7 On Your Side helps San Jose couple get bargain TV price

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- It can be frustrating to buy something at full price, only to see it go on sale days later. That happened to a San Jose couple who could have saved hundreds of dollars if they'd just waited a few more days. They came to 7 On Your Side's Michael Finney for help.

Some stores will give you a refund if your item goes on sale soon after a purchase. Others won't. This couple watched the price drop on a big ticket item and tried everything they could to get that low price.

Donna and Harry Yamamura thought they got a great deal on a Samsung Smart TV.

Harry bought it on Samsung.com for just $2,500. That's $500 below the regular price. However, just a few days later, he was kicking himself.

Samsung knocked the price down by another $500. Now it costs only $1,999.

"When I saw it go down to $1,999, it just kind of irked me," he said.

Harry went online and requested a refund of the $500 difference. He says he got this vague response, "The company has the right to change the price without notice."

Harry had another idea -- he could return the TV and buy it all over again. He had 30 days to ship the first one back for a full refund.

"I was informed that I would get a pre-paid shipping label," he said.

However, Samsung told Harry it could take six weeks to get the shipping label, which was well beyond the 30 day return period.

"And that felt really wrong to me," Donna said. "I just said no that's not right."

Harry gave up hope of getting any refund. Donna did not.

"You know, I listen to Michael Finney's show all the time," she said.

So she contacted 7 On Your Side, and we told Samsung what happened. The company would not tell us what its policy is for price adjustments when an item goes on sale. However, Samsung did agree to refund his $500.

In a statement to 7 on Your Side, Samsung said: "We know that consumer satisfaction is core to our business success, and we value the trust that consumers place in us. We have followed up with Mr. Yamamura and resolved the matter to his satisfaction."

"That was pretty exciting," Donna said.

Harry added, "It was a surprise, yes." He also said he often gets money back when items go on sale after he buys them.

Many stores will refund the difference if a price drops soon after your purchase. However, it's not automatic, you have to ask for it. As Harry says, it can be a great way to save money.