Argos reserved items price different to the one at the till

Mankysteve

Hes just trolling now. Quite a cleaver one as well.

Excalibur_2

Hi folks

Many thanks to everyone for theirr comments. Since I last posted on this topic, I took my receipt and reservation email and other email correspondence down to my Argos on Saturday (where I originally purchased the products) and asked to speak to the duty manager. He was really helpful and after reading my correspondence refunded me £5 on my credit card (the difference between the reservation price and the price paid for at the card payment kiosk) without quibble. He also explained to me what he thought had happened; Argos self-payment machines may not automatically update overnight so the price may have changed.

He advised me in future to see if the price had changed at the kiosk and if so to either take this up with a cashier (and present the original reservation email) or ask to speak to the duty manager who will honour it and sell it at the lower reservation price. :j

On a related note, the online and telephone customer service at Argos concerning this issue has been average to woefully scary as demonstrated by the latest response I received:

"I can confirm that the price you pay is the price in store on day of collection and not the reserved price. This information is stated clearly at the time your reservation is made and therefore due to price increases overnight or end of sale prices the price you pay is always the price on the day of collection which may include price increases. I am sorry I am unable to offer a refund for the price difference."

Both customer services reps who replied to me obviously did not bother to look at my reservation email to check anywhere to see it does not state "the price you pay is the price in store on day of collection and not the reserved price" so their ignorant attitude is definitely something that Argos HO should sort out. All I asked for was for them to see reason and take up the issue at a higher level to highlight this hidden statement in their reservation emails for the benefit of future customers. :mad:

somethingcorporate

Excalibur wrote: »

On a related note, the online and telephone customer service at Argos concerning this issue has been average to woefully scary as demonstrated by the latest response I received:

"I can confirm that the price you pay is the price in store on day of collection and not the reserved price. This information is stated clearly at the time your reservation is made and therefore due to price increases overnight or end of sale prices the price you pay is always the price on the day of collection which may include price increases. I am sorry I am unable to offer a refund for the price difference."

Both customer services reps who replied to me obviously did not bother to look at my reservation email to check anywhere to see it does not state "the price you pay is the price in store on day of collection and not the reserved price" so their ignorant attitude is definitely something that Argos HO should sort out. All I asked for was for them to see reason and take up the issue at a higher level to highlight this hidden statement in their reservation emails for the benefit of future customers. :mad:

Sadly, you are wrong.

From the Argos Website T&Cs:

4.3 The price you pay is the price displayed on this website at the time we receive your order apart from the following two exceptions:
a) For products reserved online for store pick up or any other reservation service the price you pay is the price in store on the day of collection.

You agreed to these by reserving via the website.

Edit: full T&Cs found here: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/StaticDisplay/includeName/TermsAndConditions.htm

fozmcfc

I must admit I was surprised this was the case.

I think it's a bit cheeky myself, but I guess you can always refuse to pay the increase at the time.

Do Argos do website exclusive price, which you even pay if you reserve for pick up instore?

At somewhere like PC World, have ordered a few items online with web exclusive price and even if reserve for pick up instore you always pay the cheaper price.

adam.mt

fozmcfc wrote: »

Do Argos do website exclusive price, which you even pay if you reserve for pick up instore?

No. Unlike PCW as you mention.

As pointed out it's been Argos' policy for a couple of years now that the price for reserved items is that on the system when you pay and collect in-store and not the reserved price.

OP it seems the manager gave you a goodwill refund; well either that, or he doesn't know the company's own rules!

hippey

The only thing is that the store (Argos or anyone else) has the right to charge what they want as the contract is made at the point of sale.

Yes, there are rules about advertising which will be enforced by the relevant authorities, but as for the actual sale then you have the choice either to accept the price, therefore entering into the contract to purchase, or declining and therefore walking away. Making an online reservation will mean you are accepting the terms of the reservation but not a always a fixed price. The only retailer at the moment I can think of where the reservation system fixes the price is John Lewis as you pay online and pick up from the store the next day therefore entering into the contract.

Hope this makes sense!

valks

You do only reserve goods and never goods at a price, stores should honour internet prices and reservation prices there a nice big options when we do an override one (Sell at internet price), two (Sell at reserved price). The price you pay is the price in store on the day is mostly to cover price errors on the internet and not genuine differences between the two, company policy allows and even recommends honouring genuine price errors (Not mistakes which can and do happen). Most times you can even get a price override on prices that have increased overnight.

-
Argos Employee
Anything I say is my own opinion and in no way am I a representative of Argos Ltd, Home Retail Group plc or any of its companies. No terms are created, nor liability accepted by myself or the for-mentioned companies for any personal advice I provide in my posts.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

M, what a mix of replies.

The price advertised on a website, or on the shelf is an invitation to treat nothing more nothing less. Retailers do not have to sell at this price if they do not want to (pricing mistake etc). The retailer is offering to sell at that price and they can change the price if they want to and the consumer can either choose to pay the revised price or not ( they can even refuse to sell you the item if they don't want to - but that's a different matter). However a MPI (Misleading Price Indication) - dispalying a price and charging a different price could be an offence under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations and should be reported to Consumer Direct who will forward to Trading Standards for follow up.

T&C's cannot overide statute, unless permited by statute. However Argos are correct this is a reservation - you have not purchased the item at this point so they can legally change the price.

Rugbys.