Water System - Ethics question

[tripods68]

We got a new water softener with reverse osmosis put in our home a month ago. I went online and posted how great the company were and highly recommended the product. I also publish what we paid for.

So today, my authorized dealer ask me to delete my post. So I ask, what for? they say, the company don't want the public to know about the price or how much discount they gave me. Part of me understand, okay sure. But then, if the public doesn't know how much i paid for people can be manipulated to pay more. What should I do? In some way, i'm helping his store market his product for free. I feel like my post is my post, i have the right to review a product i purchase which include divulging how much we paid for the product. In some way, I feel violated or made feel bad I did something wrong because I post the pricing. That's silly of course which i should not feel guilty because i reveal something top secret. I almost feel like i should be at least be compensated if I delete my post. It's weird to be asked by someone rid my post that i gave good review. Should I delete my post and don't make a big deal about it? What would you do?

[~bs]

it's strange that the authorized dealer would do something like that unless something shady was done at his end or he considered the pricing to be something negotiated strictly between him and the buyer.

It could be stolen or used?
Perhaps he bought it from the manufacturer at below retail cost, and one stipulation of the agreement is not to disclose anything regarding sale of the product to 3rd party?
why not ask him as to his reasoning?

[creditcardfree]

I'd leave the post. I'm assuming this is on a third party website. I think you have the right to post a good review and even if the price is included. If they have issue with it, they can contact the site you reviewed on.

[disneysteve]

Tough call. Where did you post the review? Is it on some independent site or on the company's own site?

[StormRichards]

Sounds like a company that sizes up its customers before discussing price. I think it is a very shady practice. I would leave it up.

I am assuming it is on a third party website. If it were the company's website, they would have the ability to just delete it.

[tripods68]

Tough call. Where did you post the review? Is it on some independent site or on the company's own site?

The system is brand new Haguewater.com.

Nextdoor.com is where I post my review.

I actually don't want to make a big deal and just to want to delete it. But then, they have not given me a good reason why I should delete it. They said, I got the best deal. Most people pay upward to 7K for the whole system according to the rep. I'm leaning not too though... but this is the same company that will service our system for the next 5 years.

[~bs]

sounds like they mostly want the specific price deleted. Makes sense, if they're trying to get off the ground and offered it to you because they needed work or something, they don't want every joe, dick, and harry asking for the same price.

[Jluke]

The public could include their competitors so they could lose their advantage if everyone knows their pricing strategy.



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[tripods68]

Sounds like a company that sizes up its customers before discussing price. I think it is a very shady practice. I would leave it up.

That's exactly how we feel. The sale practice is shady in some way.

But we love the product and this is the same company/rep that will service our system for life of the product. i don't want to make it awkward so I understand if he feels i'm taking away his leverage of be able to sale it much higher to other people. At the same time, it's an honest review I feel it should remain. I'm having a hard time deciding.


I was able to edit my post and delete the price we paid for. But i also added in my remarks if people wants more detail about the system and pricing they can PM me.
That's a good compromise i think.

[disneysteve]

That's exactly how we feel. The sale practice is shady in some way.

Plenty of goods and services negotiate the price with each customer. Have you bought a car lately?

Since this is a company that you will have an ongoing relationship with, I think you were right to delete the price from your review. Giving an exact dollar amount isn't necessary to say the purchase was a good value or that you feel you got your money's worth.

[msomnipotent]

I would have edited to read, "price information was removed by request of authorized dealer" and leave it at that. Then if anyone asked how much, I would tell them via private message.

[tripods68]

I would have edited to read, "price information was removed by request of authorized dealer" and leave it at that. Then if anyone asked how much, I would tell them via private message.

I did modified my post and just told exactly what happen and just PM me if they want more detail.

[StormRichards]

Plenty of goods and services negotiate the price with each customer. Have you bought a car lately?

Yes, car dealerships are notorious for using the shady practice. Which is why my DH does his research and searches inventory online before stepping foot inside a dealership. Absolutely no haggling. Picks out the car. Tells them his price. Walks if they say anything other than yes.

[disneysteve]

Yes, car dealerships are notorious for using the shady practice. Which is why my DH does his research and searches inventory online before stepping foot inside a dealership. Absolutely no haggling. Picks out the car. Tells them his price. Walks if they say anything other than yes.

Does he do that only with new cars or used cars also? It's so hard to put an solid price on a used car since no two are exactly alike.

[StormRichards]

Does he do that only with new cars or used cars also? It's so hard to put an solid price on a used car since no two are exactly alike.

He hasn't bought a used car since he was in his early 20s.