Here's a detailed explanation of how Price Freezer works:
Price Freezer Workflow
- Product Selection: Customer selects a product/service on the website/app.
- Price Freezer Option: Customer clicks the "Price Freezer" button/checkbox.
- Price Lock: Current price is locked for a specified period (e.g., 30 days).
- Price Freeze Confirmation: Customer receives confirmation of price freeze.
- Price Monitoring: System tracks price changes.
- Price Adjustment: If price drops, customer pays lower price.
- Price Cap: If price rises, customer pays locked-in price.
- Expiration: Price freeze expires after set period.
Technical Requirements
- Data Analytics: Real-time price tracking.
- API Integration: Connectivity with suppliers/pricing engines.
- Secure Payment Processing: Protection for customer transactions.
- User-Friendly Interface: Easy price freeze management.
- Inventory Management: Real-time stock updates.
Price Freezer Types
- Fixed Price Freezer: Locks price for specified period.
- Dynamic Price Freezer: Adjusts price based on market fluctuations.
- Price Cap Freezer: Limits price increase to set percentage.
Benefits
- Price Stability: Protection from price volatility.
- Budget Predictability: Accurate cost forecasting.
- Increased Customer Loyalty: Enhanced shopping experience.
- Competitive Advantage: Differentiation from competitors.
- Simplified Pricing Strategy: Streamlined pricing management.
Challenges
- Inventory Management: Real-time stock updates.
- Price Volatility Risks: Managing price fluctuations.
- Customer Expectations: Clear communication.
- Integration: Seamless integration with existing systems.
- Regulatory Compliance: Adherence to pricing regulations.
Real-World Examples
- Amazon's Price Match Guarantee
- Walmart's Price Match Policy
- Expedia's Price Guarantee
- Costco's Price Protection
- Target's Price Match Policy
Business Models
- Subscription-based: Monthly/annual fees.
- Commission-based: Percentage of sales.
- Fee-per-Transaction: Charge per price freeze.
- Advertising Revenue: Targeted ads.
- Partnerships: Collaborations with suppliers.