PLEASE HELP What is Tesco's Coupon Policy?

jeeves_2

MrSmartprice wrote:

Knowing that Tesco DO accept coupons if you haven't bought the product, the best tactic I have found is to threaten not to take any of the shopping if they refuse. This normally gets a supervisor and then manager, and they accept them.

Only once did they refuse, and I carried out my threat. They were left with a trolley load of bagged goods that they had to rescan and return to shelves. Of course, weighed goods go into the skip as they cannot return them.

thats a bit extreme isn't it mate?
i understand the frustration but you're only gonna have to go n do the shopping somewhere....

Jeeves

calleyw

jeeves wrote:

thats a bit extreme isn't it mate?
i understand the frustration but you're only gonna have to go n do the shopping somewhere....

Jeeves

I do agree.

But just look at the Tesco mispricing thread. People going in and buy £40/£50 + of meat and then getting there all there money back as well as the goods for free. And you know they are only buying it to get there money back and the goods for free. And normally they would never buy that meat or even that amount. That to me is taking it to far a policy that is in place when there is an over charge. That most of us would never notice.

And they will be the first to whine when Tescos stop doing it.

But each to there own and what they feel comfortable doing.


Yours


Calley

bylromarha

It can be very frustrating when you as the consumer appear to know more than the staff. the coupon policy is one of these things, the overprice another.

If Tesco got it right all the time, then people shouldn't have to resort to telling the staff the shopping's all going back if they don't accept the coupon. Nor using their policy on refund and replace. Tesco seem to be tightening up on the meat because so many people continue to point out their errors to them. All the better for consumers in general IMO.

I find it scary to think that I've been shopping in Tesco for over 10 years and it is only now that I begin to compare my receipt to the POS. As an ex employee of Tesco I knew what their coupon policy was, but wasn't too bothered before as I couldn't be bothered to faff over it. The fact I am now a housewife means that enforcing their policies, whether by coupons or free meat, now makes a good deal of difference to my budget.:j

However, the only thing that I will whine about is being called a whiner...it seems you get annoyed too at the fact that the staff don't know their own policies, therefore no reason to be rude to those people who share your frustration at tesco.

calleyw wrote:

We did not say anything. But it was really annoying as I have about £4 ish of coupons to get rid of before the end of month. And I now doubt that I will get chance as I have done the food shopping for the next two weeks.

bagand96

These Tesco policies (both the coupon and the overcharge) are in place for the benefit of the consumer, and to try and deliver good service. However it is the ABUSE of these policies by many people that aggrevate staff and will ultimately lead to these generous policies being scrapped (the process has already begun.)

Dormouse

calleyw wrote:

I do agree.

But just look at the Tesco mispricing thread. People going in and buy £40/£50 + of meat and then getting there all there money back as well as the goods for free. And you know they are only buying it to get there money back and the goods for free. And normally they would never buy that meat or even that amount. That to me is taking it to far a policy that is in place when there is an over charge. That most of us would never notice.

And they will be the first to whine when Tescos stop doing it.

But each to there own and what they feel comfortable doing.


Yours


Calley

There always will be people that take things to the extreme, be it taking advantage of supermarket policies or anything else in life. Who are we to judge them? Besides, posting disparaging opinions about these actions is not going to change anyone's behaviour but is likely to bring a negative atmosphere to this board, which none of us want.

I am aware of the Tesco coupon policy and the overcharge policy, and no, I don't take them to the extreme, but yes, I will whine if Tesco stop these. I will also stop shopping at Tesco and spending thousands of pounds there every year.

Let's just bear in mind just how big a company Tesco is, and the few pounds that I get off my shopping will still lead to enormous profits, as it is precisely due to these policies that they have managed to entice me as their customer.

fluffybunny_2

What is this free meat then?

I dont buy much meat really.....we wouldnt call ourselves vegetarian but dont buy a lot. I'm intrigued as to what is this free meat?

philldutton

Basically people scour the shelves at Tesco looking for stuff where the shelf price is lower than the pack price (can be as little as 1p), fill their trolley with it, pay for it and then race to the customer service desk. Tesco give you a refund and let you keep any product they overcharge you for, so you get free stuff.

To be honest if this thread is anything to go by I wouldn't be surprised if Tesco removed this policy as it must be costing them a fortune!

Leylauk

Lets not forget that Tesco were the highest ranking company for profits last year. Tesco became the first UK retailer to chalk up annual profits of more than £2bn in its last financial year. They consistently muck up with their pricing and as a result of threats from Trading Standards they introduced this policy - a better alternative to a massive fine and bad press. A couple of weeks ago the amount of overcharged meat at my local stores was amazing - so I took advantage in moderation. The first time I notified CS and the guy could not even be bothered to remove the label despite the fact that it was clearly infringing the TDA.

Anyway my point is that over the last week - I have not noticed ANY mispriced meat in all 3 Tescos I have visited. Tesco employees have clearly been given a good telling off and told to take more care. Therefore the actions of the moneysavers have ultimately benefited hundreds of consumers who were being ripped off and not even noticing.

calleyw

I don't want to get in to argument and none of this particularly aimed at any one person. But if you want to take offence I can't stop you.

Yes I was a little annoyed they would not take the vouchers but it is just one of those things. And I mentioned it in thread in passing not complaining, moaning or what ever you want to call it.

We have a tight budget of £100 a month of food for two people. And to be truthful vouchers are not highly placed in the scheme of things in trying to save money.

But I don't feel the need to say I don't want the shopping because they would not take a few vouchers. Do you really think Tescos care if you shop there or not over a few pounds of profit they make on a trolley load of shopping. I doubt it very much. And all you have done is create extra work for people who are most likely on min wage. And add to there wasteage which somone will get shouted at for, if it goes over a certain amount.

Sorry if you don't like the term whiner. I could have said complainer if you think that is better.

Does it really matter how much the company make which I am lead to believe comes mainly from the financial side and not the food shopping. They are in business to make money. And yes I know it is company policy for the refund and goods for free if over charged. BUT and the big but there are limits to how much abuse polices like this will stand up too. And yes they should not be over charging and they are right to get pulled up on it.

But when people go in with the pure intention of getting lots of stock be it meat etc for free then that to me is pure abuse of the system. And abusing the policy like that does not sit well with me.

As I said you do what you feel comfortable doing. But don't start complaining when polices such as refunds and product for free and the use of vouchers when not buying the product are with drawn because of abuse.

As I said above as vouchers do not figure highly in trying to save money off my shop then if it was withdrawn it would not worry me one bit. And personally if I am over charged I would just be happy to get my money back.

I have found these many of the boards on this forum very helpful. And glad that the some of the info has helped me and many others save money. I save money in what way I want to and feel comfortable doing and you do what you want to do and how you feel comfortable doing it. Because if we where all the same life would be very boring.

Yours

Calley

MrSmartprice

My point about abandoning the shopping is that you can normally call their bluff. You just have to be prepared to carry it out if it doesn't work. As I shop at various places several times a week it makes little odds to me.

Just to correct an error by a previous poster, overcharging is no longer covered by S11 of TDA. It is now S20 of Consumer Protection Act. Amazing how few "highly trained" shop staff have ever heard of it!