What recourse does a person have, when stores do things like this?

Question

Sunday I went to a gas station to buy cigarettes. The guy behind the counter say we have a buy 1 get 1 free for a limited time. Its a promotional package from the brand. The extra package had a wrapping on it and that reads, "not for sale". Today, I went back to get a pack and the price went up a whole dollar. Its still a great buy, but I'm wondering if this is legal?

Answer 1

It is my understanding that as long as you charge everyone the same price for the same item, you can charge any thing you want for it.  That's where the free market comes into play.  If one does not like the price at this store they can go on to the next.

Remember most of the time it is the 'suggested retail price' not the mandated price.

Answer 2

You mean there are still people silly enough to smoke? Thats just amazing!!

Answer 3

If they are SELLING the pack that is not properly marked for resale... they  are going to be in DEEP DOO DOO.

If they simply raised the price of the "promo" combination.... that's certainly their right.  

Answer 4

Write down the name, address and store number. Call the distributior on the back of the pack and complain. I can guarantee you that unless there's a good reason those prices will come right back down. It's illegal for the mark-up to be due solely to the package that was not meant for resale.

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Oh, and to what another poster said:

It's not illegal to charge people different prices for the same thing. Car salesmen and airlines do it all the time. It's called price discrimination. There are illegal forms of it, but that's usually because in those cases it involved race or gender or something protected like that. Still, they can discriminate based on age, income, marital status (but not in some states), etc.

Answer 5

If the price went up, then sometimes it is the owner's choice to amend costs of  resale items to aide in meeting their overhead costs.

However, if the costs goes back down $1 AFTER the sale price for the promo, then there is a Fair Trade Act violation because then the increase was done solely for the purpose of the promotional.

Keep your receipt as possible proof if you notice a price change AFTER the sale promo goes away.  Then you will want to contact your State's Consumer Dept. to look into the possibility of price fixing at that time in which the 2 different receipts will be proof of marketing changes.

Answer 6

What part of "for a limited time" confuses you? The time for the special promotion is up, so the price went up.

Answer 7

Why wouldn't it be?  The price increased after you had to buy it at a cheaper price.

Answer 8

As long as the sale falls within the guidelines of the law yeah its legal. Irritating but prices on everything change all the time.

Answer 9

Were they wrapped together somehow?  That "not for resale" would be a way to ensure that the promotional deal that the distributor got would not be taken advantage of by separating them and selling them individually for full price.  What kind of recourse were you looking for?