Wrong Weights (meat) at Butchers'

lordra

I apologize because I'm not sure if this is the right place to post it. Please do move it if inappropriate.

I went in to my local butcher's at the city centre last week, to have a look at what they had on offer and get some mis-shaped salmon & bacon (they didn't have any).

I had a look around the little shop which had pre-packed meat products like beef, pork & lamb in small quantities, in individually priced packets.
These packs were the ones like what we have at Mr.T & Mr.S where the bottom is foam and the top is clear transparent plastic.

The price per kilo (PPK) was very high and some of them were marked with the price, but not the weight. This was curious enough to prompt me to inquire about the weight and PPK.

The store assistant took it from me and said that it should probably weigh the same as the other items nearby, 400grams, out of which, only a few were marked.

He weighed it and I saw that it was just 370gms. He thought I didn't noticed and gave it back to me without saying anything. I then handed him the one marked 400gms and it turned out that it was just 355grams and he sheepishly shrugged it off.

Two questions:
1. Is this illegal?
2. When they weigh the meat, do they include the packaging as well?

Because, if a kilo of beef costs £8 p/kg, then I certainly shouldn't be paying £8/kg for packing materials! If I bought a kilo, then I expect the pack to weigh OVER a kilo. Is that wrong? Is this what all the stores that sell pre-packed meats & poultry do?

And they get away with it because we don't have scales on our trolley to measure it??? I'm quite angry about this. :mad:

Needless to say, I will just stick to my local Asian store butcher, he does't cheat or charge me exorbitant prices.
I am going to start a new thread with Asian store meat prices. I'll post back here when I do.

Nile

Hello lordra

I'll move your thread to the 'Praise, Vent & Warnings' board. When you start your new thread:

I am going to start a new thread with Asian store meat prices. I'll post back here when I do.

Please don't post it in the 'I wanna' board, it belongs in the Food Shopping & Groceries board.;)


Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere (please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com"]forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

Nile

fluffnutter

Everything you ever wanted to know about weights and measures of pre-packaged goods (plus more!) can be found here. Enjoy!

lordra

Thank you Nile & Fluffnutter !
@Nile: Will follow your advice, thank you.
@Fluffnutter: It says that for a particular batch, there is a small leeway as far as weights are concerned, giving 300gms-500gms to have a 3% negative off the target weight.
But how am I going to check that? It is, but a small butcher's shop (M&M Meats).
What do I do about it?

vuvuzela

If you feel you are being overcharged for weighed items, trading standards can investigate and prosecute if necessary.

fluffnutter

lordra wrote: »

Thank you Nile & Fluffnutter !
@Nile: Will follow your advice, thank you.
@Fluffnutter: It says that for a particular batch, there is a small leeway as far as weights are concerned, giving 300gms-500gms to have a 3% negative off the target weight.
But how am I going to check that? It is, but a small butcher's shop (M&M Meats).
What do I do about it?

Like vuvuzela says, you'd have to let Weights and Measures investigate. You can't weigh stuff yourself, then grass them up because your scales might not be accurate.

TBH, you're probably just better off shopping elsewhere.

shaun_from_Africa

I went in to my local butcher's at the city centre last week, to have a look at what they had on offer and get some mis-shaped salmon.

Why was it that when I read this, the first thing that sprang to mind was "The Simpsons"?

Azari

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

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Blinky!

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lordra

A video link perhaps?
Yes, I am DEFf better off elsewhere, but I don't want them cheating all and sundry. And so many people recommend them, that's the worst part!
Thanks guys.

blossomhill_2

I would still shop there but ask for each pack to be weighed before I bought any - if they know at least one customer is going to be checking, it may make them a bit more accurate (ok I mean stop cheating!) - as for the 3%, mention it to them and say that on average you'd expect some to be up to 3% overweight and some under, not all in their favour

I had a local shop that made a lot of "mistakes" with my change; had they been real mistakes at they wouldn't have all been overcharges - now they count it out into my hand as they know I check!

It's good to hear you have at least one other good local you can shop with