A friend of mine ordered a digital camera on a website.

Insted of the regular price ($1500), the price he was asked for when checking out was $60.

Surprisingly, the order was approved and the camera delivered. Now my friend is afraid the company might sent a squad of lawyers get his ass.

What do you think might be the possible outcome of this fantastic Christmas tale ?

I am perfectly conscious that the outcome depends on the laws in the country you live in, but I'd be curious to hear similar experiences, how things turned out for you, what does the law in your country make of that.

9 years ago*

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The best thing to do would be to contact the company and explain what happened - whilst they may ask for it back, it's the best chance for not getting fucked legally.

9 years ago
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Do you think you can get into trouble even when they happen to have a glitch in their system ?

9 years ago
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Depends on what the company decides. With a big company like amazon, they generally let you keep mistakes, but others might not.

9 years ago
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I do not know about digital orders because the U.S. is pretty far behind on that aspect

I do know the law states for brick and mortar stores that you have to give the price on the shelve regardless of error so if something is suppose to be 599.99 and someone puts a price on the shelve for 299.99 they have to sell it at the price on the shelve

The problem with Digital is in the U.S. anyhow is so vague on what they can and can not do,but i do know once you get the product there is nothing they can do about price mistake as you have taken possession of product,unless they can prove you got it under fraud but you did nothing to price fix said product you paid what they asked.

So i think in the U.S. you should be safe ,they should have caught it before it was sent out,i have had that happen from stupid Sears.They had one heck of a price on a tool box with free shipping i ordered it,was approved and said was getting ready to ship,got a email few days later saying out of stock,refund but i suspect they caught the price error.

But you could contact them and see what they say,they may ask for a return but if they do,tell them you will not be shopping with them anymore as you will be afraid of this happening on the future.

9 years ago
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In our country, you would get to keep the camera for $60. Even if it was a mistake, it is the company's responsibility, they cannot charge you extra or demand to return the item. This also applies, when you get more items than you ordered.

Never happened to me personally, unless you also count the Steam price bugs :)

9 years ago
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May I ask what country you live in ?

edit : never mind, I checked your profile and got my answer.

9 years ago
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Notice, the same happens in my country too (E.U. country).

I bought an oven 8 years ago and while it cost 450 Euros, i paid only 200. A week after the oven was delivered at my home the store called me and said that there had been a mistake and that i should either pay 250 Euros more or return the oven. My reply was laconic: "You are not allowed in my house. If you want it back, come and get it". The manager of the stored called two more time but as soon as he got the same reply over and over again, they did not come to my house nor ever called again.

So, your friend has absolutely nothing to worry about. It's their fault, they should pay for it. DO NOT CONTACT THE STORE as that would be his greatest mistake.

9 years ago
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Thanks. I'm not sure how my friend will react if they threaten to sue him. I know I would just drop it since I can't afford a lawyer and am not prepared to have shit hit the fan for a prolonged period of time.

9 years ago
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As far as I know that's how it usually works (unless he did something intentional to get that price, like, dunno, hacking their site). Anyway, before sending lawyers to his door, they are more likely first to either request the camera back or ask for the rest of the payment imho.

9 years ago
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whats minous2 says
Btw great deal ;)

9 years ago
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I believe that any pricing/sales mistakes are the company's/distributor's responsibility. But if you feel guilt or fear, then you should definitely contact the company about it, and straighten everything out. Chances are, they'll let you keep it.

9 years ago
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Thanks for your input. In some countries the law states that when a pricing error is too big, the consumer cannot legitimately pretend he did not know it was a mistake, and the seller can cancel the sale.

The thing is, what makes a pricing error too big is decided by judges in every particular case, every time they have to deal with one.

Also, I know that a seller can cancel your order as much as they want before the goods are sent, but once they're delivered ...?

9 years ago
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They can cancel the sale or they can agree to it. Once they sent him the camera they agreed to it and they no longer own the camera.

9 years ago
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Unless the law states that "sending it" doesn't legally transmits property. But I see your point, thanks for your input.

9 years ago
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You friend did nothing wrong, it's their fault, I think he has no obligation giving it back. Never heard of existance of such obligation, unless you steal, but not the case.

9 years ago
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Errors in system are seller's problems, not yours. I have never heard of any countries where you have to return or pay extra for the items you already bought, even with glitched prices. Tell your friend that unless he actually cheated, he has nothing to be worried about.

9 years ago
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The seller still can (will) cancel an order based on an obvious glitch. In this case they went through with the order, but they can still ask for the camera back (the ToS will most likely have price errors covered).
Usually they pay for the shipment back and offer some kind of compensation for the disturb.

