UK Retailer Goes Legal After Shipping PS Vitas To Customers Who Just Bought A Game

from the seller's-remorse dept

While we've had stories in the past about incorrect items being shipped to buyers, those stories usually involve a complete disconnect from what was wanted to what was actually delivered. The story of a firearm being shipped is of particular note. That said, what happens when customers get a tangentially related item to what they actually purchased?

Take, for instance, the case of customers of one UK store, who gathered a list of people who pre-ordered the Playstation Vita game Tearaway and accidentally shipped them the Tearaway Playstation Vita bundle, which is comprised of both the game and the handheld console. So what did the retailer do when people happily found out they got brand new Vitas along with their game?

They asked for them back. And, when some of those customers failed to return the incorrectly shipped item, they let loose with the threats.

This is our final notice to politely remind you that you did not order, or pay for, a PS Vita and if you fail to contact us by 5pm (UK time) on 10th December 2013 to arrange a convenient time for the PS Vita to be collected we reserve the right to enforce any and/or all legal remedies available to us.

It's understandable that the retailer hoped for the best in the level of goodwill in their customers, but in what realm does it make sense to legally threaten your customers because you screwed up the shipping items? And, as far as legal remedies go, at least one customer rights group in Britain seems to think they're SOL.

British customer rights website What Consumer says "if you've been sent unsolicited goods, you are entitled to treat them as an unconditional gift and do with them as you choose."

Frankly, it's hard to understand what recourse is afforded a company that sends paying customers higher-valued items instead. Regardless, the combination of the response by the affected customers and the Streisand Effect is probably going to make this store instantly regret the decision to go legal.

Filed Under: mistakes, playstation vita, ps vita, tearaway, zavvi