What rights? Item purchased online, paid, but retailer claims website glitch.

reform_2

I purchased a bike online, paid by paypal, received receipt. Now the retailer has called me and asked for an additional 17% (VAT I assume) before the build and deliver the bike.
From my limited knowledge of law, the fact that my payment has been accepted constitutes a binding contract.
What should I do?
Thanks

brightonman123

what does the site show currently, for this bike> is VAT included?

as money taken, i think they have to honour the contract, or best get refund and go elsewhere (that knows what they are doing!)

bap98189

Almost certainly the T&C's on the website will state that a contract is not formed until the order is dispatched. This is pretty much standard practice. The fact the website had the wrong price on it is irrelevant, you can either come to an agreement with the retailler or the retailler can decline to accept your order and refund your money.

reform_2

Thanks for the quick responses.....
I can still go through the website, using the URL I saved, order and purchase the same item at the lower price. At no point is VAT mentioned when purchasing whether or not the price is correct or not, and I cannot find and T&C on the website.

neilmcl

What is the website?

reform_2

Here's a url link to the website. (copy paste into address bar)

!!!!!!/SQS6c

reform_2

I should add, I paid by paypal, and my paypal account shows the money as being paid, although my bank doesnt show the money being withdrawn yet (24hrs after transaction)

neilmcl

You didn't try a buy a bike under the Tax free Cyclescheme, did you?

Have they found out that you're not entitled so they've charged you the extra VAT?

reform_2

No, just a straight order of one of their special edition bikes. As I say, nothing odd, just a website glitch I think, but they accepted payment and there are no T&C to say contract to sell is accepted on dispatch....

neilmcl

OK, phone them up and get the retailer to explain exactly what the 17% extra is for.

Exactly which bike did you order and how much were you initially charged?

reform_2

Its the winter/Audax with 105 groupset. you access it through the "special edition" cycles. If you clear your cookies, you get the cheaper price, as soon as you click to amend the order, the price jumps up to the higher price. You need to delete your cookies to revert to the lower price.
The retailer mentioned VAT not being added... but as I said, at no point in the pricess of purchasing anything on that site is VAT mentioned.
I have a screengrab of the order at the price I paid, and a copy of a receipt sent by email on acceptance of my order, and my paypal account has been debited.... seems like a cut and dry sales contract to me; and there's no T&C anywhere during purchase.