What part of "NONE SOLD TO DEALERS" does this family not understand?

[Reyneth]

Nah, B&N's prices aren't low enough to make it worth their while. Best you can do is 40% on bestsellers with a member card. You can do better at Costco or even Target. A guy I work with got the last Harry Potter at Target for like 11 bucks the day after it was released.

The bookstore I take photos for would go to other stores in the area (a Borders within long walking distance or a B&N a 8 min drive) to buy books. At the same price they would sell them to the customers.
Why? Customer loyalty. They might even lose a little on the book, but the fact that they were able to get it that day for the customer (especially if it was a hot item and not in the publisher's warehouse at that time) meant they'd make the customer happy. Didn't happen often, but I did see it happen.

[BookstoreEscapee]

Why? Customer loyalty. They might even lose a little on the book, but the fact that they were able to get it that day for the customer (especially if it was a hot item and not in the publisher's warehouse at that time) meant they'd make the customer happy. Didn't happen often, but I did see it happen.

I can understand that as a once in a while thing for a smaller bookstore to do to make a customer happy. Hell, if I were the owner of a small bookstore I might do it too.... But these are people selling at flea markets and such; I don't know what they sell them for, but I'm sure it's less than they'd pay at B&N. Stealing is so much cheaper...

[Reyneth]

'tis true - your situation is *totally* wrong.

[Gurndigarn]

Apparently there has been a memo sent down from corporate warning us to be on the lookout for people buying up huge quantities of new release movies; apparently they are being put up for rent in video stores because their supplier changed the contract or something(somebody who works for Blockbuster or Hollywood Video or some such place could shed more light on this).

I don't know if this counts as a "huge" amount, but some of the coin-op prize games dispense movies. I know that our company has us purchase new releases from big-box discounters so that we get the new releases in our machines quickly, rather than the laborious process of having someone from corporate do a bulk purchase, then ship them to the individual operators, who then have to go around their routes filling the machines... quite a time saver for us. Possibly even a money saver, depending on whether or not the movies are discounted.

[powerboy]

the main owner of my store, is always buying somewhat old, crappy candy for this one shop. He buys some candy, that no one likes, but yet someone over there told them, everyone buys them. Some times he gets candy, that none of us has ever heard of. He then complains, because only 1 or 2 people bought them.

[Jack7957]

That sounds SO fishy...

We had a few customers at the gas station that we KNEW (because my ex manager was an avid bar hopper and knew the owners of every bar in town) were buying OUR beer to sell at their bar for much higher prices.

They'd wipe out nearly an entire week's order of beer.

The grocery store I worked at had a few people doing this. Apparently in New York, if we wanted to report them, they would get in big trouble with the Liqour Authority for not going through a beer distributer, possibly having their bar shut down for a period of time.

[Rolling Star]

My grandfather said that he has gotten stuck in line behind these people before. They basically take every sale item there is and leave nothing for any one else. Most of the stores I go into have a limit though.

[SuperB]

This is hilarious! I used to have the opposite experience, I worked for the family-owned corner store that bought their sale goods at other retail outlets and resold them. Every week they would carry in box after box of candy, gum, juice, pop, etc, all straight from Costco, then mark them up 150% or so to sell in their filthy little ghetto mart. It just made me shake my head. Costco should have revoked their membership. Who the hell buys a GROSS of Doublemint gum or Mars bars?? They would actually sell the gum out of its original display boxes from Costco, right at the cash register.

Costco caters to business. And not just convenience stores but restaurants as well. I doubt Costco would have revoked their business membership.

And whether you like it or not, there's little anyone can do unless they put a minimum on sale items. We are a small store so we can either buy 8 loaves of bread from a distributor at $2 something each or buy 8 loaves from Safeway on sale at $.99 each. My customers benefit from this as such items are only carried for the locals convenience. So don't lump everyone into the same category. We've never bought out anyone because of price but I will take advantage of a store's 'buy one get one' or their 10 soups for $10 if I can get a better price for my locals.

[Lady Ono]

Yep, I get that all the time at the large chain drugstore I work at in Canada. Especially with the pop.

