Pink/Victoria's Secret - are they breaking the law?

[pepperpot99]

Can someone advise me please? I was in VS the other day because my dd wants one of their backpacks for Christmas. The bag in question was £49.95. I almost bought it but resisted as I wanted to check with her. When I went online the next day to show her the bags, the same one was on sale at £31. So I assumed they would also cost £31 instore.

I went back to VS today and the bags were retailing at the original price of £49! I questioned the sales assistant who said this is usual practise for VS, because it's an American website and they adjust prices but then add taxes so it would end up costing the same. Her manager confirmed this to me. This was at the Brent Cross (London) branch. They were adamant that the price I would end up paying would be £49.

So...I go online earlier today, buy two bags (both at £31) and the cost plus p&p is £70. If I had bought the bags in VS today I would have paid £98.

Is this legal? I feel like getting it flagged up because people are being ripped off.

Stores can charge whatever they like.

Even supermarkets price things differently in different branches.

I think it is legal yes. Website prices dont have to be the same as store prices for the same company.

Its the same with apple. You can go to one store for a trade in and get a much lower price than the apple store in another town.

Also when you buy from a store your paying for the rent on the building, lighting, staff, cleaners etc

I don't understand what you think could be illegal about this?

Wow I did not know that - I'm so glad I bought online. It doesn't seem right though, to have different prices for the same product. I find it hard to see how this is legal.

Are they being sent from UK though? If they're being sent from abroad, I think customs normally charge you as they enter the country, not the retailer. Friends have had to pay customs on Christmas presents sent from the US before.

OK, put it another way, why do you think it should be illegal to have different prices online compared with in store?

Stores can charge whatever they like. I used to work in a deprived area and I would do all my food shopping there because it was always cheaper than the same supermarket in my home town.

Because in my naivete, reallybadidea, I assumed a retailer would have parity of pricing instore and online. Naughty me. Thanks for helping me with that.

There's far fewer overheads with an online purchase compared to a store, so they're passing on that saving to the customer...

Online and in store have totally different overheads. Why wouldn't they be allowed to charge different prices?
The same shop in different towns can charge different amounts or have some items on sale in one and not the other.
I cannot understand why you thought this would be illegal

Prices aren't the same in the south as they are in the north.

I guess I'm thick as pigshit MyWineTime. Thanks for making me feel like that anyway. Merry Christmas.

The assistant should have just said that to you, though. She was wrong to misinform you.

This happens with British retailers too ...

Well, that's you and me in the same sty then Pepper - I would have assumed exactly the same as you. My, we are thick.

Some retailers (Richer for one) advertise different prices instore, online and in ads. They have a policy that the shop will match the price you can show them, if it's current.

Otherwise, you can sometimes get free delivery to the store or to your home, to avoid extra cost and possibly inconvenience.

I suspect the shop staff were just flannelling.

Did you buy from the American website?
There will be customs charges and Royal Mail handling charges to that too.

There shouldn't be Chardonnay.

From the VS website:

UNITED KINGDOM:
Taxes & Duties are included in the product price. They are based on the purchased merchandise’s country of origin/manufacturing and the classification of that merchandise.

Well that's good.

Wait and see. The tax to get a load of team branded American sportswear into the country was more than the cost of two of the (adult size) tshirts in the package!