Internet Prices

Tinkerbell84_2

I recently bought a handbag from Debenhams.com which was £20. When it arrived it had a price tag on it - stating £18! I rung them and they waffled for a while about it maybe having been in the sale - the price tag was unaltered. I pointed out that if anything I would expect it to be cheaper online than in store. They agreed pretty readily to refund the difference and I got a strong feeling that I was not the first person to experience this. It seems that we need to start checking that we are not starting to get ripped off with internet prices

saintscouple

A very interesting point you've raised there.
I've certainly seen clothing, video games, pc's, laptops, etc on clearance in stores, whilst they are more expensive online.
When i wish to make a purchase of something, the internet is my 1st port of call, getting an idea of the lowest cost incl voucher codes, cashback, etc and then taking a visit to the stores to see the best deals on the high street.
It's a buyers market at the moment and it's quite common to find high street store price-matching internet sites i.e today i purchased a digital photo frame which is advertised for £79.97 in Pc World, but only £44.50 on Amazon.co.uk - I purchased this @ Pc World using their price-match policy and ended up paying £40 delivered!
So although online was advertised cheaper i used a high street stores pricing policy to get for even less.
Of course it sometimes take a lot of legwork, it just depends on what price you're willing to pay.

[Deleted User]

You've got no leg to stand on. They offered it at £20, you accepted and bought it for £20.

If you really care that much, you could enforce distance selling regulations, send it back for your refund, and buy in store for £18.

MrsTee_2

billbennett wrote: »

You've got no leg to stand on. They offered it at £20, you accepted and bought it for £20.

If you really care that much, you could enforce distance selling regulations, send it back for your refund, and buy in store for £18.

I disagree Bill, they said the price of it was £20, yet it turned out to be £2 less (according to the price tag). Surely they can't sell you something for more than the price on the label. No matter whether it be online or in store, the price at the till can't be more than the price on display.

Premier_2

MrsTee wrote: »

I disagree Bill, they said the price of it was £20, yet it turned out to be £2 less (according to the price tag). Surely they can't sell you something for more than the price on the label. No matter whether it be online or in store, the price at the till can't be more than the price on display.

True, but in this case the price on display was presumably £20 i.e. the price on the website. Only if the price label of £18 could be seen in the item image could there be any arguement that the pricing was ambiguous.

I agree with billbennett

davetrousers

How would the £2 compare with petrol and car parking costs?

dreamlife99

Tinkerbell84 wrote: »

I recently bought a handbag from Debenhams.com which was £20. When it arrived it had a price tag on it - stating £18! I rung them and they waffled for a while about it maybe having been in the sale - the price tag was unaltered. I pointed out that if anything I would expect it to be cheaper online than in store. They agreed pretty readily to refund the difference and I got a strong feeling that I was not the first person to experience this. It seems that we need to start checking that we are not starting to get ripped off with internet prices

probably including the cashback u will get from using quidco! - if you used it

Tinkerbell84_2

My point isnt the legal positition of any store charging more - more the ethic of ripping off your customers - I thought that was the basis of most of these posts - otherwise who cares if supermarkets make us dodgy offers which arent really offers at all. The fact that the difference is £2 isnt really relevant either - would it be different if the difference was £200. The fact is that in addition to charging for delivery a retailer is selling an identical item for more in one place than other. I agree with the entering/accepting contract point. If you feel that is more than Ok then I need to open a store and make sure you guys visit often!!!!

tinkerbell84

how come you have my name??

broclo

tinkerbell84 wrote: »

how come you have my name??

Tinkerbell84 vbmenu_register("postmenu_11436715", true);
MoneySaving Newbie


Join Date: Dec 2006;)

Premier_2

Tinkerbell84 wrote: »

My point isnt the legal positition of any store charging more - more the ethic of ripping off your customers - I thought that was the basis of most of these posts - otherwise who cares if supermarkets make us dodgy offers which arent really offers at all. The fact that the difference is £2 isnt really relevant either - would it be different if the difference was £200. The fact is that in addition to charging for delivery a retailer is selling an identical item for more in one place than other. I agree with the entering/accepting contract point. If you feel that is more than Ok then I need to open a store and make sure you guys visit often!!!!

This happens all the time!

Take Tesco for example. They sell Coca Cola. So do stores such as One Stop and Day & Nite Convienience Stores. So do Dillons Newsagents.
All typically charge a different price.

Now you may be wondering what this has to do with anything? Well guess which retailer owns all these stores

Is this retailer ripping people off? No, they are offering a service. You are free to choose to get in your car and drive to the out of town tesco store to purchase your can of coke, or you can walk to the local store and purchase one there. The price you pay is the price the item is offered at at the store you choose to buy from.

In your case, you had a similar option. Travel to a store and pay the price displayed in that store or buy online at the price displayed at that (online) store.