This morning I made my usual biweekly trip to area grocery stores to fill my empty cupboards and take advantage of advertised sales. I was a little concerned about what I might spend because I was out of "everything". But the sales looked pretty good so I was hopeful that the total would be reasonable.
I started at Winn Dixie where there were several interesting advertised prices in addition to a "mega meat sale". My first disappointment was in the dairy aisle. The sale paper showed a picture of Breakstone sour cream, and several varieties of Kraft cheese with a price that appeared to read 2 for $3, but the price on the shelf read 2 for $4. When I questioned the discrepancy, the manager agreed that the picture in the ad was confusing but that the 2 for $3 price only referred to the sour cream. I thanked him and said that I would buy my cheese at Food Lion where Kraft cheeses were on sale 3 for $5 and the store brand was 3 for $4.
The next issue was at the checkout counter where the cashier rang up a total of approximately $66, a vast amount more than I had planned to spend. From the estimated figures in the back of my mind, the total should have been less than $40. After checking the register tape one item a time, we ascertained that the majority of the meat items rang up at the regular price instead of the sale price and I was also charged for several items that were supposed to be free. After correction my total at Winn Dixie was $38.66. I went on to buy some cheese and juice at Food Lion ($3.73) and the remainder of my groceries at Save a Lot ($31.73) for a grand total of $74.12.
You gotta watch em like a hawk
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Comments: 31
Ofcourse at this point you may have had this happen on many items, and people behind you are getting upset if you say anything. That sucks!
Yep, they will take advantage of those who don't watch the register/tape. I always take a calculator with me, adding up as I fill up. Then, just before going to check out, I add tax so I know the exact total it should be (more times than not it is a few cents less than I figure). If I don't have my calculator (kids!) I mentally add rounding up so I know I am over on my guess and then I feel like I have saved more when I check out!
They always apologize for the error when I mention it. But how come all of the errors are in their favor and never in my favor?
This is why I let him do the shopping most of the time. I tend to just grab what I need or want w/o checking prices.
Before I retired, I shopped at Winn Dixie every week because it was close and I was always in a hurry. I always got ripped off and seldom had time to check closely and follow up. Now that I have time, they don't get away with a penny. My husband thinks they overcharge on purpose.
"if they catch us they catch us".
I think the stores count on not being caught John. They lure us into the store with loss leaders, trick us into buying high price items, and make lots of on purpose mistakes in their favor. That's how they make money.
Patricia, until I retired in May, I was one of the ones that didn't notice I was being overcharged. Sometimes I didn't notice at all and other times I didn't notice until I was looking at the register tape several days later.
I gotta say, I am very impressed!
I wish I could do that, but I get so buzy that I can even barely get to the store to get basics, let alone get deals
My husband thinks he has picky tastes and that he has to have certain brands. Sometimes I have to be sneaky and put the generic product into the container from a brand name product. (He can't tell)