During there end of year sale ALTA had their 15% smaller supercharger pulley for $75 stating "if you find one for less someplace online forward us the link and we will match it" I had found a brand new alta pulley that someone had sold on eBay for $33. I sent Alta the link and screen print of the pulley.

Alta replied "I am sorry but we cannot pricematch ebay auctions. If you find our 15 percent pulley advertised at a store for lower please let us know!" even though this is clearly not what it had said on there website further more after I had sent them this email they had changed their advertisment to "If you find one for less someplace online forward us the link and we will match or beat it. (EXCLUDES AUCTION SITES AND GARAGE SALE ITEMS)"

Alta refused to offer me any sort of deal on the pulley and basically told me tough luck. I am very disappointed with service, and will most likely never purchase anything from this vendor.

Just wanting to vent a little about my poor experience, and see what you guys think of this, am I wrong to be disappointed?

 

Come on man, Ebay isn't an automotive store. There is no way you can guarantee the condition of the item either. Just because it says new, doesn't mean that someone didn't use it, remove it, clean it, and sell it on ebay as new. Choose your battles wisely next time. I believe your actions were more wrong than Alta.

 

I kinda have to side with Alta on this one. I had assumed when they stated their price matching sale that matching other brick n mortar stores is what they meant.

I am a little jaded when it comes to online retail since that is what I do as well. I could go on and on about the Ebay discounters and their questionable practices but I don't want to get myself worked up.

 

The point is that they advertised that is the least expensive pulley, and they will match any supercharge upgrade pulley.

Wasnt really a battle, I was just upset that they advertise one thing, and then claim something completly different.

I went to file a BBB claim and found that their rating is already an F, go figure.

http://www.bbb.org/oregon/business-r...ro-or-22426904

 

I don't care, BBB is only voted on by people like you. People who try to scam a hard working company for trying to give a deal to their customers. How many car accessory companies even offer a price match?! Point is, you're trying to take advantage of a system that was put into play to get YOU the consumer, the best retail deal possible. Try going to Best Buy and say "I saw this TV on ebay for $800 new and you're selling it for $1150 new." EBAY IS NOT A RETAIL STORE!!!!! Sound idiotic? I hope you see our point.

I will continue to order from Alta and Perrin Performance as long as they are in business. I've never dealt with a more customer oriented company than them. If you ever have any questions, they will do anything possible to answer them for you, as well as rectify any REAL problems. I don't believe you will find any backup here teler86.

 

Sorry, have to agree with R53-BRG. It is next to impossible to create an ad that takes into account all the possible exceptions to a rule and at some point common sense has to be considered. I can't see where Alta was TRYING to defraud you. Sounds more like you were trying to get a deal where one really didnt exist.

 

Well heck, if that loophole didn't work out, look for another one! The Alta website says they'll match prices on pulleys, but doesn't even say that it has to be new! Look for a vendor selling used pulleys and make Alta match the price...

BTW, if they are matching prices I guess it includes their own dealers and retailers. Hell of a way to do business.

 

Join the long list of unsatisfied ALTA customers...

 

"Rant" is the appropriate term to describe your original post. Glad Alta is drawing the line when a customer is being unreasonable. I certainly don't want to pay for your $33 pulley with my next Alta purchase.

- Mark

 

In all of my past experience, which includes CAI, strut bar, sway bars, and a stubby antenna, the only problem I've ever had with ALTA was they mispicked the stubby they sent me. After a quick exchange of emails, the correct antenna was sent right out.

And I do agree that the OP is being unreasonable. Just because Don's Discount Den might have 1 they've marked down to get rid of, or some shady eBay seller does the same thing, or neighbor Ned has one in his garage sale for $9, you can't expect ALTA to match that price.

 

you can't be serious - besides you say you found a link that someone "had sold on ebay" That isn't even advertised - it is what someone sold already and was not even offering. I really can't believe you went to the BBB for something like this. I am surprised you didn't scour craigslist looking for one that someone was selling "new" and try to get them on the hook for it also. I haven't ordered anything from them - but it sounds like they won't be missing you as a customer

 

Well it appears a win for the vendor, sorry and hope you don't take these various comments as totally personal. Live to fight another day

 

Thanks everyone for chiming in. I am saddened by how the OP handled this situation. I'm glad he posted as he threatened he would if I didn't sell him a new pulley for 33 dollars as he found on an auction site. OF COURSE I would not offer you a deal. Please post the link to the auction and you will see the pulley on the auction sure looks like a used OEM pulley. I would post it but the link is saved at the office. It really bums me out that people think if they threaten a company with bad press that the company will give in..... I will post up the email conversations Monday.

 

Is this it ->

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/13-9-...Q5fAccessories

I am going to go to bestbuy and ask them to pricematch their 5000$ 60" 240Hz TV because I saw one going on ebay for 3$. If bestbuy laughs at me and kicks me out, I am going to file a BBB complaint. Poor old me.

 

This thread is sad and a testament of the lengths people will go to try and scam (yes, it is a scam) a company. What it also does is minimize the actual complaints that people may have had with the company. It isn't like they charge a huge amount for that pulley anyway so I'm not sure why the OP is even complaining.

You need another hobby my friend.

 

Sorry man but I am on Alta's side here. They would lose so much money if they matched items off ebay. I have had good experience with Alta so I cant complain.

 

here is the link,

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MINI-...Q5fAccessories

I have the email string saved at work, but I will try to post it when I get in. I Understand you guys think I was wrong, but personally I still do not think a company should advertise something they are unwilling to stand behind.

 

LOL, there isn't a company out there that will actually allow you to use an EBay listing to get a price match. Also, that link you posted looks like a scam. That is a stock (looks like it and defo not Alta) pulley on an Alta box. Looks like whoever posted that was trying to rip people off.

This is just a common sense thing..... Find a competitor that has a cheaper pulley and then go to Alta. I'm willing to bet they would match it then.

 

The wonderful thing about ebay is you don't really know what your getting as those selling the item may not know what they have. Do a search on some of the items such as a Mini Wing and you will see some of the ugliest wings that would not fit any Mini that people are selling. Buy at your own risk. My question would be what about the dealers for Alta are they getting supported by Alta for the price difference when they sell items from stock to match Alta online sales?

 

You get what you pay for. So if you want to save big money, roll the dice and buy crap off of eBay. If you want something from a company that will stand behind their product, spend the money and get it from a place like ALTA. Don't expect a price-match though.

 

This has to be one of the most rediculous complaints I've ever heard :(

 

is this a joke?

i can post a eBay ad and tell Alta i sold it for $1

come on man...common sense

 

Why didnt you just buy it from ebay

 

the OP doesn't seem to think there is a problem with this - he doesn't get it

 

Maybe I will start a business. I can sell something ridiculously cheaply on eBay, buy a bunch more from a manufacturer who will price match that low price, and then sell them for a higher price on eBay! I'll be raking in the cash!