No Internet Pricing - Manufacture instruction

[VEX]

So I am setting something up with hardware pricing on the internet and a manufacturer says I can feature on the site, but can not publish pricing, is that legal here in the UK?

And dont get me started on the fact others seem to publish anyway!

I know the argument is that if one does it, I'll do it, but I have a good relationship with the suppliers and dont want to risk supply chain.


Also, would you bother making contact if there was a 'message/call for pricing' button and no price.

V.

[Mr Pointy]

In relation to the last point, no I wouldn't bother with your site if it had POA when other sites had prices. The whole point of a web site is to see the item & place an order without picking up the phone. It's like when you see a car on Autotrader or ebay with POA & no price - you just skip on to the next.

The only slight excuse would be if you were selling only to the trade & not the public & you only sold to them if they had an account - like Howdens for kitchens or one of the electrical wholesalers.

[DSLiverpool]

VEX said:

So I am setting something up with hardware pricing on the internet and a manufacturer says I can feature on the site, but can not publish pricing, is that legal here in the UK?

And dont get me started on the fact others seem to publish anyway!

I know the argument is that if one does it, I'll do it, but I have a good relationship with the suppliers and dont want to risk supply chain.


Also, would you bother making contact if there was a 'message/call for pricing' button and no price.

V.

Chris Richer sounds had this issue in the early days, they got around it by stamping everything “UK best price” now I know they had shops etc. Maybe you have Uk best deal ?
You can turn the “buy button” into a quick message button so they click it and it it creates a request for price.
You can list the rrp crossed out as well I guess.
Something will work.

[MrSparks]

There are a few ways around it depending on your website platform etc.

You can have price revealed in basket, log in to reveal price or click to reveal price. Or simple change of add to cart to “Call for price” with price hidden.

If it’s straight forward eCommerce then I wouldn’t bother as you won’t build a sustainable business selling products that the manufacturers don’t want sold online (usually because they already have a deal with one of the big 5 or they sell direct themselves and don’t want the competition). First years we started out were spent arguing with what can and can’t be done online. Different story now luckily but it’s been an uphill struggle to get there.

If it’s online quote for installation or trade only then you can get around it with log in or click to reveal price.

Sounds like you may be entering same market im in, if so then there’s a big monopoly which is hard to break through unless you have 7 figures to spare so make sure you have an “edge”, don’t try to replicate the big 5 from day one. Focus on customer service and support.

[VEX]

MrSparks said:

There are a few ways around it depending on your website platform etc.

You can have price revealed in basket, log in to reveal price or click to reveal price. Or simple change of add to cart to “Call for price” with price hidden.

If it’s straight forward eCommerce then I wouldn’t bother as you won’t build a sustainable business selling products that the manufacturers don’t want sold online (usually because they already have a deal with one of the big 5 or they sell direct themselves and don’t want the competition). First years we started out were spent arguing with what can and can’t be done online. Different story now luckily but it’s been an uphill struggle to get there.

If it’s online quote for installation or trade only then you can get around it with log in or click to reveal price.

Sounds like you may be entering same market im in, if so then there’s a big monopoly which is hard to break through unless you have 7 figures to spare so make sure you have an “edge”, don’t try to replicate the big 5 from day one. Focus on customer service and support.

Thanks MrS, From memory, the same market but different sector as you, and I think we will have the edge over those we will toe-to-toe with.

With one of several things I have in place already I have had an enquiry for retail supply and the site is not even open yet!

So very pleased with that.

Happy to chat more if you want to.

V.

[MrSparks]

VEX said:

Thanks MrS, From memory, the same market but different sector as you, and I think we will have the edge over those we will toe-to-toe with.

With one of several things I have in place already I have had an enquiry for retail supply and the site is not even open yet!

So very pleased with that.

Happy to chat more if you want to.

V.

Sounds good, If we’re serving different sectors and not directly competing then I don’t mind having a chat and answering any questions you might have. Feel free to drop me a PM or call if you remember my sites!

edit.. just seen your site in your profile, yeah same market but at a different end to us. Few things to watch out for when selling valuable goods on Shopify too, otherwise it's an amazing platform!

Edited by MrSparks on Monday 18th May 12:16