Daftest thing you've haggled for?

trace-j

Headstones!

Not me personally- MOH's mother.

RenStar

Tins of Soup from Tesco

A few weeks ago, I went to my local Tesco’s to buy some groceries. I wanted some soup, but every single one of the brand I wanted had huge dents in the tin. I took the whole tray (yes, all 24 of them) to the customer service desk and said that having bought dented tinned soup from them before, they were useless because they impaired the taste and that they were being negligent by attempting to sell products that were less than perfect for full price (Tesco seem really hung up on selling 'perfect' products). The assistant got the manager, and I repeated my story. I told him I was prepared to take the whole lot of their hands for £2 (they were 64p each). He made some calls and said yes. So, I now have a cupboard full of Baxtors Lentil & Vegetable soup, which makes a very cheap and healthy lunch. My OH was dead embarrassed, but hey, if you don't ask you don't get and I owe it all to MSE for giving me the guts to do it.

Stonk

Tins of Soup from Tesco

Classic. So that was you, then, that I saw down the soup aisle with a hammer ;o)

I don't think I could have come out with the claim that it "impaired the taste" and kept a straight face!

trace-j

RenStar wrote:

Tins of Soup from Tesco

Blimey your brave!_pale_

Mould: Dented damaged or incorrectly processed tins may allow mould growth to occur. This could indicate an error in production or storage.

Advice: Possible public health risk - contact Environmental Health.

RenStar

trace-j wrote:

Blimey your brave!_pale_

Wow, that might explain why Tesco's were so keen for me to take it off thier hands then! Well, haven't had the misfortune of coming across any mould in the soup yet, in fact, the ones I've had so far have tasted fine, albeit a touch metalic. You know, if I do come across mould, it would be one to write to thier head office about, see what else I can get out of them for selling me dodgy food...... :rotfl:

trace-j

RenStar wrote:

Wow, that might explain why Tesco's were so keen for me to take it off thier hands then! Well, haven't had the misfortune of coming across any mould in the soup yet, in fact, the ones I've had so far have tasted fine, albeit a touch metalic. You know, if I do come across mould, it would be one to write to thier head office about, see what else I can get out of them for selling me dodgy food...... :rotfl:

Eek, if it tastes metalllic its down to oxygen oxidising (rusting) the inside of can! Tinned food is sold airtight. The food will have been cooked already sealed in the tin. The removal of oxygen and cooking at high temperatures extends the shelf life of the food.

The dents have weakened the structure of the can and have a small piercing. The tin won't leak, as you need a 2nd air hole for air to replace liquid as it escapes.

Its always advised you don't store foods in open cans, as the inside is then exposed to oxygen and moisture and will start to oxidise the can.

The other side of this, is when you see bulging cans. The gases produced from decomposing food and an oxidising tin causes the tin to bulge. When you open affected tins the contents explode out under pressure!

You can see bulging more easily on old type cans (need to use a can opener) than on cans with a ring pull lid. The ring pull type cans are by design stronger can contain excess gases without bulging- until you open it when the explosion of food under pressure is increased.

EDIT: I'm sure if the tins are consumed quickly and not left hanging around too long they'll be OK.

RenStar

trace-j wrote:

Eek, if it tastes metalllic its down to oxygen oxidising (rusting) the inside of can! Tinned food is sold airtight. The food will have been cooked already sealed in the tin. The removal of oxygen and cooking at high temperatures extends the shelf life of the food.

The dents have weakened the structure of the can and have a small piercing. The tin won't leak, as you need a 2nd air hole for air to replace liquid as it escapes.

Its always advised you don't store foods in open cans, as the inside is then exposed to oxygen and moisture and will start to oxidise the can.

The other side of this, is when you see bulging cans. The gases produced from decomposing food and an oxidising tin causes the tin to bulge. When you open affected tins the contents explode out under pressure!

You can see bulging more easily on old type cans (need to use a can opener) than on cans with a ring pull lid. The ring pull type cans are by design stronger can contain excess gases without bulging- until you open it when the explosion of food under pressure is increased.

Yikes, exploding tins of soup :eek: Well, will be sure to report my findings here and to Tesco head office if I come across it. Thanks for the advice all the same.

Caixta

I worked as a Saturday girl in Sainsbury's years ago. They usually took dented cans off display but would sell them cheaply to staff. The supervisors told us to check and as long as the dent wasn't "on the seam or the seal" then the contents would be fine.

gallygirl

2 colleagues stayed away Tues night & ate in Frankie & Benny's. I joined them Weds & we ate there again. When I asked for the bill I asked for discount cos we were regulars - colleagues died of embarassment but I got 25% off food! Of course, I passed on savings to company......but obv good practice!!!!

Eagle_1

My Dad is the king of haggling lol. We went to a carboot sale once and there was a cup priced at 5p, so Dad being dad said i'll give you 1p and the fella gave him it for free lol.
My Dad didnt even want the cup he just wanted to see if he could knock the fella down from 5p

He about a fortnight go went to buy a two seater settee and it was priced at £250, so he haggled and got it for £150 (mind it was the last one), he also haggled delivery price because he was only getting one item delivered whereas other people might have up to 3/4 items of a suite delivered. He did get a discount hehehe

I also haggle, my Dad has taught me some great tips and I beleive you dont get anything if you dont ask, they can only say no cant they ?