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The current pricing practices of retailers must comply with the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations, which ban misleading actions.
The regulations also give you the right to redress, including the right to undo a contract and receive a refund, the right to a discount and an entitlement to seek damages.
But in order for these rights to apply, you need to be able to show that a misleading action was a significant factor in encouraging you to make a purchase.
Government guidance says that special offers shouldn’t be misleading, and any higher price mentioned should be a genuine price.
The guidance differs slightly depending on whether you are buying food or drink or something else, such as a TV.
The following practices fall foul of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations.
What is considered misleading will depend on the circumstances.
In some cases, putting up a small sign that explains how the offer differs from these rules could be enough.
If you believe an offer has been misleading, it would be advisable to gather any evidence you can.
Take date-marked photographs of the product before and during the offer, and keep your receipts.
Let the retailer in question know your concerns and send it a copy of the evidence you've gathered.
If the offer was accompanied by statements you feel were misleading, such as 'amazing value', then you may, depending on the circumstances, be able to argue that there has been a misrepresentation.
You will need to show that the wording surrounding the offer was inaccurate and induced you into buying the product, therefore entering into the contract.
Unfortunately, there isn’t an ombudsman you can go to if you have a complaint about a retailer.
However, if you think a company could be breaching the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations, you can contact your local trading standards department.
Bear in mind, though, that your local trading standards department's role is to address the issue with the retailer, not to get your money back.