• KARE-11 News in Minneapolis reports that it compared prices at two Wal-Mart stores that are ten miles apart – one in Hudson, Wisconsin, and the other in Woodbury, Minnesota. The station found that:
A Trivial Pursuit game selling for $19 in the Woodbury flier, cost $27 in the Hudson; a portable DVD player selling for $68 in Woodbury, cost $83 in Hudson; a TV selling for $98 in Woodbury, cost $129 in Hudson; a $398 personal computer in Woodbury was almost $100 cheaper than its Hudson twin; and a laptop that cost $398 in Woodbury, cost $632 in Hudson - a difference of $234 for the exact same computer.
And while some might question why Wal-Mart has such different prices in stores in such close proximity, KARE says it actually has nothing to do with Wal-Mart.
“The answer dates all the way back to 1939, when Wisconsin lawmakers passed the Unfair Sales Act,” the station reports. “That state law says it's illegal for retailers to sell items below cost. It's supposed to ensure a competitive marketplace.”
Which not only means that it is cheaper for people who live is Wisconsin to cross the state line to shop in Minnesota, but that Wal-Mart actually is getting good press for its pricing practices.
Go figure.
A Trivial Pursuit game selling for $19 in the Woodbury flier, cost $27 in the Hudson; a portable DVD player selling for $68 in Woodbury, cost $83 in Hudson; a TV selling for $98 in Woodbury, cost $129 in Hudson; a $398 personal computer in Woodbury was almost $100 cheaper than its Hudson twin; and a laptop that cost $398 in Woodbury, cost $632 in Hudson - a difference of $234 for the exact same computer.
And while some might question why Wal-Mart has such different prices in stores in such close proximity, KARE says it actually has nothing to do with Wal-Mart.
“The answer dates all the way back to 1939, when Wisconsin lawmakers passed the Unfair Sales Act,” the station reports. “That state law says it's illegal for retailers to sell items below cost. It's supposed to ensure a competitive marketplace.”
Which not only means that it is cheaper for people who live is Wisconsin to cross the state line to shop in Minnesota, but that Wal-Mart actually is getting good press for its pricing practices.
Go figure.
- KC's View:
