I frequently order collectibles from an online storefront. The seller heavily adjusts the quantity I am to receive without notification after the items have been paid for, ships the reduced order, and refunds the missing items (but not shipping costs) several weeks later. At no time am I informed of this process until after I have opened the package and discover the reduction.
Example: I place an order for 20 copies of a card which is allowed by the store (the quantity desired is in-stock and has a limit of 20). I pay for this order, including shipping costs. The order is confirmed by the company. When I receive my package there are only 6 copies inside. I email the seller who replies that in their terms and conditions, they are allowed to adjust quantity ordered at any time for any reason. In particular, this order was adjusted because the seller felt that the items were, in hindsight, listed and sold for too low of a price. Sure enough, the items have been re-listed for a higher price. This is common practice in the collectibles market, and is not my main concern. When I was considering the purchase, I assumed that the shipping paid would be for 20 items, and therefore felt that cost was worth it for the product. If I had known that the order was only going to contain 6 items (therefore making shipping 1/3rd of the total cost), I would have re-evaluated the purchase. The storefront did not contact me to ask if I still wanted the order shipped, and gave no notification that it was adjusted. Now if I want to return the order I must pay for return shipping. This happens to many of my orders and I believe that this practice is unethical.
Is this a legal issue?
Example: I place an order for 20 copies of a card which is allowed by the store (the quantity desired is in-stock and has a limit of 20). I pay for this order, including shipping costs. The order is confirmed by the company. When I receive my package there are only 6 copies inside. I email the seller who replies that in their terms and conditions, they are allowed to adjust quantity ordered at any time for any reason. In particular, this order was adjusted because the seller felt that the items were, in hindsight, listed and sold for too low of a price. Sure enough, the items have been re-listed for a higher price. This is common practice in the collectibles market, and is not my main concern. When I was considering the purchase, I assumed that the shipping paid would be for 20 items, and therefore felt that cost was worth it for the product. If I had known that the order was only going to contain 6 items (therefore making shipping 1/3rd of the total cost), I would have re-evaluated the purchase. The storefront did not contact me to ask if I still wanted the order shipped, and gave no notification that it was adjusted. Now if I want to return the order I must pay for return shipping. This happens to many of my orders and I believe that this practice is unethical.
Is this a legal issue?