Argos is at it again with price hikes despite Martin reporting them

freelancepuddle

I got stung by Argos earlier this week. Payday is coming - so Argos has done a gigantic price hike across the website. I was looking to purchase a Samsung J3 for £129.95 from Argos. Even more expensive than buying it directly from Samsung themselves, but I wanted the coverage of buying it from Argos. It has now jumped up to £149.99. I looked around and everything has jumped up £20-£50 more in less than 24 hours.

I reached out to the CEO, John Rogers. His assistant told me that the phones were actually on promotion which has now come to an end. This wasn't the case. There was no indication on the product page that a sale was on, nor an original price shown to show a discount, it was a set price. I pointed out to her that it's against the Consumer Act to not declare sales and they're once again violating the rules of ASA (Advertising Standards Agency).

Is it possible to reach out to Martin Lewis regarding this? Where do I potentially link the information to MSE that Argos are again doing price hike sweeps and violating the consumer act claiming that products were on sale when they weren't to hike prices up without detection.

Any advice?

societys_child

There was no indication on the product page that a sale was on, nor an original price shown to show a discount, it was a set price.

On promotion, doesn't necessarily mean 'sale price' or reduced, could mean for example 'introductory offer' or that they had a fancy display with tinsel and spot lights.
Offers usually end at some point.
Not sure what your complaint is, they are allowed to change prices.


Maybe you should have Reached Out and bought sooner . . .

BoGoF

My advice......stop saying "reach out"

And what does "I wanted the coverage of buying it from Argos" mean?

Fosterdog

What specific part of the consumer rights act are you imagining they are breaching? Prices change, they don't need to give anyone notice of price changes, they can choose to raise and lower prices as they please and the6 do not have to advertise an item as being in a sale just because they are selling at a lower price.

Also what makes you think Argos know when your payday is, to accuse them of raising just before payday? Not everyone has the same payday so do you think they are personally monitoring your payday?

dj1471

It'll be the pre-Black-Friday price hike, when no doubt it'll be back at the original price.

If Samsung are cheaper just buy it from them, it'll make any warranty issues more straightforward if nothing else.

Les79

Just googled Samsung J3 and Argos seem to be listing it for £129.95 right now:


https://www.argos.co.uk/product/5545876


I've checked the history of this listing (sadly I can only see one or two snapshots) and:


In February 2018 it had the text "Was £149.95" crossed out next to the listing.


As of 15th December 2017 the price was £149.95 (and dropped down to £129.95 just after Christmas by the looks of it).


At the beginning of 2017 it was mainly priced at £139.95


As of 18th December 2016 it was £149.95 (and same price at 30th October 2016 which is the first snapshot taken).




So it sum up, this phone's price has fluctuated between £129.95 and £149.95 in the past. I have no qualms with their explanation to you being "it was a promotional offer" because it is quite clear that the phone is normally priced in that range. Good luck explaining that one to ASA!



Little tip, get it purchased ASAP because they'll most likely put it back up to £149.95 just in time for Christmas spending. And instead of sleuthing around for CEO contact info, try sleuthing around for web caches which provide snapshots of websites in the past; it takes 10 minutes and provides you with the info needed to determine that they aren't misleading you.

Nearlyold

I pointed out to her that it's against the Consumer Act to not declare sales and they're once again violating the rules of ASA (Advertising Standards Agency).

If you reduce the price of an item in a promotion there is no requirement to "declare a Sale" or even mention the reduction - the only stipulation is that you can't claim the item is reduced if it isn't (though there are plenty of legal ways of making discounts seem better than they really are - think DFS 50% off sofas.)

[Deleted User]

freelancepuddle wrote: »

Is it possible to reach out to Martin Lewis regarding this?

You don't realise Martin Lewis sold this site a few years back?

Even prior to the sale he rarely read (or responded) to posts here on the forum.

So the answer is a resounding no.

Sorry.

p00hsticks

Are you sure you're looking at the same thing ? I can see a number of different Samsung J3's on the Argos website offered at different prices - the 2016 model in black or white is £129.99, while the 2017 model in black or gold is £149.99

Jennasheena

Why do people have to be so rude in replies. It’s unnecessary. Come on people. Someone has taken time to ask for assistance. No need for the sass.

photome

Jennasheena wrote: »

Why do people have to be so rude in replies. It’s unnecessary. Come on people. Someone has taken time to ask for assistance. No need for the sass.

Thats an odd first post.