Thread: Caution when dealing with TheZeb.com, False Advertising?

(A little long, but post debates the Best price policy of TheZeb. Overarching question is, should I get this for free now?)

Ladies/gents, I have been in the market to purchase a Zeus 5.1 for use within my autopc project. I have found 2 places online to purchase the unit:

http://www.cardomain.com/item/HIFZX51DIGITAL
http://www.thezeb.com/p-Hifonics-ZX-...ier-106640.htm

If you notice, TheZeb has it for $499 while CarDomain has it for $420. CarDomain seems like the bets choice. TheZeb has a link/policy called "Best Price Guarantee" which states the following:

Best Price Program Request


theZEB.com is certain that no other retailer can offer you both our high level of service and extremely aggressive pricing. However, should you stumble upon a lower price, let us know and we will give you the best price. If we cannot beat the price, we will give you the item for free.*
*Offer may be limited to products that are in stock with full manufacturers warranty.
Request must be approved before ordering. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer.
Further restrictions may apply.

Excellent, so i give it a go. I fill out the form linking to the CarDomain website. in about 4 days, I receive the following:
-----Original Message-----
From: NO-REPLY@thezeb.com [mailto:NO-REPLY@thezeb.com]
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2005 6:52 PM
To: will.a@cox.net
Subject: [329-0A17341F-65EA] Best Price Program Request from will.a@cox.net

Your Best Price Program request has not been approved.
Some common reasons for a request not being approved are listed below.

* We are unable to verify the product is in-stock and available for immediate shipment at the website you submitted

* The full manufacturer's warranty may not be included with product purchase from the website you submitted

* The product manufacturer does not list the website you submitted as a Factory Internet Authorized Retailer

* We already offer the product for a lower price than the website you submitted

* We are unable to verify that the website you submitted is offering the exact same product as displayed on our site

* We are not able to locate the product on the website you submitted by normal site navigation

* The product you submitted is a discontinued or closeout product

* We are already offering the product for a lower final shipped price than the website you submitted

* Your request did not include a valid product model number or website
Sincerely,

theZEB.com

Hmm, interesting. The next step was to e-mail CarDomain asking those questions which directly relate to the questions above. Many were easy enough to varify personally.

-----Original Message-----
From: Will Albers (wa@cnttr.dtra.mil)
Sent: May 16, 2005 4:34:24 PM
Subject: Question on potential order

I was looking to purchase the Hifonics 5.1 amplifier, but I have had issues in the past when purchasing on line. Could you answer a few questions to make my life a little less restless? =)

Part # HIFZX51DIGITAL

Is the full manufacturers warranty included?

Are you a factory internet authorized retailer?

Is this product discontinued or a closeout?

Thanks much!
Will Albers

and their response:
Greetings from CarDomain.com.

Sure, I'd be happy to answer your questions. While a little restlessness is good, it's not a good thing for buying car audio.

Yes, we're an authorized dealer and yes the item does come with a 1 year manufacturer's warrantee. That item is new-- it's not refurbished, renewed or an open box item. Still shiny in the box!

Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need additional information.

Sincerely,

Joe Z
CarDomain Customer Care
1-800-597-9776
support@cardomain.com

Alright, excellent, answers those questions! So why have they denied the best price program? Shouldnt I get it for free now? Maybe there is something missing in the poicy rules that I have not seen. So i send this to TheZeb and receive the following reply:
Hello Will,

All publicly available information regarding the Best Price Program can be found on our website, by clicking the Best Price Program image shown on any product page.

The complex code, algorithms, and internal workings of the Best Price Program are proprietary information. No further information is available.

Please feel free to submit your Best Price Program request directly through our website and be sure to include the information requested and we will be able to process your request.

Sincerely,

theZEB.com

Original Message:
> From: "Will Albers" <wa@cnttr.dtra.mil>
> To: <sales@theZEB.com>
> Subject: Full information on Best Price guarantee
> Date: Mon, 16 May 2005 19:54:41 -0400

> Your websites states: "*Offer may be limited to products that are in stock with full manufacturers warranty.
> Request must be approved before ordering. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer.
> Further restrictions may apply"
>
> I would like the official written policy behind this guarantee including what other "further restrictions apply".
>
> Sincerely,
> Will Albers
> DTRA-TDOA

So, in your opinion, is this false advertising? Would this not qualify as a condition to get it for free from TheZebs website and description of policy? I think so! am I wrong?

Next step?