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Legal, pensions and money

Rights and wrongs of shelf pricing.

(59 Posts)
annsixty Wed 22-Mar-23 16:18:39

This afternoon I went into Boots the Chemists for some Gaviscon which for some reason is getting difficult to buy in some stores.
Sainsbury’s have not has any for a few weeks.
It was priced at £10:99 and I took a bottle to the till.
£11:39 said the assistant, I said it is priced lower on the shelf she replied it has gone up.
I stood silent and she begrudgingly went off to check the shelf.
She came back with the shelf sticker and said, not at all apologetically “well on this occasion I will let it go at the lower price but next time it will be more”
I wonder what my rights would have been if she had insisted.
I would have asked for a manager, I am now no longer a shrinking violet.
Would I have been right?

cc Tue 28-Mar-23 16:53:22

NotSpaghetti

cc I use my massive omelette-type Le Creuset frying pan for risotto and although we used to use the largest for bread we tend to use a stone or a bread oven now.. That said, I wouldn't be without them and the 7 to 8 litre ones are more useful than the really massive ones.

I have some the big cast iron griddles too, with and without grilling bars, which are great for bread and pizza. However since I got my air fryer (which has a grilling grid) I don't think I'll use them much. I used to use the plates a lot on my Aga but we've moved now and don't have one,
Do you mean the pans that are like frying pans with two side handles? I love them and often use them for roasting chicken joints with vegetables and spice paste. I've also got a few of the oval gratin dishes which I use a lot. I don't think that they make them any more.
I'll probably have to sell some of my Le Creuset on EBay because I have a lot less storage space now.

NotSpaghetti Tue 28-Mar-23 07:23:00

cc I use my massive omelette-type Le Creuset frying pan for risotto and although we used to use the largest for bread we tend to use a stone or a bread oven now.. That said, I wouldn't be without them and the 7 to 8 litre ones are more useful than the really massive ones.

cc Mon 27-Mar-23 12:44:07

NotSpaghetti

I find mine very heavy now Witzend and don't use them "stovetop" anything like as much as I did - but there are often only two of us eating now so it seems unnecessary.

I think I use my largest ones probably only twice a week but I do still love them.

I do use then pretty regularly as I roast and bake bread in them. Also we like risotto and I have a couple in different sizes which are a rounded shape and ideal for this.

cc Mon 27-Mar-23 12:42:25

Witzend

Don’t you find them incredibly heavy, though, cc? I inherited a large one from my MiL, but hardly used it because of the weight - it ended up in a charity shop!

I try to keep them somewhere where I don't have to lift them up too much. As I've been using these heavy pots for so many years I think that I have developed the right muscles!
I should add that I take a lot of care when using them on my induction hob as I've found that the glass scratches more easily on my new one.

Germanshepherdsmum Mon 27-Mar-23 12:12:04

Indeed Katie. Lots of freebies and a big black hole in the finances.

Katie59 Mon 27-Mar-23 11:57:08

Germanshepherdsmum

One of the benefits of devolution rather than independence Lucy.

That’s the reason they DONT want full independance they want to cherry-pick.😈

NotSpaghetti Mon 27-Mar-23 11:44:33

I find mine very heavy now Witzend and don't use them "stovetop" anything like as much as I did - but there are often only two of us eating now so it seems unnecessary.

I think I use my largest ones probably only twice a week but I do still love them.

Witzend Mon 27-Mar-23 08:35:45

Don’t you find them incredibly heavy, though, cc? I inherited a large one from my MiL, but hardly used it because of the weight - it ended up in a charity shop!

LOUISA1523 Sun 26-Mar-23 21:57:25

welbeck

nothing like that in england as far as i know.
GPs are instructed not to write prescriptions except for POMs.
so would have to pay for those items for children, as they are not POMs, regular formulations are not.

I'm 58...but have medical exemption....my gp puts everything on my repeat....including all OTC items eg gaviscon...aveeno cream

LOUISA1523 Sun 26-Mar-23 21:54:22

welbeck

nothing like that in england as far as i know.
GPs are instructed not to write prescriptions except for POMs.
so would have to pay for those items for children, as they are not POMs, regular formulations are not.

There definitely is...I'm northwest....its called 'care at the chemist'

Germanshepherdsmum Sun 26-Mar-23 19:32:33

One of the benefits of devolution rather than independence Lucy.

welbeck Sun 26-Mar-23 19:30:39

nothing like that in england as far as i know.
GPs are instructed not to write prescriptions except for POMs.
so would have to pay for those items for children, as they are not POMs, regular formulations are not.

LucyW Sun 26-Mar-23 19:24:08

I know in Scotland prescriptions medicines are free regardless of your age or income. We can also get a range of free medicines straight from the pharmacy if you are sixty or over, a child, etc. You just have to tell your chemist you want to join the minor ailments list if you are eligible (you can only register with one chemist but can change to another one easily) and that's it. Was a godsend when my children were constantly getting headlice as one family in their little school wouldn't treat their children and the special shampoo was quite expensive. Not sure if it is the same in England but am surprised at how few people know about it when I mention t.

Pinkrinse Sun 26-Mar-23 19:09:20

welbeck

you have no right to purchase it at the lower price.
as the price indicator acts as an invitation to treat, so you offer the price you expect to pay, and the shop decides whether to accept your offer.
that would lead to a binding contract.
this is an aspect of contract law.
but, under criminal legislation, it is an offence to ask for a higher price than one indicated, as that makes the shelf edge label a misleading price indication.
but there are defences of due diligence.
the shop probably has a programme of randomly testing that price indications are correct.
they will keep records of this.
which would probably be enough to make out the due diligence defence.
the correct procedure in your incident is for the shop to withdraw the item from sale, once the discrepancy has been drawn to their attention.
i hope this is clear, but realise that it might not be.

