Argos Promotions

EldredH

I tried to purchase a toy from Argos which was half price. THey had no stock for home delivery, and no stock in all of my local stores plus I checked many Random other store, which all showed no stock. I received the e-mail that the item was back in stock a day after the promotion finished!! I emailed customer services who first told me that there supplied could not get stock to them quick enough. If they new they did not have the stock to honor this promotion, are they breaking any rules. I have sent them 3 e-mails confirming how unfair and they have been with this promotion all the other promotion for barbie toys are still on! They will not honor the promotional price. It seems everywhere at the moment customer service is terrible. Can anyone advice on what the law is for this type of sale?

Many thanks

baza52

all offers are "subject to availability"
You have no comeback with argos or rights to the sale price.
If they havent any in stock to sell its not like they have profited in any way

ThumbRemote

They may not be breaking any law, and you may not have any personal right to the sale price, but it's the sort of thing Trading Standards are likely to take a dim view of, especially if it happens to the same retailer often. You've nothing to lose by telling them.

baza52

retailers will often buy x ammount of things at a promotional price. when the stock is exhausted the offer is over.
They may have stock at regular price available after the promotion ends.

for example, I sell you 10,000 items for £5 when i normally charge £10. when the 10,000 items are sold you sell your normal stock that you bought at £10 for the normal retail price.

EldredH

Thanks for getting back to me. I understand it is subject to stock, but it seems they did not have the stock when they started the promotion. I understand exactly what they are doing, entice you with an offer that they will not fullfill so you buy the item at full price. As they are such a big company they think they can get away with it. I believe they only have to have 1 store with avalibilty to advertise the offer. I think this needs to change. It should be a % of your stores need to have the stock avaliable.

Just wanted to know if anything like this has happened to anyone else?:(

I am going to send my complaint to Trading Standards. It will make me feel better!!!!!

BoGoF

Seems to me like Argos are misleading people.

I was looking at I-Pod docking stations today and a few Phillips models half price till 6/12/11. Try and reserve but out of stock throughout the country but lo and behold you can arrange a delivery to store for 7/12/11 - the day after the price reduction ends.

EldredH

If you can order for delivery to the store I would send an email to them saying that it will not arrive in time for the promotion, you may be able to swing that one, or the store manager may let you have it for the sale price my friend has done this before. I am glad to hear (all be it not for you) that this seems like a tactic they are playing at the moment. Customer service on the high street at the moment is terrible.