Over the weekend, Reebok accidentally offered sportswear for just a few korunas in its Czech online shop. Numerous customers took advantage of the mistake – but the company is now cancelling the orders.
Sportswear manufacturer Reebok inadvertently listed products at extremely low prices in its online shop over the weekend. Many Czech customers took advantage of the error and ordered sportswear en masse for just a few crowns. Social media initially speculated whether this could be a targeted marketing campaign.
Men’s T-shirts for 28 korunas, women’s T-shirts for 16 korunas, trainers for 80 korunas – Reebok’s e-shop had apparently confused euros with korunas. Many Czechs reacted quickly and placed large orders. It is unclear how many orders have actually been received; however, it is likely to be several thousand.
Reebok has since begun sending emails to affected customers. In these emails, the retailer informs customers that their orders have been cancelled and any amounts already paid will be refunded. Online shops usually reserve the right in their terms and conditions not to fulfil an order in the event of an obvious pricing error.
In any case, the incident sparked numerous discussions and ridicule on social media. From ‘I was afraid I’d have to wear Reebok shoes’ to ‘This is the end of the brand,’ users did not hold back with their mockery and anger over the incident.
Contract was never concluded
According to Jan Vetyška, managing director of the Czech Association for Electronic Commerce, withdrawing from the contract in the event of an obvious error is legally permissible. ‘In this case, however, no contract was concluded at all; it is merely a cancellation of the order,’ he explained to the news channel ČT24.
In exceptional cases, retailers do actually deliver incorrectly priced products. In most known cases, however, they withdraw from the offer. Similar incidents have occurred at other companies: Alza once accidentally advertised electronic items at a fraction of the regular price. Lego also once mistakenly offered its kits for just a few crowns.
