Misleading Price Labels

Have you been taken in by large labels reading ‘50p’ or ‘1/2 price’ only to later discover that they’re not what they seem at first glance?

On several occasions recently I’ve homed in on a label displaying a low price only to find on closer inspection, that there is small print accompanying it saying ‘save’ (50p), with ‘save’ being a fraction of the size of the ‘50p’, or a large ‘reduced by 75p’, in small print ‘now £1.80’.

Even Marks and Spencer are at it. On a recent trip to my local branch, I saw a large sign hanging over the toiletry department shouting ‘1/2 price’, which on closer scrutiny whispered ‘buy 1 get 1 (1/2 price).

Now I’ve learnt to check and double-check these signs and labels, having been caught out in the past. Indeed, I have seen others questioning a price at the till only to have the small print price pointed out to them.

But how many shoppers have picked up an item, believing the large print figure displayed to be the cost, not a reduction, and not noticed the higher price at the till? How many of you actually check your till receipts before leaving the store? At this point you could still return to customer services to get a refund if you don’t want to pay the unexpected higher price. But how many more of you never realise that you have paid much more than you intended?

A good example of price labelling, price is clearly displayed 

Is this what the manufacturers (sometimes the price has been labelled at source, as with magazines for example) and stores really intend? Are they hoping you will believe that you are paying a lower price, therefore enticing you to buy under false pretences? Pretty underhand if they are.

I expect that they would say that they are trying to highlight the saving to consumers, so in that case here’s a little tip from me. Use print of identical size for every part of the phrase “Save 50p, now £1.50” for example as opposed to “save 50p now £1.50”. No small print, no confusion. 

Let me know your experiences of misleading labelling email comments@shoppersjoy.co.uk

Don’t be a Wine Snob

I enjoy a glass of wine with a meal, as many of us do, but have discovered that you don’t have to blow the budget buying top label wines at top prices to get something worth drinking. Here are a few of the wines that I’ve discovered to help you to enjoy the odd glass on a low budget.

Tesco Australian Red Wine, £3.84. I originally bought this as a cooking wine, but tried a glass and really enjoyed it. It’s now a close call as to whether it’s me who gets the last drop, or the casserole.

Tesco Simply Zinfandel, £4.49. If you enjoy a smooth, fruity rosé, then this is for you. A great accompaniment to almost any meal, it’s a good all-rounder.

Sainsbury’s House Sweet White Wine, £3.89. If you’re a lover of sweet wine this is a great option, not over-sweet like a dessert wine, but fruity and refreshing. If you prefer your white wine in a dry (£3.99) or medium (£3.89) option, these are also available.

Remember!  These cheaper label wines are often found on the bottom shelf of the wine display as you are guided to buy the more expensive ones at eye level.

Though not a wine, I would really recommend Jeeves, a less expensive alternative to Pimms, £6 at Tesco. Serve with lemonade and slices of orange, lemon, lime and cucumber to rediscover summer in a glass, even on a chilly day – very refreshing.

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Things I’m Loving This October

The Healthy Bears ‘teddy-shaped’ bread, £1 at Asda. Not only does it have a cute look, it really tastes good too.  Made from a mix of wholemeal and white flour, it’s soft and tasty and doesn’t have too thick a crust. Attractive to the kids, but just as tempting for the adults, why not give it a try?

Yeo Valley Greek Style (organic bio live) Yogurt With Honey. Creamy, tasty and good for the digestion – yummy goodness, 4x120g pots currently on offer at Tesco, £3 for any two packs (other flavours are available).

My new Falmer Heritage hooded cardigan from Matalan (£25). A snug knit in a natural shade, with a bit of dark blue fair isle design for good measure. Looks great with jeans, an autumn must-have. 

Snuggling up in front of the TV watching favourites such as Downton Abbey, New Tricks and Have I Got News For You whilst eating peanut butter on crackers (great topped with banana).

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The Hair Care Bunch

Bouncing Curls

After years of fighting the natural wave in my hair I decided to not only go with the flow, but to positively enhance the curl, and can recommend a couple of great products that do just that. Umberto Giannini Flirty Curls Scrunching Gel has a light texture and pleasant scent and delivers more curl less frizz (200ml £4.79, Boots). If you’re working on a tighter budget, then Superdrug Expertise Curling Cream (£2.49 for 150ml) will leave you with soft, silky tresses.

Falling Flat

What has happened to Timotei Shampoo? Not only has it been repackaged, but I have been unable to find my favourite variety in the new line.

I love the Shimmer Shine Shampoo and Conditioner that came in 300ml bottles. Containing rose oil, pearl extract and raspberry vinegar, it has a gorgeous smell, which reminds me of fruity chews, and leaves my hair soft and bouncy.

