Virgin Mobile store offer - Trading Standards?

flowerofthewest

Sorry if this is a bit long...

I today went to my local Virgin Megastore to buy a new mobile phone. Didn't want anything flash - just a basic phone with budget of £30. My brother had recommended current deal on Nokia 1112, but while I was there I spotted a Benq Siemens E16 in the Clearance - 50% off bin. Took this to the SA who advised cost was £49.99.

I queried this as the same phone on the shelf was advertised at £49.99 (reduced from (59.99) so I said I was expexting to pay (due to 50% off sign.
SA told me that 49.99 was correct as the phone was originally £100 - however this amount was not mentioned anywhere in store so told him that I thought this was misleading advertising and he jusy shrugged and said that price he had given was correct and was 50% of original price so nothing he could do.

In the end went with the Nokia as had to stay within budget - checked te online price of the Benqiemens with virginmobile and shows as a new model, selling at £49.99 - again, no mention of ever being sold/priced at £100.

I have reported this to Virgin Mobile and someone from there is going to contact the manager responsible for my area, and someone will get back to me.

Should I contact Trading Standards about misleading advertising, or should I just leave it alone?

Any comments/advise welcome

Fi

Skilgannon_2

contact them. I used to work in retail and even if we made a mistake on pricing, we had to honour it. regardless of the amount it finally went for. That is misleading pricing and Virgin should not be able to fob you off like that.

lamb7994

Just for reference:
By law a retail doesn't have to sell an item if an item has been incorrectly priced but most will to keep their reputation good and for goodwill.

James

crackberry

get a life?

Skilgannon_2

Think you need to get one more than anybody else

flowerofthewest

Thanks for your comments guys - have been in touch with trading standards and they state that as long as it has been sold at the higher price for 28 consecutive days previously then it is ok - the woman I spoke thought the wording/offer could have been clearer but it is not classified as misleading advertising. Fair enough.

James - I am aware that a retailer doesn't have to sell at the offer price - it was more the sales blokes attitude that annoyed me. - I bought a different phone anyway.

crackberery - I do have a life, which is why I've not been on this site since I made the original post. Unlike you who seem to feel it necessary to post a comment, which is neither helpful nor constructive, at 1.30 in the morning.

Again, thaks for all your comments I appreciate them.
Fi

lamb7994

I can understand you frustraion about his attitude if he'd been abit more helpful and explained it, it would've helped and i agree the wording and pricing could've been clearer.


James

Clive_Woody

crackberry wrote:

get a life?

Play nicely.


At least he wasn't demanding compensation for stress and anguish like certain individuals on here would!

loulou41

Just interested to know how much did you pay for the basic Nokia 1112. It's advertised at £24.99 on the online store. Am wondering whether it is priced at £29.99 in store. Just bought one online and it costs me only £14.99 being a virgin customer + £10 airtime, a good buy in my opinion.

before_hollywood

never heard of the benqsiemens e16, but the e61 was sold at £100 on release, if it was one of those then £50 is a bargain let alone, i'll check if this is it though

edit- is it that one
http://www.virginmobile.com/vm/viewProduct.do?productId=6EF26F13-4C57-4A78-A855-831546E7D1CD

ioscorpio

Nokia 1112 is in Netto on 5 March for £17.99 with a Virgin sim card