[Pricing Error] Paul's Warehouse Running Shoes Asics Free $0 + $10 Shipping

Mod: This is no longer available Paul's Warehouse. Most likely a pricing error so it's now moved to the forum section where the discussion can continue.

Update 2: This has been confirmed as a website error from "IT & eCommerce" department of Paul's Retail Pty Ltd. See scotty's comment here

Update 3: Paul's Warehouse has sent out an email explaining the situation and is in the process of refunding the postage. See SweetStella's comment here

Moved to Forum: Original Link


Found mens Running shoes asics running shoes sizes 8.5-13 for $0 . Ordered 2X $220 and 1 x $150. The chekout calculated $10 shipping only for 3 pairs of runners. Went till the payment page. Did not pay as the sizes are too big for me.
http://www.paulswarehouse.com.au/1081-16895/MENS-RUNNING/Asi…
http://www.paulswarehouse.com.au/1081-16886/MENS-RUNNING/Asi…

Comments

    • yeah mine is still there too

      • +1

        yeah mine is still kicking… wonder for how much longer.

        • Hope no one gets scammed through this!

  • Just had a look, most of the shoes have gone back up in price even though my order says "paid and in process"

  • +8
    RECEIVED This ——

    Dear valued customer,

    Unfortunately overnight on the 19/09/11 our website www.paulswarehouse.com.au had a computer malfunction that reduced Asics footwear to $0. This was totally out of our control and we were unaware it happened until this morning. We are writing to inform you that this stock is not available for $0 and we will be refunding your $10 shipping as soon as possible.

    We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding.

    Your Paul's Warehouse team
  • Edit: you guys don't need to read the email twice. Three times. Four? :)

  • Just received an email from Paul's Warehouse regarding the error with notification of a refund for $10.

  • e

  • Just recived this email, no deal

    Dear valued customer,

    Unfortunately overnight on the 19/09/11 our website www.paulswarehouse.com.au had a computer malfunction that reduced Asics footwear to $0. This was totally out of our control and we were unaware it happened until this morning. We are writing to inform you that this stock is not available for $0 and we will be refunding your $10 shipping as soon as possible.

    We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding.

    Your Paul's Warehouse team

  • They cancelled my order :(

  • -1

    Dear valued customer,

    Unfortunately overnight on the 19/09/11 our website www.paulswarehouse.com.au had a computer malfunction that reduced Asics footwear to $0. This was totally out of our control and we were unaware it happened until this morning. We are writing to inform you that this stock is not available for $0 and we will be refunding your $10 shipping as soon as possible.

    We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding.

    Your Paul's Warehouse team

  • As well as offering a coupon…this would be a perfect time for Pauls to go to China, find a decent shoemaker and sell them off for the budget orientated customers :)

    • They are already manufacturing from China and ripping people off here in Australia…

      • +1

        Didn't know Pauls had their own in-house brand, link?

  • Got the same email….

  • +2

    Dont they have to honour it as technically we were supplied invoices via email?

  • +2

    I wonder what the fair trading ruling is on this.
    I thought you had to honour advertised pricing regardless of the T's & C's.

    • +1

      No, fair trading will see it as an unintentional error and not do anything so long as refunds are prompt. Whats more interesting is the issue of the "invitation to treat" as discussed earlier and the argument that the offer being accepted by the issue of the tax invoice. However, then proceeding to contract law - one has to ask what is the consideration which forms the enforceable contract?

      I'll let them off the hook as long as the $10 shipping fee is refunded promptly. In QLD could throw it at QCAT for a small filing fee and see what they decide.

  • +4

    I don't really care that I didn't get the shoes, as I knew I was trying to take advantage of a mistake, but for PR sake I would have thought they'd at least offer a $10 coupon or something for their stuff-up…?

    …someone would've been seriously reprimanded at my company for an error like this…

    • +4

      I was expecting a VIP invite or at least a 10% voucher, dastards!!!

      • Totally agree

  • +2

    Just got the email to say there was an error on the 19th bla bla bla. And that they'd be refunding my $10. There was no offer of "compensation" or other discount. Just a very short touch-luck email. They'd better not start spamming me now that they have my email address even though I said "no" to contacting me.

