Supermarkets discussion

[skyhigh]

Always do my nectar offers and adding to that the new nectar only prices and doing SmartShop (which I have started recently) can save a pretty penny.

Though they've reduced the number of the old-style special offers, so a lot of the Nectar/Clubcard etc pricing is actually theatrics to give the impression of greater savings.

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== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Nov 2023 ==

I've seen mentioned elsewhere that Morrisons is making significant cuts to colleague pension benefits, along with other negative changes. Certain stores have reportedly opened voluntary redundancy schemes for colleagues too. Certainly the in-store experience (which was always below Sainsbury's in my experience) has also got significantly worse in recent months.

Rumours are that reductions in the store estate will be coming early next year...

 

[jon0844]

Always do my nectar offers and adding to that the new nectar only prices and doing SmartShop (which I have started recently) can save a pretty penny.

SmartShop is very useful for double checking advertised prices are correct but the Nectar card prices (like Clubcard) prices aren't really deals. They are what used to be regular discounts for everyone, not some special deal for a handful of people. Likewise, the normal prices are often shown to be quite comical.

I remember the late night shopping channels selling dodgy rings and bracelets with supposed retail prices of £1000, quickly marked down to £500, then £400 and within a few minutes a massive sound effect and on-screen explosion with the new price now just £19.99. Yes, buy now people as this special price to you is £20 but everyone else is paying £1000!

(Sadly, unlike the shopping channels, the way the supermarkets do it is such that if you don't have a card then you really ARE going to have to pay that '£1000').

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Nov 2023 ==

Having had a disappointing experience in Tesco last week, it was Asda's turn this week. As I drove in, my first thought was that there were trolleys lying around everywhere and when I got to the front door there were none located in the main bay. When I did eventually locate one of the smaller ones, I discovered it had a dodgy wheel. The lady at customer services was apologetic enough, but just shrugged and said she'd been trying to get someone to round them up for a while.

My old store manager would have had kittens if he'd seen that - a very poor first impression.

Our Asda still a shortage and I've had three trolleys on my road for a month now. Last I heard, they've ordered a load more trolleys and aren't going to bother to collect the existing ones all over the town. Meanwhile, the fight goes on (or, in reality, people do lesser shops or shop elsewhere).

 

[75A]

Having had a disappointing experience in Tesco last week, it was Asda's turn this week. As I drove in, my first thought was that there were trolleys lying around everywhere and when I got to the front door there were none located in the main bay. When I did eventually locate one of the smaller ones, I discovered it had a dodgy wheel. The lady at customer services was apologetic enough, but just shrugged and said she'd been trying to get someone to round them up for a while.

My old store manager would have had kittens if he'd seen that - a very poor first impression.

Every time I've been to Asda in Downpatrick the trolleys are like that.
Mind you might not be opening for a while after last weeks rain, I believe there are issues with the roof.

 

[takno]

Though they've reduced the number of the old-style special offers, so a lot of the Nectar/Clubcard etc pricing is actually theatrics to give the impression of greater savings.

I certainly haven't seen any Nectar offers yet which are better than what was available with normal offers before. I have seen quite a few cases of suspiciously high "normal" prices to justify a completely meaningless Nectar discount. I got so fed up of it I moved the majority of my shop next door to Aldi

 

[jon0844]

I do think that more and more people will see through it, and you only need to forget your loyalty card one day (assuming you don't have a digital barcode on your phone, but perhaps your phone died and that's all you have these days) to get somewhat annoyed at having to pay these inflated normal prices. I am not sure if you can later get a refund at customer services, but even if you can that's a huge inconvenience.

For sure, you can argue that you should make sure you have your card with you - but I bet if it happens to you, you'll see things different.

 

[dk1]

I understand the tactics of nectar offers and SmartShop having been a dedicated Sainsbury’s shopper as my main shop for the past 35 years, actually long before the bee came along.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

It's a good pleasant nice size clean store. However be careful when shopping regarding Nectar prices as the non Nectar prices for many items are way inflated-for example Fray Bentos pies are £3.25 but Nectar price is £1.75, these are £1.75 in B and M and Home Bargains right now so not as great deal as they seem!! Gordon's 1 litre Gin, £24.00 in Sainsbury's and Tesco, £18.00 with Nectar or Clubcard but £18.00 Asda or Morrison's. Just be careful when shopping!!