9 years ago
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They made the price mistake, they approved the sell and they sent the camera. So it's not your friend's fault. So no legal action possible from how I see it.
Depending on the site's ToS, they might still ask the camera back though. :)

9 years ago
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ToS state that the contrat is concluded/closed when the payment is received.

However, the law states that a sale can be cancelled if the pricing mistake is too big.

9 years ago
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I saw stores selling TVs, tablets, etc for 1$ or less than 1€, and they did not cancel orders even realizing about this error after, don't worry about it, a demand to the jury takes 1 year to be listened, but first they should contact your friend, but still they need proof, spending money for that, time, lawyers, etc, then jury it's finally going it takes like another 2-3 years to the judge to give a response, too much trouble to demanding a pricing error, also if someone is not agrees with the final decision, they he may appeal, this will take even more time. Of course don't contact them saying about the price error.

9 years ago
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If he doesn't tell anything, he might get away with it legally. If they don't notice, it's still not his fault that they went through with the order.
Of course the super-decent thing to do would be contancting them about the obvious mistake and hope for some kind of compensation.
Personally I'd just use the camera for the time being and hope they don't notice. If they do, just pack it up and send it back. :D

Little addendum: as the dragon guy says, it also depends on the size of the shop. If it's a little/medium sized one, just contact them. If it's Amazon, use the camera for as long as they allow you. :)

9 years ago
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That may be in your country.
Here once news told a woman purchased a limousine for 90€

9 years ago
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if that's the case, the worst that could happen is he is told return the camera and he gets refunded or be charged the rest if he does not do so

9 years ago
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9 years ago
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It's a big company. The moral question is still relevant but my friend is in peace with his own greed. Also the camera seems awesome, I understand the temptation.

9 years ago
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Worst case scenario, he'll be trialed in different country, if it's not the same country he bought the camera in, if that happens, and he is convicted, I highly doubt his country will extradite him. Quite frankly if they sue him, he's got the law on his side, he paid the price, regardless of it being mistakenly changed if I understood correctly.

9 years ago
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The company is based in the same country. I wish "the law is on his side" applied here but laws sometimes have little traps most people don't know of, and I mentioned one that states that a huge pricing error might cause the sale contract to be voided.

9 years ago
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Sale voided, thus he has to return the equipment, or he could just pay the full price and keep it. But it would be best to contact whoever sold him the piece ^^

9 years ago
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Depends on the type of law that applies in your country. In English common law, there would be two types of mistakes that could apply;

1) Unilateral Mistake - Where your friend knew that the price of the camera is in fact $1500 and is listed and approve mistakenly for a far cheaper price. In this case, rescission would take place where both parties would be restored to the state they were in before the contract (Buyer returns goods, seller returns money.). The voided contract can also be amended and the buyer just needs to pay the correct amount.

2) Mutual Mistake - Where your friend does not know the actual price and believed that the $60 camera was indeed the seller asking price. In this case, it can result in the same way as a Unilateral Mistake. (Seems off to me though, not entirely sure since it has been a long time since I last revised civil law.)

However, the outcome, your friend would not be in any legal trouble. However, it would be rather troublesome if he waited till he is contacted by the company if they decided to void the contract. The company might not take any action though, as such pettiness would result in a rather huge negative impact on it's image. However, a small company would find it to be a considerable loss. Hard to say as it depends on the company willingness to dip into it's revenue to cover the costs.

Source: http://islandia.law.yale.edu/ayers/mutual.htm

PS: just because payment is met, and that a contract has been 'fulfilled', it doesn't mean that it couldn't be pursued. The same way as to how certain laws exists to protect buyers like the sales of goods act (Returning/refunding goods after purchase), there are also some that protects sellers.

9 years ago
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Thanks a lot.

9 years ago
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Here in Italy, once the order is completed and the camera has already reached the buyer's home the seller can't do anything to get it back; if there is a mistake the seller must warn his customer and correct the price BEFORE selling it.
Personal experience here, I managed to buy a fridge for 290 Euros (real price was 590). After noticing the mistake the salesperson told me that they were going to correct the price to avoid other "losses" but, since the fridge had already been sold, I got to keep it. It was a lucky day :)
I wish the best to your friend!

9 years ago
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Same in Ireland

9 years ago
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Thanks for your input.
Keep in mind the fact that the price displayed on the website is and always has been correct. Only the checkout total is glitched.

9 years ago
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Yes but the answer remains the same (in my country). If you need help or anything else ask away or add me on steam :)

9 years ago
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