Skip to Content

Exclusive: Rock Band Unplugged Track List

Target boots customer for comparison shopping - Know your rights

More
Text SizeAAA

Filed under: Shopping, Technology

In September, we told you about a cool new comparison shopping tool for T-Mobile's Android G called ShopSavvy. The application lets users check the price of an item at local stores and online by simply taking a picture of the barcode. While consumers love the ability to instantly check the price of an item from anywhere, some stores aren't as fond of this technology. Since the launch of ShopSavvy at least one customer at Target has already been told that it is against store rules to price check an item.

In this particular case when the makers of ShopSavvy contacted the Target in question they were informed that there was no policy prohibiting customers from price checking an item. The manager blamed the mistake on an uninformed employee. I think the employee may have confused the shopper with an employee of a competing store who had come inside to record prices. This was something I ran into as an employee at Kmart years ago and that we did have a policy against.

Have you been asked to leave a store when you were checking a price?

Despite claims that they price match, many stores don't want you checking out the competitors prices from inside the store. This isn't a new problem -- for the longest time you could check a price of an item using Google's Product Search for Mobile. Before that a pen and a piece of paper would suffice for a price check at home, thought I have been asked to not write down model numbers and price information in a store or two.

To better understand our rights as consumers I contacted the Ohio State Attorney General's Office regarding this matter. After consulting with several lawyers they wrote to let me know that my best bet in this situation would be to not make it obvious that I was checking the price of an item, suggesting that I use the phone discreetly or tell any curious employees that I am making a shopping list for a an upcoming holiday. The most important piece of advice was that a store can technically eject a shopper for any reason so long as it isn't discrimination without being in violation of any laws.

With that in mind, if you are comparison shopping and come across an employee who attempts to stop you from checking a price or recording an item number your best bet for a quick and happy resolution will be to ask for a manager. In most cases you'll be invited to continue what you were doing and can even take advantage of the situation by asking for a price match from the manager. If you are asked to leave the store because you were checking prices, your best bet is to happily leave and take your business elsewhere.
Subscribe to Walletpop

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 12)

Jason Cochran
Jason Cochran Filed under: Extracurriculars, Technology, Travel

Live, from Walt Disney World, it's the Obamabot!

Disney's big new attraction this year? The same as the media's: Barack Obama. Walt Disney World in Orlando, hunkering down for the economic storm, is in the rare position of not having any major ...
Jane Tuv
Jane Tuv Filed under: Sex Sells

Ukraine outlaws possession of porn, but can't define what it is

Make love, not porn, because if you live in the Ukraine, you'll get fined and sent to jail. Tuesday, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko signed a bill into law, making the possession of pornography ...
Jason Cochran
Jason Cochran Filed under: Extracurriculars, Technology, Travel

Taken for a ride: 5 clever ways theme parks bleed you for extra

Some people think it's already pretty outrageous that a one-day ticket to a single Disney park will hit you for nearly $80. But when you're budgeting for your big summer vacation, you can't assume ...
Ken and Daria Dolan
Ken and Daria Dolan Filed under: Entrepreneurship, The Dolans, Career, Recession, Video

Ask the Dolans: Is now the time to start my own business?

Ken and Daria Dolan, America's first family of personal finance, answer your questions every Friday. Click here to ask Ken and Daria your question. With more than 3.6 million jobs lost and ...

Headlines from WalletPop Partners