  • +8

    I'm horrified at the fact there are no 'shoe' jokes in this thread.

    I mean, imagine how 'tied up' the server must of been with all the ozbargainers hitting it! This has got to be a 'shoe in' for a pretty screwed up bargain! Or at least a 'runner up'!

    • +7

      Your post is laced with bad jokes; this is no place for a running gag.

      Hold your tongue, unless your sole purpose is to make a heel of yourself.

      (lies down before I hurt myself)

  • +5

    This whole saga reminds me of this story -

    A man walks into a shoe store, and tries on a pair of shoes. 'How do they feel?' asks the sales clerk.

    'Well they feel a bit tight,' replies the man.

    The assistant promptly bends down and has a look at the shoes and at the man's feet. 'Try pulling the tongue out,' the clerk says.

    'Well, theyth sthill feelth a bith tighth.

  • +5

    Paul's deserves a shoe or two thrown at them just like President Bush…

  • +6

    What really is unacceptable is that we should expect that the refund happens as quickly as the payment was deducted.

    I'd be interested to understand what type of "computer malfunction' occurred to affect the pricing - as the rest of the site worked okay when people where placing orders (including myself), and the payment went throught promptly.

    Think this matter may need to be forwarded to NSW Fair Trading for follow-up ??

    • +4

      It doesn't really have to be a real computer malfunction. It could just be an idiot who typed in 100 instead of 10 into the percentage discount field. Do you really think that 100% off Asics was an intended genuine offer? Do you think that Paul's are happy with the publicity or the amount of work that they have to do know emailing people, cancelling orders, refunding, replying to inevitable whingers, etc?

      NSW Fair Trading. Seriously?

      • +1

        "NSW Fair Trading. Seriously?"

        Simply yes

        Here's a screen shot - where the so called "computer malfunction" only affected sizes up to 13 - but the 14, 15 and 7's(just visible), with a 'time-stamp' of 8.19am 20/9/11.

        http://i55.tinypic.com/2n1bcs6.jpg

        The question is not whether the offer was genuine or not, but rather why did a "malfunction" only affect some sizes in the same shoe but not others ? Or more to the point, what if Paul's slightly overcharged these sames sizes - would they identify and then process a credit back to the purchase "as soon as possible" … I personally doubt it.

        If it was a mistake, then say it as such, and accept the consequences - either honour the deal, or provide some compensation to those affected. Pretty simple really.

        IF they can't do that, then so be it - and be prepared for the consequences

        • +4

          What do you think they hoped to acheive by this "deception"? Does it really matter what the exact reason was?

          You might pee in your trousers but if someone asked you what happened, there's a fair chance you'd say you spilled your drink. It doesn't matter.

          Feel free to drop by anytime, Earth is open 24/7.

  • +7

    If this deal happened yesterday would that make them Arrrrrrrrsoles?

    • I see what you did there, aye.

  • +4

    now they've got my email, address and credit card… intentional or not

    • +3

      And name.

      • +3

        and a thirst for revenge

        • +3

          I don't think they'd bother giving potential customers a tongue lashing, or putting the boot in…or putting their foot down…

  • whats happening guys now have any one spoke to pauls warehouse guys ,any more updates regarding this offer r we going to get the shoes or they going to refund the money …please keep updating guys or any law which force them to complete the order

    • It was over hours ago, we're getting our $10 back and that's it.

      If refund takes forever then we might have a case but otherwise not much we can do. Can't really be let down about it, we (all?) knew this was a mistake.

      • ya i know its over and i have already had an email stating that its a mistake and they will refund the money dosnt says how long it will take and but we all want shoes so i was looking ahead if there is a mistake from cosumer side they always end up paying money now its their turn to pay off

        • +4

          Nikhil my friend, you are a funny man.

        • +3

          LMAO @ Nikhil

  • +3

    Got the email for cancellation of the order. I hope, they are quick in returning money too.
    BTW, everyone knew it was a mistake. But still most of us were looking a silver line in the cloud, what if, they are shedding the stock off.
    Anyways, Thanks OP for a fun ride.

  • +4

    I'm not going to make a big deal out of this and I'm not a lawyer, but I do think Paul's could be in trouble if someone wanted to pursue it.

