I bought a Lexar Jump Drive USB memory flash drive today. My purchase went through circuitcity.com, because Circuit City is across the street from my apartment, and I can pick up my already-placed order on my way home tonight.
Circuit City led me to believe I got a great deal on the drive: $20 off their $99.99 list price with an “unpublishable” discount, and a $20 mail-in rebate, bringing the total to $59.99.
However, a little price shopping reveals otherwise.
J&R: $59.99
Amazon.com: $64.14
TechOnWeb: $67.02
Fry’s/Outpost.com: $69.99
I still got the best available price (tax and shipping being a wash), and thanks to Circuit City’s in-store pickup, I’ll have it today. But does CC really charge $99 on non-sale days? I suspect they’re actually playing games to keep the float on my $20 rebate for a good three months before releasing my money back to me.
So long as the product is in stock when I arrive tonight, I’ll be a contented customer. But I’m now a skeptical one. That’s probably not what a troubled electronics retailer wants, especially when good old J&R can price-match so smoothly.