I was in a small store the other day that had no prices posted on many of the items for sale. No stickers on the items themselves, no shelf tags and no signs announcing the prices. I have never seen that before. Is there a law requiring prices to be posted?
No law in Wisconsin requires that. They of coarse are required to tell you when asked. Not many stores would be willing to leave merchandise unmarked or signed, unless they don’t have to worry about losing most customers. They do have to sell items at the lowest signed price in Wisconsin, so that and the labor of marking items is a point against marking it. I personaly buy nothing unmarked. There is one gas station I know of that doesn’t sign or mark almost all merchandise. I buy only gas and maybe one item every 3 months from them. I guess the people that don’t care how much a candy bar or pop is, buy enough to make them happy.
My local Wolf Camera does not have prices on most stuff. It’s infuriating. I was in to buy some mini-DV tapes, and they have several brands, packaged in different quantities, but I couldn’t get prices on anything until I waited in line and had the cashier scan the tapes. I asked why they didn’t have any prices on any of this, and the guy said “We do! If you walk around to the other display rack over there, there’s a card facing the other way that lists the prices” (I was not impressed).
Another day I was looking at the rack of special camera batteries. Again, no prices were anywhere, even after walking around looking for the special display cards that might be hidden somewhere. And once again, I couldn’t learn the price until I waited in line and got it scanned. I was somewhat annoyed by this point and asked the cashier why they didn’t have any prices for the batteries on display anywhere. In a sarcastic, sing-song voice she gleefully said “Oh gee, I don’t know… I guess we just didn’t get around to it!”.
So I guess I’m not going to get around to shopping there anymore.
They seem to have general contempt for their customers.
There is a knitting shop near me that does not put prices on anything. There are seldom, if ever, price lists nearby either. To get the price on anything you have to ask the employees, who are very helpful and always within earshot (small shop). This discourages me from shopping there. I don’t like to have to ask the price of everything - it makes me feel cheap if I ask and find out it’s too expensive.
There’s no federal law about this; so it’s up to your state.
Many states have laws requiring pricetags on the items or the shelf. On the other hand, they’re generally not enforced for small shops.
I’m not suprised they didn’t want to price their accessories. That’s where most reatilers make their money and really stick it to the consumer. People will comparison shop for the cheapest price on a TV, camera, etc. to save a few bucks but will blindly grab the accessories, cables, etc. at the same time figuring they’ll need them regardless.
You will also notice that there are no prices in Middle Eastern rugs shops. The price is determined based on how nicely you’re dressed. 
Was it a “Dollar Store” by any chance? 
No, but that was a good guess! No, it was an ordinary convenience store, except it was in the middle of nowhere, but reasonably near where I live (which is somewhat north of nowhere.) I suppose their regular customers are used to this no-price thing but I didn’t like it and left without buying anything.
I honestly thought there was some law requiring prices to be posted. I guess there isn’t any such law.
Most tobacco shops, infuriatingly, put the prices of pipes on the back sides so you have to enter into a long discussion to shop for one. I tell the owners that’s one of the reason I hate to shop there, but they don’t seem to think it’s a problem.
I found out that their advisory materials all tell them that’s how it’s done.
A similar industry-wide practice is in the picture framing business. They have “suggestions” in the backs of the supply catalogs telling them never to set out sample frames with prices, because the high prices scare people off. Once you’ve conviced a customer you can’t estimate without measurements and color decisions, they have spent too much time on your service to back out. That’t their logic. Which is false, but they haven’t changed the catalogs since Eisenhower was a general.
One of the things I hate about dealing with B-B suppliers (Grainger, welding suppliers, electrical suppliers, etc.) is that they often have showrooms with no prices on anything. Like the “market price” lobster on the restaurant menu, it has frequently discouraged me from buying.
But Grainger has a huge catalogue with prices, both in print and online.
Heh. A few health clubs that I’ve checked out don’t give out the initiation fee over the phone. These same health clubs want to know the applicant’s household income before discussing fees. I always smile and tell them that there’s no real reason for them to know this, unless they are using a sliding scale for fees and dues.
I have stopped shopping at stores that make it difficult for their customers. You’d think every businessperson would bend over backwards to get and keep customers. But a personal boycott isn’t enough; I always write a letter (or e-mail) to the owner, explaining why I no longer shop there (for this or any other reason). Then after a while, I go back to see if they’ve changed.
I have always operated under the assumption that if they won’t post their prices it is because they are overpriced - and I shop elsewhere. This may not always be true, but if they want my business they will make it easy for me to decide where to shop.
Ten states have item pricing laws, and so do some large cities in other states. However, most large retailers have chosen to ignore the laws and simply pay the fines, such as BJ’s Wholesale Club and Home Depot. Others (particularly grocers) have lobbied for exemptions.
If you have to ask, you can’t afford it.
There could be, but you still haven’t told us where you live yet.
I live in Tennessee, just north of the middle of nowhere and east of the boonies.
I checked with the State of Tennessee (consumer protection office) and there is no law in TN requiring posted prices. Bummer.
Nor does TN have a law requiring you to shop in a store which chooses to not post prices. Solution?