frustration at local costcutters

fezza_2

Last night thought I'd treat OH to a couple of beers.At the local costcutters had some offers on three types of beer buy two four packs for £5.50.Great I thought as there was one of the brands on this offer with 13% extra free. True to money saving, picked up two of the packs with the extra free beer and took them to the checkout. At the till they went through at normal price.Pointed out that they were on offer, the reply from the assisstant was that was only the 440ml cans were in this offer. Pointed out that they were the 440ml cans with extra free, so should be included on this offer.Was told no it was only the normal 440ml,without the free amount. So as I have a short fuse told them what I would not go ahead with my purchase and that I will shop elsewhere in future. Reply from assisstant was go on then.
Am I throwing my toys out of the pram cos I was disappointed at not getting a bit more beer for OH for no extra cost? or can they exclude free beer on the cans from such an offer? I know it may seem petty but your thoughts would be appreciated .

TheChillPill

The extra free can't be taken into account where offers are concerned because it would still have to be labelled by the shop as a 440ml can (although they are permitted to state the actual size, stating that its 440ml you're paying for).

The only time they could exclude this is if they had something along the lines of 'cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer/promotion'. As the retailer would only be paying the same price as they would a normal 440ml can, it wouldn't make sense for them to exclude cans with extra free.

Therefore, I think they are likely to be in the wrong. I would do one of two things - either try again and hope for a different assistant and point these things out, or secondly if they have published a leaflet giving details of their offer, buy them at the higher price - keep the receipt, then write a strongly worded letter to head office explaining what happened. I dare say the letter idea should at least get you a refund and perhaps some 'goodwill vouchers'.

fezza_2

Thanks chillpill,
I think I'll pick up their leaflet and check wording 1st.Didn't think that they could do it,but argued in vain.Might speak to the manager anyway.Cheers
:beer:

Princess_Fiona_2

I've experienced the same from my local costcutter as such I have stopped shopping there. Not bothered what special offers they have anymore. I will take my custom elsewhere so I dont blame you getting annoyed. Perhaps if more of us boycotted them they would soon get the message and pull their finger out!!!!

PF

daveboy

You could also find that the two products which are in essence the same, actually have a different bar code - and that only the one without the extra free in it triggers the offer on the shops tills.

fezza_2

In fairnesss princess, its just my nearest costcutter that I experiance monumental stupidity from assistants. The next nearest cc is great,the guy that runs it could not do enough for me or my family when I was very ill, always asking after me and helpfull above and beyond.
So I will stick to them in future when I treat hubby!
Daveboy I find that the costcutter that I had problems with rarely put the offers in the till properly,the assistant manually changes them.
I did pop up yesterday to pick up the leaflet, and purchase the beer with the extra free as chillpill had suggested. (OH must think think that I've won the lottery, its his birthday or something lol!)
The same assistant I had the run in with was there behind one till but another one served me, no problem got the two packs with the extra free for £5.50. No arguing, debate nothing, just a oh these are on offer from the assistant,manual correction on till, job done.No objection from the other guy.
So the other assistant must have had an attitude transplant over night!
Thats my last purchase there, just did it to prove a point or have some evidence to use to write to costcutters head office. May write anyway.Thanks for your replies everyone got a moral victory anyway.

TheChillPill

Glad to hear you got there in the end :-)

philldutton

Glad you got sorted, the place sounds like my local Londis.

They were advertising 2L Pepsi as BOGOF a few weeks ago, shame they decided to double the price to £2.20 per bottle (i'm not joking either).