Online Pricing Error

Martynt74 · 7 Mar 2011 at 15:59

Hi Guys

I saw a deal online last Friday for an ex display item which seemed to be very cheap indeed.

The stock counter said 8 items in stock. I placed my order and it dropped down to 7. Brilliant I thought, and went and posted a link to some friends as it was a good deal.

They managed to place an order and paid with Paypal. I then got an email stating that there was a stock issue and that my order would be cancelled, and I’ve just had another email saying that there was a pricing error and my order would be cancelled and any money taken would be refunded.

The other guy that ordered however has had confirmation of the order and been told it’ll be sent out.

I tried ringing but was told it was a pricing error and whilst they could understand my feelings since they’d honoured the other order they wouldn’t honour mine. Is there anything else I could try to get the item?

JBuk · 7 Mar 2011 at 16:00

Is there anything else I could try to get the item?

Nope, except pay the proper price

Viper² · 7 Mar 2011 at 16:05

They're well within their right not to send the item. However if you keep on at them, they might still honour it for goodwill. It just usually depends how bad the error is.

TheBigCheese · 7 Mar 2011 at 16:10

Marvt74 said:
Is there anything else I could try to get the item?

Nope, it was clearly a pricing error and they are pointing that out to you, your mate just got lucky, they are under no obligation to do you a deal when it's an honest mistake.

Their website also probably says E&OE at the bottom - errors and omissions excepted, most shops do online and in adverts.

Participant · 7 Mar 2011 at 16:12

Marvt74 said:
Is there anything else I could try to get the item?

Get in a plane. Climb to 45,000 feet to escape radar detection. Fall to earth using the HALO technique.

Land on the building (or perform a Tyrolean traverse from an adjacent structure).

Disable security, abseil into warehouse, take out security guards and any dogs that may be there, rob item.

Martynt74 · 7 Mar 2011 at 16:13

Yeah, i know generally they're pretty well covered with regard to pricing errors, i wasn't too bothered at first it was just when i found out they'd accepted the other order placed after mine i got a bit miffed and wondered if there was anything i could do

Evil^ · 7 Mar 2011 at 16:16

I thought they had to honor the price you paid as it was there error not yours and you rightly bought it at the price they had stated it o.0
I've had friends who have done this in shops though and stood up about it as they had already paid for the item and the shop had to let it go at that.

Cosimo · 7 Mar 2011 at 16:19

Marvt74 said:
Is there anything else I could try to get the item?

Go in person, heavily armed and demand the lower price. The choice is yours.

TheBigCheese · 7 Mar 2011 at 16:20

Evil^ said:
...they had already paid for the item and the shop had to let it go at that.

There you go, they had paid for it, transaction has been completed and the contract was entered into and agreed.

The shop then can't say "Actually that orange you agreed to pay 50p for actually costs £4.50, cough up or we get the cops".

If your mates had got to the till, it was zapped and came up at £4.50 and your mates were informed of this BEFORE they handed over any money, then they haven't entered into a deal and can walk away without losing any money - once dough has changed hands it's a different situation.

Bumhug · 7 Mar 2011 at 16:47

Brilliant I thought, and went and posted a link to some friends as it was a good deal.

Dont ever do that again in future. If you spot a pricing mistake keep quiet, dont tell anyone, less chance it will be noticed then

Dave M · 7 Mar 2011 at 17:27

You could try talking to consumer direct if they've taken the money, that's a fairly strong indicator the contract has been accepted.

An authorisation isn't taking the money - although talk of refunding suggests they have actually charged your card.

Paypal may be the dark horse here as payment could be considered instant rather than the authorise / charge cycle on your CC.

Glaucus · 7 Mar 2011 at 17:29

Don't have to honour it, there's a clause for incoherent mistakes. Been plenty of these threads before.

Raymond Lin · 7 Mar 2011 at 17:30

Moral of the story is that keep your mouth shut until you get your mitts on it.

eatcustard · 7 Mar 2011 at 17:32

What do there T&Cs say?

You will probably find in the T&Cs, they have the right to cancel order and refund, if out of stock/pricing error.

Evil^ · 7 Mar 2011 at 17:42

TheBigCheese said:
There you go, they had paid for it, transaction has been completed and the contract was entered into and agreed.

The shop then can't say "Actually that orange you agreed to pay 50p for actually costs £4.50, cough up or we get the cops".

If your mates had got to the till, it was zapped and came up at £4.50 and your mates were informed of this BEFORE they handed over any money, then they haven't entered into a deal and can walk away without losing any money - once dough has changed hands it's a different situation.

Surely that would come across the same as well as it being an online transaction as he has been informed AFTER he has purchased the item?

I see if there is something in the agreement or such but still id argue the fact id paid the stated price, worth a shot.

lord filbuster · 7 Mar 2011 at 17:48

Online transaction contracts are entered into when the item is despatched, not when the money is taken.

Phreaky · 7 Mar 2011 at 17:53

Pretty much every sane retailer in existence has a clause in the T&Cs that allows them to cancel the order in case of misprice. Your friend just got lucky.