shopping in Somerfields

aussielle

Just to let others know.  I don't know how long this has been going on but Somerfield have adopted a crafty little system.  To qualify for the buy one, get one free offers, you have to have a 'loyalty' card.  Those who don't present the card get charged full whack.   Seems they have introduced this to prevent people going in and just getting the offers.
I know because I got 'done' this afternoon!  I have rung up and complained and the manager said he didn't agree with it either, the policy came from higher up.  He said just take in my receipt next time I'm passing and he'll refund me the free items I got charged for but I will have to have a card in future.
I wonder how many people don't check their receipts and get conned by this and  if Somerfield profits are up because of it.

heldaz

Thats really crafty.

I wouldnt have thought they could do that though, if it said bogof on the item wouldnt it be false advertising to then charge you for both?

aussielle

Crafty, isn't it just!!!!
The manager said there are notices about it around the store, but I never saw any. I was in a hurry, breezed straight in and picked up what I wanted. Wasn't aware I had to scan the walls for notices before shopping!
I think it stinks. BOGOF should be just that for all customers.

heldaz

we dont have a somerfield around here (thank god if thats the way they serve their customers) But i think thats too sneaky, as you said i wonder how many people have been caught out and not noticed theyve been charged for the second item?

>:(

System

This has been going on for ages and have got to say I disagree, in our local Somerfields, all the 2 for 1's and other offers are clearly marked as being for saver card holders. There are numerous displays showing this, and as far as I'm concerned, if you want the offers, sign up for the card and it's free, with no hassle.

Somerfields is more expensive on other stuff, but they do have good offers on certain products in the week.

Cheers.
Beavis.

System

I don't agree. People  who don't shop regularly in Somerfield would not know about this scheme, and as no other supermarket operates this way, why would you assume that it is any different in Somerfield?  I think Somefield probably catch out a lot of casual shoppers with this.

I got caught a couple of months ago when I took my mother-in-law to her local Somerfields. We don't have one near us, so I never normally shop there and therefore would not have a saver card.
I picked up a few things I needed as we were going round, as well as some of the offers. At no time did I see big signs saying you had to have a special card to buy the offers.

When we went through the checkout, the girl on the till rang everything up full price,and it was only when I asked why the total was so high that she bothered saying about the saver card scheme.

I was quite embarrassed then , and as there was a big queue I didn't feel I could hold people up while I filled in a form there & then just for one shop(and I was annoyed with the girl on the till) so I just said "oh, I won't have any of it, then", and I left it all, even the stuff that wasn't on offer. So they lost a sale.

Other supermarkets use offers to tempt people in, hoping they will buy other things as well...as I was doing. I don't see how limiting the offers to people who already shop there benefits Somerfield in any way. It certainly didn't encourage me to go back.

trafalgar_2

Tark
It happened to me just how you described it but when the cashier told me I asked for a form , filled it out there and then and she had to ring it through again
It certainly wasn't easy to see in store the new system, well at least I didn't become aware until I got to the till

System

You could report it to Trading Standards and they will look into it.

Nile

I don't shop in Sommerfields and hearing about their customer service, I won't be changing my shopping habits.

I wonder if anyone might be tempted to go into the store, load a trolley high with the BOGOF goods..........especially if there are any freezer goods........reach the checkout and tell them they can't afford to buy every item........then walk out in protest. ::)

trafalgar_2

That would not be very nice would it :-/but I'd like to see the reaction on their faces, it would certainly have some effect ;D ;D ;D

heldaz

it might make them think about their BOGOF policy ;D