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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think that, if a business advertises a service on its web site, then it should be both willing and able to provide that service.

1 reply

NagathaCrispy · 02/08/2026 12:41

Sorry for the long title. I will try to keep this as general as possible.

I am currently looking to source a specific service (X) provided by a number of different businesses locally. I need this service at the end of September, so a few weeks away. All suppliers advertise on their web sites, often in glowing terms, that they offer this service as part of a wider business offering.

However, when I approach them to enquire about availability, costs etc I am being told that service X is not available, or that I need to call a few days before I need it to see if that can do it/have capacity that week, or that this is something they "offer" but is not a core part of their business so would only be willing/able to deliver with prior notice or by negotiation, or that they "may" have facilities/capacity but are not able to say this far in advance etc etc.

Surely, if a business says it can offer service X to their potential customers, then it should be both willing and able to do so with a reasonable amount of notice. To advertise and then say "no sorry" we can't do that is just false advertising. Is that even legal?

Rant over .... just so @£$% frustrated.

OP posts:
Crispsandcola · 02/08/2026 14:32

You're being too general for anyone to offer any opinion about whether these businesses are being unreasonable but it's not illegal to refuse to sell a product or service to someone even if you advertise it.

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