Daniil Sablin, Managing Partner of SABATRUST Law Firm, provided expert commentary for Gazeta.ru on a common shopping problem: what to do when the checkout price differs from the price shown on the shelf.
Daniil explained that, from a legal perspective, a price tag in a shop constitutes a public offer: the seller’s formal proposal to conclude a sale on the stated terms. By selecting an item and taking it to the checkout, the customer accepts that offer, so the seller must sell the item at the advertised price. Demanding a higher payment is contrary to civil law and consumer protection legislation.
The commentary also set out the steps to take when a price discrepancy is discovered, including preserving evidence, making a claim to the seller and the possible legal consequences for the retailer. In practice, a clear and consistent complaint often resolves the dispute in the customer’s favour, as the risk of regulatory inspections and potential administrative liability is far more significant for a business than refunding the price difference.
Particular attention was paid to a proposed legislative initiative aimed at improving pricing discipline in retail, as well as the potential for abuse and its relationship with the fundamental principles of civil law.
Read the commentary in Gazeta.ru: https://www.gazeta.ru/social/news/2026/02/13/27838819.shtml?utm_auth=false
