Watchdog probes data link to prices
Groom left with a whole lotta bottles
An inquiry is being launched into the use of personal data to set individual prices for holidays, cars and household goods.
The move by the Government comes amid fears shoppers are being ripped off. The research, supported by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), will explore the prevalence of “dynamic pricing” based on personal information such as location, marital status, birthday or travel history.
With about 17% of retail sales now made online there is rising concern about the use of technology, including artificial intelligence and bots, to “personalise” prices.
It has become common for online prices to fluctuate depending on time of day or availability. The chancellor, Philip Hammond, has asked a panel of experts to examine competition in the digital economy, including how machine learning and algorithms are used to set prices and whether firms could gang up to disadvantage consumers. Andrea Coscelli, the CMA’S chief executive, said: “It’s important we understand how advances in technology impact consumers, so we can understand how best to protect people from unfair practices. “We will also use the results in our ongoing efforts to help vulnerable consumers.”
Business secretary Greg Clark said: “UK businesses are leading the way in harnessing new technologies. “But companies should not abuse this technology and data to treat consumers, particularly vulnerable ones, unfairly.” Newlywed Alan Hislop is celebrating after finally getting a £409 refund for unused booze.
Alan tied the knot with his partner Jenine at Brookfield Barn, Sussex, in July.
He had ordered more than £800 worth of beer and wine from Sainsbury’s for his big day. “We had about 110 guests and it was a very hot day so people drank a lot of beer and we were left with a lot of unopened wine,” said Alan, 34, who is originally from Langholm in the Borders but now lives in Dorking, Surrey.
“We had a deal to take any surplus drink back to Sainsbury’s but, when I did this soon after the wedding, I ran into all sorts of problems.” For some reason, the £409 refund was credited to a bank card number that didn’t belong to Alan.
Frustrating calls to Sainsbury’s landed on deaf ears. “They checked the CCTV at the store and could clearly see that we had returned the products as specified at the time and date on our receipt,” said Alan.
“But they just wouldn’t acknowledge the fact that they had sent the money back to the wrong card.”
Alan wrote to Raw Deal and we asked Sainsbury’s to investigate.
The “inexplicable” computer issue was soon sorted out and he has now got his £409 back.
Sainsbury’s said: “We’ve spoken to Alan to apologise for this isolated error and the inconvenience it has caused. We’ve made sure he received a full refund.”