Advice please: item scanned at 1p

lynnemcf

An item in the sale at WHSmith scanned at 1p. It had several prices on it, had obviously been hanging around for ages and was very tatty. The cheapest price on it was £4.99, but it was in a basket with other items all priced at 49p. Sales assistant refused to sell the item to me for 1p, said it cost £4.99. Did I have any rights?

kforshaw

No. The shop can refuse to sell it, but as far as I'm aware they have to remove it from sale for 24hours. (not been in retail for 5 years now so could have changed).
Any retailer can refuse to sell their wares to anyone they choose, regardless of the point of sale (pricing) problem.
eg WH Smiths if they so wished could refuse to serve people wearing trainers that day and there is no legal reason why they can't (Press would have a field day though )
Or for that matter - just outright refuse to sell anything!

ChuckleVision_2

My girlfriend used to work at WHSmith.

At her store any old or damaged stock was marked down to 1p, and put in a "penny stock bin" for the staff to purchase. She had quite a few books with ruffled edges, and cd's with cracked cases. I think that the stuff is not supposed to be sold to the public.

carrie483

Did you ask to speak with a manager at all?

lynnemcf

I have just spoken to the manager. She said the item had been marked down to 1p to let the assistant know that it is a deleted line. She said that even tho the item scanned at 1p they dont have to sell it to me at that price. She said (and I quote) penny stock is "our jargon" and its none of my business what the item scans at.

If anyone is interested, the item in question is a Winsor and Newton Winton Oil Colour Starter Set, containing 6 x 21 ml tubes in a plastic clam shell. The bar code on the item is
0 94376 94800 4

UPDATE:
I've just had a phone call from the manager saying I can have the paints for 1p. I am stunned. Thanks to everyone one for their advice.