Different prices online and in shops

Domjen

Hello all

I'm new here and felt I had to join in as I don't know what to do and need help!

I bought a pair of shoes in Office shoe shop for £50 only to find that they are selling the same pair on their website for £30 (sale price).

Both the physical shop and the online shop are advertising sales on their shoes. I have found another pair online and in their shop - both on sale and with the exact sale price so I don't understand why my £50 pair of shoes were not on sale in the shop but were on sale online when other shoes were.

I've emailed their customer services and am waiting for their reply. Also, Office website offers a full refund and/or exchange for goods returned but not their shops (you only get a credit note or an exchange).

Is there anyone here who may be able to tell me why Office are able to do this, i.e. have different policies on their website and another in their shop with regards to sale prices and their returns policy?

I know it sounds silly but I really feel cheated out of £20!

Thanks all

Jen

Littlemiss27

Most retailers run their online shops as a completely seperate venture to their retail stores as the lack of overheads for an online store allows them to offer better deals than in a retail environment. Normally this would be noted on the online store as an "online deal". If you have a look at the 2nd tv on the list at this link you will see what i mean http://www.currys.co.uk/martprd/store/cur_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0197794058.1245367721@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccgadehieekjdjcflgceggdhhmdfhm.0&page=ProductList&category_oid=-34812&fm=12&sm=0&tm=2&use_category=true

Regarding the difference in return policies; in a retail environment a customer does not have the right to a refund/exchange/credit note if the customer changes their mind about a product, where as online the distance selling regulations (DSR) comes into force. DSR requires the customer to be given ample time (7 working days form delivery minimum) to examine a product and if need be change their mind and be refunded.

Domjen

Hi

Thanks for clarifying the difference in retail policies between online shopping and actual shopping!

I think I've learned my lesson and will stick to online purchases in the future especially with Office. I love the shoes I bought and will not exchange them for the world but I just wish this time I'd have looked at their website and not have gone into their shop on an impulse!

I'm being trivial but I really could have bought two pairs of shoes online for £50 given their online sales instead of the one (lovely) pair in their shop!

And on a slightly different note, I'm really glad I found this site and joined as I don't think their customer services will reply to my email!!

Thanks so much again, Littlemiss27!

Jen

Mark_Hewitt

Retailers can and do charge exactly what they like. There is no law against it.

In fact many will charge different prices in different shop locations, because they can.

Domjen

Hi

Yes, you're quite right about shops able to charge different prices for the same item!

So it really does pay to shop around - online and physically too.

Jen

worried_jim

Mark_Hewitt wrote: »

Retailers can and do charge exactly what they like. There is no law against it.

In fact many will charge different prices in different shop locations, because they can.

especially supermarkets and petrol !