This is true of all those "member" deals, not just the ones quoted. They are just an excuse to raise prices generally.

 

[Busaholic]

I do think that more and more people will see through it, and you only need to forget your loyalty card one day (assuming you don't have a digital barcode on your phone, but perhaps your phone died and that's all you have these days) to get somewhat annoyed at having to pay these inflated normal prices. I am not sure if you can later get a refund at customer services, but even if you can that's a huge inconvenience.

For sure, you can argue that you should make sure you have your card with you - but I bet if it happens to you, you'll see things different.

Refund at customer services? Don't make me laugh!

For the first time four weeks ago I bought the £12 meal deal, even though I thought it wasn't great value with a rather dubious bottle of wine included that supposedly was £7 worth, Anyway, I wasn't feeling great and wanted to get home. A (wo)manned till was free and I put my stuff through. When it came to pay, it seemed an extortionate amount but there were now two people waiting behind me, so I took the receipt to examine when I got home and discovered that I'd paid the full price of £19.20 for the 'deal' rather than £12.

So the following day, around 5.15 p.m., I returned to Sainsbury's with the bill and the four items that should have triggered the discount marked, together with a piece of paper where I showed those items added up, then the price difference between that and the £12 i.e. £7.20. I won't go into all the detail, suffice to say I left the store over half an hour later with nothing resolved or likely to be, with me being threatened with being barred as I'd 'raised my voice' after 25 minutes of wishing to bang my head. I might add, not for dramatic effect, that I can only shuffle around, there was no seat available and I had to grab a handily near wheelchair to collapse into after fifteen minutes of talking to a brick wall, and then had another fifteen minutes with the person theoretically left in charge by this time, in reality just a slightly senior cashier. I was told in the course of all this that there was no way any refund would be issued that evening, 'even if they found in my favour' as they had recently changed their policy.

I asked for my receipt back, which was returned reluctantly, and said I'd be contacting HQ. The sarcastic comment came back ''you do that, my 'ansum'. Unfortunately, in my upset state I managed to lose the receipt, I went home and found I had flu systems which took a week or more to fully disappear and in the end decided that I'd just have to boycott the store and its petrol station in future, which I have done.

 

[GatwickDepress]

Refund at customer services? Don't make me laugh!

For the first time four weeks ago I bought the £12 meal deal, even though I thought it wasn't great value with a rather dubious bottle of wine included that supposedly was £7 worth, Anyway, I wasn't feeling great and wanted to get home. A (wo)manned till was free and I put my stuff through. When it came to pay, it seemed an extortionate amount but there were now two people waiting behind me, so I took the receipt to examine when I got home and discovered that I'd paid the full price of £19.20 for the 'deal' rather than £12.

So the following day, around 5.15 p.m., I returned to Sainsbury's with the bill and the four items that should have triggered the discount marked, together with a piece of paper where I showed those items added up, then the price difference between that and the £12 i.e. £7.20. I won't go into all the detail, suffice to say I left the store over half an hour later with nothing resolved or likely to be, with me being threatened with being barred as I'd 'raised my voice' after 25 minutes of wishing to bang my head. I might add, not for dramatic effect, that I can only shuffle around, there was no seat available and I had to grab a handily near wheelchair to collapse into after fifteen minutes of talking to a brick wall, and then had another fifteen minutes with the person theoretically left in charge by this time, in reality just a slightly senior cashier. I was told in the course of all this that there was no way any refund would be issued that evening, 'even if they found in my favour' as they had recently changed their policy.

I asked for my receipt back, which was returned reluctantly, and said I'd be contacting HQ. The sarcastic comment came back ''you do that, my 'ansum'. Unfortunately, in my upset state I managed to lose the receipt, I went home and found I had flu systems which took a week or more to fully disappear and in the end decided that I'd just have to boycott the store and its petrol station in future, which I have done.

