Rights and wrongs of shelf pricing.

you have no right to purchase it at the lower price.
as the price indicator acts as an invitation to treat, so you offer the price you expect to pay, and the shop decides whether to accept your offer.
that would lead to a binding contract.
this is an aspect of contract law.
but, under criminal legislation, it is an offence to ask for a higher price than one indicated, as that makes the shelf edge label a misleading price indication.
but there are defences of due diligence.
the shop probably has a programme of randomly testing that price indications are correct.
they will keep records of this.
which would probably be enough to make out the due diligence defence.
the correct procedure in your incident is for the shop to withdraw the item from sale, once the discrepancy has been drawn to their attention.
i hope this is clear, but realise that it might not be.

I recently bought a radio that’s shelf ticket was lower than the price that came up on the till I told them, they called for an assistant who looked, told me I was correct and I bought it at the price indicated on the shelf I thought that’s how it always was they needed to sell it at the price they were advertising it for

BlueBelle

I recently bought a radio that’s shelf ticket was lower than the price that came up on the till I told them, they called for an assistant who looked, told me I was correct and I bought it at the price indicated on the shelf I thought that’s how it always was they needed to sell it at the price they were advertising it for

They don't actually have to sell it to you at the lower price by law. But many companies will for good customer relations.

the shop is not obliged to sell anything to anyone.
if they have inadvertently given a misleading price indication, the correct procedure is to withdraw the item form sale, ie refuse to sell it to you.
they should then immediately correct the price indication, or withdraw all items until they can be priced correctly.
if they choose to sell it at the lower price, they may of course do so.
but the customer has no right to that.
it is similar to shops that will give a refund where the customer has no legal right to that, eg they've reconsidered, changed their mind, or unwanted gifts.

Thankyou .
I do remember that is is an invitation to buy.
I would have paid the higher price after querying it as I do need it but I think shops like Boots should be on top of their game.
It could be regarded as sharp practice if all prices are wrong just to get our interest.

I think it was the attitude of the assistant that annoyed me.
If she had expressed even a hint that they were wrong in not repricing I would have understood but she did not.
It seems the customer is seldom right.

BlueBelle

I recently bought a radio that’s shelf ticket was lower than the price that came up on the till I told them, they called for an assistant who looked, told me I was correct and I bought it at the price indicated on the shelf I thought that’s how it always was they needed to sell it at the price they were advertising it for

I understood that they can choose to sell at the advertised price OR they must remove the item from sale.

I went to Boots to buy thrush treatment, on the shelf there was only canestan at £12, behind the counter there was Boots own make for £6 however they refused to sell me the cheaper one as I am over 60 so they are not allowed to sell to me from the pharmacy. Ridiculous system when I can buy the same product off the shelf.

I have answered too quickly!
Apologies.
I am guilty of my pet hate!
#Readthewholethread
🙄

In January, I needed a wrist support. After researching on line prices at Boots, I went to buy one. The exact same product on line was £12.67, and on the shelf was £19.00.
I found an assistant, who went in search of a more senior one. She was surprised to say the least, so looked it up on her own iPad, and eventually sold me the product at the on line price.
But such a difference in pricing is not acceptable.
Boots seem to be the main culprit from this thread.

Ironically, the leading case as to whether a shop is obliged to sell an item at a particular price or at all is Boots Cash Chemists (Southern) Ltd (1953) …. imprinted on my mind from 50-odd years ago.

I am surprised that shops are not obliged to sell at the price advertised. I have had this situation many times with Tesco and Lidl and they have always allowed me to have it at the lower price. Not long ago I bought a tin of golden syrup from Lidl. The shelf price was £1.99 but I was charged a staggering £2.50.A refund was given with no problem. I must have been lucky.

They are not obliged to sell at the lower price, or at all - but if it’s a habit that a particular shop has Trading Standards would be interested.

Wellbeck is right. It’s also the case you can get to the till, have everything in your basket run through, and then offer to pay £10 less. The store probably won’t but that is your right and you can walk away and not make a purchase.

I’d of said it’s not for me TheExwife. I’ve never heard of that before, do they usually ask your age!

Welbeck is correct!

I sell antiques and the "shelf" price is (often) merely a point at which bargaining begins. The sale is not concluded until I accept the buyer's payment.

I now realise if that had not been the only item I bought I wouldn’t have known until (or if) I checked my bill that I would have realised I had been charged a higher price.
The saying “ buyer beware “ is very true.

HeavenLeigh The pharmacist said that thrush is a symptom of diabetes which is common over 60 so they are not allowed to sell thrush treatments without a test for diabetes. makes no sense as you can buy treatments off the shelf.

HeavenLeigh there are a few medications that I haven’t been able to buy at Boots because of my age, but I have walked across the street to Superdrug and bought it
one being chloraphenicaol for eye infections

It can of course work the other way. Occasionally I have chosen an item in a shop at a certain price, but at the till it was found to be cheaper.

Ever since I learned about it years ago, I have always been amused by the famous ‘All to mother’ case GSM!

ANNESIXTY, go to home bargains, their own brand is only £5.49p just as good too

A friend is approaching a special birthday and absolutely loves tea. I've been searching different teas and stumbled across a bottle of Rosè sparkling tea from Fortnum & Masons. Online the price was £8.49 but when I went to buy some at their shop in the Royal Exchange, London it was marked as £17.50 a bottle.
I queried it and they knew it was half price but hadn't changed any labelling on the shelf ticket(s) but were more than happy to serve it at the reduced price.
Just hope my friend loves it

Thanks for that info exwife and BlueBelle, oh I’m really surprised at that TheExwife as yes that’s right. Oh I didn’t realise that either BlueBelle. I will take note thank you

Thankyou Jane
I will look into that.