Am I being a Karen? Wanted to order €10 jar of vitamins in my Tesco delivery order. They were 3 for 2, so I added three to my cart. Next day, only 2 were delivered, saying “out of stock” for the third. No 1/3 refund on the ones I got, nothing. Called and kept being told “well if you’re in the store and you only saw 2” etc etc. I didn’t want to give them a hard time- but how can this be the policy ..
Edit: (Until now) I let the Tesco delivery drivers drop the new crates and pick up the old empty ones and be on their way, so I didn’t notice the issue / didn’t have the opportunity to ask the driver for a refund.
Would be looking to return for refund, nonsense
Return the other two for a refund. You are not a Karen.
Not a Karen, that’s ridiculous 🤦♀️
Understandable to be annoyed, I would be too, but this is a "computer says no" situation, so probably understandable from their point of view too.
If there was only two vitamins in stock, that's all the packer could pack, and when they removed the 3rd from your order, it didn't trigger the 3 for 2 requirement anymore.
If it was a local place I'm sure they could be sensible and just discount the others by 1/3rd and if would be fine, but staff at Tesco probably don't have that option.
Your options at this stage are: - live with it - return the two full price vitamins and buy again with a 3rd item. Depending on what you bought I'm not sure if would be worth the hassle
They could just rob the third one. I'm no thief but that seems like the simplest option.
There is always option c... Crime!
It isn't robbing, it's collecting something already paid for.
I would do the same. And I would be total Karen about it. Ask them for refund.
What they're essentiallyvsaying is that it's a downside to online shopping. Literally just 'one of those things'. And they're correct because they're covered by their terms.
Either bring back the two to customer service in store where they'd refund you or live with losing out on €6.67.
Definitely no point ringing them though
Yeah probably not breaking any law but bad form I would say.
I had a good experience where B&Q online only had 2 items i ordered part of a 3for2 but they charged the apropriate 2/3 of the price when all items not in stock
There's always small print on these offers for this kind of situation "subject to availability" or "no alternative offers" "cannot be exchanged for cash discount." Etc. If you mention to them that you only purchased because of the offer they may offer you a good-will voucher but they don't have too
Tesco delivery driver would have offered refund immediately if pointed out to them. No quibble.
Yep. The lesson here is check your substitutions and missing items in the receipt email before the delivery because you'll most likely not notice until after the fact otherwise. Drivers will refund anything you don't want in substitutions or that kind of thing. You're making your life much harder taking it up after the delivery is completed.
This is the right advice. It seems to be happening more frequently for me that 1 item in a multi buy offer is missing, so I lose the saving. Also, Tesco have stopped price matching substitutions. I Ordered 4x1.5 litres of sparkling water last week for 4.50 but was sent 12 500ml bottles for 8.85. Driver will do instant refund if you spot in time but no paper receipts anymore so you need to check their email pre delivery.
You would need to return the two items for a refund.
The system wouldn't be designed to just reduce the price if the three items weren't available
Yeah as someone said below in the small print subject to availability meaning they owe you nothing and if they haven't a 3rd to give its just unfortunate I know this as I worked in an Irish hardware shop for 5 years and I was in charge of the pricing for my section and we'd often do 3 for 2 offers if we only had 2 the customer would just say " that's a shame "
On the other hand if someone bought 2 things and got a third free but one was broken they'd refund 33% of the price of the original 2, this was mainly done with paint if someone bought 3 , 1 being free and it was the wrong color they would refund 33% ,
But basically in the end if you buy 2 items and the 3rd was free but you didn't receive it the only thing you are owed is an apology unfortunately
Annoying but is it really worth getting this worked up over?
Ah I'd agree with you that it's fairly annoying. The whole point of a 3 for 2 offer is to encourage the shopper to buy more than one. Maybe you wouldn't have spent €20 on 2 at that time but €20 on 3 would have been a good deal. It's reasonable to be annoyed over a minor inconvenience and it doesn't mean you want to burn Tesco to the ground🤣
It's so easy to refuse items on delivery, just hand them back to the delivery driver and the refund will follow! That's what I do when in this situation. Might be handy to know for next time.
Fair point. I tend to let the driver drop the crates / pick up the empty crates from the last delivery and be on his way- but after this I plan to ask the driver to wait while I unload the crates. Between the customer service calls and the added delivery time for drivers, you’d think showing some good faith to the customers would be cheaper for them
Rather than asking him to wait while you inspect everything why not check your email in advance so you know what you're handing back to him when he arrives? Chap is against the clock.
At some point, someone in the company will be inconvenienced by their failure to stock the products they are selling in adequate numbers. Lets not be too worried about taking one for the team so that Tescos can keep to their schedules.
Its very easy .You either keep the 2 that were in stock or return both.
