Is it pure false advertising or 100% negligence, or is it total “corporate fishing”?

Once again, this company has proven why they're the last resort for anyone in my family seeking reliable electronic devices or appliances. It's become a predictable cycle of issues, faults, and frustrations every single time.

Despite my scepticism, I stumbled upon an advert from HiFi Corp for a 2022 model TV that ticked all the boxes and fit my budget. Excitedly, I spent a week envisioning and planning my purchase for the upcoming weekend, eagerly anticipating finally upgrading my home entertainment setup.

Last night, I decided to make the purchase online, preparing to collect it on Saturday. After setting up an online account, selecting the item, and proceeding to the “checkout” option, I was greeted with a discouraging message claiming no local stock was available and that I needed to opt for delivery.

Undeterred, I proceeded, only to encounter another roadblock stating that online ordering and delivery were unavailable due to an unspecified issue.

This morning, frustrated and bewildered, I reached out to HiFi Corp's customer service, only to be informed that the item was sold out.

But if that's the case, why is it still listed on their website? Why allow customers to add it to their basket or even give the choice to check out multiple units (I tested it) if there's absolutely no stock?

Is this blatant false advertising, sheer negligence, or a ploy to collect personal information through forced online registrations?

The lack of transparency and accountability is astounding and leaves me questioning whether this company truly values its customers or merely views them as pawns in a profit-driven game.

I do maybe think I should do a screen grab and then also report this to the NCC for investigation.