Surely that can't be legal?!

lorla | 16:48 Fri 20th Nov 2009 | Civil

5 Answers

I was shopping on play.com recently - saw something I wanted for £9.99, put it in my basket then went to pay but when I went to the checkout it went up to £13.99. I pressed the 'back' button, took a screenshot of it being advertised for £9.99 and then went to checkout again and the same thing happened again, it jumped in price to £13.99.

I wrote to play who said "Unfortunately, it appears that the cost of this item was updated on the website between the point where you placed it in your basket and went to checkout...we are unable to offer you the item at the reduced price."

Surely if they've advertised it for £9.99 and I have a screen shot of it, they have to let me have it for that price? It doesn't seem fair that they can pick and chose what to charge you once you get to the checkout? Does anyone know the legal arguement for this?

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flip_flop

If buying goods on the internet is the same as buying goods in a shop (I don't know whether it is or not) then the price shown is merely an invitation to tender. They do not have to sell at the price shown.

This is a very common misconception in shops. If a box of Cornflakes is priced at 1p but should actually be £1, the shop are under absolutely no obligation so sell at the marked price.

daffy654

Flip_flop is right.The website does not have to sell you the item at the price listed on the webpage.

jackthehat

Invitation to Treat, actually..............sorry, it's my inner pedant...........:o(

fredpuli47

That's all right Jack. No point in our doing exams if we can't use the language we learned !
Invitation to treat as what? It's archaic language to describe what is happening ('treat' means ' discuss terms,bargain, negotiate') Anyway, it's clear law. The company's price tag, or advertised price, is only an invitation to you to make it an offer to buy at that price. It can refuse your offer to buy at that price and invite you to offer a higher one. This might be because the first price was shown in error, or because they've decided it is too low now, or because they think you'll pay more, or for no reason at all !

lorla

Question Author

Thanks all - I was going to argue it but better not now. Thank you.

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