ARGOS FACE LEGAL BATTLE OVER pounds 3 TV SETS BLUNDER.
CATALOGUE shopping firm Argos were yesterday facing a legal battle after advertising pounds 299.99 Sony TVs over the Internet for just pounds 2.99.Dozens of customers jumped at the chance to buy the cut-price sets - including one man who ordered 1700.
But Argos say the decimal point was in the wrong place on their Internet ad and they insist anyone who wants the 21in TV will have to pay the full price.
A spokesman said: "The pricing of the TV sets at pounds 3 was clearly a mistake, caused by a computer software error.
"We rectified this mistake very quickly and we will be contacting each customer directly to apologise for any inconvenience and explain that their orders cannot be accepted."
However, one of those customers works for a top London law firm - and they are preparing a ground-breaking legal challenge.
The company, Taylor Joynson Garrett, have already written to Argos on behalf of their member of staff.
A spokesman said: "We believe that our employee has a reasonable case that there is an enforceable contract between her and Argos for the sale of a Sony Nicam TV as described on the Website for pounds 2.99.
"It is arguable that the advertising of the TV on the Website at a price of pounds 3 was an offer to sell at that price, which was accepted when the order was placed.
"At the very least, the order placed over the Web was an offer to purchase a TV at the stated of price of pounds 3, which was accepted when Argos confirmed the order.
"In either case, an enforceable contract exists."
However, Argos insist they are legally within their rights because the price tag was an obvious mistake.
And watchdog body the Consumers' Association are backing the company.
Their spokesman said: "People should have known that it was not a real offer and that Argos don't mean to sell televisions at the absurdly-low price of pounds 3.
"This becomes even more apparent when people started buying them in bulk.
"I think Argos have a powerful argument that the contracts do not have to be honoured because it was so obviously a mistake.
"But it will be interesting to see what happens."
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| Author: | Hardaker, Paul |
|---|---|
| Publication: | Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland) |
| Date: | Sep 9, 1999 |
| Words: | 373 |
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