| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 21/08/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 6 |
| Copyright: Other |
Watchdog to decide onpricing policy
TRADING Standards will decide next month whether to prosecute operators after an investigation into brochure prices.The consumer watchdog is believed to be probing Thomson’s pricing policy after receiving a complaint from a rival operator.
Trading Standards spokesman Bruce Treloar confirmed that one operator is suspected of raising prices above those advertised but he refused to reveal the company’s identity or the operator which lodged the complaint.
“It is a criminal investigation and we will decide in about a month what action, if any, to take,” said Treloar.
He said the investigation had been completed but declined to reveal the findings.
“Basically, fluid pricing is illegal and it will take a change to the package travel regulations to overturn that,” added Treloar.
“Even if prices go below the published fare, it is technically illegal although we would be unlikely to take action as that would not disadvantage the customer.”
Thomson has defended its policy insisting the crucial factor is that customers know at the point of sale what price they are paying.