Caveat emptor
Bargain-hunting consumers will essentially be looking for retailers that fit into neither of the above categories, is what Raja is effectively saying.
We asked him if Scan will be adopting replacement cost pricing. "This has to be assessed on a product-by-product basis and depends on how companies interpret volatility and how they want to position the product. A fast moving product needs to be evaluated a lot quicker," he said.
Raja went on to explain that higher value, longer shelf-life products like enthusiast components are more likely to reflect a retailer purchase price made when the exchange rate was more favourable. "Prices are definitely on the way up. Now could be the time to snap up a few bargains among the higher value products," he said.
We asked Raja what advice he had for consumers at this time. "Shop around but also be cautious as some companies are using ‘out of stock' products to lure people in and then asking for a higher price when the stock comes in. My advice is: stick with credible companies, check inventory levels and get good order confirmation."
Now more than ever, the golden rule for consumers remains: caveat emptor - buyer beware.
