All for the sake of 30 cents

Posted by Aaron Bloxsome on 4 November 2009

Tags: overpriced, supermarket, Perth, rip off merchant, petty, money grabbers

I was in a supermarket a few weeks ago, not where I normally shop, as it's quite overpriced (some items up to 50% more than other places). But it was nearby and convenient at the time.

In the drinks fridge, I spotted these cans of energy drink labelled '$3'. It was a brand I hadn't tried before and I thought I'd give it a go, as all the other drinks there were more expensive. Walking to the checkout, I remember thinking, I bet this will scan for more than $3.

And it did. It came up $3.32. I questioned this with the cashier, who responded with some nonsense about why the scanned price can't be wrong and it should cost this amount. Not convinced (and me being the obstinate 'person' that I am), I wasn't going to accept it. This and every other can in the fridge had a label clearly marked '$3'.

I said if charging me $3 is that much hassle, I just won't buy it, don't worry about it. But she did worry and got flustered and then called for her supervisor. After he came over, I thought he'd just put the can through at 3 bucks and I'd be on my way. But oh no, it had to be charged at $3.32! I then told him, I'm really not that bothered, I'll just leave it, thank you.

He seemed strangely upset about losing the sale (even though I had bought other items) and asked me "Are you sure you don't want this?". My response was "Not unless you want to charge me $3 for it.". He then proceeded to give me a string of convoluted excuses. Ok, whatever. I really couldn't care less at this stage.

But the best bit came about 2 minutes later. After I finished paying the cashier, the supervisor returned to tell me "That $3 isn't Australian dollars.". I was nearly in hysterics! I didn't realise for the extra 30 cents you got comedy. What a peculiar approach to business.