Woolworths and the Sales of Goods Act etc

Smiley_Mum

Was in Woolworths today intending on getting some stationery and there was a sign posted at the end of the display, just a large card, on one side it said All half price or something like and on the side facing the front of the display at the end, it was something to do with vouchers etc. Anyway, the stationery was along the length of the display and I figured that the sign was in relation to the stationery as it was facing up the length of the display. If it was meant for the items on the end of the display then it should have been turned the other way, so voucher blurb was facing along length of display, not facing at the front. Anyway, I enquired and the woman I spoke to said the half price offer was for things on end, not for the stationery along the length of the display. I said that it was rather misleading as it looked relevant to stationery etc. She was adamant it was for things on end and I said I wasn't to know that, nothing to say it was for items on end of display. She snappily said, I've just told you so. I said, I don't work here, I don't know, I'm a customer, not staff. So I just said I felt it contravened the Sales of Goods Act by being rather misleading and she just grabbed the sign from the top of the display and said, OH, I'LL TAKE IT OFF THEN, AND STOMPED OFF IN A FLIPPING RAGE. I was doing them a favour, duhhhh, was totally fizzing when I left the store, went back and mentioned it to the Manager and he was just like, oh sorry about that. :whistle:

It amazes me, when you are trying to help someone out, I was just pointing it out that they take it like a punch on the nose. Will just call Trading Standards next time. HUH!!!

Thumbs up to WH Smith where the guy was a lot more helpful, a lot more cheerful and I got what my son needed for school.

MarkyMarkD

Fair point regarding it being misleading, but the Sale of Goods Act has nothing to do with it! It's the Misleading Price Indications regulations that you are referring to, which I believe are now contained within the Price Marking Order 2004 or possibly the Consumer Protection Act 1987.

Incidentally (with my pedantic hat on) https://www.mse.com belongs to Mitchell Software Engineering (MSE), established in 1993, which is a software development consulting firm located in Tucson, Arizona.

isasmurf

Things may have changed since I did a bit of law 10 years ago, but I learnt then that legally shops can advertise any price they like. It is known as "an invitation to treat". It is the price they offer you at the check-out is when a contract is formed.

Smiley_Mum

My point was that the way the signage was placed, it seemed misleading under whatever law it is, Consumer Protection etc. I was just drawing it to her attention and she flipped her lid at me, that was all. It was more the woman's attitude toward me when all I was doing was drawing something to her attention that I felt was incorrect.

Wig

Maybe if it had been a man you spoke to you would have had a better result! (to other MSE peeps this is a bit of an injoke between smiley_mum and me).

MarkyMarkD

Is she a bit of a flirt then

Isa is quite right about the "invitation to treat" thing - i.e. they are not obliged to sell anything to you at any price. But separate legislation requires them to advertise prices fairly.

Poppy9

It is an offence to mislead customers with regard to price or description of goods. Just report to trading standards.

A couple of years ago in Tescos there were some mens gloves in a basket with a big sign saying special offer. They had the original price of £7 on them. I asked an assistant what they were reduced to. She was really rude and said "they are £7 as marked". So I asked what was the special offer. She said that £7 was the special offer as they were a good price for those gloves. Well I didn't like her attitude so I asked to speak to the dept. manager. She started ranting at me that I couldn't have them reduced cos that was the price they were. The manager said that they had been placed in the wrong basket as they were not on special offer but I could have a pair 1/2 price as I had been mislead. The shop assistant was furious so I bought the gloves 1/2 price. Problem was I didn't really want them (they were mans) but my OH loved them to pieces and still brings them out every winter :doh:

Smiley_Mum

Isasmurf,

I studied a bit of a law 13 years ago now, just Law of Contract, Consumer Law etc etc. Bit rusty now though.

MarkyMarkD,

I'm friendly (but can be flirty too ).

Wig,

I take it this is to do with the posting about Beth's taxi problem earlier on. If not then .

MarkyMarkD

I learnt my law about 15+ years ago at University but most of it still stands ... the consumer legislation has changed a fair bit recently though. But the basic offer, acceptance, invitation to treat stuff is all good and holds true today as much as it ever did.

sarahlouise210

I have managed to get free DVD`s 3 times at woolworths! :j Why?.. because they did not ask me if I wanted to buy any of the videos/DVDs on offer when I had spent over £5.00! I thought I was on a roll..hasn`t happened in recent weeks though and I notice they have taken down the (small) sign that lets you know you can get these DVDs free if they do not ask if you want to buy them at the promotional price.:shhh:

jay05_2

If it was quite blatently an error, and there was nothing in the small print that said 'selected items only' or 'selected marked/stickered items only' woolies should have honoured the deal, the store i work for would anyway.