I recently ordered a laptop from a small computer store for a nice price of $1988 including taxes. I put the deposit down and have the receipt of the deal signed.
They called me just now and said that the price of the laptop is $300 higher than what I signed for.
They said that I can buy it at the higher price or get my deposit back.
I’m wondering if I have the right to get the laptop for the price they told me since I have the receipt and paid the deposit for the cheaper price.
If so, where can I go make sure that they follow through with the deal?
$2000 dollars (Canadian?) is still a lot for a laptop. $2300 is almost insane. I would get your money back and order one online from a major vendor. There a tons of brand-new state-of-the-art laptops available for under $1300 (U.S.).
Dunno about Canada but in the US IIRC this is a variation of bait and switch and is illegal. Your local equivalent to a district attorney may be able to help. Usually that deposit recept is a form of contract as well, might be able to file some kind of suit for breach of contract.
I called up the BBB in Toronto. They said that if the store is willing to give the deposit back, then they are not doing anything illegal and are within their rights to refuse the sale.
But they suggested I call the Competition Bureau and see if they can bring a case that they used false advertising to get the store to honour their price. So I called the CB. They said that I can only file a complaint and they do nothing on behalf of the person. They suggested I call BBB again. I called BBB and they said to call CB. I said they said to call BBB. So BBB said I could take it to small claims court. I called small claims court and they said it’ll take about 3 months to get a date.
So I figured I’ll just get my deposit back and forget all this hassle. By the time I get the court date, that laptop will be around the price I want it for or less.