Dear reader,
It's sunny here in Buckinghamshire, my garden is green once more, the birds are singing, it's warmer, I can walk down my path without fear of ending up on my bum, (which still has a most impressive purple bruise)
I was wondering what to blog about today and decided to make it something we all have to do. Purchasing, buying, shopping, spending our hard earned cash.
I did a load of food shopping the other night and now, due to my desire to save money, not get ripped off and pay the best price, I look at the price per kilo, or whatever they show it it.
Dear reader, DO WE LOOK STUPID? This cheesed me off.
There was cheddar cheese with "special offer" shown on the shelf. It was placed at eye level, where they put everything they want you to buy. People were just picking it up. Not me, oh no. I wanted to know the price per kilo £8.70 or something similar when the regular cheese was only £5.71 per kilo. I checked all the other chedders and the special offer was among the most expensive. So what's special about it? I reckon the cheese chairman plays golf with the supermarket chairman on a Saturday!
It was the same with the smoked salmon, Special Offer , buy me, buy me was much more expensive than the decent regular one.
In fact it was the same all round the shop. They even had a section with different items "all on special" which in fact were the same or more expensive than other items in their section.
What are they doing? Why do they try to get us to buy something by making out its a great offer when it's not? It really annoys me.
I refuse to be bamboozled into buying something by confusing prices. My bank are the same, they are always asking me if I want to upgrade my account and get a load of "free" stuff. They then tell me is £10 a month fee. Well it's not free then is it? In fact, they are crafty buggers, it's £15 fee a month but they give you £5 bonus if you pay in over £2k or something and they knock this off the fee.
Don't try to bamboozle me with word playing, I keep on and on asking this and that and getting them to explain it fully. They don't bother asking anymore! I was in sales for 17 years, I know all the tricks and phrases, the power of silence and the selling points.
I really dislike this perception that the public are a bit thick. Am I the only one who thinks the TV adverts are patronising and childish?
I know from reading some of your blogs, we refuse to be taken in by clever marketing and we are a clever lot when it comes to saving and shopping.
What things do you look out for when you are shopping?
Have you got any tips or things that make you cross?
Sarah. X
It makes me cross too. You also have to be very careful on the supermarkets own budget brands as sometimes they can be more expensive than the "better" brands. It just goes to show that Special Offers are not always what they say they are.
ReplyDeleteOur bank are always trying to get us to change accounts with a lure of freebies, that mean nothing to us, while the one we have gives us free travel insurance which is very useful. If I wanted to change accounts I would look into it myself. At the end of the day I just think everyone is out to try and sell me something and take no notice.
Great Post. Enjoy your Sunday.
Hi Karen,
DeleteGlad you agree. I always look on the bottom shelf as they "hide" the stuff that they're not making much money on.
Don't get me started on the banks.
Have a nice day, hope the weather is improved where you are.
Sarah. X
Last week's Dispatches looked into misleading and confusing pricing on fruit and veg in supermarkets. When confronted they act all unaware and innocent, but we've seen all this before.
ReplyDeleteHi Donna,
DeleteA supermarket unaware and innocent? I totally agree, the fruit and veg pricing is just a joke. Does my head in!
I missed that dispatches, will have a look on catch up and see if I can find it.
Thanks
Sarah x
OMG! I'm not alone!I thought I was the only one who's started checking the price per item ( toilet rolls/dishwasher tablets) and per wash! They really do despise us!!
ReplyDeleteAs Karen says often the better brands, when on offer, are much better value than their own brands!
OOh! There's a shopping revolution going on! :-)
Mabel & Maisy, you are definately not alone. It does annoy me that they insult our intelligence. I am down there with you, on floor level checking the pence per pound, per kilo, bunch or pack.
DeleteLet me know if you find any bargains.
Sarah. X