Maggots!

Mirtos

Ok, not quite DFW, but I thought you guys would appreciate my indignation! (Mods, feel free to move if necessary).I recently bought some rice from tesco - only to find that it was full of Maggots :eek: . I've dashed off a complaint letter, but just wanted to see what you guys thought. I've pasted my letter below - am I being too cheeky? xxx

Dear Sir,
I am writing to express my distress at an encounter I recently had with a 4kg bag of Tesco own-brand rice. I had purchased the bag and kept it, unopened, in my store-cupboard until it was needed for a dinner party I was giving for some senior colleagues from my work.

When I came to open the bag, I was horrified to find that the rice was crawling with maggots. Absolutely disgusted, I immediately threw the entire bag in the dustbin, and cleaned my kitchen from top to bottom where the maggots had spilled when I dropped the bag in shock. In my horror, I’m afraid that I neglected to keep a maggot to forward to you in evidence, but I hope that you will excuse this oversight.

As I’m sure you will understand, for such a thing to happen was distressing enough, but for it to occur twenty minutes before a very important dinner party was embarrassing in the extreme.

I have been a loyal Tesco shopper since my university days, but I felt it necessary to write and express my disgust and disappointment that such a thing could be allowed to happen. I shudder to think what would have happened had I failed to notice the maggots (which are a similar colour to rice) before I cooked the rice and fed it to my guests. As I assume that the rice comes out of a giant vat – all of which must have been infected before packaging, I imagine several people have unknowingly done just this.

Although when I telephoned online customer services to complain, they were very happy to refund the cost of the rice, in all frankness I do not find this sufficient compensation for the distress and embarrassment I suffered, not to mention the expense of taking my guests out to a restaurant to dinner as my plans for cooking had obviously been ruined.

I am therefore writing to ask that you make some offer of compensation for the stress and expense that finding these maggots caused. Could I suggest that at the very least, you should offer remuneration for the restaurant dinner, some Tesco vouchers, and a box of chocolates and bunch of flowers for my own distress?

As I have always been pleased with Tesco’s service until now, I have been somewhat reticent in making my experience public. I hope that your prompt attention and reply to my letter will ensure that this continues to be the case.
Yours sincerely,
Mirtos

lisaflower1980

Think that the letter is brilliant but not sure you suggest what they give you. You never know they may be prepared to give you more than you asked for!

Mirtos

lisaflower1980 wrote:

Think that the letter is brilliant but not sure you suggest what they give you. You never know they may be prepared to give you more than you asked for!

To be honest, with a posh dinner out for 6, it ain't gonna be cheap!!! I didn't want to not state my demands and just get some measley clubcard vouchers!

mrslawrence2003

Mirtos wrote:

Ok, not quite DFW, but I thought you guys would appreciate my indignation! (Mods, feel free to move if necessary).I recently bought some rice from tesco - only to find that it was full of Maggots :eek: . I've dashed off a complaint letter, but just wanted to see what you guys thought. I've pasted my letter below - am I being too cheeky? xxx

Dear Sir,
I am writing to express my distress at an encounter I recently had with a 4kg bag of Tesco own-brand rice. I had purchased the bag and kept it, unopened, in my store-cupboard until it was needed for a dinner party I was giving for some senior colleagues from my work.

When I came to open the bag, I was horrified to find that the rice was crawling with maggots. Absolutely disgusted, I immediately threw the entire bag in the dustbin, and cleaned my kitchen from top to bottom where the maggots had spilled when I dropped the bag in shock. In my horror, I’m afraid that I neglected to keep a maggot to forward to you in evidence, but I hope that you will excuse this oversight.

As I’m sure you will understand, for such a thing to happen was distressing enough, but for it to occur twenty minutes before a very important dinner party was embarrassing in the extreme.

I have been a loyal Tesco shopper since my university days, but I felt it necessary to write and express my disgust and disappointment that such a thing could be allowed to happen. I shudder to think what would have happened had I failed to notice the maggots (which are a similar colour to rice) before I cooked the rice and fed it to my guests. As I assume that the rice comes out of a giant vat – all of which must have been infected before packaging, I imagine several people have unknowingly done just this.

Although when I telephoned online customer services to complain, they were very happy to refund the cost of the rice, in all frankness I do not find this sufficient compensation for the distress and embarrassment I suffered, not to mention the expense of taking my guests out to a restaurant to dinner as my plans for cooking had obviously been ruined.

I am therefore writing to ask that you make some offer of compensation for the stress and expense that finding these maggots caused. Could I suggest that at the very least, you should offer remuneration for the restaurant dinner, some Tesco vouchers, and a box of chocolates and bunch of flowers for my own distress?

As I have always been pleased with Tesco’s service until now, I have been somewhat reticent in making my experience public. I hope that your prompt attention and reply to my letter will ensure that this continues to be the case.
Yours sincerely,
Mirtos

if you had seen rice being loaded and shipped you would not be surprised at this occurrence. a hold full of rice - but for some strange reason the rice seems to be moving......or stevedores spitting constantly onto the rice making it go a funny colour.............

bobbadog

Mirtos wrote:

To be honest, with a posh dinner out for 6, it ain't gonna be cheap!!! I didn't want to not state my demands and just get some measley clubcard vouchers!

But if the story isn't true then...?

Mirtos

eeeewww!!!

Mirtos

bobbadog wrote:

But if the story isn't true then...?

Huh? It is true, I just wanted to be clear that I wanted the restaurant money back, but didn't want to over push it and ask for a new porsche or anything! IYSWIM!!

rog2

If it's not too late, I would suggest that you scoop some of the rice from the bin (best use rubber gloves) put it back in the bag and take it immediately to Tesco. Show both the rice, and your letter, to the customer service desk. If nothing else, then this will prompt an immediate withdrawal of the product, from the shelf, and prevent anyone else from having the same experience.
But send your letter as well.

BT_man

Sound's like you are trying to scam Tesco's to me, very convenient that you put the bag and content's in the bin. Maggot's in rice??
Sorry but that's just my opinion.

Numpty_2

Try using a phrase like "do you think this is acceptable/reasonable"? in there, direct the question at them - how would you feel if you received this. It puts them on the spot - they have to agree or face the prospect of you taking it to the press.

And yes you should state what you want - otherwise you'll end up with a £10 gift voucher!

rog2

There could be a million reasons as to how the maggots got there in the first place - this is not your problem. Tesco have a duty of care to ensure that the food offered is fit for human consumption and you will be doing other customers a favour by bringin g this to their attention.