Itemised bill not matching trolley contents?

Broadwood

How often does your itemised supermarket bill NOT exactly match what was in your trolley?

I ask this because it's almost impossible to check your itemised bill in detail on every visit before leaving the supermarket, especially when it's busy or you're in a rush or you have a large trolley of goods. I usually have a quick look down the bill either when loading the car or as we unload at home.

My most recent example of a discrepancy was that I am certain we only had two bags of sugar on our last visit to our local ****, but the bill had 3 bags listed and charged for. As a rule if you have many more than one of any item, the cashier will scan the first then count how many you have on the belt and input this total into the till. I realise "mistakes" can happen occasionally and sometimes in the customer's favour. I guess once you've left the shop it's too late to return to get the bill checked. I would be interested to know if these discrepancies are getting more common.

Years ago I worked as a cashier in a now-defunct national petrol station and we were unofficially encouraged to recoup any losses (drive-offs) by any means fair or foul. It was in the days of two-tier petrol pricing where you either got discount or a glass etc on every FULL gallon. You can guess that (very) many customers didn't quite get the next full gallon into their tanks before the pump mysteriously shut off. This scam was eventually stamped out by government legislation.

I digress slightly, but supermarkets exist to make money at the same time as holding on to market share at the very least. Which is why customers have to be constantly vigilant against the cunning games played by most retailers to part us from our cash. Devious shelf labeling with constant upping then reducing of prices, plus slightly smaller pack sizes to mask price increases are all part of the supermarkets' game. Not to mention moving things about so you can't go straight to what you want without passing new tempting "special" offers!.....Grrrrrrrrr!

geordie_joe

Broadwood wrote: »

I ask this because it's almost impossible to check your itemised bill in detail on every visit before leaving the supermarket,

Actually it's not, it's very easy.

Have you noticed that they will not begin scanning your items until you have them all on the belt? This is because they get timed, from the time they scan the first item until they scan the last item. So they won't start scanning until they know it's all on the belt and there is going to be no hold ups.

So play them at their own game, don't start packing your items until the last one has been scanned and you have checked the receipt.

jenniewb

I guess this is where using a calculator as you shop and using the self-service tills does pay off!

lily117

Can't remember the last time I used a "normal" till, I always use a self-service one. That way I know any mistakes will be my own. I take my time and check the receipt straight away.

Tigsteroonie

Broadwood wrote: »

I ask this because it's almost impossible to check your itemised bill in detail on every visit before leaving the supermarket, especially when it's busy or you're in a rush or you have a large trolley of goods.

I always make a point of checking the entire receipt, including any discounts for multiple purchases, before leaving the shop. Marley has got quite used to waiting for me while I do this and it's paid off a few times when things haven't been discounted as they should (dtd time!)

geordie_joe wrote: »

Have you noticed that they will not begin scanning your items until you have them all on the belt?

No, in our local Tesco it's quite the opposite. They would start scanning at the earliest opportunity, which I don't like (because I can't watch the scan and I'm not ready with the bags to pack). I have to make a point of asking them to wait until we finish unpacking the trolley and are in position at the other end to pack.

Helix

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

No, in our local Tesco it's quite the opposite. They would start scanning at the earliest opportunity, which I don't like (because I can't watch the scan and I'm not ready with the bags to pack). I have to make a point of asking them to wait until we finish unpacking the trolley and are in position at the other end to pack.

Problem is the stores don't just monitor staff on scanning time, they monitor idle time as well. So when the times are looked at they will wonder why that many staff were on checkouts at that time if there is a lot of idle time. Then they will start taking more staff off checkouts and you end up with longer queues. If there are two of you then it only takes 1 to unpack and another to pack, its understandable if you are on your own though.

Thats what happens when they use computers to work these things out rather than people.

Stephen_Leak

I always (try to remember to) check my receipt before leaving.

I've had the usual problems with discounts and SEL/till pricing discrepancies, but never a completely "rogue" item.

I've had problems recognising items from their descriptions, though. A classic one was some "ICBINB". In fact, I was so intrigued by this, that I took the receipt back in next time and had a chat with the customer service desk. They keyed in the item number and they advised me it was a tub of "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter".

e.pcat

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

I always make a point of checking the entire receipt, including any discounts for multiple purchases, before leaving the shop. Marley has got quite used to waiting for me while I do this and it's paid off a few times when things haven't been discounted as they should (dtd time!)



No, in our local Tesco it's quite the opposite. They would start scanning at the earliest opportunity, which I don't like (because I can't watch the scan and I'm not ready with the bags to pack). I have to make a point of asking them to wait until we finish unpacking the trolley and are in position at the other end to pack.

I'll bet you are popular with both staff and people behind you in the queue - but then that wouldn't worry you would it? Since when did you consider anyone else? Why don't you simply (a) get a life or (b) check the items when you get home and let the store know next time you go there. I've never had any problems with doing that. Or perhaps you just enjoy being a pain!

DCFC79

e.pcat wrote: »

I'll bet you are popular with both staff and people behind you in the queue - but then that wouldn't worry you would it? Since when did you consider anyone else? Why don't you simply (a) get a life or (b) check the items when you get home and let the store know next time you go there. I've never had any problems with doing that. Or perhaps you just enjoy being a pain!

What ddin't you like about the reply ?

Nothing wrong with asking the C/O to only scan stuff once your ready otherwise once the C/O has finished your still packing so tyou still end up causing people to wait.

Whats wrong with checking the receipt whilst your in the store and tell them there and then ? Maybe its easier for people to do it like that rather than making a special trip.

spbankie

Strangest one recently was at Sainsbury. Went through a manned till, bill was a bit higher than expected but didn’t give it too much thought as I was trying to separate two boys (being “helpful as ever”). On way to car quick check of bill revealed that I had bought a dolls house which had kindly been discounted by 75% in their toy sale. Slight problem of course was, what use would I have for a dolls house with two boys (even in these enlightened times!). Went to customer services and had to end up emptying all my bags to try to find the culprit. Everything checked out, so it was just a rogue item which magically scanned itself then put on its cloak of invisibility! Good try Mr Sainsbury - £25 profit avoided by a keen mse (well ms newbie really)

MysteryMe

DCFC79 wrote: »

What ddin't you like about the reply ?

Nothing wrong with asking the C/O to only scan stuff once your ready otherwise once the C/O has finished your still packing so tyou still end up causing people to wait.

Whats wrong with checking the receipt whilst your in the store and tell them there and then ? Maybe its easier for people to do it like that rather than making a special trip.

I suspect they quoted the wrong post, there was an earlier one which stated they would only start packing until all goods had gone through the checkout and they had checked the receipt. I also happen to think that is excessive if there is a queue of people behind. I check the items before leaving the store and if there is a problem go to the CS desk. That way you are being courteous to other customers and not lessoning your position if there is a mistake.

I have had a situation where I only discovered a mistake when I got back home and rang the Co op and they happily said they would rectify it on the next visit, which they did. They keep a book/diary for those sorts of mistakes and I imagine other supermarkets do the same.