A merchant who advertises an item on sale must have a sufficient quantity of that item to meet the demand.

Mandatory statement in an advertisement

If quantities are limited, the merchant must specify the exact quantity in stock in the advertisement. In such a case, statements such as “quantities limited” or “while supplies last” are not enough.

If the item is out of stock

What happens if the merchant did not specify the quantity and the item is out of stock when you go to the store during the sale? You may ask the merchant to offer you a similar item of equal or higher value. Some merchants will give you a deferred purchase coupon that will let you buy the item later at the sale price.

If the merchant refuses to compensate you, you can file a complaint with the Office de la protection du consommateur. The page titled Contact Us lists our contact information.