MSE News: Tesco outlaws 'wrong item' vouchers

EssexHebridean

aldudturn wrote: »

That analogy doesn't make sense.

If you had a voucher for £1000 off a new Ford Fiesta, would you think you're entitled to £1000 off any new car with that voucher?

If my local Renault dealership told me that in exchange for that Ford Fiesta voucher, they would give me £1000 off a new Clio, I would be there in the blink of an eye.

freakyogre wrote: »

Don't assume. I was made redundant in March and have still not found a 'secure' job, so I know how difficult it can be. I also live on my own so have no one else to support me.

If it got to the point where I couldn't afford to eat (which it seems to be when people are saying they are now suffering), I would look at sacrificing something else less important.

So, you are allowed to "suppose" but are happy to take exception to me "assuming"? In my world, this seems a bit hypocritical. As a matter of fact I assumed nothing - I said that perhaps you had never been in a certain position - reading your post quoted above it seems that I was correct.

There are an awful lot of people whose lives have been made a lot more pleasant by the fact that they have been able to use vouchers in Tesco whether they have bought the products or not - there will now be those who find themselves on basic rations as they can no longer justify/afford the little treats that they had before. When you are on an incredibly tight budget the difference something like a choccy biccy with your tea, or "proper" teabag rather than value makes should not be underestimated. There are also many on here who have already cut out the "less important" stuff - and are quite literally at the stage of having to choose between cutting back on food, and paying the essential bills like rent or heating. I genuinely hope that you find a new job before you get even close to that stage Freakyogre.


In fairness, there are very few folk actually "complaining" about the change in policy, and I would say that the vast bulk understood fully that it was a privilege to be able to use any vouchers. What has upset me and others is the - to quote someone else - tremendously pompous tone which has been taken by many who are participating in this thread - it seems to be a sort of "I'm better than you are" attitude coming through. I wonder how many of you taking that high moral stance have actually been in the situation when you have been faced with the choice of paying the rent or buying food?

freakyogre

EssexHebridean wrote: »

I'm curious - if you see a product you buy on a regular basis on a BOGOF offer, do you just buy one and leave the free one on the shelf? If you see something reduced with 25p off, would you insist on paying the full price?

I don't see how this can be compared. I went to Sainsburys earlier this week and saw that Herbal Essences shampoo and conditioner was on BOGOF, of course I picked up a bottle of each, but I didn't pick up a bottle of say, Head and Shoulders and expect them to honour the offer.

I will 'take advantage' of legitimate offers, but won't take the mickey out of them, which seems to have happened with the coupons.

freakyogre

EssexHebridean wrote: »

So, you are allowed to "suppose" but are happy to take exception to me "assuming"? In my world, this seems a bit hypocritical. As a matter of fact I assumed nothing - I said that perhaps you had never been in a certain position - reading your post quoted above it seems that I was correct.

I'm not quite sure what your point is. No, I don't have a family to provide for or worry about but that doesn't mean I am any better off as I still have to 'survive'.

carlos1973

On a lighter note, next time I'm at the dentist I'll look forward to reading a magazine without missing pages in it because someones cut out a coupon!

Seriously though I think all parties are equally to blame here. IMO it is wrong to use a coupon if you are not buying that product, someone is going to lose out wether it be the supermarket, the manufacturer, or the promotions company.

However, I have been on a checkout when a customer pays for the entire load of shopping with coupons. Yes it lengthens the time it takes to serve them, but that's the job!

roddydogs

How can all these "Hard Up" people afford computers and all the BB/Phone charges?
or perhaps their using it at work, or in the Library?

Harrietxxx

carlos1973 wrote: »

On a lighter note, next time I'm at the dentist I'll look forward to reading a magazine without missing pages in it because someones cut out a coupon!

Seriously though I think all parties are equally to blame here. IMO it is wrong to use a coupon if you are not buying that product, someone is going to lose out wether it be the supermarket, the manufacturer, or the promotions company.

However, I have been on a checkout when a customer pays for the entire load of shopping with coupons. Yes it lengthens the time it takes to serve them, but that's the job!

You'll be lucky to find a magazine in any doctors or dentist, they have removed them all because of the risk of swine flu contamination :eek:

jenniewb

roddydogs wrote: »

How can all these "Hard Up" people afford computers and all the BB/Phone charges?
or perhaps their using it at work, or in the Library?

Fact is, if someone is struggling with prices like 9p for noodles and 60p for ham, they really need help! I know food is not cheap, but its not unaffordable! I think its all sour grapes tbh, maybe something else going on that they are not being clear about but don't think its the price of food and not being able to walk off with a few % off the end price thats the issue for those people.

Anyway, MSEMartin has posted a thread explaining things a bit more clearly here:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=2005749

Mistymaid

To be honest I'd like an idea of just how many coupons people were using per 'shop' or whatever?
I suppose I'd always thought that people were using a pound or two off about 50 quids worth of shopping but I'm starting to get the impression I may have been well off the mark.

Sorry to sound so daft, but I come from an era that when you handed it in to the assistant she scanned it like it was an official document and chucked it back at you yelling, 'it's not valid!' if it wasn't specifically for the item in question - it put me off the damn things for ever.

jenniewb

Mistymaid wrote: »

To be honest I'd like an idea of just how many coupons people were using per 'shop' or whatever?
I suppose I'd always thought that people were using a pound or two off about 50 quids worth of shopping but I'm starting to get the impression I may have been well off the mark.

Sorry to sound so daft, but I come from an era that when you handed it in to the assistant she scanned it like it was an official document and chucked it back at you yelling, 'it's not valid!' if it wasn't specifically for the item in question - it put me off the damn things for ever.

Yes- think you are well off the mark- I read a thread a while back, its not the first of its type either- and I've witnessed it happen since myself- it just seems some people are either very silly or very greedy, or both, but its their actions- I think- that have largely resulted in Tescos withdrawing the policy- but we have not heard Tescos say whats going on either way so I guess we'll never know.

Will try to find thread in a min!

Sol00

I think their stance is fair enough. If the voucher is for something specific, then that is what it should be used for. The thought of using it for my general shopping would never occur to me.