However, most of my local Timotei stockists are now displaying the new design bottles of shampoo (250 and 400ml) and conditioner (200 and 400ml) in Vivid Colour, Golden Highlights, etc, but not Shimmer Shine. Prices of the new bottles seem to range from £1.49 to £2.99, but I’ve made a great find!

Savers stores have come to the rescue, and are selling 300ml of Shimmer Shine Shampoo and Conditioner for just £1 each. I’m certainly going to be stocking up.

What hair care products would you recommend?

STOP PRESS! Wilkinson are currently selling lots of products for 50p, including Timotei shower gel.

Email  comments@shoppersjoy.co.uk

Saying Thank You

Last week I focused on ‘How to Complain’, but this week I think it’s time to look at saying ‘thank you’ to those who do offer a good service, value-for-money products or just bring a smile to our day.

I was brought up to send thank you letters for birthday and Christmas presents, etc, and still try and thank people who go out of their way to help me or provide exceptionally good service. Even when I make a complaint, I often try to balance it with a good point, however minor.

Shops and organisations are making it easier than ever for us to comment on helpful staff members and outstanding customer service experiences.

How many of you have received a printout from Boots asking you to complete their online survey? You may initially groan, but this does give you the chance to have your say about the good and bad, as well as to name a particularly helpful member of staff. If I feel that I have had particularly good service on a visit, then I make sure I fill this in.

My local Health Authority, Medway NHS Foundation Trust, operates the ‘WOW!’ awards scheme. Patients and visitors are able to nominate outstanding healthcare professionals via a printed form or their website, so that these hard-working individuals and care teams can get the praise they deserve. Look for similar schemes in your area.

Of course, you don’t have to wait for a form, invitation to complete a survey or specialist scheme to highlight good service or helpful individuals. Perhaps we should all make the effort to write the odd thank you letter, as well as those we write to complain, just to remind those who do a good job that we really do appreciate them.

Don't forget you can nominate people/organisations for the 'cheers' section of my website www.shoppersjoy.co.uk  

Thank you for reading.

Let me know you experience of outstanding service email comments@shoppersjoy.co.uk

Christmas Gifts – The Saga Begins

I know it’s over two months until the big day, but everywhere you turn there are displays of Christmas cards, gifts and wrapping paper. It’s true that by starting your Christmas shopping now you can ‘be prepared’ rather than get caught in that last minute rush, but more to the point you can make use of some offers that may be here today and gone tomorrow!

Avon Brochure 16

Avon has started selling gift sets and novelties for you to put on your Christmas present list.

Avon Treasures Collection £8.99 (will be £15) is a gift-boxed set of five perfume sprays (10ml each), so that you can change your scent with your mood.

Prepare To Party Gift Set £10 (normally £20) consists of a handy clutch containing lipstick, mascara, eyeliner and an eye shadow duo – a complete makeover then.

USB Robot (possibly one for the boys) £5 (will be £10) a 4 port USB (ports are in the wheels) with light-up eyes.

Note: Don’t forget to buy your Avon’s Breast Cancer Crusade pin and nail file, £1.50 each, with 100% of proceeds from the pin and 25% from the file going to Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

Tesco

Tesco has gift sets reduced by 1/3 until 29^th October, definitely worth a look.

Extracts Body Butter Trio, currently £4, a basket containing three tubs of body butter – lemon and bergamot, pomegranate and rosehip and mango and nectarine – leaves you feeling soft and smelling gorgeous!

Nivea All About Mini Treats, now £3.33, a boxed set of mini moisturising cream, shower cream, roll-on deodorant and lip balm – life’s little essentials.

Dove Men Plus Care Gift Set, currently £4, a boxed set of body/face wash (250ml) and a deodorant (150ml), to moisturise the man in your life,

To be continued…

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Easy Clean

Let’s face it, on the whole we clean our homes not because we enjoy the process, but because we like to live in a clean, fresh environment. Therefore, products that give great results with minimum effort are always popular. Read on …

Sainsbury’s Antibacterial Total Cleaning Surface Wipes (£1.15 for 40) and Antibacterial Floor Wipes (£1.15 for 15) are available with a fresh apple scent and are great for cleaning dirty marks and splodges, whilst leaving your kitchen smelling fresh – all with very little effort. As you dispose of them afterwards, there are no bacteria-harbouring cloths left lying around either.

Hob Brite (300ml £1.52 Wilkinson) is suitable for cleaning ceramic, electric, halogen and induction hobs. Apply with a dry cloth (I use heavy-duty kitchen roll, Regina Blitz is excellent), rinse off with a damp cloth (ditto) and dry to a shine. Little effort involved, but amazing results.

Oz Kleen Bath Power Spray, 500ml (£3.80 at most supermarkets, but do look out for offers that appear from time to time), spray and leave for a minute, then wipe away, cleaning off soap scum, grubby marks and limescale in its wake, leaving a light, citrus smell.

STOP PRESS! Ariel Excel Gel (888ml) is currently selling for just £4 at Tesco!