Retailers' Rights

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, 19 February 1947, Page 8

Retailers' Rights

Occasionally consumers become irate because a retailer refuses to sell them something iri his shop. Consumers frequently write: to the Economic Information Service asking what they can do on such occasions, but the legal position is that in general they cannot compel the retailer to sell a particular item from his stocks. A retailer may have articles in his window for display purposes only, and, although he invites customers in, his shop is not a place of compulsory sale from the point of view of the law. Subject to the conditions imposed by emergency wartime regulations, the retailer is allowed to choose his customers as he pleases; otherwise he might have tc sell to his worst enemy, his trade rival, or to an irrational drunk person who tried to make rash purchases. Retailers' rights in this matter are limited by their obligations under, the Price Stabilisation Emergency' Regulations. Hoarding is prohibited and a retailer cannot refuse to sell goods at the price fixed in official price orders or price authorisations The hoarding clause in the Regulations might be held to operate where a shopkeeper persistently refused to sell to a number of persons, but it'does not prevent the retailer selecting the customers to whom he disposes of his stocks. Our rationing regulations also affect the position, because, even* where the cnustomer offers the correct price, the shopkeeper cannot sell rationed goods without receiving coupons. Besides this, there are many things such as tinned fruit, bacon and tobacco, which are officially rationed to the retailer but not couponed. The business ethics of our community generally favuor the regular customer and there is no law compelling the retailer to sell any of his meagre supply to a stranger The fairness of this method is apparent when we think of what might happen if the law compelled the retailer to sell his stocks out to the first customers who arrived A few people could buy more than their share.of the scarce commodities and none would be left for thr mass of consumers.