Sorry you've had a such a poor experience, although I can't say it shocks me, considering the lack of decent training across the retail sector. You won't be surprised to learn that they were completely incorrect and policy has not changed since Nectar Prices were introduced earlier this year, as per the internal Nectar Price Error Procedure:

3.0 Nectar Prices haven’t applied at the checkout, before payment

• Check that the customer’s Nectar has added to transaction, either using their physical card or the app. Add customer’s Nectar to the transaction if it had not been added.

• Where Nectar has been added but Nectar Prices not applied, void Nectar on the checkout and then re-add Nectar to see if this solves the issue.

• If the above doesn’t resolve the issue, verify that the SEL Nectar Price for each item and where a Nectar Price is shown - void the affected items, then select ‘Reduce Price’ and re-scan item to reduce item price to match Nectar Price.

4.0 Nectar Prices haven’t applied at the checkout, after payment

• Check that the customer’s Nectar account was added to the transaction, if not empathise with the customer but advise that Nectar Prices are only applicable at time of purchase. Offer to refund affected items from their shop in line with standard refund policy.

• If Nectar was present in transaction but Nectar Prices didn’t apply, check the SEL to see if the product is still on the Nectar Price promotion, if it is, complete a Price Error refund for the regular price, then sell the item by selecting the Reduce Price button on the till and reducing the price to the Nectar Price, this will result in a refund of the difference between regular and Nectar Price and balance inventory.

• If the product is no longer a Nectar Price item, it is not currently possible to determine if the item was previously on a Nectar Price. Offer the customer a full refund for the affected items using the Price Error refund reason, and refund to the original payment method. As this puts the items back into inventory, then complete a Goodwill Service for the total value, then select ‘go back to sales mode’ and scan the items again. The total due should be zero, tender as cash, and allow the customer to keep the items.

Additionally, the Customer Experience manager should have carried out an investigation within fifteen minutes of a confirmed price discrepancy between the ticket and the products. I would email simon.roberts@sainsburys.co.uk as the executive team there are usually pretty hot on store failings like this and, if you find your receipt, I would give scathing feedback on www.lettuce-know.com. This affects store metrics and the regional manager will see it.

 

[jon81uk]

Though they've reduced the number of the old-style special offers, so a lot of the Nectar/Clubcard etc pricing is actually theatrics to give the impression of greater savings.

I don’t think Tesco has any offers left that don’t need a Clubcard. It’s not special pricing for members it’s the same special offers that have been running for years, just you need a card now. Some of the “inflated” was prices are due to general price inflation though.

There are some offers that have run for many years before Clubcard, such as Ginster pasty being on offer for two weeks at £1.25 (used to be be £1 before recent inflation) and then the slices will be on offer for two weeks at £1.25. This pattern happened before it was a Clubcard/Nectar offer and continues now as a Clubcard/Nectar. Asda does the same pattern on the same products but doesn’t need the card of course.

 

[takno]

I don’t think Tesco has any offers left that don’t need a Clubcard. It’s not special pricing for members it’s the same special offers that have been running for years, just you need a card now. Some of the “inflated” was prices are due to general price inflation though.

There are some offers that have run for many years before Clubcard, such as Ginster pasty being on offer for two weeks at £1.25 (used to be be £1 before recent inflation) and then the slices will be on offer for two weeks at £1.25. This pattern happened before it was a Clubcard/Nectar offer and continues now as a Clubcard/Nectar. Asda does the same pattern on the same products but doesn’t need the card of course.

Tesco is slightly more extreme, but at least it's clear that they are just using it for normal offers. They don't seem to have done quite as much in terms of ramping up the "normal" to make the clubcard price look better.

I also already used a clubcard when they introduced it. I've stopped using the clubcard when there isn't a clubcard offer in my basket as a petty revenge, but frankly it's always been a less irritating card. For Sainsbury's I've cut what I spend there by about 60%, and I've added 4 unregistered nectar cards to my Google wallet which I pick from at random.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Though they've reduced the number of the old-style special offers, so a lot of the Nectar/Clubcard etc pricing is actually theatrics to give the impression of greater savings.

