Quote:
Originally Posted by Buff
I would pay $2500. They quoted you $2500, that is what you pay. Their mistake. Too bad, so sad. You go to a store to buy a toaster and the price on the shelf says $20, but they forgot to change the label, the price in the system is actually $30. Too bad for them, you pay $20. Same rules apply at the dentist.
I think the dentist was hoping that you would fork over the $6000 if they mentioned their mistake, but were prepared to only charge what they quoted.
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The toaster example isn't always correct. If they advertised the price in a flyer of $10, but it was a mistake and should have been $30, they don't have to sell it to you for $10.
If they have a sticker that says $20, but it rings up $30, they don't have to sell to you at that price. Many stores, like Safeway, will give you the item for free (up to $10, limit of one) if the sticker price is higher than the register price. Often though, you have to pay for it, and get it adjusted at customer service. If you notice it while it is rung in, they usually just adjust the price to the lower amount at that time.
To stretch your example to an extreme, if an employee of a car dealership was angry at his boss and put $1 stickers on all the cars, the dealership wouldn't have to sell every car at $1, just because there was a sticker on it. I believe (and correct me if I'm wrong) that the stickers and flyers are invitations to treat, and thus are not an accepted offer.
If someone gave me a quote, and it was in writing, I'd expect that was the most it could be. I would guess there is also a difference between a quote and a contract, but I don't know the legal specifics.
In the OP's case, I'd be really angry if they charged me $6,000. I'd be under the assumption that the price was the same if they didn't tell me until after the procedure was done. It would be unacceptable they wouldn't tell you of the change and give you a choice. If you brought the toaster up to the till and it was $500, not $30, you wouldn't be forced to buy it and could walk away. They owe you the same courtesy here.