It was so hastily-implemented that I think it’s either an oversight or by design.
TWeaK@lemm.ee 6 days ago
That’s probably illegal.
eezeebee@lemmy.ca 6 days ago
deranger@sh.itjust.works 6 days ago
It is in the US.
The FTC’s Guides Against Deceptive Pricing generally require that a seller offer an item at a price for a reasonable, substantial period of time in good faith, and in the regular course of business, before advertising that price as the former or regular price (16 C.F.R. § 233.1). The FTC considers it deceptive to offer an item for sale at a higher price for a short period of time in order to support a claim that an item is discounted when the price is then lowered. This practice is prohibited.
Additionally, most states have consumer protection statutes that prohibit sellers from making false or misleading statements of fact concerning the reasons for, existence of, or amount of a price reduction (for example, Cal. Civ. Code § 1770(a)(13)). Several states also expressly regulate the length of time an item must be offered at a regular price and amount of time it is on sale (for more information, see Practice Notes, Promotional Pricing: Specific State Laws and “Up To” Discounting Law and Practice: Promotional Pricing: State-by-State Requirements).
From here
adarza@lemmy.ca 6 days ago
tell that to amazon and every other retailer that jacks prices up the week or so before a ‘sale’
deranger@sh.itjust.works 6 days ago
For Amazon, I use camelcamelcamel to see price history. Personally I’ve not seen price increases just for holiday sales but I also don’t buy a lot of stuff on these sorts of days, I just set a price alert and wait for the email.
Bronzebeard@lemm.ee 6 days ago
Sites like these are why amazon has been using more coupons at check out instead of straight discounts. Messes with the price tracking
ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de 6 days ago
The price hike in Canada’s instance, wouldn’t violate US law.
They aren’t advertising a “sale”. You just aren’t paying taxes on what you buy, and it isn’t wal mart doing it, it’s the government. Wal mart is just choosing to screw over the buyers and the government all in one go.
shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip 6 days ago
In that case, they won’t lower it in February than it’s not illegal because they’re not offering it for a higher price for a short amount of time.
henfredemars@infosec.pub 6 days ago
It is, and they don’t care.
StopTouchingYourPhone@lemmy.world 6 days ago
When fines are “the cost of doing business.”
henfredemars@infosec.pub 6 days ago
Fine should be a direct cut of company value or profits. Proportional, not an absolute value.
Vinny_93@lemmy.world 6 days ago
It has been ruled illegal in the Netherlands only last year but companies still do it and het away with it.