Posted by
gmbl
18 yrs ago
I do not know about the law but the bar code is the correct answer as it might happen some prices are changing in the computer (for example with a new stock) but the staff omit to change the price tag.
Please support our advertisers:
I encountered a same Situation at W---COME SUP where they forgot to change the tags after sales were over. So they ended giving the lower price without any debate over it. I guess that's why they are such a houourable store, Not sure if they had the same oil fish problem those???
Please support our advertisers:
I encountered a same Situation at W---COME SUP where they forgot to change the tags after sales were over. So they ended giving the lower price without any debate over it. I guess that's why they are such a houourable store, Not sure if they had the same oil fish problem those??? But with regards having to honour the price, I believe they do have to. Check with consumer council...
Please support our advertisers:
I guess it can go both ways with since you had a choice not to proceed with the purchase, but you did. Anyway, their action is misleading the consumer, which is illegal. Consumer council can only file a complaint with them on your behalf, but if they refuse to settle. Then you need to take legal action on your own by going thru small claims court... Not worth the while with having to take days off work...
Please support our advertisers:
The shop can refuse to sell you the goods at the price on the label - just as you can refuse to buy them. The label is not a sales contract. You were advised of the correct price and had the choice at that point whether to buy or not. If you had already paid the $660 and then the assistant said the price was wrong, it would be a different matter.
The assistant probably did not have the authority to sell the trousers (unless you like expensive undies) at $660. You should have asked to see the manager.
BTW, if the items were labelled at $885 and the assistant said the price was incorrect, the actual price being $660, would you have refused to buy them at $660 - instead insisting on paying the label price?
IMO, a shop which cares about customer service would have agreed to sell the items at the sale price. Perhaps write to the shop's head office or just avoid this place in future.
Please support our advertisers:
*sigh* Customer service Hong Kong-style...
Mind you, you might still write a strong complaint letter to head office - if it's that kind of shop that has one. If nothing else, it gets it off your chest.
Please support our advertisers:
Sorry to hear what happened to you, but I do not think that you have a case – neither legally nor morally. They put the wrong price on the item, so what? From your description sounds like it might have been an honest mistake – but even if not, you were informed about the correct price before the purchase/before you were charged. So no harm was done to you (except maybe giving you incorrect information).
Legally you probably do not have much to go on either: To protect themselves, a lot of stores specify in their terms and conditions that in case of mispricing (so called “typographical errors”) they have no obligation to sell at the “incorrect” price (the whole "invitation to trade" thing).
Please support our advertisers:
Woody - I sympathise with you and do think that it is worth you making a complaint (not sure who exactly is best to complain to but consumer council sounds the best bet - maybe by email or letter instead of calling). In other countries this would certainly amount to a breach of fair trading laws and misleading advertising.
Please support our advertisers:
In hong kong there's no protection regarding price tagging. Many stores post this clearly. For instance, I was in Mango just last week and noticed a clearly posted sign at the checkout counter (I wouldn't have seen it otherwise) that stated that in the case of a discrepancy, the price in the computer would be the correct price.
Sorry your time was wasted because they had the price label wrong.
Please support our advertisers:
"...pants..."
"...trousers (unless you like expensive undies)..."
Funny the difference between British English and American English... :p
Please support our advertisers:
Woody - I would still enquire if I was you and you are still genuinely annoyed about it. Just because a store has a sign up doesn't necessarily mean that the sign or the practice is in compliance with HK law (although you would hope that a chain like Mango would get it right). As an example of similiar legislation in other countries - see below from New Zealand legislation:
.......................................
Price displays
The Commission encourages businesses to price goods clearly. When consumers see price stickers on goods or shelf prices, it is reasonable for them to expect that those prices will be what they are charged at the checkout.
A business that displays prices which are lower than the actual price at which they are selling goods or services will breach the Fair Trading Act because they are misleading consumers about the true cost of goods.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Example
A supermarket charged higher prices for certain fruit and vegetables at the checkout than at their point of display. The supermarket was convicted and fined.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please support our advertisers:
I think you will find the law firmly against you. The price is effectively an "invitation", the cash register makes the offer - which you either accept or not. You accepted at the higher price, you could have walked as you were under no obligation to buy at any price. Now that assumes the goods were honestly mispriced, if they mispriced all the time the time, surely fraudulent or other action.
Just think if the price at cash register was a fraction of the price on the item would you (1) tell them (2) write to the CEO demanding they fulfil their obligation to charge you the marked price? So it is a fair system (keep in mind you can walk at any time before paying). Some stores do offer a discount you or to pay a multiple of the difference due to such errors, but less likely now as technology and barcodes so well accepted (and often only supermarkets).
Please support our advertisers:
seal
18 yrs ago
Even if it is legal, it certainly is not a good practice. I would complain to their head office and a written complaint to the consumer counsel. It may not get you anywhere, but it may result in the shop taking better precautions in future on its price labelling.
Please support our advertisers:
I would be annoyed too if a similar incident happened to me.
Why not send an email to Alex Lo at takeaction@scmp.com. While you may not be able to purchase the pants for the price that you thought it was, like Seal said, it will make the staff more careful when labelling. And prevent it from happening again.
Please support our advertisers:
Unless this place you bought your item from is a big chain store. It is a waste of time to write to their senior managements, never mind on writing to their head office, they probably don't even have one.. A small one owner store business, wouldn't care what you like or dis-like???? They probably laughed as you were walking out the door..."got another water fish (sucker)"
I suggerst you just report it to the consumer council, and even them, they would probably ask you why you proceeded with the buy when you knew you are paying more.
I think you are just wasting your time, unless you have a lot of time on your hand and that you are not one of those many super income earners that appear in this forum who are so concerned about heir financial capablity, where they had to ask if they are capable of living in HK with salary package of over $60K/mth with free housing.... These inquirers are real jokers I tell you. With most of us including myself are struggling with just an avg total income of $20K/mth with having a wife and a child, and that we have no problem surviving.
Anyhow, if you do find $195 is worth your time then, give them a hell of a time.....
Go make a scene inside their store could be quite effective...
Please support our advertisers:
You must be logged in to be able to reply.
Login now
Copy Link
Facebook
Gmail
Mail