I used to be really anal about the limits, and sometimes I still am, when the big sales are on items we don't have a lot of. I work the night shifts (usually 6 to midnight) so I know it's only myself I'm screwing over if I let a few people buy up all of our stock of something, and then we run out for the late night customers (some of whom are my best regulars and who I know are not dealers). Still, sometimes my apathy levels are such that I play dumb even when I KNOW they're probably dealers.

In fact just tonight I sold a ton of pop to a guy wearing his work uniform for a local Chinese take out and delivery place. I've been working at the drugstore for two years and after being told numerous conflicting things by management, I just don't care anymore.

[Andara Bledin]

Places like Costco and such cater (partially) to resellers. My work stocks our soda and candy machines with stuff from Costco & Smart & Final.

But for resellers to clean out the local grocery when there is a special on is truly sucktastic.

^-.-^

[Auto]

I really don't see the problem.

The store wants to sell merchandise and the customers want to buy. If the customers are buying because Costco, let's say, is getting a deal on Coca-Cola products that's better than what Coke of offering the bodega owner, then let the bodega owner hustle his ass to Costco to get his inventory for less than what Coke is charging him.

When Costco offers 144-count boxes of candy bars, the only people buying are other store owners. (Has anyone here every bought a box of 144 candy bars?)

Let customers take as much as they want. If quantities are limited, then impose a maximum number any single customer can buy. (And if they want to come back in, stand in line to pay and buy more, let them.)

Everyone is griping about a non-problem.

[Shabo]

I've seen on packaging that some items are not for resale. I know this stands for individually wrapped items, but still. I don't think it's right for companies to go around buying low cost items and marking them up and reselling them. If the prices were so good at the first store, leave the specials there for people to buy at the lower price. For smaller stores that can use the extra business and pass the savings along, it's not as big of a deal because they probably wont' clean the first store out. But if everyone did it, then there would be a problem.

Yes, it's true that the first store is getting its money, and that they shouldn't care, but what about the customers that are getting screwed over?

[SuperB]

Yes, it's true that the first store is getting its money, and that they shouldn't care, but what about the customers that are getting screwed over?

You have to consider location. If the store across the street is doing it, that's a valid point. If it's a smaller store an hour away, they are bringing a better deal to their area and they have every right. The majority of small stores who do this are not buying anyone out of anything.

[FuzzyKitten99]

I've seen on packaging that some items are not for resale. I know this stands for individually wrapped items, but still. I don't think it's right for companies to go around buying low cost items and marking them up and reselling them. If the prices were so good at the first store, leave the specials there for people to buy at the lower price. For smaller stores that can use the extra business and pass the savings along, it's not as big of a deal because they probably wont' clean the first store out. But if everyone did it, then there would be a problem.

Yes, it's true that the first store is getting its money, and that they shouldn't care, but what about the customers that are getting screwed over?

Um, this is how businesses make money. You buy low and sell marked up-that is what you do. How do you think profits are made? Costco and Sam's Club is generally for small businesses like convenience stores and other small retailers. You buy in bulk and mark it to your desired retail price.

Where they buy from is their business, and if the store they buy from has no issue with it, then what are you complaining about? It isn't against the law (unless liquor or tobacco is involved). If you are that upset about the whole thing, then don't patron stores that you know do this.

[Sliceanddice]

I really don't see the problem.

The store wants to sell merchandise and the customers want to buy. If the customers are buying because Costco, let's say, is getting a deal on Coca-Cola products that's better than what Coke of offering the bodega owner, then let the bodega owner hustle his ass to Costco to get his inventory for less than what Coke is charging him.

When Costco offers 144-count boxes of candy bars, the only people buying are other store owners. (Has anyone here every bought a box of 144 candy bars?)

Let customers take as much as they want. If quantities are limited, then impose a maximum number any single customer can buy. (And if they want to come back in, stand in line to pay and buy more, let them.)

Everyone is griping about a non-problem.

Ok heres were i look weird... people actually buy the candy for themselves... at least my meimei does. And ive seen schools go to costco and the like to buy supplies...
Nothings better than buying 200 giant pixie sticks you know will be gone in a couple of weeks