Bait and Switch postage

Just_Me_9

Hi, I hope I've chosen the right place to post my question, it seemed the most fitting category.

I attempted to order some goods from a company who advertise their shipping charges based on weight. The goods in my basket should have been in the £3.30 (up to 1 kg) weight category or, at most, £4.19 (up to 2 kg). Instead, the quoted postage charge was £7.95.

I emailed them to query this, and received the following reply:

The postage costs are higher due to the size of the box that we have to send them out in. They only fit in a 20 x 20" box.

I replied asking them where on the website I could find this information (I looked pretty thoroughly:)), so far I've not had a reply.

Anyway, my question really is, is this legit? Is it perhaps even commonplace? I'm happy I wasn't caught out, and have ordered from a company who actually charged the advertised postage, but wonder how many people didn't check as closely and did end up paying more.

arcon5

Hardly your typical bait and switch situation. If the postage was clear before ordering also I don't think they are misleading anybody if they are saying some items are too large and need sending via other means.

Coopdivi

It's not bait and switch but it's definitely misleading.

OP, I suggest you complain to the Advertising Standards Authority.

http://www.asa.org.uk/Consumers/How-to-complain.aspx

There are quite few websites which typically sell clothing where nothing costs more than a Fiver but then whack on hefty postage charges based on weight. This sounds like something similar.

arcon5

Nothing misleading about hefty postage costs so long as the price is clear

Coopdivi

Perhaps Just_Me can lets us know which website they're talking about.

browneyedbazzi

arcon5 wrote: »

Nothing misleading about hefty postage costs so long as the price is clear

That depends on at what point the hefty charge becomes clear. If it isn't made clear until a fairly late stage in the transaction then it may be drip pricing which is considered misleading and unfair. The ASA have adjudicated against a number of companies that use these tactics.

arcon5

browneyedbazzi wrote: »

That depends on at what point the hefty charge becomes clear. If it isn't made clear until a fairly late stage in the transaction then it may be drip pricing which is considered misleading and unfair. The ASA have adjudicated against a number of companies that use these tactics.

Let me guess, these companies are airlines?