Mix-And-Match Cheapest-Item-Free Type Offers

wary

One thing I've wondered whilst shopping recently ...

You often see "3-for-2 mix-and-match" type offers (or similar) at supermarkets, and the cheapest item will be free. But what if you buy 4 qualifying items? Will they give you the third-cheapest item for free or the cheapest item? Similarly, if one buys 6 qualifying items, will they give you the third & sixth cheapest items for free or the two cheapest items?

Of the above two scenarios, I think it should be the former because that's how it would work if you purchased them as two separate transactions. However, are there any rules as to how such discounts should be applied when the tickets don't make clear? Or is it down to the retailer's discretion as to how they apply the discount under such scenarios? ... and if so, does anyone know which rule is generally apply in practice?

Valli

Since it's the retailer's offer then it's the retailer's discretion.

Boots has, in the past, advertised that they will apply the discount so it best benefits the consumer. For other companies you would need to check their T&Cs.

wary

Valli wrote: »

Since it's the retailer's offer then it's the retailer's discretion.

Boots has, in the past, advertised that they will apply the discount so it best benefits the consumer. For other companies you would need to check their T&Cs.

Thanks. Where would such T&C normally be specified as I don't recall it ever being made clear on the offer labels themselves?

I guess it is the retailer's discretion, but I think it should be made clear how they'll apply it, especially if the customer would be better off making the purchase as two separate transactions as a result.

paddyrg

Separate transactions is the slightly boring way to go - the best value is batches of three identically priced items, even one costing more than the other two reduces the overall benefit as a percentage.

Valli

wary wrote: »

Thanks. Where would such T&C normally be specified as I don't recall it ever being made clear on the offer labels themselves?

I guess it is the retailer's discretion, but I think it should be made clear how they'll apply it, especially if the customer would be better off making the purchase as two separate transactions as a result.

Well Boots made a big thing of explaining that if you bough 6 items they would take the most expensive 3 and give one free and then do it with the cheapest 3.
Somewhere there will be T&Cs - to be on the safe side I would opt for separate transactions, as has been suggested, in other retailer!

With Boots it the 3 for 2 xmas offer. I'm referringto here.

wary

paddyrg wrote: »

Separate transactions is the slightly boring way to go - the best value is batches of three identically priced items, even one costing more than the other two reduces the overall benefit as a percentage.

When I made reference to "separate transactions", I didn't mean buying each item individually. I meant buying batches of 3 as separate transactions, if the retailer doesn't operate in the same way that Valli has described for Boots.

This is the way it should be done as it is crazy that a customer should have to purchase batches of 3 separate to get the best benefit. If the retailer doesn't group items in the way that is most favourable to the customer, this should at least be made very clear.

Many years ago, when living in Australia, the local video rental shop had a rent-1-get-1-free offer. I rented two at $5 and two at $3 and the girl tried to give me the two $3 tapes for free ... even though had I rented them as two separate transactions it would have been one of each.

paddyrg

wary wrote: »

When I made reference to "separate transactions", I didn't mean buying each item individually. I meant buying batches of 3 as separate transactions, if the retailer doesn't operate in the same way that Valli has described for Boots.

Yes, sorry, that's what I meant too - separate batches!

rustyboy21

What happens when you buy 3 and all of them are at the same price?

agrinnall

rustyboy21 wrote: »

What happens when you buy 3 and all of them are at the same price?

Hopefully this isn't a serious question, but if it is I suggest you go away and think about it for a bit, and if that hurts your head too much, have a lie down in a dark room :cool:

wary

rustyboy21 wrote: »

What happens when you buy 3 and all of them are at the same price?

It's obvious, ain't it?!? You get all 3 of them for free of course