Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the ongoing controversy surrounding the pricing practices of the company "Aihuishou," particularly the discrepancy between online estimated prices and the lower prices offered in physical stores, leading to widespread consumer dissatisfaction [1][2][3]. Pricing Discrepancies - Consumers have reported significant differences between online valuations and in-store offers, with some cases showing reductions of nearly 50% from the initial online estimate [2][3]. - For example, a phone estimated at 5060 yuan online was offered at approximately 4500 yuan in-store, while another case saw a drop from 2560 yuan to 1300 yuan, representing a 49.84% decrease [1][2]. - Common reasons cited for these price reductions include claims of "screen damage" and "scratches," which consumers often dispute as being unnoticeable [5][7]. Consumer Complaints - The company has faced over 20,000 complaints on the Black Cat Complaints platform, primarily related to malicious price reductions and poor after-sales service [9]. - Many consumers express frustration over the inconsistency between online and offline pricing, with reports of being charged significantly more for repurchasing previously sold items [7][10]. Business Model and Financial Performance - Aihuishou's parent company, Wanwu Xingsheng, reported a revenue of 4.99 billion yuan for Q2 2025, a 32.2% year-on-year increase, with projections for Q3 revenue between 5.05 billion and 5.15 billion yuan [10]. - Despite this growth, the company has faced cumulative losses exceeding 4 billion yuan over seven years, with a notable loss of 246.8 million yuan in 2022 [10]. Market Competition and Challenges - The company is experiencing increased competition from other platforms, leading to a decline in its market position as consumers opt for direct peer-to-peer sales to avoid price reductions [10][17]. - Analysts suggest that the company's reliance on high online estimates to attract customers, followed by in-store price reductions, may not be sustainable in the long term [17].