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SHOPPERS looking for a bargain on furniture might not be saving as much as they think, as four major retailers have been accused of misleading pricing tactics.
An investigation by Which? has revealed that Very, Furniture Village, Blinds Direct, and 247 Blinds are using questionable “was/now” sale labels that could leave customers paying over the odds.
Which? spent ten months tracking the prices of more than 40,000 home furnishing products from nine major brands.
Some retailers were found to use inflated “was prices” that hadn’t been charged for weeks – or even months – before a sale began.
The watchdog said this can create the illusion of a bigger discount than shoppers are actually getting.
Take Very, for example.
Its Rubberwood dining set was advertised as “Was £349, Now £299” in May, but the set hadn’t been sold at £349 since March.
During that time, it had been available for as little as £199.
Essentially, shoppers were paying £100 more than they could have just two weeks earlier.
Which? found that 75% of sale items at Very had prices that didn’t match up.
Furniture Village wasn’t much better.
Its Dolce dining set was labelled “Was £2,349, Now £1,795”, but the set had been sold at £2,095 just a month earlier.
That’s £254 less than the supposed “was price”, meaning the advertised discount was far bigger than the real saving.
And at 247 Blinds, Which? said 98% of sale items had misleading prices.
For example, one blind was advertised as “Was £105.66, Now £103.88,” even though it hadn’t been sold at £105.66 since December.
In fact, it had recently been available for just £79.25.
Very defended its pricing, claiming fluctuations are due to market trends and promotions.
Furniture Village said its Dolce dining set was part of a clearance sale and doesn’t reflect its usual pricing approach.
Blinds Direct promised to investigate its practices, while 247 Blinds didn’t respond to Which?’s requests for comment.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) says that “was prices” must reflect the price charged immediately before a discount starts.
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) also warns that misleading price comparisons could breach consumer law.
Yet Which? found numerous examples of products being advertised with “was prices” for far longer than they were actually sold at those prices.
For instance, Very’s Rubberwood dining set was labelled “Was £349” for 68 days – but it had only been sold at that price for five days beforehand.
At Furniture Village, 75% of sale products had “was prices” lasting longer than the actual sale period, with similar issues found at 247 Blinds and Blinds Direct.
Lisa Webb, consumer law expert at Which?, said: “Sneaky pricing tactics are unacceptable, but Which? investigations have repeatedly found problems with pricing across a range of retailers.
“Shoppers should take discounts from these stores with a pinch of salt and make sure they shop around at other retailers to see if they can find anything similar at a better price before parting with any hard-earned cash.”
IT'S not all bad news for bargain hunters.
Which? found that Argos, Blinds2Go, Dunelm, Ikea, and John Lewis were far better at keeping their pricing honest.
Across these five retailers, fewer than 12% of sale items had intervening prices, and just 5% had “was prices” lasting longer than they were actually sold at that price.
One standout example came from Argos, which ran a one-month sale on its Miami dining set.
The “was price” used was the most recent price charged before the sale, and the discounted price was consistent throughout the promotion.
This clear and simple approach makes it easy for shoppers to see exactly how much they’re saving.
OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.
Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today.
ARIES
March 21 to April 20
Saturn’s influence starts your day with a strong cash drive – so review spending and saving, as you can see simple fixes, even for old problems.
Later, Uranus makes mischief in your communication zone and careless words could slip out so be careful.
So read through all messages twice before you send.
TAURUS
April 21 to May 21
It’s so tempting to let difficult people go from your life, but your chart encourages extra talking first, and asks you to swop moral high ground for a more understanding stance.
You only need to do this once – as results should speak for themselves.
Taurus luck is strongest where matching outfits are worn.
Get all the latest Taurus horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
GEMINI
May 22 to June 21
Trusting your own judgement is easier as the moon intensifies inner vision – even if this tells you something you resist at first, today it’s enough to accept the challenge.
Neptune softens people bonds that may have become too rigid.
Even if you feel the moment has passed, you still have a chance to speak.
Get all the latest Gemini horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
CANCER
June 22 to July 22
Pluto pushes through any justification you have given yourself for holding back feelings or information – and creates an unexpected chance to put this right.
It’s not easy to accept this, but it’s important to try.
Your love chart is based on adoring a partner’s flaws as well as strengths – and doing the same for yourself.
Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
LEO
July 23 to August 23
Being part of a group, rather than always needing to lead it, can be the key to letting some deep indecision go.
From a work team to a love partnership, proving you can be unselfish and understanding is your passport to happiness.
Even if this means following orders you don’t 100 per cent agree with. Luck circles “42”
Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
VIRGO
August 24 to September 22
As Pluto’s input intensifies, you may feel it’s pointless to set more health goals, as they always seem to be scuppered.
But this is just what you need to laser-focus your mind on. It is waiting there for you, and today you can make a start, no matter what.
Passion could call your name in a place you least expect it.
Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
LIBRA
September 23 to October 23
There’s so much positive movement in your chart.
Even stick-in-the-mud Saturn is prepared to support your dreams, especially any that link to higher learning.
So instead of seeing things that could go wrong, spend today expecting everything to go right.
Your name on, or in, a love story can be coming so close.
Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
The traditional dates used by Mystic Meg for each sign are below.
SCORPIO
October 24 to November 22
It’s not always comfortable to scrap a plan and start again – but today this is easier for you than usual.
So if you sense a creative idea has gone astray, you can get it back into line, with skill and flair.
In love terms, too, it’s not too late to express any misgivings and make a new plan.
Single? New love has a one-off name.
Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
SAGITTARIUS
November 23 to December 21
Smoothing all kinds of deals is your star skill of the day – however far an agreement may have gone, you can still make your unique mark on it.
And you also have the ability to keep friends, family or even strangers, talking on target, rather than breaking away.
As for love, if you seek to set a special date, this can be the day.
Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
CAPRICORN
December 22 to January 20
Healthy choices need to feel and look right.
If there is any disconnect here, this is your day to make a move.
Just because everyone else is taking a particular path, doesn’t mean you have to follow.
Love is on a learning curve that won’t always be easy, but will always be worthwhile, especially where “M” is concerned
Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
AQUARIUS
January 21 to February 18
Creative sparks crop up through your day – make sure you have mundane tasks done early on, so you can focus on the fun side of success.
A role you adore, even if it pays little in cash terms, can be an emotional goldmine, and you can spot it first today.
The luck factor links to recent new parents, or pet parents.
Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
PISCES
February 19 to March 20
Tapping into instincts linked to homes and families can be a rewarding action – as you recognise how special your skills are here.
Saturn’s steady hand supports trying before you buy – not just items or buildings, but emotions, too.
Your willingness to put yourself out there can be what someone special is waiting for.
Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
