Scared I may get hit for price increase (anyone else in same position?)

[admin_exported]

On the 25-Mar I placed an order with Futurehome (pioneer dealer) for the KRP-500a and swivel stand (think its SW01).  Total price came to £2450, which was more than I wanted to pay but the best price i could get at the time (in view of impending price rises). And i did get a 5-yr guarantee with it.

At the same time I also ordered the pioneer lx71/81 blu ray player/amp combo from superfi for £1750.

A lot of money for me but I do like my home cinema and I don't mind paying for good quality kit. 

As expected both products were out of stock, but that didn't worry me as I wasn't in a desperate hurry and the main reason for ordering in March was to avoid paying the increase in cost that came in April.

I mailed superfi asking them to confirm they would honour the price and a guy called me back a few days later and said they would ( nothing in writing).

A very nice man at Futurehome also said they would honour it too, and even though they had none in stock he expected some in very soon.

So I sat back and waited!  Actually as SKY say it will take them 3 months to deliver my sky HD box I don't mind waiting 3 months.

Yesterday I phoned futurehome just to ask them if they had an idea of when it may be.  He told me virtually all of Europe is out of stock and they are having to wait for stock from Japan.  Not a worry for me as I said I don't mind waiting.

Then he asked if i was one of the people who had ordered it pre-price rise.  I said i was & he said he wasn't sure if that price would still apply as the prices had gone up hugely.  I think we are talking about another £250-£300 for the tv and if superfi follow the same suit about the same for that.

 I desperately want this kit but I don't want to pay £600 more than on my order(s).  A quick look at the T&C's is a bit vague but implies they can change price without warning.  I am guessing they can legally say sorry the prices have gone up since you ordered, do you still want it.

 Anyone else in the same or been in a similar situation?

 Any comments welcome. 

 

 

[Andrew Everard]

Have you just ordered the stuff, or paid in full for it? If the former, then they may try to impose the new prices, and it'll be a case of choosing between paying the extra or cancelling the order.

If you've paid in full, then the supplier may be on a rather stickier wicket trying to make you pay more.

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your very prompt response Andrew.

No. ÿUnfortunately neither supplier has taken the money yet.

I may try emailing superfi and asking them to confirm their verbal assurance that the price will not change. ÿI don't think i can mail futurehome.

I may be stuck with cancelling the order(s) or paying more!ÿ

One thought which has just occurred to me is (and i could be wrong here), I understand pioneer increased the prices of all their products except the 60" plasma's which actually came down in price. ÿAs I say i may be wrong but if the gap in price isnt that huge now between the KRP-500A and the KRP-600A, the 600A may be a better buy.

Thank you once again for your reply.

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[d4v3pum4]

Sign of the times I'm afraid.....

 

[Frank Harvey]

Before the Pioneer price rise, there was very little stock available at the old price - we had to fight to get what we did. I wouldn't hold much hope for getting the prices you were quoted unless you've paid for them, as at those prices the store aren't going to be making any money, and possibly as loss.

 

[ukgthor]

Barnsleydave,

I ordered my KRP-500a with swivel stand from Futurehome (Wokingham) on the 21st March and paid for it in full on 23rd March. I received a call a day later asking if they could deliver, which they did on the 25th. When auditioning the set the main guy (I can't remember his name as I've mislaid his business card) told me of the imminent price change due on 1st April and that other dealers were not honouring any pre-ordered units, however because they were a Pionner 1+ dealer and shifting lots of units, they would be honouring all pre-ordered unit prices.

I ordered my BDP-LX71 and SC-LX81 from my local dealer on the 4th February. I picked up the BDP-LX71 on the 17th Feb, however I am still waiting for the SC-LX81 to be delivered. I placed a 20% deposit at the time of order and fully expect them to honour the deal.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Ukgthor. ÿThis gives me a bit of hope. ÿI should have asked names but it was two people I spoke to. ÿAs you said the first one said they would honour any price increase. ÿthe second didn't seem to think they would.

ÿGreat minds think alike eh? ÿHope you enjoy your new set-up once you get your amp! ÿ

Just wish i had ordered a week earlier!

ÿ

 

[ukgthor]

Just looked at my calendar appointment for the audition, and I spoke to Ian, who I believe is the owner.

Hope it goes well, and I can't wait to get the receiver and get them all up and running together.

 

[Anonymous]

I have dropped emails to both Superfi (amp & dvd) & Futurehome (tv and stand).

I got a response from Superfi saying the price would not go up from the ordered price (if it does change it would go down). So very happy about that.

Waiting on a response from Futurehome, but hoping for same response.

Thanks for your input.

 

[rajeeboy]

I wouldn't worry too much Barnsleydave. Remember, regardless of whether you have exchanged money, usually you have entered a binding contract when you order something. You have promised to pay £x much and the seller has agreed to sell you goods for that price.

 

[Big Aura]

rajeeboy: you have entered a binding contract when you order something. You have promised to pay £x much and the seller has agreed to sell you goods for that price.

A binding contract entails offer, acceptance, consideration and an intent to create legal relations - you don't say whether you have paid any deposit, but it is open for the chap to say "oops, sorry - can't get it". It's not great business (but these days, keeping a business afloat by not supplying goods at a loss, is the very definition of "great business"), but he's potentially entitled to under law. Of course, if you believe a binding contract has been entered into, there are lots of legal remedies, but to be honest the cost of pursuing them will most likely far exceed the saving you were going to make. The best course of action is (as you've done) get it in writing that they'll supply at the originally agreed price. Best of luck.

 

[Frank Harvey]

As I've said before, unless these items are paid for, or at least have a deposit on them, there is no guarantee the price will be held. The store won't be able to put anything in writing (I've never seen that happen) as they won't be able to guarantee they'll get the stock at the old price until they physically see the invoice.

 

[Big Aura]

Certainly. But if a retailer upped the price because he misjudged his ability to get it from his supplier, I'd make a point of telling as many people as possible. If you can't fulfil a bargain on the agreed terms - don't say you will.

*looks scornfully at "getinthemix" deejay suppliers*

 

[Frank Harvey]

We've reached a point where we no longer promise anything unless we know without a shadow of a doubt we won't be let down. Obviously we want to avoid a situation like you mention, but there are dealers who will promise dates, mainly to get the sale initially, and from their they can switch sell to something else to keep the sale. This just leads to unhappy customers as they end up with something that wasn't their first choice, so there's always a doubt in their mind.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all your thoughts and help. ÿAs i said said earlier in the post I haven't paid a deposit, but superfi have written back & confirmed in writing they WILL honor the price. ÿOnly slight anomoly is the order on the web is now showing as cancelled but again I have an ÿemail from them telling me that the order is NOT cancelled simply out of stock!

ÿStill waiting for a response from Futrehome the pioneer specialist, who I ordered the TV from. ÿThey did ask if I wanted to cancel or buy the LX5090 instead but I said i would wait.ÿ