Acquire.co.nz shipping charges

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PaulBags

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Topic # 125697 16-Jul-2013 16:58

Last week I ordered something online from Aquire, double checked all the costs, shipping costs etc and made the payment online (via dps). Today they sent me another invoice stating "TERMS: Cash account - Due now" and with a break down of costs:
Sub-total:$57.65
Shipping:$15.00
GST:$10.90
Payment:($75.50)
Total:$8.05
The difference is in the shipping cost, I was originally charged and paid for $8. They add GST on top of the shipping, so they're asking for $8.05.

This is the reply I just sent them:

There is nothing in your terms that allow you to charge extra shipping after the transaction has completed, further more the information available on the commerce commission website indicates that what you are doing is at least unethical if not out and out illegal*. I specifically refuse to pay these spurious charges. I have not yet decided whether or not to make a complaint to the commerce commission.

*I refer you specifically here: http://www.comcom.govt.nz/add-ons-and-hidden-fees/

So what are other peoples experiences with Aquire? Am I being too harsh? And am I even in the right (and if not, why not)? I know it's not a large amount of money, but if I was required to pay out everyone who unjustifiably asked for $8.05 then I'd be an anti-millionaire.

ubergeeknz

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Reply # 857518 16-Jul-2013 17:15

I think you're being a bit over-reactive here. Have they at least had a chance to remedy the situation or clarify?

I've purchased many items through Acquire over many years, and found them to be good to deal with.

sleemanj

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Reply # 857576 16-Jul-2013 18:36

You are not being very clear.

Are you saying that you are complaining about $0.05 ?

Or is it that they want to charge you $15 shipping instead of $8 ?

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PaulBags

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Reply # 857665 16-Jul-2013 20:27

sleemanj: You are not being very clear.

Are you saying that you are complaining about $0.05 ?

Or is it that they want to charge you $15 shipping instead of $8 ?

I purchased online from them, was presented with all of the charges and paid online via their paygate at the time. Then they emailed an invoice stating I owe them more money, an invoice that differed from the original. Correct me if I'm wrong but you can't change the price after the transaction is completed.

richms

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Reply # 857671 16-Jul-2013 20:32

Wow. That is bad form on their part.

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PaulBags

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Reply # 857676 16-Jul-2013 20:36

Someone has changed the topic title. I realise 'extortion' is a tad over the top, but can it please be changed to "Aquire.co.nz - dodgy business practises", or something that reflects the nature of the topic; because it's not merely about 'shipping charges'.

PaulBags

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Reply # 857710 16-Jul-2013 21:23

Here are the two emails. While I could understand if there had been a price difference and I'd been contacted about it, it seems totally unreasonable to me to take my money, send the item, and then casually send an invoice suggesting/assuming I owe more money. I can't owe them more money, I never agreed to pay it and it's that simple. There is no explaination in the email, I nearly deleted it assuming it was some random copy of the info I already had.

coffeebaron

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Reply # 857712 16-Jul-2013 21:27

So what did they do when you queried this with them?

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mattwnz

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Reply # 857713 16-Jul-2013 21:28

Sometimes shipping prices can be very difficult to calculate accurately.

SaltyNZ

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Reply # 857850 17-Jul-2013 08:34

Your emails pic isn't showing up.

The first step in my mind would be to confirm what they're asking for with a human. The email was probably generated automatically by their inventory systems and if you point it out to a human they will probably giggle and tell you to ignore it.

Assuming they really are demanding you pay them an extra 5c, do a bank transfer for 10c, then send them an email telling them they owe you 5c. Now you have made your point. Case closed. :-)

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Kyanar

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Reply # 857891 17-Jul-2013 09:12

PaulBags: Here are the two emails. While I could understand if there had been a price difference and I'd been contacted about it, it seems totally unreasonable to me to take my money, send the item, and then casually send an invoice suggesting/assuming I owe more money. I can't owe them more money, I never agreed to pay it and it's that simple. There is no explaination in the email, I nearly deleted it assuming it was some random copy of the info I already had.

This is correct. If it's been sent and the invoice paid, then the contract has been completed (offer, acceptance, consideration, delivery). They have no right to invoice you for additional costs even if they made a mistake - the only time they can declare that they made a mistake and change the price is before you have paid money thereby completing the sale.

This is a clear Sale of Goods Act violation, and you are well within your rights to refuse to pay.

However, bear in mind that they are well within their rights to refuse to deal with you again. It would be best to try and resolve the issue without resorting to legal threats (which you already did, so bridge burnt I guess).

Behodar

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Reply # 857907 17-Jul-2013 09:51

SaltyNZ: Assuming they really are demanding you pay them an extra 5c, do a bank transfer for 10c, then send them an email telling them they owe you 5c. Now you have made your point. Case closed. :-)

It's an extra $8.05 consisting of $7 additional postage plus $1.05 GST. Try this link for the images.

A friend has had problems with Acquire too, specifically ordering a complete computer but receiving it in parts.

freitasm

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Reply # 857911 17-Jul-2013 09:53

PaulBags: Someone has changed the topic title. I realise 'extortion' is a tad over the top, but can it please be changed to "Aquire.co.nz - dodgy business practises", or something that reflects the nature of the topic; because it's not merely about 'shipping charges'.

I've changed it because "extortion" or "dodgy business practises" opens this thread up to a defamation case.

One thing is "opinion" another thing is "statement of fact" and since there's no evidence of "extortion" going on...

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PaulBags

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Reply # 861775 18-Jul-2013 17:46

I thought my email had gone through and they were taking their time to get back to me. Checked my sent folder and it wasn't there, so I sent again. They replied within a few hours, they said it was added in error and apologized.

Feeling kind of humble now. Feel free to ridicule me, or just lock the thread.