Hi-Tec and price fixing

As a common courtesy to fellow Hi-Tec users you must be made aware of the following potential price trap!! I love Hi-Tec shoes for both work and leisure and have as such supported the brand over many years. The product itself has never failed me - however the marketing team, price strategy and customer aftercare - well that is a different ballgame altogether. I previously supported the Hi-Tec store (so branded) in the Kolonnade Shopping Centre with a purchase of a pair of shoes that cost me about R1500. My support was based on loyalty to the brand and after all, if you love the brand you will (supposedly) support a specialist store as well!! Boy, was I wrong....... The same pair of shoes was sold significantly lower at a Cape Union Mart. Please hear me - significantly lower. To my dismay I only discovered this after the purchase at the Hi-Tech store. I reported the matter and was answered by Mr. Shane van Tonder - his response was less than kind and dismissive. The message is that they cannot control the prices of competitors and simply put they don't care! Bitter sweat!!