Pricing
I've been in a shop and couldn't find any prices on goods for sale. Is this legal?
Can a trader show prices excluding VAT?
I went into a restaurant and was embarrassed when the prices were higher than I expected on reading the menu.
I went into a pub recently and the price list was behind the bar where I couldn't read it. Is this right?
Do traders have to indicate the price of services?
I selected goods but was asked to pay a higher price at the till. What can I do?
I've been in a shop and couldn't find any prices on goods for sale. Is this legal?
No. The Price Marking Order requires that all goods offered for retail sale must be priced. A price can be given in several ways, including a shelf edge ticket, a price on each item, a price list. However prices are not required for works of art or antiques.
The price shown must be the final price for the item or a given quantity of product, including VAT and other taxes.
See also: Price marking of goods for retail sale
I went into a restaurant and was embarrassed when the prices were higher than I expected on reading the menu.
Restaurants and pubs are required to ensure a customer is aware of the prices of food and drink, and of any additional charges such as a service charge before they make the purchase. How or where the information is displayed is not prescribed, but it should be clear and easily readable by the average consumer. If prices are not displayed ask the waiter to see a menu before being seated and report the absence of menu prices to your local trading standards service.
See also: Keeping within the law in pubs, restaurants and cafes
I went into a pub recently and the price list was behind the bar where I couldn't read it. Is this right?
Bars and restaurants are required to ensure the customer is aware of the prices of food and drink, and any additional charges before they make a purchase. How or where they display this information is not prescribed, but it should be clear and easily readable by the average consumer. If prices are not displayed or difficult to see report the details to your local trading standards service.
See also: Keeping within the law in pubs, restaurants and cafes
Do traders have to indicate the price of services?
No, only goods need to be priced. However the price of accommodation in hotels and guesthouses does need to be displayed in the reception area at the entrance. If you are planning to employ a tradesman, protect yourself by getting several quotes in writing and comparing them. An estimate is not a fixed price and could vary.
Remember you are only obliged to pay a 'reasonable' charge for the work carried out in the absence of any other agreement.
See also: Displaying prices in hotels and guesthouses
I selected goods but was asked to pay a higher price at the till. What can I do?
When a mistake like this happens, the trader is not obliged to sell you the goods at the lower price. He is entitled to withdraw the goods from sale until the problem is rectified. You cannot insist on buying the goods at the lower price.
However if a trader tries to charge you more for goods which are advertised at a lower price, then a misleading price indication could be given, which is a criminal offence. If this happens and you are not satisfied with the trader's explanation of how it happened then let trading standards know.
See also: Buying Goods
The Frequently Asked Questions were developed by the Crossing the Boundaries partnership (CtB) of Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire.