Supermarket ‘better value’ multi-packs not always better value

I suspect part of the issue is to ‘legally mislead’ but I suspect part of the issue is that genuine mistakes do occur. Especially when you consider that each supermarket stocks tens of thousands of lines.

I tend to go by price per weight, although this annoys my other half as it adds to the food shopping time. But then I remind her that there are nicer things I’d rather spend our money on then wasting any more on the tedious monotony of the weekly shop than we have to. But sometimes supermarkets don’t make it clear if the ‘price per weight’ (ppw) is the original ppw or if it’s the ppw with the offer taken into account.

Washing powder always seems cheaper in smaller boxes. McVities Digestives, 400g 2-pack ‘value’ pack for £2.40 odd, or 99p each. Bonkers.

Another reason for the higher prices for multi-packs is that they inflate the prices prior to introducing the ‘buy one get one free’ option for that particular brand – thus increasing the illusion of value.

Yesterday I complained again at Asda Burton on Trent that for two weeks running I found an error on my receipt on offers of two packs of prawns and buying two bottles of olive oil which did not register as an offer on my receipts. They said it was a computer error and gave me a £2 voucher but I feel it is going to be a tedious routine to have to check receipts every time you shop. They are also encouraging you to bulk buy so you think you are getting better value by doing so.

Supermarkets are getting away with so much nowadays as regards kidding the consumer, I worked in Supermarkets and also many years in the Greengrocery Trade both as a Manager and also my own business altogether about 40 years in retail,
The latest scam that the supermarkets have been pulling off over the last couple of years is by advertising fruit and vegetables as half price , this is complete nonsense as produce is a seasonal thing and supply and demand determines the retail price,
they really do think the public are not aware of this , a few weeks ago I reported this to trading standards where I live, all their half price offers where double the price of the few private greengrocers that are now left in the high street ,they have all but obliterated small business’s in the high street and think they can manipulate the market,

In fairness to the Supermarkets (not something I find myself saying very often), on a number of the “95p each, any 2 for £2”-type examples in your gallery. The offer applies to a range of products. I assume that buying the product shown with one of the other (more expensive) choices may well take you above the “2 for” price.

That said, some of the examples shown are just unjustifiable.

I feel the Supermarket’s current frozen turkey pricing is anything but fair and is an abuse of their customer’s loyalty. The policy of selling turkeys by a weight range rather than per Kg for the weight purchased is what I am referring to. I know this is not new and it baulks me everytime I buy a frozen chicken but then the cost penalty is much less.
It wouldn’t be so bad if just occationally the larger sizes are available but bad luck, or whatever, this never seems the case. How fair is it for us to pay the same price and yet get up to 15% less for our money? If I were to get to the till and offer them an envelope that contained somewhere between 85 and 100% of the value of the goods would they accept it? If they got between 850ml and 1000ml in a litre bottle would they think this fair? If they got between 8.5 and 10 litres of fuel when they were paying for 10 litres would they think that fair? No, then why do they expect us to accept a 1Kg difference in the weight of a turkey for the same price? I know the price per Kg is calculated at the lower weight but sorry this cuts no ice with me when I’m standing at their freezer knowing I can have an 8Kg turkey for my £24 but am only getting 7Kg (13.75% less in this example).
I think it about time we stood up to them and make them see we won’t be taken for a ride like this. I did write to Justin King at Sainsburys via their e-mail but am still waiting for a response.

Ive noticed many misleading prices in Tesco over the last months and have complained several times only for a manager to say its a mistake and they are sorry . Surely if these are mistakes they would be rectified , yet they still continue , suggesting a deliberate policy to exploit . I saw the Watchdog account of the investigation where Tesco again claimed they were “mistakes” . However i have just returned from a shopping trip to find they are still doing the same . It cannot be a mistake but a deliberate policy to misinform and profit . These supermarkets now appear to have a monopoly on trade , as there are very few alternatives in some towns .and they take full advantage of the consumer .
Perhaps its about time we began to boycott these profiteers .

Tesco online are displaying a pack of 8 cadbury creme eggs priced at £2.95 BOGOF, however it says 6 pack, although compared to the 12 pack, the price per weight is correct for an 8 pack. When challenged they refused to honor the deal as they had a mistake on their site.