Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Do you still want it?

I just want to know how much something costs when I shop for groceries. Twice now I've gone to Safeway and decided to buy red chard for dinner. There is a sign over the red chard and another bunch green, that says "bunch greens" $1.49 and that is an acceptable price depending on the quality. It doesn't say bunch greens, with the exception of the red chard. There are only two bunch greens under the sign! The last time they had it out like this I got to the counter and the red chard rang up for $1.99, so I told the checker the sign said "bunch greens" $1.49. There were a bunch of people in line and I dindn't want to hold things up, but she wouldn't give me the $1.49 price, And she asked me if I still wanted them at $1.99. In the interest of not delaying anyone else I didn't make them go and check and just gave her $1.99, but I told her to look into the sign.

Well nothing happened and I just knew when I took the red chard advertised at $1.49 it would ring up for $1.99 and sure enough. This time nobody was in line behind me. So she told me "it rings up for $1.99 do you still want it? I said "I want it but at the price advertised on the shelf, and this is what I intend to eat for dinner, YES I want it!" So she got on her phone and called someone who said he would check it out. Well I guess after his break, because she asked again "Do you still want it?" and I asked "Is someone checking?" and she said "He is on break, do you want me to send somenone back to check?" "Yes!." So the box girl went back to check and comfirmed my price "It says bunch greens $1.49." "Thank you!" and I thanked the box girl for running back. "I'll take $.50 off." the checker said.

But I'm not done with them. I'm going back there now to make sure the price is corrected. And if it still says bunch greens $1.49 I'm going to grab the manager and rake him over the coals. The problem I have with this is three fold. First it makes me look like I'm trying to get away with something when I tell them it is advertised for less than it rings up, and second it delays people behind me who also think I'm a jerk, and third they told me they would take care of it. This is false advertising darn it, and I like red chard!

"Do you still want it?"...

5 comments:

Diane Lowe said...

Easiest way: call the manager up and explain the situation - if they don't change the price sign you'll shop somewhere else.

If that doesn't work you can e-mail corporate.

I'm surprised the checker was so slow on the idea that you didn't want to pay an extra 50 cents that you shouldn't have to pay! As much as I dislike Wal-Mart, they have a policy where, if something is mis-priced, you get $3.00 off your purchase that day, or the item for free if it's under $3.00.

don said...

Yes, Wal-Mart does a few things very well. They set the standard for inventory control so I doubt they get it wrong very often.

First I'll check to see that the sign hasn't changed then I'll talk to someone.

I don't think they will respond to a threat of me not coming back. It's in my interest to get them to do what I want, and it's also in their interest.

The problem I have is that I only have a couple of places close to where I live and work to shop. There is a farmer's market but it is seasonal and can't always meet my needs.

Diane Lowe said...

Well. . . you can always say that you'll write about it on your blog. . . .that will teach them! ;)

Good luck with finding correctly-priced red chard.

Megan said...

I wouldn't have this problem since I can't stand the taste of chard. It always seems so bitter to me.

But, good for you for sticking with it. I swear, there is no customer service these days!

don said...

Megan, You should try it with a little balsamic vinegar on it. It's really good that way.

I went back and talked to the produce manager. He's just a kid and has always been friendly. He said he knew about the problem and had made a note for it to get changed in the system. I can expect to pay $1.99