Other than yellow-stickered end-of-day "bargains", are any (promotional) price reductions (or multi-buy offers) actually still available at Tesco/Sainsbury's, without the use of a Clubcard/Nectar card?

 

[Kite159]

I don’t think Tesco has any offers left that don’t need a Clubcard. It’s not special pricing for members it’s the same special offers that have been running for years, just you need a card now. Some of the “inflated” was prices are due to general price inflation though.

There are some offers that have run for many years before Clubcard, such as Ginster pasty being on offer for two weeks at £1.25 (used to be be £1 before recent inflation) and then the slices will be on offer for two weeks at £1.25. This pattern happened before it was a Clubcard/Nectar offer and continues now as a Clubcard/Nectar. Asda does the same pattern on the same products but doesn’t need the card of course.

Only one I can think of is the 'standard' meal deal price of £3,90 for non clubcard members (reduced 50p if you have a clubcard).

Ginsters is one of those long running offers, occasionally it swaps for another brand of pasty/slices. Same with offers on coca cola/pepsi alternating between the two brands.

 

[SuspectUsual]

Is it a Tesco Express?

I've found the small stores have poorer dates generally (not just for bread) than the large ones, I prefer to buy bread with a date at least 4 days ahead and usually manage to find them at Tesco.

I think Tesco apply a single order multiple / case size for their entire estate, which for smaller stores can mean stuff lingering longer on the shelves

From my time working at the Co-op, I do recall some delivery drivers saying that they had to prioritise certain stores because if they didn't arrive by a certain time the delivery would be refused

“they” means the business, not the driver, but yes they do. A lot of the smaller stores have strict access restrictions (eg on housing estates) and also you have some stores mainly in Scotland where they have to hit ferry schedules

My corner shop is a Co-op, but I still classify it as such, open 7-11. There is a much larger Co-op supermarket a couple of hundred yards away, but the two seem to be managed totally separately and staff never move from one to the other

Out of interest, whereabouts is that?

I find the standard of small convenience or corner shops varies so much even if it is a Nisa or Premier

They’re franchises so it’s to be expected

 

[jon81uk]

Other than yellow-stickered end-of-day "bargains", are any (promotional) price reductions (or multi-buy offers) actually still available at Tesco/Sainsbury's, without the use of a Clubcard/Nectar card?

At Tesco, just the meal deal as mentioned above. Not noticed anything else without a Clubcard.
At Sainsbury's a few months ago there were still some, but now all the offers seem to be Nectar Price, except for multibuys (2 for £3 or similar). I guess once they do as Tesco have done and sort out the till system locking multibuys to cardholders they will go the same way as Tesco too.

Doesn't bother me as I scanned the card anyway to get the points.

 

[Mojo]

Looks like personalised Nectar prices are now avaliable when doing an online shop at Sainsbury’s

 

[Busaholic]

Other than yellow-stickered end-of-day "bargains", are any (promotional) price reductions (or multi-buy offers) actually still available at Tesco/Sainsbury's, without the use of a Clubcard/Nectar card?

They are at Sainsbury's, but seem to be really petty reductions e.g. £2.75 to £2.50, the occasional 50p at slightly higher prices e.g. £6,25 to £5.75, not the sort of thing to set the heart racing.

 

[Kite159]

.

They are at Sainsbury's, but seem to be really petty reductions e.g. £2.75 to £2.50, the occasional 50p at slightly higher prices e.g. £6,25 to £5.75, not the sort of thing to set the heart racing.

I've noticed that in Tesco a few times. Original price £2.49 reduced to £2.29 on a packet of the 'posh' yum yums in the bakery.

 

[DelW]

Other than yellow-stickered end-of-day "bargains", are any (promotional) price reductions (or multi-buy offers) actually still available at Tesco/Sainsbury's, without the use of a Clubcard/Nectar card?

In Sainsbury's, the "Aldi price match" products seem to be the same price with or without a Nectar card. In general thay seem to be lower than the normal Sainsbury's price, though "normal price" is a bit of a lost concept these days.

