Can The Same Brand Sell at Different Prices?

JTB1

Afternoon, 

Hope everyone is well.

I recently popped into a Sports Direct to purchase some boots but they didn’t have my size. I walked 5 minutes into another Sports Direct branch and asked for my size, paid and only then realised they were £10 more expensive. I obviously asked why and the robotic sales assistant said it’s because it’s a “flagship store” (that has to be an oxymoron). I asked for a refund, out of principle more than anything else, and was advised they only offer exchanges or gift cards.

 I needed them for that evening so just left but was so annoyed that I emailed their customer services who completely ignored my main qualm - the price difference for the exact same boot, from the exact same seller and the difference being one had my size in stock and a 5 minute walk. 

Are companies permitted to sell like that? 

Thank you,

Joe 

MarvinDay

Provided that the price was clearly shown prior to purchase then yes, it's perfectly acceptable and legal to do.

tightauldgit

Yes, in general anyone can sell anything for whatever price they want (provided its properly marked etc) and as a consumer your right is to choose not to pay the price if you don't want to. 

The only thing that would be disallowed would be discrimination - e.g. if you charged black people £10 extra. 

DullGreyGuy

As long as the difference in pricing isnt because of your age, sex, race, religion etc then they can charge what they want. Every store can be identical or every store totally different. 

In fact some do intentionally hike the price in one store so they can then legitimately state its £X marked down to £Y in the sales. 

soolin

Yes of course they can. 

If I buy something from the M and S in London which is very close to where I live it will be more expensive than the same product in my local store. 

Grumpy_chap

JTB1 said:

Are companies permitted to sell like that?

Yes.
Just think of the price variation between supermarket, local and petrol station even though the same brand.

Alderbank

soolin said:

If I buy something from the M and S in London which is very close to where I live it will be more expensive than the same product in my local store. 

I'm getting old and I'm confused.
I thought the store which is very close to where you live is your local store?

outtatune

Absolutely less.

What are the odds that the person sitting next to you on the plane paid the same for their ticket as you did? Pretty slim.

sheramber

second store may be in a higher rent area .

As first store had none it may be the second store has new stock which will be £10 dearer when they come in to stock in the first store

soolin

Alderbank said:

soolin said:

If I buy something from the M and S in London which is very close to where I live it will be more expensive than the same product in my local store. 

I'm getting old and I'm confused.
I thought the store which is very close to where you live is your local store?

The London store is a few miles away , but I also have a very close local store. Both are actually quite close to each other but have completely different pricing. 

Alderbank

sheramber said:

second store may be in a higher rent area .

A good example of this is store branches at airports.