Hi fi shop want money off me!!!

jonas123

Hello everyone. Don't know which board to post on so using this...

I just bought a hi-fi from a music store. Basically, they sold me a model but charged me for a lower spec model (which was about £200 cheaper).

The receipt says I paid for the lower spec model but in fact they gave me the higher spec one.

I've just received a letter from the store demanding that I pay the difference. Do I have to do this? What are my rights?

Thanks

dmg24

Why did they sell you this model but charge you for the cheaper one?

jonas123

I'm not sure. I guess they just made a mistake.

dmg24

Did you not try to make them aware of their mistake? How long after the transaction did they contact you?

funguy

I think you would be in your rights to refuse to pay anymore - they accepted your money which was the contract done. You could tell them the hi-fi has been given as a gift and you are unable to pay any more cash. Legally, they cant enforce you to pay anything back.

jonas123

I did not know it was a mistake until I got home. At the store they said they managed to get the amps at a very good price (but obviously they just got it wrong). Took them about a week to contact me after noticing their error.

So legally I don't have to do anything?

dmg24

You need to look at the legal concept of mistake. It is definitely not as clear cut as offer and acceptance, and they may (depending on the type of mistake it was) have the right to rescind the contract.

I'll get you the information you need later, but am off to pub now ... x

char_student

You will NOT have to pay the extra...you offerred the amount you paid and they accepted it. At the checkout the contract was formed. Theres nothing they can do.

funguy

I agree with the above -even if you refuse to pay, it will cost them more to try and enforce you to pay the money.

SpongeBob_NoPants_2

jonas123 wrote: »

Hello everyone. Don't know which board to post on so using this...

I just bought a hi-fi from a music store. Basically, they sold me a model but charged me for a lower spec model (which was about £200 cheaper).

The receipt says I paid for the lower spec model but in fact they gave me the higher spec one.

I've just received a letter from the store demanding that I pay the difference. Do I have to do this? What are my rights?

Thanks

just say nobody with your name lives there anymore

Halloway

First of all, ignore all this 'no-one lives here' and 'I gave it as a present' stuff. Don't start lying as it won't get you anywhere.

Legally, there is nothing the shop can do. As was mentioned earlier, the contract was done - you offered the price they asked and they accepted. The fact that they made an error is their fault and their problem and they have no means of redress. The only redress they might have would be if they could prove that you acquired the more expensive item fraudulently, e.g. by swapping price tags or colluding with shop staff.

If you paid by credit or debit card then keep an eye on your statements in case the vendor tries to charge you the difference. If this happens, get your bank or credit card provider to reverse the transaction.

That's the legal position. Morally, it's up to you. My personal attitude is, if I had bought the item from a large chain e.g. Comet or Currys then stuff 'em. If I had bought the item from a local small shop or business then I would be more inclined to pay the difference or let them collect the item and issue a refund or replacement. But it's up to you.