Tesco Price scalping…and increased EU consumer protection
Posted by admin on 01 Dec 2008 at 05:51 am | Tagged as: Consumer blogging
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Conor Pope’s post last week (more in today’s Pricewatch in the Irish Times) drew my attention to the hikes that some customers were noticing at Tesco. I’ve been getting deliveries from Tesco for the past few weeks due to the lack of wheels (ah that’s another story - life without the mothership sucks!)
Anyway shopping online I’ve noticed several significant price rises…
Tesco’s finest sausages 205 g were 1.59 - now 1.96 - a 25 percent increase!! A triple pack of hummus is up 30 cent, Spinach is up 59 cent a pack.
This in not a sterling thing or a VAT thing, it’s a ‘let’s sneakily put the prices up after a load of hoo haa’ in September. So where are the black and amber signs to warn us of the price rises Tesco? Ah there’s an idea!!
Tesco’s delivery service is hit and miss by the way in terms of the times they say they will come. I do like the fact they will substitute if you want and then take back stuff you don’t like. The delivery drivers are all very helpful when they do arrive.
In other news I noticed that the European Commission have launched a new initiative on unfair sales pitches and other dodgy consumer practices. A new directive protecting the rights of consumers in terms of commercial transactions is in effect. All very handy as more and more people dig around for online and offline bargains anywhere but here. I don’t think it will protect us from Tesco fleecing us though!
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[...] Tesco Price scalping…and increased EU consumer protection [...]
It’s incredible and they’re only getting away with it because we’re too stupid to say anything or vote with our feet.
I stopped shopping in Tesco months ago, having noticed sly little increases like this all over the place. Since then I only shop at Aldi - all my groceries (including foccacia, pesto, olive oil etc.) and booze (beer & wine) for under €80!
Was in tesco in the Crescent Shopping Centre down here and noticed a lot of the stuff I was looking for was cheaper in the local spar shop.
Good to have these things pointed out - I’m often so tired by the time I get to Tesco that I just hand over the money dumbly. The problem is, there aren’t a lot of options around Stoneybatter way that are within walking distance. It’s a toss-up between saving the environment (by not using the car), or saving money (by driving to Aldi).
Meat: I go to Tesco Clonmel for petrol & special offers in Clonmel, Portlaoise & Carlow. Overall Tesco appear to be using carpenters in meat departments.
Wine: screw-top d’Abruzzio was €4.79 pre-budget. In Tesco, Clonmel last Saturday it was €6.19.
Aldi or NI for value now.
I had noticed the hummus! I find myself being less and less enamoured with Tesco. I went to Dunnes Stores in Cornelscourt a fortnight ago and bought loads of stuff. In my head, I associate Dunnes with throwing things in the trolley regardless of price while shopping with my Gran as a kid and generally with being uncompetitive and dear, but I have to say they had basically every brand of everything and I only spent €50 including mince, chicken and plenty of lunch things.
“The delivery drivers are all very helpful when they do arrive.”
That’s not like my experiences with the drivers at all. That’s why I stopped ordering from Tesco and switched to Superquinn.