En Promo - Check the date!

[Bayleaf]

A new twist came up whilst shopping last week... On the rare occasions I accompany Mr Bayleaf shopping, I always head to the promo aisle for a bargain. This time is was 3 for 2 toilet cleaner. As I've been caught out before (and stupidly forgot my glasses this time for checking details), I asked Mr B to check that what I was picking up was actually exactly the same name on the promo ticket. Yep, no problem.

Once at the till, again as I've been caught out by these so-called promos, I asked the cashier to check that these items were actually on promo. She swiped one, and said "Non". Then checked the promo magazine, and informed me that they are not on promo until two days later. "Why put them showing en promo two days in advance then?" I ask. She said "they don't have time to do them "on the day". Erm, ok. Take one back then, as I don't want to pay for three. Then I said I doubt many people look at the date, so don't end up getting them on promo and don't check their ticket. She shrugged in that way they do - this supermarket has a reputation for "the customer is rarely right!"

So, I checked with my daughter who works in an hypermarket in Toulouse, where "the customer is usually right"! She said that should never be done, and probably isn't even legal. En plus, if they have left something out on promo and the date has gone over, they would still give the customer the discount, as it's still on the shelves with the promo sticker on.

Another nasty little trick by our local greedy supermarket owner methinks - so be warned folks, always check the dates of promos, and double check with the cashier. Failing that, check your ticket! I know loads of people don't, including Mr B. If I can find some written legislation saying he's breaking the law, I might just have to go in and prove a point, cough, cough. It won't be the first time!

[hughnique]

You are lucky to get a ticket on the spot at our SuperU nowadays.

[MAD87]

Bayleaf - I've come across that before but (usually) they've given the discount. Thz speciality at our Uexpress is selling out-of-date food.
Hughnique - you nearly always have to ask for a till receipt in U now. They're saving the planet you know

[Bayleaf]

Hughnique - Ah yes, if you have a fidelity card, they like to email you later - but you are within your rights to ask for a ticket straight away. How can you check all is ok if you only get the email once you are home?! This particular supermarket doesn't do that yet.

[hughnique]

Bricomarche used to stich me up until I got the gist of arguing with them. one RS in particular would always overcharge me and had to be dragged around to the point of sale to get the displayed price. Once in Bricoman fencing on special offer, I told the vendor I would be back the following morning with the truck, when I did it was full price, "ah that was yesterday's price", well you can poke it then, suddenly the reduction was applied. Yes you have to be careful on dates and prices in most of these places, most do not seem to check the bill and they get away with it.

[niemeyjt]

I wonder why they do it. Do they get a share of any extra they can diddle you out of? Or is it just a sense of power?

[Bayleaf]

Good question!

Our bargain of the century was some years back when we needed to tile our kitchen/dining area - the largest floor area in the house. We found some tiles we liked at BricoDepot, and they had a 50% Promo ticket on them - in date. Didn't have the van with us, so thought best take a photo and come back the next day - Friday 13th, and last day of sale.

Subsequently returned with van on the Friday, and shock, horror, promo sign had gone from our choice of tiles. We found someone and showed them the photo with previous day's date and said promo hadn't finished yet. Eventually assistant went off and rang someone more important. Oh, the reply, that promo sticker had been put on the wrong tiles. Erm, ok, but here is a photo proof that these tiles, error or not, were on promo and still in date. We watched while assistant returned to a 'phone and his face gradually reddening as somebody had obviously cocked up, and we weren't budging.

Long story short, we filled the van with our top of the range, half price floor tiles, thinking Friday 13th was unlucky for them, but lucky for us.

[Bayleaf]

Had a similar funny story getting a replacement Ipad years ago - armed with the necessary print out of the law. Spent far too long sitting in the corner of their Help (joke!) Desk, looking angry and making a scene. I'm always amazed how good my French is when I'm kicking arse!

Did I ever say my nickname in the UK when I was a Credit Controller at a papermill was "Rottweiler"?! Boss always liked pointing me out to customers passing through!

[Spectrum]

Best promo we had was many years ago in the winter, looking around one of the big Bricos, I noticed a very nice gas BBQ on offer, on closer inspection it had one handle missing and the temperature probe, missing as well, there were a few scratches on the alloy lid but at half price ie 300€ I said we would have it, they said they would box it up for us and put it in the truck, we paid for it and went to strap it down, I looked at the DW and then the box, it looked brand new!, we took it home to make sure, and when we opened it was a brand new one, very happy after that nice promo

[MAD87]

I'm really glad that others kick ass!
I remember 29 years ago when I spoke no French apaprt from Bonjour and Au revoir (sometimes mixing them up) I went into Obi (now Monsieur Bricolage) with a new brushcutter we'd bought for 2k francs and which looked very 2nd hand when unboxed and worked not at all.
I marched up to reception and demanded to see the manager. He arrived very reluctantly and tried to blind me with science and cobblers. My less-than-perfect tirade was saved by the 2 girls at reception who provided - with much smirking - the missing words each time my limited French petered out. I (+ girls) got him eventually to demonstrate how the machine was supposed to work. He couldn't start it. The shop eventually reeplaced it and said débroussailleuse worked perfectly for nearly 20 years.