Forget about browsing through Celiac Supplies in Brisbane, Australia. The gluten-free specialty grocer charges its customers $5 for "just looking" around the store.
A Reddit used named BarrettFox posted a picture of the sign that the store posted warning its customers that they will be charged $5 when they enter on Reddit.com. The fee exists to stop people from "showrooming," says management, which occurs when a customer looks at items in a physical store, then makes the purchase online. However, customers that make a purchase will get their money back.
The sign reads:
"As of the first of February, this store will be charging people a $5 fee per person for 'just looking.'
The $5 fee will be deducted when goods are purchased.
Why has this come about?
There has been high volume of people who use this store as a reference and then purchase goods elsewhere. These people are unaware our prices are almost the same as the other stores plus we have products simply not available anywhere else.
This policy is line with many other clothing, shoe and electronic stores who are also facing the same issue.
Management"
Internet users bashed the store's bad business policy for not taking the responsibility to come up with creative solutions to encourage customers to buy their products.
"It has to be the most misguided strategy we've seen for dealing with showrooming," wrote Matt Brownell at Daily Finance. "The goal of any retailer should be to impress customers with competitive pricing and great customer service - not treat their customers with suspicion and hostility from the moment they walk in the door."
"If customers aren't buying, the seller needs to figure out why and adapt accordingly," wrote Chris Morran at The Consumerist. "If this store's prices are truly the best, then maybe it should be offering a price-match guarantee. If it truly offers products that aren't available elsewhere, then how are these showrooming shoppers buying these items from someone else?"
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
