Yesterday I went to the mall and while there I went to the FTC store to buy some bed linen for my daughter.  There were SALE signs up all through the store and I soon found some sheets with a 30% off sign above them.  The sign was large and the numbers took up the most part of the sign.  Deciding on a pale blue set I took it to the counter to complete the sale and was charged full price!  Surprisingly maybe for mid afternoon I was alert enough to notice and immediately queried the price, pointing out that the sign above the stand I’d taken the sheet set off said 30% off.

I was told, NO, the 30% off ones are “over there”.   “Over there” was exactly where I’d found the set I wanted to buy so the sales assistant checked further.

The sign did say 30% off  BUT under those large numbers was the small print.  The small print said 30% off if you buy two of the same item.   I checked another sign above some bed quilts.  It read 50% off and again, under the large numerals was the small print – when buying two items.

I consider this to be very misleading advertising!

I believe if a SPECIAL PRICE has conditions attached they need to be as easily seen as the teaser, special 30% off wording.

Legally, in New Zealand the price displayed for an item is an invitation to sale rather than a set price and the sale price is determined at the point that a price agreement is reached or money is paid BUT this usually applies to large items like appliances and vehicles where the customer can be advantaged by a discount for paying immediately or can choose a more expensive, longer payment term.  The FTC store was within the law in the way they displayed their prices but they lost this sale as I refused to pay the full price after being lured by the 30% off sign.  I went to KMart and bought a very similar item at even lower price.

I’m very happy to say that in our Vibra-Train studios the price is clearly displayed and customers NEVER pay more than the displayed price.  In fact they can pay less by taking up various advance or term payment options or by using discount coupons from several publications.  The first visit is free regardless of any commitment to ongoing training.

I choose not to support stores and organisations who have deceiptful advertising or display any sort of signage that deludes me into thinking I am getting a better deal than I really am or in any way obscures the truth about the price or the worth of item.