Rod on Page 9. I reckon I should call them back and tell them to pull their website or fix it.
Robert Hill, post: 327079, member: 378 wrote: There is a story or urban folk tale that I remember from youth about a car dealer who ran a TV ad to the effect that said that he would sell a particular new model car for xxxx amount of bananas. I think it was a "Vette".
So some guy showed up with a truck of xxxx bananas and demanded his new car. The tale was that he went to court and was awarded the car. Truth in advertising?
A "Cor"vette or a "Che"vette... Big difference! 😉
Similar funny story, but not equipment....it was beef jerky.
Stopped by this place in Shawnee, Oklahoma that was known for their killer homemade beef jerky. At the time it was $1.50 an ounce. I order 3 bucks worth and the "not so experienced" counter help measured out 2 pounds, not 2 ounces, sacked it up and rang up $3. The 2 pounds just about emptied the big jar they kept it in. I couldn't get out of there quick enough.
Before I made it to the truck the store manager caught me in the parking lot. I gave in and we went back inside to straighten thing out. If I had been "on my game" I should have pulled out all the jerky and licked each piece in front of the manager....
I recall a deal quite a while ago at an Oldsmobile dealership in So Cal.
Dealership printed a coupon in the phone book (remember those?) that offered a $100 off deal on the purchase of any new car. My neighbor across the street spent a week or so clipping coupons from a bunch of local phone booths and walked in there with a stack of them. He had enough to covert cost of his new car, a Cutlass.
The dealer had not put a limit on the number of coupons one could use. Neighbor, eventually, got his car.
JA, PLS SoCal
They removed the total station finally but the http://www.alleninstruments.com/pop_Deals.asp?currentPage=8&apos ;">Spectra Precision Digi Rod is still available for a great price.
Andy Nold, post: 327096, member: 7 wrote: They removed the total station finally but the http://www.alleninstruments.com/pop_Deals.asp?currentPage=8&apos ;">Spectra Precision Digi Rod is still available for a great price.
It's gone now.
Andy Nold, post: 327082, member: 7 wrote: Oh, I wrote the wrong supplier name. It was Allen Instrument Company....
Aren't you just a little concerned about who has your credit card information now? Their website looks okay but I'd never heard of Allen Instrument Company before today....
I always liked the radio ad for the free "toy Yoda" at the car dealer. (The ad only worked on the radio.)
When you got there you got a free StarWars character. (But they got you into the dealership.)
Norman Oklahoma, post: 327127, member: 9981 wrote: Aren't you just a little concerned about who has your credit card information now? Their website looks okay but I'd never heard of Allen Instrument Company before today....
They are a legit Trimble dealer in Southern California, don't worry.
Allen Instruments has been around for a very long time in Arizona and California, they're totally legit. The principal now is a long time Topcon and TDS/Spectra guy named Richard Gage; he's a great guy who I've known for over 20 years.
Obviously a mistake. Do you really want an unfair deal? That said, it'd be nice if they gave you a free box of flagging or something.
JPH, it was on their specials page but I did realize it was a mistake. I have advised them of the errors that I found, recommended they add a terms and conditions page to their website that addresses pricing errors and suggested they have someone talk to the webpage maintainer. There is something to be said for deceptive trade practices in pricing but it is apparent this was unintentional. Hopefully they will get their web presence fixed up. I don't feel they owe me anything.