I will start with this. I got ONE helluva deal on Amazon! I have been spending weeks searching for my new dream camera and lenses. Anyways, while I was searching I realized that one of the lenses I was looking at. ( Canon 50mm f/1.2 L USM )An $1800 retail lens was only $38.05!!!!! SO I BOUGHT IT!!!!!!! Who wouldn't right? I mean I wasn't even going to buy that one because it was WAY out of my budget, and get the next step down for $349. (eventually) I saved over 98%!!! Then two and a half hours later I recieve an email stating that they were processing my Amazon order. And this is what they said. "Dear Customer, Thank you for your amazon order. We have begun processing the order. However, there has been an error with the advertised cost of the item and we are forced to cancel your order." Now, that is THEIR error. They should have to honor that price. If it had been the other way around and I had "overpaid" for an item, I highly doubt that they would be cancelling it. PLEASE HELP! I know there are laws pertaining to online purchases and such, and think that there has to be a way they have to stick to the original receit/transaction! Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!  

It was nice of them to let you know that it was an error instead of keeping the money and not informing you. Computer error sucks (been thru it too)! Now as far as the law goes, I am not a lawyer first of all. But Im pretty sure that you would only be covered under the misrepresentation act if the seller actually had processed the order and sent you the lens. A seller does not have to sell you an item if he realizes that it is mismarked beforehand. 

Nicole I WANT them to keep my money and send me the lens!!! They made a mistake in the price, now I think its a little too late for taksies backsies! If I were in the store and had checked out it would be as if they had "tracked" me down and told me that I had to return the item because they had sold it to me for the wrong price. I think its their loss and they need to honor the original purchase price? Am I not right somewhere? Or can they just do whatever the hell they want? Still wondering.... The item was "sold" in my eyes, then realized it was the wrong price after the fact. My bank even still has the transaction "pending". 

I see what ur saying, and it does suck big time, but because it's online and you didn't physically have the item on your person when submitting the payment, they can still cancel the order. Yes it sucks, yes in my opinion they should honor the price, but the fact is, they don't have to. I sell on Amazon.com, and I had a DVD set for sale. After someone purchased the set from me, I realized I'm missing one of the DVDS. So i had to cancel it. So I know you can cancel after someone makes a purchase. That does really suck though. Sorry that happened to you, I know it's incredibly frustrating. 

The comparison of being in store and online: If you were in store, it would be like they were ringing it up and realizing that it was mismarked. Like what happens at Target when you go up front and they realize that the $50 item is really supposed to be $150. They didn't get to the finalizing the transaction so that's where you get stuck. It's stupid that it happened and if you want-call the legal office and ask them for advice. I know how you are feeling-it's very frusterating getting excited about getting something for so cheap and then it not being able to go thru due to an error... 

Yeah exactly how I feel Nicole. You know sometimes when something is TOO good to be true I guess. All I know is if that transaction goes through my bank, I WILL have my camera lens!!! :) Thanks for the advice Veruca. I see your point Nicole, thanks for sharing in that light. I worked at a jewelry store in WY when we were stationed there. And I worked with an older real flighty lady. And she was ringing someone up for a $3079.00 anniversary band. Long story short, she used the tele check machine (which back in the day was like a debit card)...but anyways, she only entered in 3079. $30.79. Even though our computer their receit showed the 3079.00. And the lady I worked with didn't even bother to realize or see her mistake. The customers needless to say got off with a nice anniversary band for next to nothing! I guess that is what I compare my situation too, only since it was online and they realized it before I was actually charged its not quite the same...but still. :*( 

Legally they don't have to go through with the purchase. 

I am not sure about US law however had this been purchased under the UK Amazon site then any goods offered for Purchase are actually an "invitation to Purchase" under the sale of goods act, and as such until they have accepted the payment they have no obligation to sell the goods at the price posted. Although we have been back in the UK for a number of years (last Living Stateside at Travis in 99) I am sure there are similar laws back home. May be worth sending an email to Amazon Cust Services, you may get a voucher or similar for the hassle.