“Bait and Switch” occurs when a merchant advertises at a bargain price, goods or services which he does not supply in reasonable quantities. The merchant lures the customer into the store by offering a product at an attractive price (the bait). On arrival, the customer is told that the product is sold out and is encouraged to buy another product at a higher price (the switch). Section 40 of the Act prohibits this practice.
The Act requires that products that are advertised be immediately available for purchase. If, for any unforeseen reason, a merchant cannot supply the products advertised, he should offer the customer similar products at the same price and publish an advisory or retraction of the advertisement in the media.