a fair price...

A show of hands please for all those who have had enough of having to seek out the best price when buying any consumer goods....hmmm that many, eh?
I am appalled by the large discrepancies in prices from one store to another. Wouldn't it be so much quicker and easier if we could just go to our nearest or favourite store to buy what we need, knowing it will be a fair price?
Today, for example, the Husband and I continued our search for the 'ideal' bike for me. We went from one store to another, were given glossy brochures (all the same brand) given the same spiel about each bike - and that in itself is unremarkable. However, had we bought the bike in question from the first place we went to, we might have paid up to several hundred dollars more. None of the retailers we visited had the bike on sale by the way!
This doesn't only apply to big ticket items, but I also was in need of moisturising eye cream. By shopping around, I was able to save 1/3 of the price. The Husband saved over $400 on our notebook for work by shopping around.
Being a retail professional and shop owner, I am extremely aware of special buys, discounts for bulk purchases, advertising promos, bait...call them what you will, most retailers pay the same cost price for an article. As retailers ourselves, though, it costs us exactly the same to buy 1 body of beef or 10... and given that any businesses outgoings, wages etc are factored in at the same percentage rate regardless of the turnover, one has to ask the question: what is a fair price?
Is the answer as simple as "whatever someone is willing to pay?"
It also begs the question, what is the true value of a product? When shopping for jewellery, as soon as the salesperson thinks they are losing the sale, they magically cut up to 25% off, just to close the deal ( was the original price inflated, just so they can look like they are doing you a favour?)...other retailers offer "less for cash" it makes you feel like you have to prepare for a battle of wits to get a fair price.
Never have the words "BUYER BEWARE" been more apt. It would seem that some retailers prey on those who have precious little time to shop around, or feel some sense of loyalty to any given retailer. It does go both ways though. When something seems too good to be true, well it usually is...so some degree of caution must be displayed.
BUT...This is Australia....we were born and raised to pay the ticketed price...what has happened to our retail system?
My advice?
Whenever possible, do your homework...let your fingers do the walking by either telephoning to get prices, or better yet, do some surfing on the net. Regardless of what you are buying,
I feel like I have used just about every cliche in the book to get my point across, but just think about it before you jump in and pay too much for your product.
I guess it comes down to a bit of integrity in the market... or maybe the lack of it...keep your eyes open...