Thanks to something called the "Minimum Advertised Price" or MAP, brands such as Weber and Big Green Egg (grills) and Liebherr, Viking and Miele (appliances) rarely if ever go on sale in stores. it's because retailers agree not to advertise a lower price than the MSRP (manufacturers suggested retail price), said Kevin Brasler, executive editor at Twin Cities Consumers' Checkbook.
But what many consumers may not know is that retailers can still lower prices on these brands. They just can't advertise those prices. You may have looked for an item's price in print or online and seen "call for price."
That's so that the retailer or supplier doesn't get into trouble with the manufacturer. On a local level, that's happening at Warners Stellian's Extreme Warehouse sale this weekend, when Weber grills, Big Green Eggs (large and extra large sizes), Miele vacuums and dishwashers, JennAir, Electrolux, Viking, Thermador and Liebherr appliances are discounted. Prices on those items are less than MSRP, but that's within manufacturers' guidelines because they are not included in the advertised prices. Most of the prices on those items are about 20 percent less than regular price in a check on Friday. (The sale starts Saturday.)
Photo: Webers and Eggs at Warners Stellian's warehouse on Friday, Oct. 26.
As always shoppers with smart phones should do a price check to confirm that the price is competitive.
For more information about the appliance sale, go to Warners site.
