AislePriceHelp & FAQ
The AislePrice app for Android and iOS
Getting started
What does AislePrice do?
Scan a product's barcode and AislePrice shows what it costs at the stores within 5 miles of you, cheapest first. Prices come from other shoppers, and for Fry's, straight from Kroger.
Where does it work?
The Phoenix area, for now: about 540 grocery stores, supermarkets and warehouse clubs, from Walmart and Fry's to Sprouts and Costco. Store locations come from OpenStreetMap.
Do I need an account?
No. AislePrice gives you an anonymous profile the first time you report a price. You can save it with your email later, so you keep your tier if you change phones. See Your account.
Why does it want my camera and location?
The camera reads barcodes, entirely on your phone; pictures are never uploaded. Your location finds the stores near you and tells which one you're standing in; it's used for each search and never saved. If you'd rather not allow the camera, tap Type a UPC and enter the numbers under the barcode. The Privacy Policy has the details.
Reading prices
Why are prices sorted the way they are?
By unit price: what you pay per ounce, fluid ounce or item. That way a big box and a small one compare fairly, and a "2 for $5" deal counts as $2.50 each.
What do the tags mean?
| Tag | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CONFIRMED | Two or more shoppers have seen this price since it last changed. |
| PROVISIONAL | One shopper has reported it so far. Probably right, but not yet checked. |
| STORE FEED | From the store's own data. Fry's prices come from Kroger, checked at most once a day per store. |
| DISPUTED | Other shoppers say it's wrong. Treat it with care, or check and report what you see. |
| SALE, MEMBER PRICE, WITH COUPON, 2 FOR $X | Not the regular price: a sale, a store card price, a price after a coupon, or a multi-buy deal. |
How old can a price be?
Prices fade as they age. A regular price counts for half as much after 30 days; sale, member and coupon prices after 7. After 90 days, or once a sale has ended, a price stops showing. Each confirmation makes it fresh again.
Ages are rounded on purpose: "in the last 2 hours", "a few hours ago", "earlier today", "yesterday". Rounding means a price never reveals exactly when a shopper was in the store, while each label is still true.
How does it know which store I'm in?
When your phone's location is precise and you're within about 150 metres of a store, that store shows at the top as You're at. If you only allowed approximate location, AislePrice can't tell stores apart; allow precise location in Android's settings, or on an iPhone in Settings > AislePrice > Location > Precise Location, to see it.
A store says "No recent price here". Why?
Nobody has reported that product there in the last 90 days. If you're in the store, you can be the first.
Reporting and confirming
How do I report a price?
- Scan the product.
- On the store you're in, tap Be the first to report it, or Price changed if the price shown is wrong.
- Enter the price on the shelf tag and pick its type: regular, sale (with its end date, if the tag shows one), member, coupon, or a multi-buy such as 2 for $5.
- Tap Submit price.
If the product isn't in our catalog yet, you'll be asked for its name and size too.
What does "Still this price" do?
It confirms the price shown is still right. It's the quickest way to help: it makes the price fresh again and adds to the count of shoppers who agree. If you're in the store, it also earns you 2 points.
I reported a price, but it isn't showing. Why?
A price far from what the product usually costs, such as a quarter of the usual price, or anything under 10¢, is held for a second look. It shows as soon as another shopper reports the same price at that store, or a manager approves it. Most typos are caught this way, so check the shelf tag if you're not sure. A price sent as part of an unusually fast run of reports is held the same way.
Can I fix a mistake?
Within 24 hours, as long as nobody has confirmed or disputed it yet. After that, or once others have weighed in, report the right price instead; the newest price takes over.
What if I have no signal in the store?
Your report is saved on your phone and sent automatically the next time you're online.
Does it matter whether I'm in the store?
Yes. Reports and confirmations made while you're in the store count for more. The app sends your location with them so our server can check, and keeps only the yes-or-no answer. Simulated locations don't count.
Tiers and limits
What are tiers?
Your progress as a shopper. You earn points by reporting and confirming prices, and move up as your points and your account's age grow:
| Tier | Points | Account age | Prices a day | Confirmations a day | New products a day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kiddie Cart | 0 | new | 100 | 200 | 30 |
| Hand Basket | 50 | 3 days | 150 | 300 | 50 |
| Full Cart | 250 | 14 days | 250 | 500 | 100 |
| Price Checker | 1,000 | 45 days | 400 | 800 | 150 |
| Bulk Shopper | 2,500 | 90 days | 500 | 1,000 | 200 |
A higher tier doesn't make your prices count for more: everyone's count the same. Your tier and how far you are from the next one are on the "You" card in Settings.
How do I earn points?
- +1 for each price you report: one point per product, store and day.
- +2 for confirming a price while you're in the store: also one per product, store and day.
A report loses its point if another shopper disputes it or a manager removes it, and it doesn't earn one while it's held. One report can't cost you more than that point.
I hit a daily limit. What now?
Limits count the last 24 hours, so you can send more tomorrow, and they grow as you move up. Looking up prices is never limited by tier. Separately, everyone can look up 300 products new to AislePrice a day.
Who are the managers?
Experienced shoppers we appoint to keep prices honest. They review held and disputed prices, and can remove bad ones, reset names that break the rules, and suspend or ban shoppers who abuse AislePrice. Every action they take is recorded.
Your account and name
How do I save my account?
In Settings, under Account, tap Save with email. We email you a 6-digit code; enter it, and your profile, prices and tier are saved. There's no password.
How do I use my account on a new phone?
Install AislePrice, open Settings, tap Sign in and enter the code we email you.
What names can I use?
3 to 20 characters: letters, numbers, spaces, dots, dashes and underscores, starting and ending with a letter or number. Names must be unique, and can't be offensive (even spelled with look-alike numbers) or pose as AislePrice staff. Other shoppers don't see your name.
Can anyone see where I've shopped?
No. Your name is never shown next to a price, a store or a time. Other shoppers see only how many people agree on a price and roughly how recent it is, never who reported it. Managers see who reported a price when it comes up for review, only for the stores they look after, and each time they open the review list is recorded. AislePrice doesn't keep a history of your location.
How do I delete my account?
Settings, then Delete account. Your email, name and sign-in are removed; the prices you shared stay, without your name. See Delete your account.
When something's wrong
The barcode won't scan
- Hold the phone steady, 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8 inches) away, with the barcode filling most of the frame.
- Find better light, and tilt the phone to avoid glare on shiny packaging.
- Still nothing? Tap Type a UPC and enter the numbers printed under the barcode.
The product's name or size is wrong or missing
Names and sizes come from Open Food Facts, Kroger and other shoppers. Use Report a problem and include the barcode, and we'll fix it.
A store is missing, closed, or in the wrong place
Tell us with Report a problem, with the store's name and address.
How do I report a problem?
In the app, open Settings and tap Report a problem. It starts an email to us with your app version and phone model filled in, so we can find the problem faster; you see everything before you send it. Or write to support@aisleprice.com.