    The front page of their website had a big picture of Ascics shoes with the text "FREE" through them and the text "These shoes are free!!" below it. They have since changed that image to include the words "when you buy from our buy one get one free range", but that was not there when the $0 shoes were being offered.

    If you read their terms and conditions it says "Any order placed by you in the manner described in this website is an offer by you to purchase a particular product for the price (including the delivery and other charges and taxes) specified in this website at the time you place your order on these Terms and Conditions. Pauls Warehouse and associated Companies reserves the right to accept or reject your offer for any reason, including, without limitation, the unavailability of any product, an error in the price or the product description posted on this website, or an error in your order. Your contract with Pauls Warehouse and associated Companies only comes into existence when the order is verified as valid."

    They made the offer (the contract). We accepted the contract by committing to purchase on their website and by providing our credit card details. They accepted the contract by debiting our credit cards and then sending us a tax invoice for the purchase. At that point I would say the order (and the contract) was "valid".

    Only some sizes of some model shoes were $0 and there was a large picture on the home page (yes, I do have a screen shot) saying they were free so whilst it could have been a mistake, a reasonable person could also believe that it was a genuine offer perhaps made to generate publicity for their sale or their website.

    Computers do not malfunction in such a way that some sizes of some shoes only made by one manufacturer have an incorrect price. People make mistakes and that is the most likely cause here. Paul's potentially dishonest email claiming a computer malfunction could be seen to mitigate in our favour and not theirs.

    Again, I'm not going to pursue this and I'm not a lawyer, this is just my observations.

    • Are you able to post the screen shots of "a big picture of Ascics shoes with the text "FREE" through them and the text "These shoes are free!!" and a screenshot of "some sizes of some model shoes were $0"?

        • +1

          The words "conditions apply" are also below the picture which is conveniently not being mentioned here.

        • +1

          Yes it does say that and I looked everywhere but I couldn't find those conditions. If you click the new look image it takes you to the buy one get one free offer. I'm not suggesting the conspiracy theories. I'm sure it was an honest mistake. I've just suggested that according to their own terms and conditions they may be obligated to provide the goods if you wanted to pursue it.

        • +1

          In their T&Cs they also said they can cancel orders if the price were a mistake. I'm not sure where you are heading with this line of thinking.

        • I'm not going to get into an argument over this. As I said, it's others with the conspiracy theories, I merely voiced an opinion on their terms and conditions. If you read all of my original comment you will see that I explained why I thought the contract had been accepted by Pauls as being valid.

          Again, I have no intention of pursuing this and I'm sure it was an honest mistake. From what others have said Pauls have decided to honour some orders. If that's true then those lucky enough to receive their shoes (not me unfortunately even though I did only order two pairs) should be very happy indeed!

        • I think those people were just joking when they said their orders were being honoured :P.

        • +1

          I have been asked by someone to provide the full screenshot of the front page including url.

          http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1416886/Pauls_Warehouse_2.png

  • Here's what I posted a couple of hours ago for those that missed - clearly showing some sizes at $0.00 and some not:

    Here's a screen shot - where the so called "computer malfunction" only affected sizes up to 13 - but the 14, 15 and 7's(just visible), with a 'time-stamp' of 8.19am 20/9/11.

    http://i55.tinypic.com/2n1bcs6.jpg

    The question is not whether the offer was genuine or not, but rather why did a "malfunction" only affect some sizes in the same shoe but not others ? Or more to the point, what if Paul's slightly overcharged these sames sizes - would they identify and then process a credit back to the purchase "as soon as possible" … I personally doubt it.

    If it was a mistake, then say it as such, and accept the consequences - either honour the deal, or provide some compensation to those affected. Pretty simple really.

    IF they can't do that, then so be it - and be prepared for the consequences

    • +1

      But you still have not answered what you think that these guys hoped to achieve by performing this "deception"?

      • +2

        They got mine (and lots of other people) details: name, address, phone numbers, credit card details. Would you trust them to have all this information when they act like that?

        • Act like what? Dare to make a dumb mistake? The free shoe graphic must be related to the "buy one get one free" promotion. I don't particularly like that sort of promo but I can see what the intention was.

