Littlewoods direct-false incentives ?

[Clalou]

Hi

 

I wonder whether anyone can help me. I received an email from littlewoods direct, who I hold an account with. The email was a special offer. It stated that if I spent over £15 I would receive a free gift worth £80. I was skeptical as it seemed too good to be true. I decided that I would have a look at their online catalogue and initiate a purchase using the offer code provided. I intended to cancel the sale if I was told they had run out of stock for the free offer. I answered the email I received within a matter of hours and completed a purchase for something I didn't particularly want, as I really wanted the free gift. I was then sent an email stating the delivery time and date of my purchase and the delivery time and date of the free gift I had qualified for (a few days later than my purchase delivery). When I tried to track my free gift with their online tracking tool I was surprised to see that all mention of the free gift had disappeared from my account. I sent an email enquiring as to it's whereabouts and I received a reply saying that 'my item' had been despatched and would be with me soon.....panic over? When the day of the delivery arrived I was handed a rather small package at the door (the free gift was a large item). When I opened it, I found an inexpensive webcam which I had neither asked for nor wanted.

 

When I phoned to complain I was told there was nothing they could do as they had run out of the free gift. I couldn't understand how I had received an email stating what the free gift was and when I would be receiving it if they had run out of stock. Surely they knew how many of these items they had?? I had made a purchase within hours of receiving the email! They told me I had received a webcam in it's place, which costs significantly less and which I have no interest in owning. I would never have made a purchase (especially as it's gone onto my credit account) if the incentive had been a webcam.

 

I feel they are luring people into spending money with false promises that they know full well they cannot deliver on!

 

I'd really appreciate any advice anyone has to offer. Is there any action I can take or are they allowed to operate in this manner.

 

Thanks

Clalou

[MARTIN3030]

Welcome to the site-unfortunately this is not a new issue.

Will move your thread.