Vodacom have their own CPA!

In an insert in yesterday's papers, one for Incredible Connections shows a contract for a BB 8520 + Playbook on contract for R149pm. As I need something like a Playbook for my mother and one for myself, I was at the shop first thing this morning only to be told by a shop assistant that the advert is wrong - it is for a phone only.

I then asked to speak to a manager - was first left waiting around for 10 minutes, then approached by a male assistant (manager?) who never greeted or introduced himself so he could be a tea boy for all I know. He confirmed that the ad is wrong and that the fine print at the bottom states that Vodacom reserves the right to alter or withdraw the deals advertised.

When I wondered out loud how the CPA would view this - I was told that Vodacom are not part of the country-wide CPA, they have their own which will at all times protect them!!!! I queried this and was told no one at Vodacom has to abide by the LEGAL CPA, they do their own CPA.

Nice one Incredible Dece.. oops Connections and Vodacom - guess my mom won't be getting her Playbook, and certainly not from you!

You believe some snot nosed little tosser at Incredible Corruption?

Vodacom have to abide by the CPA.. BUT the CPA doesn't necessarily protect you or them in this case.. the advert was quite CLEARLY wrong at R149pm if you thought it included a Playbook.

An advert is only an offer to enter into a sales agreement. There is no legally binding contract between you and the seller until such time when the sale is concluded. The seller has the right to withdraw his offer if it was made in error and sales agreement has not been concluded. There is nothing you can do about it.

If an uninformed sales person allowed you to sign a contract that stated that you could get the tablet and the phone for that price then you would have a leg to stand on due to misrepresentation.

people make mistakes, they are not bound by the advert.

Umm I have not really complained about the fact that the ad was wrong - I am complaining about the statement made that Vodacom have their own CPA - as in my heading - according to misinformed sales people.

Yes I did realise there could be a catch/mistake, but then again I hear Playbooks are not selling particularly well, the 8520 is now pretty much outdated - sometimes a marketing ploy is used to move a bit of immovable stock.

E&OE still exists. CPA does not cover it.
I wouldnt have believed the dweeb at the counter, its their advert, their printing, their stuff up.
He was obviously shifting the blame...

I just assume that almost everyone I meet is a ****ing idiot. IC staff particularly. Just be glad you didn't ask them anything technical. Look at the replies in this thread, completely ignoring the CPA in general, and S. 23 and 30 specifically. Massmart has stopped putting E & O E anywhere in their adverts, probably because it's now illegal.

Problem is getting the idiots aware of the CPA, and then getting the issue resolved. Your only options are the courts or national consumer commissioner; court cases being costly and the NCC being effectively useless they're so slow.

Things will come right, but it's taking longer than expected.