Legal Question in Consumer Law in Washington

False Price Advertising

I am having a fence company come over tomorrow to give me an estimate. I found out about them on the internet and they have their pricing per foot posted for different styles of fence. I just found out that the pricing is not correct and it is quite a bit higher. ($2.45 per ft more) That is a lot of money in fencing, well over $500.00. It does not say on the website that prices are subject to change, or any disclaimer. Is this false advertising? Do they legally need to honor their pricing? I live in Washington State.


Asked on 6/15/07, 11:07 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Elizabeth Powell ELizabeth Powell PS Inc

Re: False Price Advertising

An estimate is an offer, not a contract. If you think this company is not being truthful with their advertising, don't hire them.

Hiring them when you think they are unscrupulous and not truthful about their pricing policy will backfire. It could well be that you are right.

If you are right then you do not want to reward these people economically.

You can check on line with the State for any registered contractors status with the State. You can get referrals from friends and neighbors.

But hiring a company when you can see for yourself the discrepancy in their advertised prices is a disaster in the making.

The whole notion of consumer protection is evaporating. You need to look after your own interests. Clearly you have done some research on this company.

But I get the impression that what you are thinking is that you should hire them and then refuse to pay or offer them less than they charge because there are discrepancies in their advertisements, thinking you can sue them later for false advertising.

That's just not a good idea. Elizabeth Powell

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Answered on 6/15/07, 11:14 am


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