Advertised but not available

malnik

I was booking a cruise holiday for my family, found the perfect holiday, on the cruise companies website, fits all the right things we need such as the main one which is half term!
When I ring to book it, I am told I cant book it as it is full, but I can book it for the previous day at a previous port of call for twice the price.
I cant work out how I can have a room at twice the prcie for a day prior but not the same room at the next port for a lot less.
When I challenged them they just said they will ask the web team to take it down. No answers about why it was there or anything.

I'm struggling to understand how a large reputable company could advertise something thats clearly not available.

Is it right? Can they do this?

InsideInsurance

Many companies websites are not live when it comes to stock etc. There can be more of an issue if they sell via the site but then dont honour the sale but both of these issues can be managed via T&Cs

As long as they arent intentionally putting up offers that never existed and are taking them down within a reasonable timescale (doesnt have to be instant) then there is little that can be done. If you feel they are breaching either of these then contact Trading Standards; wont force them to sell something they dont have but can get them into trouble if they are doing wrong.

bris

InsideInsurance wrote: »

1

As long as they arent intentionally putting up offers that never existed

But that's the problem, travel agents have been doing this for years. They get you in with good offers only to tell you you have just missed it but here is a deal they can offer you instead. It's been a well known practice in the industry for years, seems it still goes on.

malnik

I saw this cruise a week ago...tried to book it on the web but it said no - sorry cant be booked at present. I then tried on Friday on the phone, (pressure of work etc), a week later only to be told the message above.
I dont think it was ever available.......
I shall avoid MSC cruises as it seems a bit dodgy!!

InsideInsurance

bris wrote: »

But that's the problem, travel agents have been doing this for years. They get you in with good offers only to tell you you have just missed it but here is a deal they can offer you instead. It's been a well known practice in the industry for years, seems it still goes on.

If it is true then report them to Trading Standards or if you work in the industry then there is also the whistleblower helplines.

I have to say I personally have always assumed that the small print "from" ment that they had possibly had had 1 slot available at that price in the worst room in the hotel/ boat etc and like most high street stores with their "up to" promotions that the advert is fine because it was possible (for at least one customer)

One key difference of cause can be that as you are selling third party goods/ services that are non-tangible it may not even be your store that actually does sell that one item that was available at that price