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Amazon honours 12p video farce

One copy per customer

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Amazon.co.uk has just issued the following statement concerning the sale of Star Wars videos for just 12p. For less than 24 hours on 26 April 2000 Amazon.co.uk displayed the VHS standard format of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace at a price of £11.99 when customers browsed the store; however when orders were placed the price charged was actually 10 or 12 pence. Fewer than 450 customers placed their orders at this price, the vast majority of these were orders for one copy, however some individuals did place orders for multiple units. Amazon.co.uk states very clearly in its terms and conditions, accessible from each page of the site, that until customers receive shipping confirmation from Amazon.co.uk a legally binding contract is not in place. ‘We have investigated this," commented Vincent Toolan, general manager of Amazon.co.uk, "we know that consumers come to Amazon.co.uk in search of selection and great prices – although perhaps not this great! Although we are not legally obliged to do so, we will, as a gesture of goodwill, send one copy of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, at no charge, to each individual customer who placed an order with us." Each of the customers who placed an order with Amazon.co.uk will shortly receive an email detailing the outcome and their video will be despatched as soon as possible. The site has now been revised. Trading Standards has been fully appraised of our actions. Customers with concerns should contact phantom-menace-order@amazon.co.uk. No other formats of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace were affected. ®

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