Scan and scram

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Shoppers are price checking virtually everything these days -- from televisions, appliances, clothes, to even wedding rings -- visiting a store to see a product, but using their smartphones to look up a better price elsewhere.

"As soon as they find the deal they want, they're ready to jump on it, because they've been educated and fully aware of what's out there and what they want," says Vipul Lakhi of MyTrioRings.com

How many customers are scanning and scramming?

We found 25% of cell phone owners used their phones in a store to see where they could buy an item for less.

Amazon and eBay even launched price comparison apps to make it easier for shoppers.

Some traditional retail stores are fighting back through a number of tactics:

• Target offers exclusive products you can't buy anywhere else.
• Nordstrom offers free shipping if you buy something in a store or online.
• Macy's and Old Navy send in-store only coupons.
• Sears stresses the immediate gratification.

Some stores will offer to match the prices of online retailers, so it may be worth showing the manager of the store you're standing in the price comparison you found online and see if they'll give you the same price.