Multiple pricing occurs when a supplier displays more than one price for the same item or service. If a supplier displays the same item with more than one price then they must sell it for the lowest displayed price or withdraw the item until the price is corrected.
A price published in a catalogue or advertisement is a ‘displayed price’. If mistakes in catalogues or advertisements have occurred, they can be fixed by publishing a retraction in a publication with a similar circulation or audience to the original advertisement.
Component pricing
A supplier must not promote or state a price for goods or services that is only part of the cost, unless also prominently advertising the single (total) price. The single price must be as clear and obvious to a consumer as the most prominent component of the price.
Where a service is supplied under a contract that provides for periodic payments, the single price does not have to be displayed as prominently as the component prices.
The single price does not have to include a charge for sending goods from the supplier to the consumer, unless the supplier is aware of a minimum charge that must be paid.
The single price is the total of all measurable costs and includes:
- any charge payable, and
- the amount of any tax, duty, fee, levy or charges (for example, GST).
Civil and criminal penalties apply for failing to comply with single price requirements.
Last updated: 11/03/2013