          So they have a stack of names, addresses and card numbers. These details are of people that won't be particularly happy with them. What marketing advantage could they get from this? Probably just better off forwarding the names and addresses to CTA (Conspiracy Theorists Australia) for them to build up their mailing list and perhaps membership.

  • Thanks, Willy. Would be also good to get a picture of picture of Ascics shoes with the text "FREE" through them".
    Then it would make sense to write to them and request to honour the contract. Basically, once they accept the payment, they have to honour the contract. And, as I understand, they have accepted the payment.
    As for the "computer error": the screenshots showing a picture of FREE shoes and price list of some shoe sizes being free and some not would indicate that it wasn't a computer error.

  • I wonder how many 10c articles of clothing my $10 can buy me, including postage?

  • If they give it to those who order only two pris then they honour at least 2 pairs for those who ordered more.

  • To be honest…I couldn't give a s**t!

    I went to 'Rebel Sports' and found my feet while slightly shorter…are wider than most of the population! Nothing fitted me, went to Kmart, whacked on some Diadora and no problem…go figure?

    • Not to mention if they sent me a free pair I'd send it right back. The jury is still out but seems like an honest mistake to me. I figured they might of wanted to get rid of some excess stock. Obviously not.

      I'm trying to start an online business myself so wouldn't want someone to do the same to me if I stuffed up…

    • Might be a honest mistake but I remember last time this was posted http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/49271

      I had gone through the site and had also found the shoes at the same prices, not the asics but the kiddie wear. But I wasn't able to add it to the cart and hence I hadn't posted it here. It's most probably a matter of laziness by the site db admin but shows how much they actually care about the site.

  • howcome i didnt get an email…

    actually i did get it my bad "D

  • +3

    we all knew it was a mistake and that it was too good to be true, but i would like a written promise that they will remove my details from their records.
    i think that would be fair.

    i've had email after email from THE HUT from their shirt fiasco the last time.

  • I still shows the same status: Paid and in Process.

    • Hmmm - but did you get a cancellation email?

    • me too , and i have not received the cancellation email lol

  • Nayeth, ordered only 1 pair of shoes at 12.23am. Still received my cancellation email. I supposed it's a random 5% or a specific line of shoes.

    Edit: However, my order status is still paid and in progress. Perhaps, email filters magically removed the emails like those in Scoopons.

  • +2

    I have emailed and asked for them to delete all my details and scrub my CC number. If they can't display pricing correctly then what hope is there of them correctly securing my details.

  • +3

    Do you guys actually believe that they are honouring 5% of the orders? Obvious troll is, well, apparently not that obvious.

  • Still no cancellation email - but order status has now changed to "Declined". (So have been put out of my misery…)

  • Just got this

    Dear Valued Customer,

    We appreciate your patience and understanding in regards to our pricing inconsistency, which took place on 19th September.

    We wish to notify you that your order has been cancelled and the appropriate shipping fee reminiscent on your order has been refunded in full as of 21st September.

    Pauls Warehouse is at no time in possession of credit card details, as the purchase takes place online and in real time via our merchant account with St George Bank.

    In order for us to have processed the refund, the Credit Card number was neither required nor viewable to us, but only the transaction number was used to complete the refund.

    Our website is fully automated and connected to our inventory system like most eCommerce systems online today. During an automated update process which took place over night, a technical malfunction transpired after hours which resulted in specific Asics footwear models being wrongly priced at $0. The inconsistency was realized the morning of 20th September and immediately resolved.

    Pauls Warehouse, in good faith and honesty, sincerely apologizes for the inconvenience caused and is offering you a one-time only 30% discount off RRP on NEW ARRIVAL items and further 10% off our BUY ONE GET ONE FREE range.

    In order to receive this discount, please order online and send us a copy of this email to orders(at)paulswarehouse.com.au. We will then refund you the appropriate difference.

    Your Paul's Warehouse team

    That being said, my credit card has been charged the $10 (no longer in Authorisations and now an actual debit on my account)

  • +1

    Just received an email from them.
    They are offering 30% off full priced items and 10% off buy one free get one free offer products. Not bad if u ask me. After all we all knew it was a pricing error.

