Let the Seller Beware!
Last week, my soapbox on deceptive supermarket ads must have hit a nerve. Lots of you had something to say, so this week's Slices & Dices is devoted to our readers' replies. Thanks to all who wrote in—we enjoyed your comments and think others will too!...KH
I have not found any discrepancies that I can recall, but VON'S did the same thing to us with London broil. Advertised at buy one get one free it was 4.00 a lb!! You could travel a mile to Albertson's and get London broil at the regular price of 1.69 lb.
Thanks for your e-mail service. Was most interested in your information on Von's and Ralph's. Watch carefully here, but don't have that problem. Do have problem with checkout computer prices and listed prices not agreeing. Usually higher on computer. Question—Do you know how to access the foods pages in the LA Times on their web site. I have had no luck and can't even raise a response from them I agree with you. There food pages are excellent. Thanks for any help you can give me. cesjay
[I forwarded your message to the LA Times, but in the meantime, try going to www.latimes.com on Wednesday—that's the day the Food Section comes out.—KH]
In a message dated 3/21/97 3:18:26 PM, you wrote:
<< The Ralph's checker was quick to mention that the limit was two—and I was equally quick to show her the LA Times Ad. It was the first time she had seen it but she immediately said no problem, and allowed me to pay for my four chickens at their advertised price of 47 cents a pound (what a deal for me!). Still, the discrepancy is as confusing for the Ralph's employees as it is for the consumers.>>
Hey guys... here in DC (at Giant and Safeway), if the scanner and the posted price or the ad price don't agree... And if you're smart enough to remember and point it out, you get it FREE. SO you actually would have gotten your 4 birds for $0... In fact, just yesterday I found some prepared cheese balls (which I ordinarily might have ignored) at Safeway which were signed as usually $2.79... today $1. and one was stickered $2. Pointed it out to checker and got 2 balls for $1.00 (one at marked down price, one at mistake= $0.) But you do have to know what the ad or sign says....
Having worked in the Weights & Measures for twenty some years, all the shopper has to do is report the discrepancy to the local W&M Department with full particulars and I am sure they will put a stop to this practice.
I have had nothing but good experiences at Stater Bros. here in Santa Ana, CA. When their ads and store prices don't match, or when the price on the shelf and the scanned price don't match, they refund your money and give you the item for FREE. Good deal!
Loved your excerpt in the eGG-Roll. Don't ya just love it when you beat them at their game! I had an experience today I wanted to pass along. The grocery store I shop at (Homeland) had cottage cheese on sale last week for $1.00 for 24oz carton (normally $2.39). But to my dismay they were of course out of it when I got to the store last Saturday. I told the clerk to give me a rain check but then she forgot and so did I. Today I am in the same store and they have the cottage cheese but its not on sale this week. So I put two in the basket and arm myself ready for battle. I explained to the clerk that I was here last week and they were out and that I did ask for the raincheck but their clerk also forgot to give me that. She says no problem and writes out a raincheck on the spot and then uses it to lower the price to the sale price of last week. It pays to watch them and check your bill closely, preferably before leaving the parking lot. Then if there is an error you can fix it now. Too many times it's not worth the effort to take something back that didn't ring up right. Say good buy on chickens, doesn't it just make you smile when the old freezer is full. I bought brisket on sale today for .98/lb, The whole gang is here so we will be brisket eatin fools tomorrow!