This is the correct legal position, but they often will sell at the lower price for good pr.

pinkjj27 Sun 26-Mar-23 15:52:20

Jaime

Pinkjj27 please can I support your advice re heartburn & Gaviscon. My mother had heartburn for several years & was always told by her GP to carry on with the Gaviscon. In 2020 we discovered it was not simple indigestion but pancreatic cancer. She died 5 weeks after diagnosis.
Please press your GP for further investigation, particularly if you have also been told you are borderline diabetic as I have since discovered this too can be an early indication of pancreatic cancer.
It is a silent killer so please speak up.

So sorry for your loss

Sasta Sun 26-Mar-23 13:22:04

cc

In 2019 I was looking for an oval Le Creuset casserole on the manufacturer's webside and saw that you got a 30% discount if you bought more than one product. I put two HUGE casseroles in my basket to see what I could save and saw to my delight that instead of costing £540 they were coming up at £105 so I bought them both. (Today the full price would be around £650).
The next day I got an email saying that there had been a glitch but I pointed out that they'd taken my money so had actually already sold them to me. After a day or two and a bit of to-ing and fro-ing they agreed to send the goods.
I do love a bargain and really appreciate that they were honest enough to honour the sale.
They are large enough to hold a leg of lamb or a really big chicken and I also use them (with lids) to bake beautiful loaves.

Bargainacious cc!

Sasta Sun 26-Mar-23 07:28:48

As Wellbeck explains, the technicality is that a shop is not obliged to sell at the price shown if it is incorrect. It’s a common misconception that they should sell at the ‘wrong’ price because of the incorrect label and in some instances they will, but only as an act of goodwill.

yellowcanary Sat 25-Mar-23 19:30:03

I find Home Bargains can be a big culprit of shelf/till prices - I almost always check my receipt there or question prices at the till. Not long ago I bought a drinks trolley, the price on the shelf was £19.99 till said £29.99 - I questioned it, when it was checked they said the label was for the black one and I had the gold one but there was no label for the gold, so I had it for the lower price. God knows why there is £10 difference for two different colours anyway. Another time a multiple pack of Jelly was on offer at 75p, it went through at 99p (not a lot but it was the principle) when they checked that one came back with another pack and said it was 2 for 99p smile I hadn't seen that but took it anyway.

Katie59 Sat 25-Mar-23 18:32:42

I often do replenish (shelf stacking) at work and despite and my and others best efforts, customers mess it all up, on the tills we can’t change the price, generally we ask a supervisor to check the price. Unless it is a blatant try on they let it go, self scan is a different matter, quite a few customers make mistakes, not my problem

Jaime Sat 25-Mar-23 17:51:22

Pinkjj27 please can I support your advice re heartburn & Gaviscon. My mother had heartburn for several years & was always told by her GP to carry on with the Gaviscon. In 2020 we discovered it was not simple indigestion but pancreatic cancer. She died 5 weeks after diagnosis.
Please press your GP for further investigation, particularly if you have also been told you are borderline diabetic as I have since discovered this too can be an early indication of pancreatic cancer.
It is a silent killer so please speak up.

jerseygirl Sat 25-Mar-23 15:42:46

Buy it online, its cheaper and more readily available. I buy it for my husband and you can get a large bottle online for the price you would pay for the small one in a store especially Boots. Do a google search and you will get a list you can go through for the cheapest. Some do free postage too, another bonus.

Greciangirl Sat 25-Mar-23 15:28:13

I think Boots are getting ridiculous.
If you want to buy Ibuprofen for instance, you get the third degree.
I went yesterday to buy antihistamine tablets which are also used for travel sickness and sleep problems.
I could clearly see them on the shelf, but when I asked for a packet I was told ‘the pharmacist has instructed me not to sell anymore’. When I asked why and were they being cleared of the shelves I was given short shrift,.
I was absolutely gobsmacked.
I thought about asking the pharmacist personally why but when I saw the queue thought better of it.

4allweknow Sat 25-Mar-23 15:27:50

The shelf price is not a guaranteed price. When the shelf and actual price differ stores usually accept the lower price if pointed out. Had the same experience in M & S with toothpaste, sticker said one price for 125 grms when it should have been for 100 grm size. Cashier checked and acknowledged sticker confusing.

ordinarygirl Sat 25-Mar-23 14:45:16

The Range is the worst that I've come across. Most other stores will agree to sell for the price on the shelf edge- The Range said it is what comes up at the till. So be aware . Due to the unhelpful policy of The Range, I seldom shop there and only if I can't buy the product elsewhere.
Yesterday in Aldi, the shelf price was £1.99 - the till said £2.49. I went back to the till and the assitant said they are £2.49. I said the only reason I bought was because the price was £1.99. After checking with a colleague, the shop confirmed the shelf price was what I would be charged. I'm said to say this is not the first, second or even tenth time.

MRGUDER Sat 25-Mar-23 14:35:59

I have never had a problem when clarifying the price at the till, they have always given it to me at the lower price. Even if I was mistaken they don't seem to mind when I don't buy it. In regards to the earlier comment from the antiques shop, I did wonder why on Bargain Hunt, the antique shops expect you to negotiate and sometimes quite substantially.
In regards to the comment about asking them to give you £10.00 off AFTER putting the items through the till, then exiting without paying. Not THAT is too tempting. [Smile]