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Original DS sale two months ago was ebay DS 20% off as per https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/163655
I thought I would just write and forward to Fair Trading what was going on with DS raising their prices. They responded. See image.
A Response From Fair Trading Regarding DickSmith 20% Off Debacle
aoeueoa on 13/11/2014 - 11:02
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Yes. The structure of this letter is appalling. And the writer is called Shantel which says it all.
obvious rort by DSE.
So let's say that I've bought the ASUS 13.3" UX303LN-C4147H W8.1 Ultrabook during this promotion:
on the 1/10, the price was $1499 and on the day of promotion it suddenly changed to $1799. They are now claiming this was a "genuine price error". Does that mean I'm eligible for 20% off the difference?
Whats the fuss about? Check the grocery majors… they have been jacking up prices by insane amounts for ages so they can have their 50% off scams.
Just the usual… buyer beware as it always has been.
Its disappointing that they seem to have got away with something so flagrant. All the same, the OP's action raised attention to the practice and might therefore stop future shennanigans.
To do something so blatant and deny it is pretty pathetic. Such an arrogant company.
what a load of bs
I'm surprised but Fair Trading usually takes the easy option and backs away.
ACCC are better
See herehttps://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/forty-winks-corrects-u…
Surprising result…
A decade ago - things have changed a lot - many fair trading tribunals are gone - the ACCC consumer section has been downgraded - its current chair Sims is of the opinion enforcement is for the states - even when like in WA - there is no real enforcement, and its run by business.Most states pretend via radio shows they do something when in fact they don't, just like the ACCC.
You do realise that was 9 years ago…
Yes I do
???
I used it as an example of how the ACCC actually take action.
The thing for me is that DSE are not the promotor of the sale but eBay is. DSE isn't 'one sale' and they can change their prices accordingly when they choose.
That beings said, it's dodgy as all hell.
Yes a typical "convenient" error by Dishonest Dick Smith Electronics and the usual lets smooth out the concrete and hose it all down by Fair Trading - an absolute joke!
Hi OP,
Not sure if you've seen the latest DSE repeat or not, but worth a look here.
If I were you I'd reply to the letter noting that DSE's "review …[of] their systems to ensure that such errors are avoided in the future" seems to have failed completely within such a short period.
It seems the only way they'll be taken to task is through repeated alerts to the authorities.
ugh all these bs statements by DSE are just blatant lies. ffs hate!
and what's worse is that the department of fair trading just accepts it
ugh!
Well I was starting to "like" dick smith again after their recent attempts to win ozbargainers favor via their online deals and quick sales etc. I'll never shop there again after seeing this and the other (current) price hikes. This is how they try to stem the losses due to other online business? Bunch of crooks.
So what happens now when they up the price again before the 20% sale on ebay?
Don't buy from them.
Compile the relevant documentation and report them to ensure that scrutiny is applied!
It's very obvious what to do, get as much evidence as possible including eBay and their website cached before and after the sale, than in mass complain.
With a response like the one in the letter it's obvious that's not going to do any good. DSE just claimed "Oops sorry, database error, my bad" and that was enough to satisfy Fair Trading. At least legal counsel was involved which means that hopefully there was some price to this "error". Also the attention of many has been drawn to this "error".
Yes but how many times can they claim that?
With Fair Trading giving them a free pass? As many times as they like…until someone bothers to sue…in which case the lawyers win.
Looks like Dick Smith are up to their old tricks again today, with the Ebay 20% off big brands sale. I'll be taking screenshots and making an official complaint (let's see how many times they can pass this off as a 'pricing error'!). I encourage others to do the same.
Yeap I hate dick smith dodge price increase everytime there is a ebay 20% off sale..
Aside from extra profit, what do they have to gain by doing this?
Aren't ebay paying the 20%?
Aside from extra profit, what do they have to gain by doing this?
That's exactly all a business wants to gain. Profit, it's the only agenda of their existence.
It's clearly a rort, and fair trading can't be stuffed doing anything about it, at least not from a single compliant.
Generally govt organizations can't be bothered acting, until there is a uproar. Or when the media starts saying how lazy they are.
These tactics will hurt DS in the long term. If your a principal person.
I wonder why Kogan didn't come out to play?I wouldn't be shocked if eBay does a deal with the companies they promote in that sort of big brands type deal. Most likely no fees and the company kicks in 10% or something.
No clarity on what goes on just speculation. (Unless someone has some jucy Info)
The only thing we can do as a community is post actual deals we thing are good and compare price amongst our selves (Politely)
Yes i took the latest Ebay DS online offer and purchased a TV at the end of November. Guess what, where is it?????? StarTrek say they have it but won't release it until DS say it is ok. It is paid for so why won't they release it? Called DS online several time, no supervisor as per usual and now offered a refund! Nope, i want what i paid for. The Ebay site said there was 200 available and I purchased well within that band. I will take it to QCAT out of principle and will not accept a refund.
StarTrek say they have it but won't release it until DS say it is ok.
Just ask Scotty to beam it down.
Guess you need to do some time travelling…
They need to work on their grammar.