Pinckney, MI asked in Business Formation and Civil Litigation for Michigan

Q: If you post something online for a certain price do you have to sell it at that price or lower?

Let’s say some dealership is trying to be slick and use Facebook marketplace. They post a product for ridiculously cheap knowing that product is way more then the posted price. Could a consumer sue the dealer to get the product for the posted price?

1 Lawyer Answer
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
Answered
  • Grand Rapids, MI
  • Licensed in Michigan

A: As they say, "the devil is in the details". You would really need to ascertain what, if any, strings are attached to the offer, and whether you met all those conditions. Let's just say, for example, a store advertised new refrigerators for $100, but the conditions were that you had to apply and be approved for the store credit card and purchase the refrigerator on it. If you didn't do those things, you wouldn't be entitled to that price even though it was advertised as such.

There is a consumer protection act in Michigan that prevents misleading advertisements. However, it has many loopholes. But if you believe this situation falls within that, it might be worth looking into.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.