Sale Items - Advice needed

[GucciGal]

Whilst out shopping last week, my mate spotted a pair of jeans in a well known store in London. They were reduced from 70GBP to 50GBP. At the till the price came up at 70GBP and we were told that an error had been made, even though all the jeans in that section had been marked down in pen to 50GBP. I spoke to the manager and she insisted that she could not sell the jeans at 50GBP because it was a mistake. Am I right in thinking that it's the store's fault and they should have sold them at the stated price or is it OK to backtrack even though it was their error? Any advice here would be much appreciated.

[Greenbhoy]

You are correct,it was the stores fault and they have to sell the items at the marked price.

[GucciGal]

Thank you!  ... Although bad news .... looks like they were right ...  just found this on the UK Trading Standards website ..... 

Under law, a retailer is entitled to decide the price he wants to charge for his goods.

The price on display is simply what the law calls an �invitation to treat�. In the same way you don't have to buy goods from anyone, a retailer is under no obligation to sell you anything.

You cannot insist that a shop sells you anything at a marked price, whether or not they have made a mistake.  (Rubbish rule! Booooooooo)

The law does not allow prices to be fixed and, contrary to common belief, goods are not subject to price controls.

[Loosehead]

Greenbhoy, there are no circumstances when a shop has to serve you, the price is irrelevant, merely an indication of cost. Hopefully it will be accurate but that does not mean they have to sell if it isn't. This question comes up often not just here, it's amazing how many people believe this urban myth!

[Loosehead]

Whoops GucciGal, looks like we posted together.

[ann_h]

The shop is right. Under law of contract, you OFFER to pay the amount on the tag, and the store can ACCEPT your offer (or not)

The price label is only an INVITATION TO TREAT and does not form part of the contract

Oh, I need to get out more.....

[GucciGal]

LOL!  Fab reply thank you.

[Oneeyedvic]

HOWEVER.......

 

If you ask at the till what the price is, and they say "well d'uh its �50.00", you say, "i'll take them then" then they have to sell it to you for that price as a contract has now been made!

[GucciGal]

I like it!  ;-) That's what I'm gonna do in future! 

[judgepd2]

I have read previously on AB that if they verbally agree the price in store at the lower amount then they have to stick to it.  But if they have not verbally agreed it then the price can be whatever they want!

[GucciGal]

Super, thank you. It's a bit sneaky but that's exactly what I intend to do in future.