NYC Photo Expo and Western Digital G Technology Scam: I was at NYC Photo Expo today and stopped by the WD booth to look at the new SanDisk 2TB external SSD; and also looked at G...

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

I was at NYC Photo Expo today and stopped by the WD booth to look at the new SanDisk 2TB external SSD; and also looked at G Technology 2TB Mobile SSD. The sales person, who happens to be the Northeastern Rep, told me the drive was $349. I asked for show special pricing and he said that this was the best they were doing and the 'same' as online. I passed.
I just checked the reviews and pricing. Boy was I surprised to see that this drive is selling for $299 everywhere..including B+H that had it in their 'Show Special' guide. And....guess what? It is also listed in WD online store for $299.
https://shop.westerndigital.com/products/portable-drives/g-technology-g-drive-mobile-usb-3-1-ssd?utm_medium=pdsh2&utm_source=gads&utm_campaign=gtech-us-pla&utm_content=304243658138&utm_term=0G06054#0G06054
Am I wrong to be pissed off about this? How about the people who actually buy it at the show for $349?
WD-G Tech has lost a customer as a result of this scam.

Dave327 Loc: Duluth, GA. USA

The rep makes $50 for each one he sells! :)

JD750 Loc: SoCal

jbk224 wrote:

I was at NYC Photo Expo today and stopped by the W... (show quote)

You are not wrong to be p... off. Because the rep lied to you. Unethical and bad business. The rep was feathering his own nest. Maybe not with the blessings of the company. Or perhaps they turn a blind eye.
Hard to say. But ethical companies instill ethical policies/practices in their employees. Food for thought?

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

Also basic business practices.
The factory can only sell at MSRP amounts.
They need to protect their wholesalers, not compete with them.
MAYbe if you had waited until the very end of the show, you might make a deal.
Otherwise, he can't.

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

You’re a New Yorker, and you let something like this bother you? You did the right thing, passed on a purchase opportunity that did not seem good to you. And you did your due diligence to see the prevailing price. It’s true that the rep COULD have rold you that others wete selling for less, but he was not obligated to do so. If you had bought one or more at the higher price, THEN you could be angry - at yourself for not knowing any better. But you didn’t, so no harm.

stevesf

Very common practice. The rep is directing you, a consumer, to their distribution chain, where you will get better support. WD makes some nice drives, btw

Ollieboy

I find this show becomes less interesting and and important as the years go by. It seems the only point of this show is to get your email address. Passing on it for the 2nd year in a row now.

ronichas Loc: Long Island

I was at Photo Expo yesterday. I was looking at a camera strap, told it was $50. I brought my friend back hours later, it was now $42.50, he sold it to her for $40 cash!!!

Photo Expo is not what it used to be. There were less vendors, some well known vendors were missing. No give-a-ways at all.

LarryFitz Loc: Beacon NY

Harry0 wrote:

Also basic business practices.
The factory can only sell at MSRP amounts.
They need to protect their wholesalers, not compete with them.
MAYbe if you had waited until the very end of the show, you might make a deal.
Otherwise, he can't.

jerseymike

ronichas wrote:

I was at Photo Expo yesterday. I was looking at a camera strap, told it was $50. I brought my friend back hours later, it was now $42.50, he sold it to her for $40 cash!!!

Photo Expo is not what it used to be. There were less vendors, some well known vendors were missing. No give-a-ways at all.

I read an article in The Journal that said that camera sales were flat and some camera companies had lost market share. The reporter indicated cell phones could be playing a role in those declines.

wds0410 Loc: Nunya

jbk224 wrote:

I was at NYC Photo Expo today and stopped by the W... (show quote)

I'm not sure being pissed off is the right reaction. This is simply a business transaction. The rep made an offer, you passed on it and found a better deal. Shopping around was the correct reaction. Smart move.

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

Some interesting responses...
Not selling at MSRP and the 'factory' was not protecting anyone. Clearly lied. The purpose of these shows is to bring their products to your attention and hopefully you will purchase. Just about all other manufacturers there directed you to B&H for their 'show specials'.
Yes, I am a NYorker and this is why I posted this. There is a chance that someone from WD will read this and 'handle the situation'..not for me but for the future.
The rep didn't 'direct me to their distribution chain'. I didn't purchase. I may have if I had asked at B&H.
I agree about Photo Expo in general. Not what it used to be. But what is?
Good that you negotiated and waited. I have had the same experience at Optech.
Thanks for the feedback.

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

wds0410 wrote:

I'm not sure being pissed off is the right reaction. This is simply a business transaction. The rep made an offer, you passed on it and found a better deal. Shopping around was the correct reaction. Smart move.

Literally, you are correct.
However, the expectation when you go to this show, is that the manufacturer; will send you to one of their vendors for the best current deal for the product, or sell you the product at a reduced 'show special' price. This is the case for over 90% of the products available to purchase at the show.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

jbk224 wrote:

Some interesting responses... br Not selling at MS... (show quote)

Did you bother to check WD's on line prices?
I didn't think so

wds0410 Loc: Nunya

jbk224 wrote:

Literally, you are correct.
However, the expectation when you go to this show, is that the manufacturer; will send you to one of their vendors for the best current deal for the product, or sell you the product at a reduced 'show special' price. This is the case for over 90% of the products available to purchase at the show.

One of my mottos: expect nothing and you are rarely disappointed.