Buy 3 Get 2 Free: Yeah Right

[Saphire]

At Shaws this week there is a sale. Buy 3 packages (3 in each package) of Marcal paper towels, get two free. Great. When I got home and checked the receipt, they had charged me 4.19 for one package! Which means, they bumped up the price this week for this 'special' deal. My question is, is it legal? This sounds wrong to me, the kind of thing consumer reporters love to hear about. I already wrote to Shaws and they are going to get back to me, but wondered if anyone had any similar experience with misleading advertising.

 

[tinkwannabe2]

Haha - not only is it legal, but it's the standard procedure for disneyshopping.com! I have a love/hate relationship with that site!

 

[kathi29]

I've noticed that at Winn Dixie also. Now I only go in there if I need one or two things. I refuse to do my major shopping there.

 

[ncbyrne]

Common practice at most retail stores. My mother worked for WT Grant Co years ago and part of her job was mark ups on "sales"....

 

[Corwin12]

I used to work for Shaws when I was in college. I never shop there (that should tell you something.) They have what they call a "High - Low" pricing policy. They do choose a few items to put drastically on sale (the low) to pull customers into the store. Then they will raise prices on a few items just to offer them as buy one, get one (BOGO). This essentially evens out the price. The rest of the items in the store are marked higher than normal retail to make up for the low (the high). The result: higher prices no matter how you dice it.

 

[maslex]

I had this done at my local grocery store too. They had buy one 1/2 gallon of Bryers Ice Cream get two half gallons free. Normally they run between $4.99 and $5.29 a half gallon. So I LOADED up my cart (bought 6 half gallons---I have an extra freezer downstairs)

As I was shopping I decided to go back for another 3 half gallons. It was there that I saw they jacked the price up to $7.49 a half gallon!!!! I don't think so. Even though it still came up cheaper than normal price (it would have been like $2.50 a half gallon) I decided to put each and every one of them back, just because they jumped up the price. I know that they do it and it's legal and all, but when I see it first hand, they don't get that business from me.

You also have to watch out for what they call phantom sales. Say something is normally priced for $2.99 Some stores will put in on sale for "2 for $7.00) Some people have no clue about the prices or don't even care and they'll just take the stuff of the shelves without a second glance. Now the SALE price is actually even a higher price than the normal price.

Always have to watch the prices. I'm sure someone's mentioned it here before but there is a website you can join that teaches you all about grocery store prices and how you can get much cheaper prices. I've been a member now for only 2 weeks and have basically spent the same amount of money but have SO MUCH more food and supplies in my house that it's almost not believable. They teach you how to stockpile and use coupons and such. If anyone wants to take a look at it, it's www.thegrocerygame.com (and if you sign up, would you mind using my email address as a reference?) PM for it if you'd like.

 

[jessica52877]

Yep, legal all the way. Really got to know prices these days and pay attention closely! Stores do it all the time around here. There was a special in Dec on 20/20 about the issue.

 

[Saphire]

Yep, legal all the way. Really got to know prices these days and pay attention closely! Stores do it all the time around here. There was a special in Dec on 20/20 about the issue.

Thanks everyone for your input. Well it may be legal, but it is unethical. There were no price tags on the paper towels as well. I (foolishly) assumed a Buy One Get Two would be a great deal. I will be switching supermarkets, this is the final straw for me with Shaws, thanks again.