 

[jon81uk]

In Sainsbury's, the "Aldi price match" products seem to be the same price with or without a Nectar card. In general thay seem to be lower than the normal Sainsbury's price, though "normal price" is a bit of a lost concept these days.

The Aldi price match means the normal price is set the same as Aldi. It’s not a special offer.

 

[takno]

The Aldi price match means the normal price is set the same as Aldi. It’s not a special offer.

It's really just a handy indication that there's no need to buy the product in Sainsbury's, since you'll be able to pick it up in Aldi for the same price

 

[Merle Haggard]

It's really just a handy indication that there's no need to buy the product in Sainsbury's, since you'll be able to pick it up in Aldi for the same price

Good point; really, it's saying that Aldi's prices are usually lower than ours, here's one that, exceptionally, isn't. Drawing attention to and naming a competitor who's cheaper, and only matching, not undercutting a few prices.
But I'm sure that the marketing execs and focus groups have thought that one through.

 

[ChrisC]

I understand the tactics of nectar offers and SmartShop having been a dedicated Sainsbury’s shopper as my main shop for the past 35 years, actually long before the bee came along.

I have found that once you begin to understand the tactics of the nectar offers it’s quite easy to collect quite a significant number of bonus points even on a small spend of less than £20 a week.

 

[jon81uk]

It's really just a handy indication that there's no need to buy the product in Sainsbury's, since you'll be able to pick it up in Aldi for the same price

But then I have to go to both stores as when I’ve tried Aldi there is always something I can’t find!

 

[takno]

Good point; really, it's saying that Aldi's prices are usually lower than ours, here's one that, exceptionally, isn't. Drawing attention to and naming a competitor who's cheaper, and only matching, not undercutting a few prices.
But I'm sure that the marketing execs and focus groups have thought that one through.

I guess the argument is that the vast majority of customers either don't have the time or energy to go to two shops, or don't live near an Aldi, or just don't care that much. It's a challenge to do a complete shop in Aldi, and if you do then you will definitely hit a few suspiciously expensive items.

 

[Merle Haggard]

I guess the argument is that the vast majority of customers either don't have the time or energy to go to two shops, or don't live near an Aldi, or just don't care that much. It's a challenge to do a complete shop in Aldi, and if you do then you will definitely hit a few suspiciously expensive items.

That's true; there have been some stores I've tried offering very low prices but I've found that you have to shop on the basis of what's available there rather than exactly what you want, and just because they had it in stock last time you were there doesn't mean that you can find it this time.

 

[Jamesrob637]

It's really just a handy indication that there's no need to buy the product in Sainsbury's, since you'll be able to pick it up in Aldi for the same price

But Aldi won't get you any points, nor can people really do a weekly shop there as per post #656

 

[dk1]

I have found that once you begin to understand the tactics of the nectar offers it’s quite easy to collect quite a significant number of bonus points even on a small spend of less than £20 a week.

Yes and it gets quite addictive too!!

 

[Busaholic]

Yes and it gets quite addictive too!!

Bonus points amount to peanuts, though. The best offers are ones which give you £5 off a £30 or £10 off a £50 shop, rare or non-existent they may be to many, including myself. A friend of mine who infrequently shops there gets these sort of things at least once a year by post, often with two or three of these for different weeks. My wife and I got the £10 off offers very regularly in pre-Nectar days when Sainsbury's ran their own Reward(?) card. It was worth the 45 mile round trip to our then nearest store, given there were other things to do when we got there.

 

[dk1]

Bonus points amount to peanuts, though. The best offers are ones which give you £5 off a £30 or £10 off a £50 shop, rare or non-existent they may be to many, including myself. A friend of mine who infrequently shops there gets these sort of things at least once a year by post, often with two or three of these for different weeks. My wife and I got the £10 off offers very regularly in pre-Nectar days when Sainsbury's ran their own Reward(?) card. It was worth the 45 mile round trip to our then nearest store, given there were other things to do when we got there.

I’ve been getting £4.50 & £6 off any shop over £30 (that’s just a quick pop in these days) and my nectar points are almost £230 for this year which I save and use at Christmas so not insignificant.