Argos Reducing Prices, Feel Ripped Off - Any Rights?

derbyandrew

Bought a bistro table from Argos for £175, only to find them selling the same item just a few days later for £120. Not dropping it by £5 or £10 but £55!! Is it just me or is this out of order and morally wrong by Argos who give the impression of low prices all of the time? The original item had scuff marks which I decided to live with as it is bulky and heavy and the store is miles away, but after seeing the price drop I tried to return - only to be told I have to do so in the original packaging which went to the tip the same day. So damaged goods, feel I've been REALLY ripped off on the price and can't do anything about it. Chat is useless, it's almost impossible to complain - they tell you to complain by social media which I don't have - so I am stuck; do I have any recourse at all here??

user1977

Why on earth would you have "recourse" (other than in relation to the damage)? What do you think normally happens when the sales start - do you think everybody who had recently bought now-discounted items has a right to complain?

Penguin_

Would you be feeling as aggrieved if they put the price of the item up by £55 just a few days later?

You should have contacted Argos the day you got it home & unpacked it, when you saw it had scuff marks on. 

jon81uk

If you are returning it because it is damaged then you probably don't really need the packaging I think they still have to accept the return, but you should have returned it as soon as the damage is noticed.

In terms of prices I don't think there is anything wrong about that, you were obviously happy with the price at the time you purchased and if they price had been £175 for some time then you weren't misled. If the price was £120, went up to £175 for a few days and back down then it would be different.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

You have the right to reject if the goods have minor defects, you need to advise Argos you are seeking a remedy as the goods do not conform to the contract.

In this instance you do not need the original packaging. 
 

www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/15/section/9/enacted

Goods to be of satisfactory quality

(3)The quality of goods includes their state and condition; and the following aspects (among others) are in appropriate cases aspects of the quality of goods—

(a)fitness for all the purposes for which goods of that kind are usually supplied;

(b)appearance and finish;

(c)freedom from minor defects;

(d)safety;

(e)durability.

mjm3346

Prices change - you were happy to pay the asking price at time of purchase - makes no difference to your purchase if the price goes up or down after.

MattMattMattUK

derbyandrew said:

Bought a bistro table from Argos for £175, only to find them selling the same item just a few days later for £120. Not dropping it by £5 or £10 but £55!! Is it just me or is this out of order and morally wrong by Argos who give the impression of low prices all of the time? The original item had scuff marks which I decided to live with as it is bulky and heavy and the store is miles away, but after seeing the price drop I tried to return - only to be told I have to do so in the original packaging which went to the tip the same day. So damaged goods, feel I've been REALLY ripped off on the price and can't do anything about it. Chat is useless, it's almost impossible to complain - they tell you to complain by social media which I don't have - so I am stuck; do I have any recourse at all here??

Prices change, if they had put the price up by £55 a few days later would you have paid them the extra £55? It is coming towards the end of season for garden furniture sales, price reductions are to be expected. 

If you were happy to live with the marks before then the fact that the price has changed really should not make any difference. Depending on the actual damage, dates of purchase etc. then you might have a right to return as per Lunatic's post, but the idea that you should have some form of "recourse", because a retailer has lowered the price of something is insane.

[Deleted User]

derbyandrew said:

Is it just me or is this out of order and morally wrong by Argos 

Definitely just you.

How could it be morally wrong for someone to reduce the price of something?

molerat

They are starting to reduce the summer stock, likely they now have container loads that have just turned up late, which they are unlikely to shift this late in the season without some price action.  My local Asda is full of garden furniture when they have had little all summer and the kids here are now going back to school, summer is officially over. Have you never heard of end of season stock clearance ?

mattyprice4004

Would you offer Argos £55 more if the price went up a few days later? 

neilmcl

mattyprice4004 said:

Would you offer Argos £55 more if the price went up a few days later? 

Surely his morals would dictate yes 😉