This retailer mistakenly sold iPad Air for Rs 1500, now asking buyers to return it

iPad

A European electronics retailer has landed itself in a messy situation after accidentally listing the iPad Air for just 15 euros — roughly Rs 1,500 — on its website. The offer appeared only for loyalty card holders on MediaWorld’s site, and with Black Friday around the corner, the deal looked believable enough to many shoppers.

Customers who spotted the offer quickly placed their orders using the “pay and pick up in store” option, thinking it was a limited-time promotion. Everything worked smoothly. Orders were accepted, confirmation emails were sent, and when buyers reached the store, employees handed over the iPads without hesitation. Their payments for €15 went through normally, and the terms and conditions did not mention anything about pricing errors.

But the happiness did not last long. Eleven days later, MediaWorld emailed customers saying the iPad price was “clearly incorrect.” The company then asked them to pick between two choices: either return the iPad and get their €15 back plus a €20 voucher, or keep the device and pay the remaining amount with a €150 discount.

MediaWorld told Wired Italia that the low price was caused by a technical glitch and that selling the product at €15 was “economically unsustainable.” The retailer says it is acting under legal provisions that allow a contract to be corrected if it was based on an obvious error.

But legal experts say the situation is not as simple. Under Italian law, a contract can be cancelled if the error was fundamental and the customer knew they were taking advantage of it. Lawyers argue that with constant flash sales, app-only discounts and Black Friday deals, a consumer could reasonably believe the €15 price was just another aggressive promotion. Unless a buyer bought multiple iPads for resale, proving “awareness of the mistake” may be difficult.

For now, the case remains open-ended. MediaWorld is waiting to see how customers respond, and buyers are waiting to see whether the retailer will take formal legal action. What started as a dream bargain may now turn into a legal tug-of-war over who should bear the cost of a very expensive error.