Holiday Catalogue Pricing Error.

[merton69]

Hello AB'ers

We were sent through a holiday brochure advertising discount prices.

When we made enquiries for dates to book, we were informed that the prices were printed in error and that they aren't valid.

They have emailed to apologise for the error and have offered us a 10% discount but still a huge difference.

We haven't booked anything yet but do they have to honour the prices published in their brochure or can it be changed that easily?

Can we hold them to the printed price please?

[jno]

No. I've tried this and it doesn't work. Brochures aren't part of a contract.

[granny grump]

I don't think that you can I seem to have read somewhere that this is an illustration and nothing is binding - and mistakes do happen. I think that it would have been different story if you had booked and received an acknowledgement or money had changed hands. I would go with the 10% discount which is in your favour and a fair offer.

[snags]

As above. Take the 10%. Or find the same holiday elsewhere cheaper and play the price match game.

[jno]

the company might, in theory, be fined for misleading advertising, but that isn't going to help you any. Legally, I think a brochure is just an "invitation to treat"; the actual congtract is when you agree on a certain holiday at a certain price. As granny grump says, if they discovered the mistake after that, then they couldn't do anything about it.

[New Judge]

Yes jno is quite correct.

The brochure information (including the price) is simply an "invitation to treat" (i.e. to buy the goods or services). You offer the advertised price and you invite the dealer to accept your offer. There are two parts to complete the contract and it is not valid until your offer has been made and accepted. Until that time the dealer is entitled to change the price until you finally make an offer and it is accepted. However once the deal has been struck the contract is valid and the price agreed is the price to be paid Sometimes there are clauses - particularly with travel - which allow an increase for "Fuel Surcharge" or change in taxes, for example. But these must be specific and relate only to that part of the deal effected.

Where there is possibly a case for argument is if you believe there has been deliberate deceit (rather than an genuine error).

[merton69]

Okay,

Thank you all for answering, and so swiftly.

[Peter Pedant]

It comes under the category of invitation to treat....

not an offer.

Nonetheless they are committing an offence under trading stadards
and you should dob em in pronto...

this is bait and change - unflawful in the land of the free
but sudduv not really actionable here

[Peter Pedant]

I went into PCW once, and the mge said Psst.....
and offered a machine er I didnt really want, for zillions off

and he wxplained PCW had reversed a figure in the sunday paper advert and so he was obliged to offer one at the printed price to comply with the law.
I did nt say yeah wha' law ?