Discounts at Sponser Stores

[cdylnicki]

I was very surprised to find out that OVAS memberships LOSE 10% on trade in items.

I brought trade-ins tonight & this sponser gave me $55.00 for them.  Imagine my surprise when the cashier only gave me $49.50 just because I had the OVAS card!

I had thought the cashier made a mistake, but she assured me that this was how they do things. 

I will not be going back.

[Saltcreep]

When you first bought them, did you originally receive the 10% discount on the items you're now trading in?

[cdylnicki]

Nope.  These are fish I have raised for awhile & some were bought before I moved to Ottawa 11/2 years ago.

[Saltcreep]

So, you're saying that if you hadn't pulled the card out of your pocket, you would have got the $55?

[Yams]

That sounds wrong....

[cdylnicki]

I know, thats what I said!

I was dumbfounded by this...

[Yams]

Well... was it the Cashier or Manager? I would ask to talk to manager over that, there is no way that is right, or no one would show their membership card when doing trade-ins... that doesnt promote business in any way / shape or form.. maybe one of the sponser stores can chime in...

[cdylnicki]

If I'm correct she is a manager, but not the store manager. 

She explained that as a staff member herself, if she did any trade-ins they would take off the percentage off her items.  She just shrugged her shoulders & told me it is how it is.

I asked for the SM info, but they will be away until Wednesday so I will stew until then over this.

I want to support our sponsers as they do a lot of good for the club, but did not understand this occurance.

[Benja]

They are members of ovas too.
Why should we be the only ones getting the discount when making a transaction.

[az]

I think all sponsors should lower the discounts or drop it completely and spend that money in shows/speakers/workshops etc, which is going to help everyone.

A lot of people buy memberships just to save on few big or even small purchases and after they are done they never buy memberships again. This is why after all these years ovas still needs to ask people to buy membership through banners(usally a sponsors' area). Everytime you see someone getting impatient starting a thread on how long it takes to get their card.....why do you think that is? 

Maybe offer discounts to ovas executives only, most of them work very hard for it, even past executives, will make elections more interesting!!

[Big Als]

Hello All,

     Just to clarify, Big Al's offers a 10% discount on most products, with the exception of Aquariums and kits, some cannisters and lighting. We offer this to all paid OVAS members who show their card.
     Of course this means that when an item is returned, be it, product or livestock, it is necessary to remove this 10%  from any credit given.
     Unfortunately, because we offer the service of taking trade in fish, regardless of their source, we have to remove the 10% on all fish returns and trade ins. This isn't to penalize the customer at all, because they will be getting that 10% discount back when they purchase their next items, which means they have paid no more than the original credit.
It would be next to impossible to track credits with varying discounts, depending on whether the fish were purchased from us originally, from another store or tank bred.
      We are happy to offer a 10% discount, as it definately promotes business, and support the club. We do however have rules involved with them, and we appreciate your understanding. 
     
Thank you
Jody McManus
General Manager Aquarium Services Ottawa

       

[Hookup]

I was very surprised to find out that OVAS memberships LOSE 10% on trade in items.

I brought trade-ins tonight & this sponser gave me $55.00 for them.  Imagine my surprise when the cashier only gave me $49.50 just because I had the OVAS card!

I had thought the cashier made a mistake, but she assured me that this was how they do things. 

I will not be going back.

Lesson learned, don't show your card in these cases. If your honest, the store won't lose and nothing happens,  if it abused, they'll cut the discount for all.

If you are returning goods, with receipt, the receipt will show discount, OVAS or any other discount and it will be adjusted as appropriate.

[Saltcreep]

Even before the reply from BigAls, I had no problem with this policy on products that had been discounted at purchase. Exactly the same thing as paying back the CT Money on something you return, or getting the unsed sales tax you paid on a leased vehicle back if the lease terminates early. It gets a bit cloudy for me when we get to the 'regardless of their source' bit, and the statement that the customer will make it back on their next purchase. Suppose this customer has no intention of making further purchases there. Getting out of the hobby maybe, or moving to a place where there is no BAs. Do you routinely ask customers if they are OVAS members? What if they say 'No'? By accepting trades on non-discounted items, regardless of their source, I can sort of see where you're coming from, but to me, like the OP, if I'm offered $55.00 for a trade-in, that's what I would expect to receive at check out.

[Darth]

all this is going to do is when people do trades get their money in one transaction and then purchase in another.

[cdylnicki]

Lesson learned.

I will not deal with this location again.  And I don't feel their explaination to this was sufficient enough to satisfy my upset. 

I feel very cheated out of my traded in items - I already took a loss as the guy only gave me $4 for my large synodontis, when another guy brought in a bag of colourless female guppies and was given $1 each for them (he had about 3 bags with 20-30 guppies per bag).  Yes, I understand its only 1/3 of retail price - I get that.  It was very frustrating.

Now I know, and will let this post out to rest.