M&S Sprucefield

AlwaysWorking

I just wanted to warn other M&S food shoppers to check the use by dates of products before purchase!

I've just returned from M&S at Sprucefield. Whilst unpacking the groceries I discovered some of the dairy items state the 1st of July as the 'use by date' (it's now after 8pm). I phoned the store to ask if I could return the items tomorrow and exchange them for items with some self life. To be honest I thought the person checking the dates had just missed these. The person who answered the phone just said no, so I asked to be transferred to her line manager. After being on hold for a while I spoke to someone who told me it is M&S policy not to remove items with that day as the use by date until close of business and that my items weren't actually out of date until midnight. I replied that I would have expected an M&S product to have a shelf life of more than four hours. :mad: Had I bought the items in Tescos, they would have been in the half price section and I wouldn't have bought them...to which she quite snootily told me that M&S is 'far superior' to Tescos.

I'm afraid I no longer agree. I didn't even think to check the dates as I knew I wanted to use the food tomorrow. So just check your dates - I'm told that once you leave the store you can't return anything.

I would have thought M&S customer service would be better and I'm disappointed.

belfastgirl23

It isn't just sprucefield. M&S has got a lot worse for this recently in general. I mentioned it at work the other day and everyone had noticed...

donnac2558

I always check dates. Marks and Spencer always have stuff with a use by date of that day. Sometimes even rumaging at the back of the shelf makes no different they have the same date.

kidshorsesdogs

Reach to the back of the shelves, I always do.. That way you never get items close to date, and if it is dated on the day I ask for a new one, and low and behold they will have stock not put on the shelves yet!

Just a point about Tesco, I do an online shop every fortnight, they rarely send an item with a close use by date, if they do it is highlighted on the delivery note and you can choose not to accept it!

I look at it as my responsibility to check dates, as I trust none of them! Actually my kids were taught this from they were toddlers and often will hoke and poke for the longest date! Some food I wouldn't dream of keeping that long! Egg mayo sandwich spread can be dated over a week to use!!

belfastgirl23

I'm happy to rummage but I'm finding that often the only thing available has today's date on it. DH has never exactly got the hang of it either so if he goes to M&S he pretty often ends up coming home with a pile of stuff that needs eaten in the next day or two. :rolleyes: The only thing i can say in their favour is that most things will last a day or two past the use-by date if properly refrigerated etc.

cooki2222

all supermarkets use the FIFO policy for stacking shelves.

FIRST IN FIRST OUT so all old stock gets pushed to the front and new stuff at the back.

As the other policy is LIFO (LAST IN FIRST OUT) that would be for non perishable goods

Torby

cooki2222 wrote: »

all supermarkets use the FIFO policy for stacking shelves.

FIRST IN FIRST OUT so all old stock gets pushed to the front and new stuff at the back.

As the other policy is LIFO (LAST IN FIRST OUT) that would be for non perishable goods

Unless its Magnum X 3 lollies with the competition flash pack that ended 30th June...they pushed all of these to the back and placed newer boxes at the front....I had to really dig deep to get my competition ones...so far bought about 10 x £1 packs and won £100...shame its over now...!