A suspected glitch on Thursday evening saw some Co-op product prices reduced by as much as 100% on the delivery app Deliveroo. The pricing error allowed some shoppers to get products - including jars of Loyd Grossman pasta sauce, Costa ground coffee and Fox's cookies - for free. Whether a retailer has to honour purchases of products advertising lower prices in error can depend on their terms and conditions. But the BBC spoke to several people who were able to take advantage of the Co-op's reduced items on Deliveroo, such as Robinsons squash being discounted from £1.50 to 15p a bottle. Co-op and Deliveroo have been approached for comment. Peter, who lives in Lancashire, told the BBC the "incredible offer" allowed him to get more than £80 worth of goods for just £3.29 - including delivery fees. "I was surprised the Co-op and Deliveroo honoured and delivered the mispriced items," he said. He said he will be donating most of the items to his local food bank "who desperately need non-perishable food for people in my community". It was recently revealed that, like Marks and Spencer, the Co-op has beenaffected by a cyber attack. The firm shut down parts of its IT systems in response to hackers attempting to gain access. There is no suggestion this issue and the attempted cyber attack are linked. Meanwhile, Sally Marie from Bolton said like many who bought discounted goods on Thursday evening, she found out about it from a website which called it a "glitch". "I was sat on the sofa and thought I'd give it a go before the Co-op ran out of stock," she said. "I quickly installed Deliveroo, and to my surprise, I found some items priced at zero." Her order arrived just 15 minutes later. People also posted evidence of their low-priced purchases from the Co-op's Deliveroo service on social media. "Got myself a lot of cheap bits from the Co-op," saidone user in a post on X. "15p Robinsons squash will do well with the heat wave." Meanwhile on Instagram, one user said they found other products heavily discounted, with Airwick Reed Diffusers selling for £5.45 less than their regular price. He told the BBC that the prices returned to normal within 45 minutes of him ordering and receiving his items via Deliveroo. According to Citizen's Advice, your rights when shopping for an item online that has been discounted in a pricing errorcan depend on a store's terms and conditions. These may only give the consumer legal rights once they have either placed the order or received it. It adds that when buying in a shop, you should not have to give back an item or pay more for it if they sold it to you at a lower cost than they meant to - unless you discussed the price first but they ended up charging you less. Many retailers tend to uphold pricing errors for products. In 2022, a pricing mistake for copies of Fifa 23 Ultimate Edition on India's Epic Games store allowed some to buy the game for 4.80 rupees ($0.06; £0.05). Its publisher Electronic Arts (EA)said it would honour games purchased at its erroneous 99% discount.
Suspected glitch causes 100% price reduction on some Co-op products
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Glitch on Deliveroo Leads to 100% Price Reductions on Co-op Products"
Bbc News
7.2
TruthLens AI Summary
On Thursday evening, a suspected glitch on the delivery app Deliveroo resulted in significant price reductions for several Co-op products, with some items marked down by as much as 100%. Shoppers were able to acquire popular items such as Loyd Grossman pasta sauce, Costa ground coffee, and Fox's cookies for free or at drastically reduced prices. For instance, Robinsons squash, which typically retails at £1.50, was available for just 15p a bottle. This pricing error raised questions regarding the retailer's obligation to honor purchases made under such circumstances, as it often depends on the specific terms and conditions outlined by the store. Many users took to social media to share their experiences and highlight the unexpected bargains they found, with one customer, Peter from Lancashire, managing to secure over £80 worth of goods for only £3.29, including delivery fees. He expressed his intention to donate most of the items to a local food bank in need of non-perishable goods for the community.
The Co-op's recent pricing glitch comes shortly after the company faced a cyber attack that led to the shutdown of parts of its IT systems. However, there is currently no evidence linking the cyber incident to the pricing error. Customers like Sally Marie from Bolton discovered the glitch through social media and acted quickly to place their orders before the stock ran out. She shared that her order arrived just 15 minutes later, which further fueled the excitement among shoppers. As the discounts were corrected within approximately 45 minutes, it sparked discussions about consumer rights in situations involving pricing errors. According to Citizen's Advice, the legal rights of consumers in these scenarios depend on the retailer's terms, and generally, retailers tend to honor pricing errors, as seen in past incidents like the Epic Games store pricing mistake for the Fifa 23 Ultimate Edition.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article describes a significant pricing glitch that allowed customers to purchase Co-op products at an astonishingly low price—some items even for free. This incident raises various questions about pricing integrity, consumer behavior, and potential implications for the brands involved.
Purpose of the Publication
One primary objective of this report seems to be capturing public interest through a sensational story of a glitch that benefited consumers. By highlighting the generous purchases made by individuals, the article aims to create a positive narrative around the Co-op and Deliveroo, depicting them as customer-friendly brands willing to honor their mistakes.
Public Perception
This incident may foster a sense of community and goodwill, as individuals share their experiences of benefiting from the pricing error. The story emphasizes altruism, especially through the actions of customers who plan to donate their free goods to food banks, which may enhance the public image of both companies.
Hidden Agendas
While the article focuses on the glitch, it also subtly references a recent cyber attack affecting the Co-op, which could prompt readers to question the brand's overall stability and security. The mention of this attack might serve to distract from the ongoing challenges the company faces, weaving a narrative of crisis management into the story.
Manipulative Elements
The article seems to carry a moderate level of manipulation, primarily through its selective focus on the positive outcomes of the glitch while not providing a comprehensive view of the implications for pricing policies or consumer rights. The emphasis on community support and generosity may overshadow any critical discussions about the responsibilities of retailers in such situations.
Truthfulness of the Report
The events described appear to be factual, corroborated by personal accounts and social media evidence. However, the framing of the story could lead to an overly optimistic interpretation of the situation, which may not fully capture the complexities of retail pricing errors.
Societal Implications
The incident could lead to increased scrutiny of pricing practices in the grocery sector and may prompt discussions about consumer rights regarding pricing errors. If such glitches become more frequent, they could influence purchasing behaviors and expectations.
Target Audiences
This report appears to resonate more with consumers who are active on social media and enjoy sharing deals and bargains. It may appeal to community-minded individuals interested in charitable actions and local support systems.
Market Impact
While the immediate impact on stock prices is likely negligible, retail companies like Co-op and Deliveroo may face longer-term reputational considerations. Investors may scrutinize the operational integrity of these companies, especially in light of the cyber attack mentioned.
Global Context
On a broader scale, this incident does not significantly shift global power dynamics but may reflect ongoing trends in consumerism, digital retail, and corporate responsibility. The timing of this glitch amid concerns over cybersecurity also underscores vulnerabilities in the retail sector.
Role of AI
There is no clear indication that AI was used in the writing of this article. However, if AI had been involved, it might have influenced the narrative style to emphasize consumer experiences and positive outcomes, thereby directing reader sentiment in a favorable manner.
The article's framing, while factual, leans towards promoting a narrative of goodwill and community support, with moderate manipulative elements that could shape public perception in specific ways. Overall, while the story is based on real events, the manner of its presentation could lead to an overly simplistic understanding of the implications involved.