ATS EUROMASTER BREACHED MY CONSUMER RIGHTS

photome

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

pinkshoes said:

4_Pete's_Sake said:

On Thursday evening 5th May 2022  I purchased 2 AVON ZT7 175/65 R14 82T Tyres for my car on the ATS Euromaster Website which were advertised at £40.95 fully fitted, therefore £81.90 for both tyres. ATS also currently have a promotion giving  £32 off the purchase of 2 Avon Tyres or £64 off 4 tyres. Therefore with the £32 reduction showing in my basket I was asked to pay the reduced price of £49.90 for the two tyres and I selected a fitting slot at my local ATS at 15.30 hours on Monday 9th May 2022.

£40.95 is really cheap for a tyre, and to me having both fitted for £49.90 would be a clear pricing error. 

The fact that they are still running the offer and have updated the mistake online to show the correct price means it really was an obvious error and hence they refused to honour it.

As they didn't call you though, then perhaps ask for a free air freshener or fluffy dice as compensation for the disappointment?

To be fair the OP used a promotion to reduce the price, how is the average person to know it's a mistake rather than say the manufacture offering a cracking deal via fitters/retailers with the hope of enticing lifelong customers to their brand?

I agree the OP wasn’t to know, but to be fair to the retailer he was informed before fitting took place

4_Pete's_Sake

Aylesbury_Duck said:

Why do I suspect this will end up with OP getting a refund, an apology and a new car?

Actually, although your post was tinged with a hint of sarcasm, I am pleased to be able to inform you that I have now received a bigger refund that expected and an apology. Unfortunately their generosity did not extend to a new car.

4_Pete's_Sake

photome said:

Why didn’t you stop them fitting them at the corrected price?   By having them fitted after they told you there was price mistake you have accepted the new terms

He told me that if I was not satisfied about having to pay the extra amount that I could raise a complaint with their head office and he said he would provide me with their email address and phone number which he did. Therefore I was happy to have them fitted at the increased price knowing that I could appeal it. I also needed them fitted as I had an MOT booked and the old ones were borderline.

4_Pete's_Sake

After reading all the initial reponses, I began to have doubts about my chances of a refund of the £30.08. Even moreso after I failed to receive a response with the 14 days that I had specified. Eventually on Day 19 I sent a reminder email in which I enquired as to why I had not been afforded the courtesy of a response or even an acknowledgement. The following morning, I received a reply from a lady in their Customer Service Team apologising for their failure to reply to my first email and offering me a full refund. Several more emails followed in quick succession and she eventually agreed to make the refund to my Paypal Account, which I had used to make the initial online payment of £49.90.

Within an hour of this offer of a refund I checked my paypal account and discovered I had actually been refunded the £49.90 and it was also showing as a refund on my Credit Card. This was a bonus as my initial email had only requested the refund of the £30.08 that I paid at the ATS Service Centre.

The bottom line is that the 2 Avon tyres have ended up costing me just £30.08. I think even Martin would consider that I have ended up with an amazing deal. It just goes to prove that if you believe that you have a claim, are tenacious and can compose a well written email, you just may come up trumps. What I received was far more than just a goodwill gesture and should give hope to others who have a similar experience to mine.

Aylesbury_Duck

Perhaps you should change your post title, then.  You got a goodwill gesture to get rid of your complaint after they made a pricing mistake, your consumer rights weren't breached.

4_Pete's_Sake

Aylesbury_Duck said:

Perhaps you should change your post title, then.  You got a goodwill gesture to get rid of your complaint after they made a pricing mistake, your consumer rights weren't breached.

I believe they were breached, as did trading standards. We'll have to agree to disagree on this.

Aylesbury_Duck

Interesting.  So in TS's view, which right was breached, and how?  

lincroft1710

4_Pete's_Sake said:

Aylesbury_Duck said:

Perhaps you should change your post title, then.  You got a goodwill gesture to get rid of your complaint after they made a pricing mistake, your consumer rights weren't breached.

I believe they were breached, as did trading standards. We'll have to agree to disagree on this.

Very unusual now for TS to get involved in this type of dispute. According to many posts and threads on these boards, they're almost uncontactable.

screech_78

4_Pete's_Sake said:

Aylesbury_Duck said:

Perhaps you should change your post title, then.  You got a goodwill gesture to get rid of your complaint after they made a pricing mistake, your consumer rights weren't breached.

I believe they were breached, as did trading standards. We'll have to agree to disagree on this.

Language is important. Believing in something and it being fact are two completely different things. 

TS very rarely talk to consumers. 

4_Pete's_Sake

screech_78 said:

4_Pete's_Sake said:

Aylesbury_Duck said:

Perhaps you should change your post title, then.  You got a goodwill gesture to get rid of your complaint after they made a pricing mistake, your consumer rights weren't breached.

I believe they were breached, as did trading standards. We'll have to agree to disagree on this.

Language is important. Believing in something and it being fact are two completely different things. 

TS very rarely talk to consumers. 

The person who I called at TS whilst the tyres were being fitted checked immediately the terms of the contract that ATS have with their customers and believed that there was likely to be a breach of contract and sent me an email detailing the points that I should cover should I submit a claim. I submitted the claim and was more successful than I could have hoped for.

You guys are all money savers, why can't you just be happy that the little man has taken on the big guy and won, instead of making snide and doubtful comments. Maybe TS operate differently in different parts of the Country or I got lucky in getting through to them, but their help and advice gave me the impetus to pursue the claim.