  • got the same email - meh whadeva

    will now exclusively buy from eastbay & endless for all of my sporting clothes/shoes needs.

    gg Pauls'

    • +1

      I don't see what else they could have done. They had a clause in their T&Cs specifically to protect themselves from something like this occurring. You can't honestly expect them to honour all the orders and make a huge loss.

      • +1

        Sadly, some people here were.

      • +1

        I agree. Main reason I ordered was to not miss the sweetener - in case it was sweet enough. So well done Paul's regardless.

        [For me personally the sweetner isn't sweet enough because I can do much better for shoes in annual visits to the US or via Amazon(US). There I have found access to better fits through the wider range of sizes (i.e 3E & 4E widths) which are not readily available in the Australian market. Can usually find great deals on clearance racks.]

  • +3

    oh sorry if people took my post for real a few posts up. I was subtly trying to press buttons of the people who were getting angry at not getting shoes. FWIW I can't understand how people can be upset at Pauls not giving out free shoes.. seriously? I will go back under my bridge now :p

    • Well done - you got me with a fair cop. (Good job for clarifying too - I did wonder!) ++

  • hey guys,
    has anyone checked theyre accounts, my $10 pending actaully went through, they actaully charged me….i got the email and all about how its a pricing error, yet still get charged… =[

    just wondering was it just me?

    • Yes, my account was instantly charged, when I ordered. I have not got mine back yet.

    • Same has happened with me.

  • Has anyone received the money back? It is still not there in my account.

    • Yes, received it back yesterday

  • No refund yet for me!

    I never did receive an order cancellation email message - however logging into my account shows that the order was declined!

    Anyone else still waiting for refund to credit card?

    • I got mine after 3-4 days.

  • So when does one "innocent error" compounded by another "innocent error" - both errors somewhat in favour of the retailer - cross the line as to the credibility of that retailer's innocence?

    My ten dollars postage has still not been refunded to my credit card! My expectation is that this would appear as a credit (or reversal) on my credit card statement. The $10 debit is there on the statement - so why not the credit.

    Naturally at some stage it will be very simple to contact Paul's about this. If that was my only concern I wouldn't be posting here. But I shouldn't have to. What if they have a number of these transactions that they haven't refunded. Obviously, it is very easy for Paul's to identify all of the orders that should be refunded - given the narrow time-frame in which they were placed.

    My concern here is about systemic accountability of this retailer. This is a bigger concern than how soon I get my money back from them. I'm confident I will get my money back from them after I take it up with them (or with my credit card supplier). But how many other cancelled orders have not been refunded by Paul's?

    As a marketing strategy, manufacturers offer rebates knowing that a percentage of buyers will not seek the rebates - or will fail to follow-up on initially ignored rebate requests. In the same way it could be possible for an even less ethical response from a retailer who takes false orders and then cancels them without refunding the payments - confident that a percentage of customers won't follow-up on the failure to refund.

    NB: My desire here is to discuss perceptions of ethical business practice - not to review a single transaction. Responses that tell me to contact Paul's for the refund without entering discussion about the broader concerns here, will be ignored as trolling - and are probably inviting neg responses.

    This compounded negative experience makes Paul's Warehouse appear to be a very shoddy and shady operators!

    1/ Those that did receive their refund was it paid/refunded directly to your credit card?
    2/ Anyone else who hasn't yet received this refund? (acknowledging the limited users who will read this given that most OzB users rarely visit the fora.)
    3/ I'm interested to hear suggestions of ways to address, investigate or in any other manner take further the systemic issue here with this retailer?

    • ABR: http://www.abr.business.gov.au/SearchByAbn.aspx?abn=40752587…
      Trading names include "Paul's Retail"

      This man's company appears to have some history of interesting business practices - I found this when searching for consumer complaints or Dept of Fair Trading concerns. In their "parallel importing" practices they were recently found by the Federal Court to have infringed sports-clothing et al trademarks of Greg Norman/Great White Shark and to have contravened the Trade Practices Act 1974:-
      http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/sinodisp/au/cases/cth/FCA/…

    • my $10 was refunded to CC the next day. 21/09

    • Sorry to hear that you did not receive the refund. Try contacting paul warehouse at:
      Paul's Warehouse Promotions <[email protected]>

      If no response, I think, you should the dispute to the credit card company asap. Also you can file ur case to Fair trading.

Login or Join to leave a comment