Do you want an 'Integer' object or an 'int'? Use the
static methods of Integer (no need to create an instance
to do the parsing)

    String  s = "53";
    int     n = Integer.parseInt(s);
    Integer i = Integer.valueOf(s);

Here you have set the value of the Integer to
zero.  Integer's are immutable so you cannot change
them although you could alter the ref. they point to.

You set it to zero :-)

In addition to Andrew's comments, note that this line of code is using an
object reference to invoke a static method of the Integer class. That is
considered bad form. It makes you think you are doing something to/with the
object you are referencing. parseInt() returns a value, it doesn't alter an
object on which it invoked. As Andrew noted, you don't even need your
Integer object. You merely need Integer.parseInt(thePrice) and need to
assign its output to some variable.

- Virgil

Print out thePrice string and see what it is. Maybe you aren't getting
the parameter?

Also, try  this:

Integer comparePrice = Integer.valueOf(thePrice);

A little less wordy.

--
now with more cowbell