Mars Chocolate Revels and more.

SirFreddy

One of my sins in this demanding world is a bag of Mars Revels, they are delicious.

However, retail outlets seem to choose their own price to sell them at unless it is printed on the bag as a promotional price.

We all know Motorway Services, Railway Stations, Airports, Hospitals etc have to charge more for most products because of their unavoidable costs.

The point that wrankles with me is there is no consistency with the pricing from W H Smith for example, they seem to charge as much as they think they can get away with and Mars are quite happy to be complicit with this.

I did write to Mars customer services customer services but all I got back was the usual PR drivel without properly answering my query.

I am sure there are many more products similar to this, it is something that will always be there, so I will have to stock up from Asda or Amazon etc and when I am going on my travels take a couple of bags with me, and may I suggest that you do the same.

user1977

without properly answering my query.

You haven't told us what your query is.

born_again

I have found many sweets/chocolates. That are sold a lot cheaper in some outlets.

Then when you actually compare them, they are smaller &/or weigh less, so are not as much as a bargain you think 🤷‍♀️🤣

Andy_L

Welcome to the free market economy

Ergates

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6663238/mars-chocolate-revels-and-more

Retailers are free to charge whatever they want for the products they sell and it essentially is "as much as they think they can get away with". If a particular shop charges too much then customers will buy elsewhere.

Mars will not apply pressure to a retailer to lower their prices - nor should they.

Aylesbury_Duck

"they seem to charge as much as they think they can get away with"

Isn't that the case with the majority of products and services? You're free to buy or not to buy, it's hardly one of life's essentials like water or electricity.

mr_stripey

Mars doesn't care what the retailer charges.

WHSmith or whoever can charge what they like. Service Station and Airport locations, and cinemas etc are always more expensive.

Years ago I worked for a major high street retailer and a customer challenged me on the price of an item which he considered to be too expensive. I explained it was in line with what competitors charge. He responded with "but I bet they don't cost you that much to make!". I said "of course not, like every business we aim to sell things for a profit"

He was totally befuddled by the concept!

Now I want a pack of revels!!!!

flaneurs_lobster

Just after Christmas my local Tesco had some party bags of Revels on the Yellow Sticky shelf.

Bag about the size of your head for something over a tenner.

Nearly did…..

SiliconChip

Retail Price Maintenance was made illegal by the Competition Act 1998, following on from the Resale Prices Act 1964.

Marvel1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6663238/mars-chocolate-revels-and-more

Maybe W H Smith have unadvoidable costs too?

CliveOfIndia

It's called "free market". A retailer can charge what they like. Their only headache is in pricing things at a point whereby they make a reasonable profit, but are still competitive with local competition. If a shop 1/4 of a mile away sells the same thing cheaper, they'll likely find they don't do much business.

It's no different to petrol - why is there such a marked difference between different petrol stations which are fairly close to each other? Why are motorway service so expensive? Because they have a captive market. Sure, the more savvy people will leave the motorway at the next junction and find a much cheaper alternative within a mile or so, but not everyone can be bothered.

Often you'll see a label on things that states "RRP" - "Recommended Retail Price". This is a guideline price, suggested by the manufacturer, which will give most retailers a decent balance between profit and sales volume. But even that is obviously dependent on a wide range of different factors.

Cinemas, in particular, are notorious for selling sweets at a price that is ridiculously higher than the supermarket a mile down the road.

Mars don't care what retailers sell their products for - as long as the retailer is buying stuff from them, they're happy.

It's simple - if you don't want to pay the price at one shop, then shop around.

As an aside, I think this would be better off in the "Rants" section, rather than "Consumer Rights" - given that no consumer rights have been breached.