Supermarket Sweep ...

This one comes relayed from my wife and her experience in a well known supermarket chain last week.

Have you ever noticed multi-buy deals that don't make sense.

We like Greek 0% fat yoghurt, apart from the dietary benefit, we do like the taste. Now go figure, the price was £1.50 a unit, or 2 for £4.00 ...

Yes, that is correct, it would be cheaper to buy a single unit or three, not two.

So, always happy to test the situation, she put two in the basket and waited until checkout time.

Now, one has to be fair, we know that many supermarket staff do not select the prices, this is a head office decision. So wife, capable of being polite, but firm waited until the items were scanned at the check out. Before she exclaimed 'I am not paying that'.

Poor souls managing the check out, could not compute that there was a £1.00 difference, having two would cost 33% more than a single item. Partly the confusion was based on their trust of the pricing system, partly as this seemed so unusual to them that there could be such a difference, even when they went to check the item in the aisle.

The issue was resolved, but we somehow doubt that this information was communicated to the mothership.

We do often spot irregularities in the multi-buy deals, an experience bourne from years of having to watch the pennies and being able to add. Sometimes, unlinked items, work out to be priced better than what may seem a better priced promotion.

If you don't believe us, take the time to watch the fluctuating price of soft drinks. The price per pack (even per item), per product line can vary dramatically, from the 6, 8, 10, 12 or 24 can options. If you are prepared to do a little mental math, you can find some interesting and favourable pricing.






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