Ushaka going against the CPA?

[Wasp_21]

Long story short, took the family to Ushaka for the day. 2 adults and 1 child. I could not get hold of them on the phone before we went, and got an automated response on prices. According to the automated response, the day to visit the aquarium for us would be R305. So went for the day, and got to the ticket stand. The lady tells me, they having an easter special, where you get both aquarium and water park for reduced rate. So i said, no thanks, we only want to see the aquarium side. They refused to give me normal prices, as the "buy one for 2" was the only option for me. In short, the entrance was now R405 for us 3. As far as i can tell, they can't force me to buy a higher price for the easter special, and more so because i didn't want to visit the water park. It was a hundred rand more, but that could have been lunch for us three. I am taking it up with them, but want to test my logic.

 

[JStrike]

Why do you think it is illegal?
Because of bundling? You will struggle with that argument

 

[web]

What do people actually think the CPA is...

 

[JStrike]

What do people actually think the CPA is...

People make the mistake of thinking it is some new set of laws. It isn't.
You had exactly the same protections before under common law.

The only real difference now is you have someone to do your litigation on your behalf, instead of fighting for yourself.
South Africa's evolution into a nanny state continues....

 

[web]

People make the mistake of thinking it is some new set of laws. It isn't.
You had exactly the same protections before under common law.

The only real difference now is you have someone to do your litigation on your behalf, instead of fighting for yourself.
South Africa's evolution into a nanny state continues....

I know that, I just see so many threads here where people mistakenly think the CPA is going to help them in some way and half the time what they are moaning about is just plain ridiculous but they somehow believe the CPA will help them.

 

[Griz]

I wanted to only see the first 15 mins of Hunger Games, but they wouldnt give a 80% discount even tho I only wanted to see 20% of the movie, what is wrong with ster kinekor?!?!?!?

 

[Wasp_21]

Yet another fruitful basket of great replies from MyBB forumites. I think reading the situation would assist. Item 1 = R100, Item 2 = R200. You cannot buy item 1 because item 2 is on special? I don't see how that choice is in line of the spirit of the CPA (to protect the consumer). In any effect, i have learnt my lesson in expecting too much from some members. In any event, i will post what the customer relations manager has to respond on my e-mail to them, at least this will help those members that have a genuine interest.

 

[ISP cash cow]

You guys are being quite harsh.

firstly uShaka shows on their website that they do allow access to the aquarium and to the water park seperately. If they want to do a group deal special and allow access to both at a reduced rate then fair enough. But how is it a special price if you know you are not going to use the water park and have to spend an extra 100 rand for a service you did not want or ask for. If it was the only option they had and mentioned it in their pricing on the phone or on the website then they are doing what they advertise.

Yes some people do go overboard with the CPA but in this case what they advertise and display (see their website) and what they were offering at the door were two different things and not in favour of the consumer.

 

[JStrike]

You guys are being quite harsh.

firstly uShaka shows on their website that they do allow access to the aquarium and to the water park seperately. If they want to do a group deal special and allow access to both at a reduced rate then fair enough. But how is it a special price if you know you are not going to use the water park and have to spend an extra 100 rand for a service you did not want or ask for. If it was the only option they had and mentioned it in their pricing on the phone or on the website then they are doing what they advertise.

Yes some people do go overboard with the CPA but in this case what they advertise and display (see their website) and what they were offering at the door were two different things and not in favour of the consumer.

It is simple law that everyone should be familiar with.

If something is priced at R30, but you get to the till and the cashier says it is R50, the business hasn't done anything wrong, as the Offer is only made at the till (And Acceptance occurs when you pay). The price on the label is merely an invitation to do business. No breach has occurred.

Same with some advert on their website

 

[Bizkit87]

It is simple law that everyone should be familiar with.

If something is priced at R30, but you get to the till and the cashier says it is R50, the business hasn't done anything wrong, as the Offer is only made at the till (And Acceptance occurs when you pay). The price on the label is merely an invitation to do business. No breach has occurred.

Same with some advert on their website

That can't be right.

