costco misprice query???

cheapaschips_2

Okay, i bought a kayak from costco last week, last one so reduced to £159. but when i got out of the store i looked at my reciept and i've only been debited £70.48
the reciept says override reduction and it looks like they've charged my card 59.99 plus vat. i thought i'd got a bargain, then this afternoon i got a phone call from costco...
something along the lines of - we charged you the wrong price can you come in and give us the rest please.
to which i said but it wasnt my mistake why should i and he said well i cant make you. the long and short of it is i said i'd check my reciept and get back to him, buying myself some time to talk to trading standards...
anyone know where legally i stand on this one???
cheers
cheap

wigginsmum

I don't know about legally, but if I were in your position I'd pay the extra, given that you were expecting to pay £159. If you don't, I suspect they'll cancel your Costco card.

hjb123

I think you will have to pay the difference - have heard of something similar to this happening and the customer ending up having to pay the difference

Astaroth

You agreed a contract to give them £159 in return for them providing the item to you. Human error ment that the correct amount of money was not taken from you but this does not negate your end of the contract. You are still liable for the remainder of the money but most courts would be reasonable about you paying them the additional monies (ie wouldnt charge interest from day 1 etc) but wouldnt allow you to "take the mikey" either

cheapaschips_2

I've spoken to trading standards and they said there were two points.
1 - the contract was made and executed and is therefore done
2 - there is a thing called gross errors which this may fall into.
so one all.
they also said that small claims discount the first £30 so they'd only recover £70 - is it worth it?
so...
i've called costco - explained how i and trading standards see things and agreed to go 50/50 on the balance to which they've agreed.
so i'm paying £50 of the £100 they cocked up by and they're footing the other £50 and jobs done...

One for the memory banks

hjb123

Ah well at least they agreed to that! They probably realise that you are serious and not a pushover like some people would be.

cheapaschips_2

This is taken from their website - not a small company - the main reason i complied to a degree was that i dont want my membership revoked at the next opportunity i give them ie annual renewal

What is Costco?
Costco operates a chain of cash & carry membership warehouses that sell high-quality, nationally branded and selected private-label merchandise at low prices to businesses purchasing for commercial use or resale, and also to individuals who are members of selected employment groups. The Company's business is based upon achieving high sales volumes and rapid inventory turnover by offering a limited assortment of merchandise in a wide variety of product categories at low prices. As of 5th May 2006, the Company operated a chain of 477 warehouses in 37 states of the USA (350 locations), nine Canadian provinces (68 locations), the United Kingdom (17 locations), Korea (5 locations), Taiwan (4 locations through 55%-owned subsidiary) and Japan (5 locations), as well as 28 warehouses in Mexico through a 50%-owned joint venture.Privacy Statement
® Costco Wholesale UK Ltd, UK Home Office Hartspring Lane, Watford, Herts WD25 8JS
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