Out of Stock advertised as "in stock"

purplepardalis

Recently spent a tidy sum on an electrical item that was clearly listed on the website as "in stock" (in large font no less). Order was accepted, with delivery due "next day", money debited from my account.

To cut a long story short, the item was not in stock, and following on from telephone conversations with the the retailer in question, it hasn't been in stock since I placed my order over a week ago (I mention this as the website continues to state the item is "in stock").

Really annoyed as I'd have gone elsewhere if they'd been honest about stock availability.

Is there anything illegal with advertising, and furthermore allowing an order to be processed, for out of stock items? It occurs to me that this could be used as a deliberate tactic to ensure buyers don't go to another website (as clearly they will do as soon as they see "out of stock").

Daytona_nev

Don't think its illegal necessarily? But they certainly shouldn't have debited your card.

I'd get a refund & go elsewhere.

purplepardalis

Should have put "illegal" in quotes - didn't think it was illegal in strict terms of the law, but wondered if there was some grey area I could use to have a bit of a crack at them...

I would have cancelled order by now, but for the fact that I'm saving over 20% compared to the next cheapest retailer (that, of course, is only relevant if the thing ever turns up!). That said, I'm pretty loathed now to give them my business...

shaven-monkey

get the refund. Ask them to email you or better still write to you when the item is actually in stock.

If the company goes bust while they've got your money then you save a bit less than 20%.

purplepardalis

Good point! Quite a scary thought that - thanks for highlighting the possibility.