So, if i have a supermarket, i can mark everything in the isle's and on my advertising as 99c, but when you get to the till, the cashier's machine will inform you that the price is actually R9.99. and if you say nothing when i scan it, the "offer" and acceptance, has then occured???

 

[MongooseMan]

It is simple law that everyone should be familiar with.

If something is priced at R30, but you get to the till and the cashier says it is R50, the business hasn't done anything wrong, as the Offer is only made at the till (And Acceptance occurs when you pay). The price on the label is merely an invitation to do business. No breach has occurred.

Same with some advert on their website

I'm never shopping at your store...

 

[FNfal]

My opinion is that is a rip off ,if you just want to go to the aquarium then you should be able to do that .Dont sell me apples and pears when i just want apples WTF

 

[JStrike]

That can't be right.

So, if i have a supermarket, i can mark everything in the isle's and on my advertising as 99c, but when you get to the till, the cashier's machine will inform you that the price is actually R9.99. and if you say nothing when i scan it, the "offer" and acceptance, has then occured???

That is right.

It's one of the literal textbook examples from BusLaw 100.

South Africans ignorance of our law is staggering sometimes. We need a SA Legal TV show

 

[Sherbang]

A shop or company can sell their goods / services however they want and at whatever price they want. If you don't like it then don't buy it. The CPA won't help you here. You knew what you were buying and got what you paid for.

 

[Sherbang]

That can't be right.

So, if i have a supermarket, i can mark everything in the isle's and on my advertising as 99c, but when you get to the till, the cashier's machine will inform you that the price is actually R9.99. and if you say nothing when i scan it, the "offer" and acceptance, has then occured???

Not quite. After they scan it you can say WTF, I'm not paying 9.99 for that, goodbye.
Once you know the price and you pay it then what's the problem? The goods were marked wrong but you paid the correct amount, deal done.

 

[Sherbang]

You could complain to the ASA though.

 

[Bizkit87]

That is right.

It's one of the literal textbook examples from BusLaw 100.

South Africans ignorance of our law is staggering sometimes. We need a SA Legal TV show

Perhaps you have an opportunity, tell M-net about your show !!

That sounds like BS, that companies can get away with stuff like this.

 

[JStrike]

You could complain to the ASA though.

True, as it is misleading advertising, and should take down their advertisement. However, I don't know if that will apply to website advertisements

 

[JStrike]

Perhaps you have an opportunity, tell M-net about your show !!

That sounds like BS, that companies can get away with stuff like this.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with it. If you don't like the price, simply don't pay. There is no gun to your head

 

[ISP cash cow]

That can't be right.

So, if i have a supermarket, i can mark everything in the isle's and on my advertising as 99c, but when you get to the till, the cashier's machine will inform you that the price is actually R9.99. and if you say nothing when i scan it, the "offer" and acceptance, has then occured???

That is right.

It's one of the literal textbook examples from BusLaw 100.

South Africans ignorance of our law is staggering sometimes. We need a SA Legal TV show

Its not ignorance of the law, Laws are their to protect people who are not lawyers or understand the basic priniciples of business practices. This is the reason why the CPA was brought out. Yes it is basically the same rules we always had but people did not know of them or understand them. All that has happened is a bit of changes for local times and making public awareness to their buying rights.

You cannot falsely advertise pricing on your items or on your website, yes most people would not take the company to task (legally) for the action as it is costly to go to court in south African but if people had the money to get lawyers involved I guarantee you the company that did business like that would be closing its doors soon.

also this is a snippet of what the CPA protects

http://http://consumerlaw.co.za/the-act/advertising-and-marketing/

Advertising and marketing
GENERAL RULE

Generally, the Act outlaws any advertising and marketing techniques that are false or misleading, or which put consumers under too much pressure to buy from you.

Not quite. After they scan it you can say WTF, I'm not paying 9.99 for that, goodbye.
Once you know the price and you pay it then what's the problem? The goods were marked wrong but you paid the correct amount, deal done.

Maybe we do need a south African court based tv program with idiotic responses like this.