Dealer messed up on advertised price

[226bhp]

My OH is searching for a car, she never considered a new car as basically we can't afford it and 'nearly new' is usually a good buy.

Anyhow, she called in at the local main dealer to see what they had, saw one she liked and when she got home looked at their website, basically they've messed up and listed a new one at £3k less than what they should. This brings it down to 'nearly new' territory.

They have said that it's a mistake, but it's still on the website.

Where do we stand with this? Are they legally entitled to sell it at the advertised price?

Just wondered what the PH collectives thoughts were on how best to proceed.

[Toaster Pilot]

226bhp said:

Are they legally entitled to sell it at the advertised price?

No.

(they're entitled to, but aren't obliged to, as I guess you are actually asking)

[Emubiker]

Any price advertised is called an "invitation to treat" and does not mean that goods must be sold at that price. Especially if it is such a gross mistake as you have mentioned. If it was a couple of hundred they may honor it to save face but in no way do they have to.

[mnkiboy]

Your legally entitled to tell the salesman he's wasted his time, and yours as well.

[valiant]

Similar to when Tesco mess up and start advertising iPads for a tenner.

They are under no obligation to sell it at that price although it is a little sloppy to have it still advertised at the lower price.

[BoRED S2upid]

Unless ofcourse they don't know the law. On a number of occasions i've argued successfully that they may have made a mistake on the price its advertised at but I would like to buy it at that price. Not on cars just in supermarkets.

[SteBrown91]

They have no obligation to sell it you at that price if they state its a mistake before contract is signed.

If they realise the mistake after the paperwork is signed at that lower price, deposit paid etc they must then sell it you at that price.

[Toaster Pilot]

SteBrown91 said:

They have no obligation to sell it you at that price if they state its a mistake before contract is signed.

If they realise the mistake after the paperwork is signed at that lower price, deposit paid etc they must then sell it you at that price.

A dealer once offered me £4000 over book for a part ex (they'd priced up the newer model which was also available on the same age plate as the one I was trading in) - would they have had to honour it if I'd managed to keep a straight face and sign the paperwork?

[r11co]

BoRED S2upid said:

Unless ofcourse they don't know the law. On a number of occasions i've argued successfully that they may have made a mistake on the price its advertised at but I would like to buy it at that price. Not on cars just in supermarkets.

Supermarkets will capitulate on a single sale for the sake of customer relations and that the sums involved are miniscule. It'll have nothing do with knowledge of the law or lack thereof.

[folos]

Toaster Pilot said:

A dealer once offered me £4000 over book for a part ex (they'd priced up the newer model which was also available on the same age plate as the one I was trading in) - would they have had to honour it if I'd managed to keep a straight face and sign the paperwork?

If the contract had been signed, I guess they would? If they valued your car at X amount then that's how much they've agreed to pay.

Someone would have got a bking though!

[Toaster Pilot]

I ended up getting a decent deal anyway, given I'd saved the guy's arse with my honesty, but always wondered what would've happened.

[forzaminardi]

It's within the realm of an honest mistake, if they are so-minded they might honour the price out of goodwill if you asked nicely - but probably not.

[blindswelledrat]

I always find it strange quite how many people have this conviction that there is a law that forces someone to sell something at an advertised price despite the fact that most people know otherwise.
What would make you think this might be the case?

[mrmr96]

blindswelledrat said:

I always find it strange quite how many people have this conviction that there is a law that forces someone to sell something at an advertised price despite the fact that most people know otherwise.
What would make you think this might be the case?

Presumably becuase it looks like false advertising?