Supermarket Super savings-A word of Caution

We have hundreds of supermarkets in the city, each competing with each other by offering great discounts, free items. So when you buy something from there you should get whatever discount they have declared. But the question is will you actually get it?

What do you mean? Of course I get the discounts as promised when I buy and pay the bill…

Are you sure? Think again. I have observed and experienced several times that there’ll be small differences in what price and offer displayed at the rack and what amount is shown in the cash bill. This difference is pretty small indeed and no one will notice unless you cross check each item and amount carefully.

In other words, the displayed price doesn’t get mentioned in the cash bill and you will be paying more than what you thought you will pay for an item.

When you buy 10-20 items totaling say a thousand rupee, you may never notice that an item or two were billed 10-20 rupees extra than its listed price. Because there’ll be a big queue of people behind you at the billing counter, you may not have the time and patience to counter verify your items, bill and amount. So chances are that you might sometimes loose few extra rupees for no apparent reason.

Why does it happen?
*Probably the store’s computers are not updated with the latest prices that are quoted in the promos.
*Probably the counter executive accidentally entered wrong information (item/quantity)
*May be the software used did malfunction
*Or may be the counter executive intentionally made an attempt to take advantage of the situation and knowingly billed you extra

My experience in this regard:
1. Way back in 2004: Big Bazaar Bangalore: I bought a shirt which was tagged Rs 150, but I was billed at Rs 175. When I brought this to the notice of store rep, I was asked to contact the customer support cell, who offered me with a coupon which they said I can use within 7 days when I shop next time. I insisted on cash refund and it took 30 minutes to get that Rs 25 back.

2. Very recently, Trinetra Hyderabad (the outlet on Bombay highway between Tolichowki and Kondapur... Good day biscuits were being sold at a discount-but this discount was not reflected in my bill. I told the same to the billing lady, she said “sir that offers is not for cashew flavor sir but for some other one…” I went back to the rack, detached that sticker which had listed the discount (MRP Rs 12, Offer Price Rs 11.10) in front of the lady and then only she agreed to refund 2 rupees to me (I’d bought 2 packets)

3. Himalalya Book World, Panjagutta Hyderabad: I bought just one pencil (worth Rs 2) along with around 10 other items. After coming home I realized that bill mentioned a pack of pencil priced at Rs 20. There wasn’t much I could do to claim refund, except hoping that the store executives will refund. Nevertheless fuel expense of driving back to the store made it non viable.

What can I do if I’m cheated?
If you’re still within the premises, you can go back to the counter staff or store manager and tell him the mistake. 99.9% they will accept the error and offer to correct it. If it is the manager he will blame the billing staff for wrong entry and if it is the billing staff that you approached, he/she will blame the computer and the software inside (poor computers and software have no one to blame…). But they will usually rectify it on the spot, because your point is valid and there’ll be other customers watching.

If you realize this fraud after coming home, just try to forget it. Most of the time the extra amount paid will be very less and going back to the shop all the way won’t be worth it. Also, even if you go back there’ll be no physical evidence in most of the cases to prove that you are right and they are wrong

How to avoid this?
1. Calculate the total amount of the items you have purchased yourself (Calculator in your mobile will be handy)
2. Keep in mind the total bill amount
3. If the counter executive tells a higher amount, step aside and cross check items and amount one by one.
4. Better still, try this: As you approach the billing counter, declare the expected bill amount “346 Rupees 60 paisa”. The counter executive will get the message that if the amount exceeds one rupee more than that you are likely to cross check, and chances of cheap cheating will be less.
5. If the billing executive winks or smiles at his/her colleague while you’re making the payment, chances are that he/she is celebrating the success of cheating you. Be sure to check again.
6. Not only in supermarkets, but in hotels and other places as well little caution will save some money.

You may not face this loss all the time at all places. Since money saved is money earned, try to be careful.

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