Online fashion FCUK up

A forum post reporting a pricing error on fashion retailer FCUK Australia's Web site resulted in dozens of orders for a AU$199.95 skirt at the bargain price of AU$1 each.

A Vogue Australia member spotted the error while browsing the FCUK online store, and posted a link on the Vogue forum asking if the price could be correct. Within minutes, several people visited the page and purchased multiple skirts -- up to 25 per person.

The incorrect price was displayed for several hours on Wednesday before the item was removed. Customers who placed an order for the skirt received an e-mail today from FCUK's online manager advising that "a computer programming error ... inadvertently listed the selling price at $1.00". Those who want the skirt will have to cough up the AU$200 plus shipping or have their order cancelled.

This may anger the Vogue forum fashion pack, who are a feisty and vocal lot at the best of times. Before the e-mails from FCUK began hitting inboxes, plans were already being made for what to do if the dollar-dazzler skirts didn't get posted.

The words of member "BloominRoses" embody the emotions:

I'm not normally so high-minded but I feel a little Erin Brockovich-ish today and I won't let them get away with it I tell ya. Nine of the 25 I ordered are already spoken for! Think of the broken hearts!! The utter agony!!

...

Call me an Overeager Beaver if you will, but I kind of believe that at least SOME of us will get their skirts although I think that fcuk has the resources to supply them all if push came to shove.

...

I'm thinking that if they decide to just ship out those that they physically have on hand, then it'll be based on time of order as they can't really use any other determination to do it. Or maybe, one per customer?

It'll definitely be interesting to see what happens to say the least.

Well, what happened was that FCUK blamed The Technology and put an end to a bit of cheeky retail fun. Ah well, it's an ugly skirt anyway.

The skirt in question: worth a buck, but not 200.

Screen capture courtesy of Laura Chodowski.