ASDA: "it's cool to be frugal" (unless...)

BountyHunter338

I'm rather new to grocery shopping online, but the recent fuss about ASDA vouchers has kindled a universal anger inside of me. Basically, ASDA has issued voucher codes & then revoked them; those customers who inquire about the revoked codes then receive a lecture about people sharing codes online (how evil!).

So, given all of this, I laughed after reading this posting: Chief Executive of ASDA says it's now cool to be frugal. Oh really? Then why does ASDA seek to undermine and castigate people who share voucher codes over the internet? I mean, they run an internet grocery delivery service, yes? It seems ludicrous to disdain customers for sharing codes online when online communities like this one give ASDA so much good publicity. How many new people try their service because of seeing a free delivery code online? That's why I decided to try it, after all - despite the £50 minimum spend. ASDA surely knows that the £50 minimum spend on most voucher codes actually encourages many people to buy more than they otherwise would (I know this is true for me!).

Furthermore, if ASDA really wanted to release voucher codes only to select groups of customers (and prevent sharing), they could do that quite easily! Ebay releases vouchers only to certain customers; other online sites are able to release vouchers to specific geographical groups. However, for ASDA to do this, they would have to put time and energy into updating their rubbish website & checkout system. Instead, they have chosen to release voucher codes and then rescind them or manipulate the terms (e.g. upping the spend to £99 or £500). Of course, then the voucher code is unusable, even by the customers originally targeted! But this way, ASDA avoids the work involved in intelligent distribution of vouchers by implicating customers for sharing information.

It's especially spiteful for a company to act in this manner - but then turn around & act as if they promote frugality. Evidently it's cool to be frugal... but not by joining communities to share ASDA voucher codes. Sweet, I'll remember that, Andy Bond.

hollydays

Ok-I have sometimes used a voucher code for a catalogue-only to find it wasn't valid,and then i had no problem with it because i clearly wasn't entitled to use the code.I don't see the problem really.

Barneysmom

I do see a problem. If one person is allowed to use an online code, then by rights it should be freely available to everybody.
Otherwise the person without the code is subsidising the one with the code.



Aside from that, this bit caught my eye to.........


What’s really interesting is the 40% increase in the number of people who are ignoring best-before dates and consuming the product rather than throwing it in the bin once it is past its sell by date.

That's good news, it means we're all saving! :cool:

BountyHunter338

hollydays wrote: »

Ok-I have sometimes used a voucher code for a catalogue-only to find it wasn't valid,and then i had no problem with it because i clearly wasn't entitled to use the code.I don't see the problem really.

It's not that I personally feel entitled to use voucher codes that were not issued to me - I don't. But I do think it's underhanded to manipulate the code (e.g. upping the spend) so that the originally targeted customers can no longer use it. Also, ASDA implies both online & via telephone that they were forced to raise the spend limit because of illicit code sharing, when in reality they know that the viral nature of the internet (or should I say the redeeming traits of humanity) will inevitably release voucher codes to the general public.

If they wish to issue targeted voucher codes, so be it. But do it intelligently, like Ebay (so that the code is linked to an email address) or like other online sites (the code is linked to a geographical area, e.g. Southport). It's rather silly to issue a code that works for everyone and then complain & renege when everyone tries to use it.

paulo1888

Hi Bountyhunter

Couldn't agree more. Most of the major high street stores are aware of the internet discount codes and use them to their advantage. How often do you see at the online checkout the words "If you have a discount code please enter it here" So basically Asda throw the dummy out of the pram. Should I be upset? NO, not at all. The words that spring to mind are MARKET FORCES

Asda change the T&C of the voucher, I change to a different retailer, simple as that. There's a wee tip for you Andy Bond

pensioner_margaret

I have used the 'free delivery' vouchers (for over £100order) which I saw on websites
AND used an Asda credit card for the same order
and got £4 off as well as free delivery- when used this way it seems that the voucher is recognised as a voucher worth cash

Reggie_Rebel

Barneysmom wrote: »

I do see a problem. If one person is allowed to use an online code, then by rights it should be freely available to everybody.
Otherwise the person without the code is subsidising the one with the code.

Let me know when you are next at the checkout and I'll use your money to pay for my shopping, after all if you are allowed to use £20 notes then by rights your £20 should be available to all