Don't need a BOGOF item? Give it away then!

Heinz

The OH and I went to do our weekly supermarket shop yesterday. Sainsbury’s as usual (it happens to be the nearest large supermarket – before we moved we used to use Tesco).

I can't eat asparagus because I have gout (no comments please, it’s a genetic kidney fault not excessive red wine or whatever) so I sighed to myself when the OH headed immediately to the asparagus on the display cleverly placed just as you enter the store. Not only was it English asparagus but it was also on BOGOF – 2 bunches for £1.99.

“Pity you can’t eat this” she said as she picked up one bunch and came to join me. “But it’s BOGOF” I said, “Get 2 bunches and we’ll give the other one away.”

We do that quite often with BOGOFs but the neighbour who usually benefits is away at the moment so, to the OH's astonishment, 20 minutes later I stopped a lady leaving the store just ahead of us saying, “Have you bought asparagus?”

“No” she said, eyeing me suspiciously.

“Do you like asparagus?”

“Yes” she said, hesitantly.

“Have some then” I said, “It’s buy one get one free and we don’t need the second bunch. Here you are.”

Why don’t we all do things like that with BOGOFs? It’s less wasteful and, even though the recipient was obviously not in dire financial need, it certainly (stupidly now I come to think of it) gave me a ‘feel good for a few minutes’ boost to a dull day.

luby-lou

What a nice thing to do! You probably made that lady's day - not because of the asparagus itself, but because someone was nice enough to pass on a bit of kindness. :T

I do the same sometimes and give things like that away to friends and family but its nice to help a stranger for no reason too.

JailhouseBabe

Heinz wrote: »

it certainly (stupidly now I come to think of it) gave me a ‘feel good for a few minutes’ boost to a dull day.

I don't think that was a stupid way to feel, it was a nice thing to do. Just think how many people buy it because it's BOGOF, then end up throwing the second pack away because they've not managed to use it in time. Not that I've ever done that :rolleyes:

I must admit, I'd be reluctant to take food off someone I didn't know because there seems to be so many nutters about these days I'd worry it was 'contaminated' in some way - unless I'd seen them pay for it and then hand it straight over. Now how stupid is that?

Heinz

JailhouseBabe wrote: »

I must admit, I'd be reluctant to take food off someone I didn't know because there seems to be so many nutters about these days I'd worry it was 'contaminated' in some way - unless I'd seen them pay for it and then hand it straight over. Now how stupid is that?

I take the point. I made sure she had just left the checkouts (as had we) and we were sort of both 'in line' heading for the exit with our respective trollies.

I deliberately timed the contact to take place in full view of the large (does size stop shoplifting?) 'security' man by the door and in view of their CCTV cameras.

Dill

That was a nice thing to do! I'd think of getting BOGOFs if I could think of a needy recipient, but since reading or hearing somewhere that the growers/producers of the food don't actually receive the money for the 'free' item (the supermarket gets the money instead) I've been really wary of buying BOGOF fruit and veg. Sounds silly, and not very OS, but I feel a bit guilty about exploiting the growers!

ragz_2

I do a similar thing by giving away my millions of carrier bags in lidl to other customers so they don't have to buy them. Not very selfless but everyone is always so shocked and pleased!

weezl74

I think you are lovely for what you did, but I think I'd have been tempted to make the other batch into cream of asparagus soup for the freezer for the next time OH wanted the flavour of asparagus.

So I think you're nicer and less stingy than me!

Pitlanepiglet

I once went halves on a BOGOF with an old chap in our local (manky) Somerfield - we were both after mushrooms that were on BOGOF but there were only two packs left....so we shared and paid half! Not quite as generous but quite effective!

izoomzoom

I know this is not what you want to hear but I used to work in a store and the rare occassion the customer did not want the free item we would charge them anyway (BOGOF doesn't cost the customer) because 9/10 they have changed their mind before they leave the till (and then you have a stockloss situation or a p***ed off customer because you have to delay them to refund & charge 2x situation).

Great idea about giving it away ...

t_obermory

Thats a really nice thing to do. When they were giving away cuddly toy Mr Men with some washing powder a while ago, a nice old lady stopped us and gave hers to my DD as she had no use for it.

It made my DD's day, and no doubt the lady you stopped had a smile on her face for the rest of the day too

Trow

I haven't done this with food items (have kids, they'll get through it, whatever it is.. as will their mates..), but I have given away vouchers that I couldn't use - I had Tesco clothing vouchers that were valid for a while, but I only get to a Tesco once in a blue moon - its a 14 hour ferry or an hour by plane away (at the moment anyway, one opening soon), so when I used the vouchers I could at the blue moon, I gave the rest to a woman just walking in with three young kids with her - turns out she had two more at home, and she was very grateful (if a little wary at first!)

Its always nice to surprise someone, even better when the cost to you is just a little bit of time and a smile!