Currys TV Advert

p4psb

The current Currys TV advert shows a 14 inch TV/DVD Combi, reduced from £149.99 to £74.99.
Been trying all my local Currys this week (a total of 10 stores), all "Out of Stock". I finally ran out of patience and ask the manager of my local store when they were likely to get any more in "We are not expecting any more." So "Why are you still advertising it on TV for sale then?" I asked. He shrugged his shoulders and walked off.
Anyway I telephoned Dixon/Currys Head Office, and asked if there were any in stock anywhere in London or South East. NONE! I suggested that they must be breaking either an advertising law or trading standards law with their advert showing the item for sale, and I was suddenly asked "Where is your local store?". Having told the lady my local store she suddenly checked again "Oh, they have one left - shall I reserve it for you?" Sure enough I went back to the sore a couple of hours later and there it was ready and waiting for me.
Just a couple of points then:
1. Keep pressing they will find one for you.
2. Are they breaking any laws knowing the item is no longer available?

cheesepasty2000

I have always found that the company you mention rarely have any of there super reduced products in stock. I also work for a large electrical retailer and know that this sort of advertising is common pratice within the industry whether its actually breaking the law or not ??? I don't know.

MarkyMarkD

It's misleading and unacceptable practice according to the ASA who now cover TV advertising as well as print and poster ones.

If you wanted to report them it's very easy to do so at https://www.asa.org.uk.

It is very suspicious that they "magicked up" a previously supposedly out of stock item when you suggested you were going to report them.

p4psb

Thanks for that MarkyMarkD, complaint duly lodged.

Will let the board the the outcome.

MarkyMarkD

Way to go!

Darron_2

nice work, glad you got your combi...
i used to work for DSG (for my sins) and yes they do these very special offers from time to time, but they only have, say, 4 in stock at each store... and sometimes even less.
they are usually snapped up b4 the store opens by the staff. the customers dont get a look in.

brevhead

It is very suspicious that they "magicked up" a previously supposedly out of stock item when you suggested you were going to report them.

i worked for Dixons also and it may be a case that they boxed up a display model. It also might have been that someone reserved and cancelled

trisontana

I think you might be on the wrong thread .

p4psb

Just thought you guys might like to know - the damn thing went wrong - so had to return it.
Now I knew there were none available - so suggested that they might repair the fault (only a minor one it seemed). Turns out that the particular TV is shown by Currys repair computer software package as 'Unrepairable'. So why did they offer me extended insurance (which of course I refused) when I first bought it if it is an 'unrepairable' item!!!!!
Anyway, they replaced it for me!!!!!!!
Yes, I know 'there are none in stock'.
They gave me their display model.
Just to update-or lack of it-still waiting to hear from the ASA.

p4psb

Hi all,
Received a letter from ASA today. They inform me that as I was the only complaint received they would not be taking the matter forward.
From my reading of the letter, one complaint is not enough - a few more are needed to get them to take up this sort of thing.
So there we are.
Currys let off the yet again!

MarkyMarkD

The ASA can be quite annoying re which complaints they bother to pursue and which ones they drop. They've dropped at least as many of mine as they've pursued.

It's great, though, when they actually publish one and you can think "I got them to do something about that bad advert".