Yo-yo prices all over shop

‘Random’ rates foil bargain hunters

PRICES on electrical goods go up and down like a yo-yo, making it hard for shoppers to spot bargains.

Research by consumer group Which? highlighted “wildly fluctuating prices” even outside sales, with a Vax Blade vacuum ranging from a high of £299 to a low of £139 – 54% less – at ao.com.

During a year-long study, Which? tracked the prices of 32 items at Amazon, ao.com, Argos, Currys PC World and John Lewis.

A Samsung fridge-freezer at John Lewis cost between £659 and £374.99, while an LG telly at Currys PC World went from £629 to £328, and a Brother printer at Amazon was £114 at its lowest and £199.98 at its highest.

The exception was Apple’s AirPod headphones, fairly static at £159. Amazon had the most consistently low prices, while Currys PC World had the highest.

Alex Neill, of Which?, said: “Shoppers are often faced with wildly fluctuating prices. This can make it difficult for people to assess when a bargain is really a bargain.” John Lewis said of the study: “Our Never Knowingly Undersold policy means that when our competitors run promotions we lower our prices to match.” Currys PC World added: “While our prices, like all retailers’, can fluctuate throughout the year, we’re proud to offer our Price Promise across our entire range.” Amazon and AO did not comment.

£301 Difference between top and bottom price of TV at Currys PC World