[SADXA] FW: Deceptive Consumer Pricing at Elliott Electric Supply...

Wed Sep 10 20:06:21 EDT 2014

Prices change and I am sure that that we have seen items mismarked in many stored.  Almost everything can be found cheaper on the net.  (If you want to weight and pay fright)
We are paying for the convenience.  
Gail

----- Original Message -----
From: "WD7F - John" <wd7f at wd7f.com>
To: "bart users" <bart_users at yahoogroups.com>, "Southern AZ DX Association E-Mail Reflector" <sadxa at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2014 4:00:59 PM
Subject: [SADXA] FW: Deceptive Consumer Pricing at Elliott Electric Supply...

---------- Original Message ---------- 
From: Stephen Portell <stplaw at me.com> 
To: David Cornell <david at kb7lmi.com>, Stephan Shemenski <ak8e.01 at gmail.com>, tedaa7hx <tedaa7hx at cox.net>, Owen Owen <ak7ar.owen at gmail.com>, Ron Cade <ron.w6zq at gmail.com>, Ted Willis <tedaa7hx at mail.com>, Don Ernle <don at donernle.com>, Bruce Betterley <bbetterley at msn.com>, KC7JFC <KC7JFC at gmail.com>, Larry W7LB <w7lb at amsat.org>, Jeff Steinkamp <n7yg at n7yg.com>, rst-board-of-directors <rst-board-of-directors at googlegroups.com>, "KY7K, Steve" <ky7k at cox.net>, Matthew Grossman <matthew at grossman.com>, Steve Arens <SArens at KVOA.com> 
Date: September 10, 2014 at 2:25 PM 
Subject: Deceptive Consumer Pricing at Elliott Electric Supply... 

My Brothers in Arms, 

I hope you are doing well. 

As you know, I am a trial lawyer.  I tend to represent businesses in commercial litigation, as well as handle product liability cases.   

Why am I telling you this? 

I am aware of some deceptive consumer practices at Elliott Electric Supply, and I am seeking additional information from the RST membership. 

Background 

I have used Elliott Electric Supply for my day-to-day amateur radio stuff.  I have found the prices to be generally higher than competitive suppliers online, but I like the idea of supporting local businesses.  I find that their staff is “hit or miss” when it comes to basic electrical knowledge, but you can usually get people who know where to find items. 

On Monday, September 8th at approximately 2:30pm, I went to Elliott to get some items.  I had volunteered to install some security cameras for a lady who lives alone on the Northwest side who was being harassed by a male next door neighbor.  I needed some USB panel outlets that were capable of charging up to 2.1 amps.  I also needed some 12 volt batteries and plastic cases for the cameras and charging circuits.  I found the items, including the USB outlets and proceeded to the register.  The USB outlets were priced $6.66 each (yes, the sign of the Beast!). 

A nice young man with blonde hair (seemed like a U-A student) was working the register.  I handed him the items, and he scanned them in with a bar code scanner.  He told me that the USB outlets were NOT $6.66 each.  Rather, he said, they were $13.49 each.  I asked him whether the store was going to honor the price on the product.  He said he needed to get his manager.  A short time later, a guy named Roger Mull appeared and told me that the items were similar to other products on the shelf and that the price was a “mistake”.  I asked him to honor the price on the product, and he became angry.  He said that he would not honor the price and abruptly told me that I was “trespassing”.  When I asked him why, Mr. Mull said, “Because I am asking you to leave or I will call the cops.”  I left. 

Mind you, I never raised my voice or became rude or disrespectful to anybody.  And my interaction with Mr. Mull was measured in seconds (maybe 10 seconds).  Moreover, when I tried to identify the product he snatched them from the counter and hid them behind his back.  His reaction was odd, and his actions were very defensive.  I was under the impression this was not his first rodeo.  I think the store has been subject to past regulatory action due to inaccurate or deceptive pricing, and he knew that he had been caught (again). 

Further Action 

Normally, I would not bother to follow up on something like this, but this is the second time Elliott has priced an item on the shelf one way and then tried to charge another at the register.  I went there a year ago to buy a 30 amp switching supply for my ICOM 706, and found one for approximately $80, but when I got to the register, the price went up to $95.  I paid then, because I REALLY needed the power supply, but I found the blasé attitude of the folks at the register more than a little disconcerting.  Their explanation then was the same as the one on Monday: the price on the product was a “mistake”. 

I don’t want any of you to fall victim to this situation, and I want the owner to change his business practices.  To that end, I am going to file a complaint with the Arizona Department of Weights & Measures, as well as the Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney General’s Office.  I am also considering a complaint in Pima County Justice Court. 

Therefore, if you have had similar problems, please hit “reply” and let me know the details.  If something develops, I will let the RST board know what is happening.   Until they correct the problems, I would encourage you guys to either (a) make sure you aren’t being taken advantage of at the register or (b) find an alternative supplier. 

73’s, 

W7QBG 

___________________ 

Stephen T. Portell 

Shareholder 

Russo, Russo & Slania, PC 

6700 N. Oracle Rd, Suite 100 

Tucson, Arizona  85704 

Office (520) 529-1515 

Fax (520) 529-9040 

Cell (520) 241-9674 

sportell at rrs-law.com 

Don Ernle, Principal, Owner, USAF Retired ABR, CNE, e-PRO 
Pima Canyon Realty - BBB Accredited Business 
Our business is People, Our product is Real Estate 
4210 E. Camino de la Colina Tucson, Arizona 85711-5313 
Direct Line (520) 907-2682 
Search for homes at http://www.DONERNLE.COM 
E-Mail to DON at DONERNLE.COM 

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