Power Company reneging on verbal price offer?

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WolfmanNZ

148 posts

Master Geek
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#195492 21-Apr-2016 16:47

Just after people opinions (or fact if they know the specifics of the laws involved)

Got cold called by Power Company to switch to them, we were thinking of changing so let them do the spiel and comparison. We liked the idea of a fixed price for Gas as we use a LOT during winter (central heating) and was advised price was $129 per month for suitable plan. I was checking online on their site whilst on call and noticed online that deal was $149, so I asked for confirmation of the price, which was again given as $129.

Get confirmation letter other day, the fixed price is shown as $149 p/m. /sigh. Ring company, they investigate, and they confirm I was offered the deal at $129 p/m, but they were going to conduct a review of the case and may not honor it.

SO I am asking - is this legitimate? This is not a mis-labelled price tag this is a verbal offer over the phone that I made them confirm at the time. If they decide to not honor the offer do I have a leg to stand on or can they just claim it was a mistake - bad luck?

We went like this. he went like that. I say "Where'd he go?" Hollywood says "Where'd WHO go?!"

Brumfondl

1198 posts

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#1537635 21-Apr-2016 17:14

IANAL but I would say that they have the right not to honour the deal and you have the right not to decide not to switch power companies. I would think it very silly of them not to offer the $129 price after confirming that that is what they offered you. I am sure that some of NZs less reputable news sites such as Stuff would happily seize on the story and publicise it were you to talk to them about it.

mattwnz

20515 posts

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#1537645 21-Apr-2016 17:31

I can't understand how they could have offered the wrong price if you got them to confirm it. Did they subcontract out the cold calling to a third party company something? This is another reason I hate cold callers, and think they should be banned, as it is worse than spamming. At the very least I think they should honour it, as they have also wasted your time. But legally, they may not have to honour it, but morally, I think they should.