‘They switched to dynamic pricing’: Idaho woman notices 70% clearance at Michaels. Then she catches them ‘scamming’ customers with the price tags

Have you noticed that sales prices aren’t as low as they used to be?

Many shoppers say that, while they used to be able to find great deals at clearance sales, it seems that modern sales offerings are pretty lackluster. Not only that, but several go-to stores for discounted items, like Goodwill, are now charging a hefty amount for their wares.

So, what’s going on? One woman on TikTok has a theory—and commenters say that she’s onto something.

What’s Going On With Michaels?

In a video with over 349,000 views, TikToker Angie Batis (@angiebatis) explains why she’s “calling B.S. on Michaels.”

“As you can see, they have 70% off their Christmas [items],” she says, standing in the aisle at Michaels. “And so I’m like, ‘Oh, I could maybe, you know, tuck these away till next year. They kind of go with my aesthetic.’”

However, when she went to look at the price tag, she was shocked.

To start, several items simply didn’t have price tags. The ones that did had prices that made Batis balk.

“$35,” she says, holding up a small tree decoration. “It’s literally, like, a paper mache.”

Even with the 70% discount, Batis says the new price—$10.50—should be the standard price, not the price after a significant markdown.

A Possible Theory

Why is this happening? Batis has a theory.

“What these businesses are doing nowadays is marking stuff up just to make you feel like you’re getting a deal,” Batis declares.

Over the course of the rest of the video, Batis shows other Christmas decorations that either lack prices or have prices she deems too high. 

“That’s why they’re sitting here with rows of Christmas still,” she states. “Mark it down. Get it down to clearance prices. This is ridiculous.”

To conclude, Batis advises users to stay vigilant.

“Don’t give into these stores,” she says. “People are not stupid, and if you are, you need to pay attention, ‘cause these businesses are marking stuff up just to mark it back down.”

Is This Really Happening?

There are a few claims made in Batis’ video. First, she says that many items at Michaels simply don’t have prices. Second, she says that the store is artificially inflating prices to make people think they’re getting a deal.

The former claim is definitely true. As previously noted by The Mary Sue, Michaels did not price many of their seasonal items, instead requiring guests to ask for assistance to get a price.

The reason for this, some employees say, is the changing tariffs under the Trump administration. According to these employees, the store had to change prices on many items due to the tariffs and, lacking the staff to individually affix new prices, simply opted not to put prices on items. 

Is It ‘Dynamic Pricing’?

In the comments section of this video and others like it, many have brought up the idea of “dynamic pricing.” For context, dynamic pricing is a model in which businesses change prices on the fly in response to shifts in demand, competitive pressures, and other market factors.

For example, if there’s suddenly a rush of people buying Pokémon cards at a store, dynamic pricing may cause the price of cards to rise on the same day, or even just a few minutes.

While this is a practice already employed by some online retailers, there’s no evidence that Michaels or other stores like Walmart are currently using dynamic pricing.

Instead, it’s possible that Michaels is simply engaging in a practice called “high-low pricing.” This is where a product is listed at a high price, then later sold at a lower price with a noted (often significant) discount.

High-low pricing may make sense for seasonal items, as those who are buying it for the season are more likely to purchase it at a higher price than those picking it up later. Once the season is over, the store can offer it at a significant discount, attracting those like Batis who might consider holding onto it for the following year. 

Could There Be Something Else At Play?

Batis may also be accusing Michaels of another practice: two-price advertising. This is where a store shows two prices for an item, a supposed “normal” price and a lower, “sale” price. However, the “normal” price never existed, and the item was always going to be sold at the lower price.

The FTC has had guidelines against two-price advertising since at least the 1950s. Today, two-price advertising is considered unfair and deceptive, and there are explicit rules against it. Violators of these regulations can receive anything from official cease-and-desist letters to monetary punishment.

@angiebatis I call a BIG FAT BS on @Michaels Stores!!! We’re NOT dumb!! #michaels #pricegouging? #notclearance #smartshopping ♬ original sound – Angie Batis

Commenters Are Fed Up

No matter why it’s happening, commenters under Batis’ video say they’re frustrated by modern pricing practices.

“When I went in and asked about the prices, they told me I had to take everything to the register to find the price. They removed the scanners in my stores and removed all pricing. I won’t go in ever again,” wrote a user.

“And next week all of that is going to be in the dumpster- and we will see dumpster diving videos of people pulling the out. You would think it would make more sense to mark down the prices, get something for it, and make their customer base happy,” added another. “I never understand why they prefer to throw it all out.”

“They don’t understand that they are losing trust and customers,” shared a third.

The Mary Sue reached out to Michaels via email and Batis via TikTok DM and comment.

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