WTF is wrong with some people.
You should have returned them
You should get a refund at least if you want. But also dont feel as bad as the teacher in UK who ordered 7 calculators and got sent 7 chicken pies
I've had it happen before that the 3rd item in a 3 for 2 offer is out of stock. In that case, they usually only charge 2/3 of the price for the 2 things that are in stock. So let's say each item is €3, I'm paying €6 because of the 3 for 2 offer, if one item is out of stock, I paid €4 total for the other 2 items. Maybe they've changed their policy & gone stingy
They email you the receipt before the order is delivered. I always check it for issues like this immediately, before the driver arrives. I never remember everything if I try to look through the crates while he's standing there.
If you were in store you wouldn't have gotten the offer either though?
Yes but if you were in the store, you’d have the option to decide. They weren’t at the store, so were told just to accept it.
But they still have the option to make the decision and return it? The shopper had the choice of 0 or 2 jars of sauce, a choice which I can see pissing someone off either way.
0, 1 or 2 jars
It sounds like the 3 for 2 offer is the only reason the OP even purchased the items to begin with, they either would’ve put back the two or accepted the higher markup cost and bought only 2, but it’s their decision.. not knowing the stock availability(feature that’s not implemented by Tesco) they have no reason to think it could be an issue, If the business wants to sell online situations like this are for them to solve and not the consumer … it’s ridiculous to point out otherwise
Implement stock check online , not enough in stock ?? Oops here’s a voucher come use it to get the third one on another day.. I mean there are much better ways than saying “tough shit, bring it in for refund”
A stock check wouldn't work for something like this. It may work for the likes of Next of Sketchers for example where the products mostly come from a warehouse with up to date & accurate stock counts. But with groceries, it's all picked in store with other customers also picking groceries up.
The picker for a particular order is essentially another customer going through the shop for your goods. It may say there's 18 available the night before you order but by the time it's picked, it may be all gone.
That’s really not the point though.. the point is this is a problem that’s only solvable by Tesco I did not say that the solution here is to implement a stock check, and yes it wouldn’t work if it did it probably would be done by now
This also has nothing to do with the picker I agree not their problem, again I’ve absolutely no leniency for a company in global fortune 200, revenue of billions, but OP needs to take the 5+ euro hit or waste an hour of their time for refund ? I don’t think so, fastest solution picker marks only 2 there and automatically give some sort of voucher or reduction to 6.67 to match the offer. If I was in OPs shoes I wouldn’t even bother calling let alone seek refunds, an hour of my time is worth more than the return, but that does not mean if they call they should be told to go figure, but again their T&c probably says tough shit, deal with it, every little bit counts towards that 100billion mark
As someone who works in retail and has dealt with this exact situation: What would you have us do? There's only 2, you're only paying for 2 I can't give you something we don't have... The 3rd is a free extra to the purchase of two and in the TS and C's I guarantee it stipulates "while stocks last".
Should have gotten there quicker.
Exactly! Either keep the 2 that were in stock or return both. People’s first day on earth 🤦
Inform the customer that the item or offer they ordered is no longer/not currently available and would they like to substitute, amend or delete the item from their basket.
They didn’t order two items, they ordered three because of the deal. If there was no deal there’s a good chance they’d only be ordering one item. When the deal they ordered can’t be fulfilled, someone should let them know
Tesco do offer alternatives. They're one of the few retailers who will call you to ask if they can swap in a similar item due to stock issues. If OP wasn't offered one it may be because they have "accept alternatives" turned off on their profile. If that is indeed the case then that makes this whole rant from them pointless.
Edit: Op confirmed they have "accept alternatives" turned off. 🤷🏽
From their site:
"Availability of product
If a product you've ordered online is unavailable, and you've allowed substitutions, we'll arrange for a suitably alternative product to be dispatched with the rest of your order. You can opt out of substitutions at any time in your Tesco account.
If you receive a substituted product and you choose to keep it, you'll be charged the price of the new product, no matter if it's higher or lower than the original product.
Once you've finished picking and packing your order, you'll send you a confirmation email with a list of substitutions, if any. Your Home Delivery driver or Click+Collect colleague will also inform you of any substitutions at the time of delivery or collection. If you don't want to keep the substituted products, you can hand them back to us for a full refund.
If a product you have ordered is not available in the quantity you have ordered, we may dispatch a lower quantity."
So, OP wouldn't be charged for the 3rd item if they'd ordered 3 items at full price and only received 2. The fact that they ordered 3 items, 1 of which was free, means they're not entitled to a refund for the item they didn't receive.
Also, at any point they can return their products for a full refund. But that isn't the issue that OP has, they want a partial refund for an item they didn't pay for. Which is ridiculous.
Fair enough, you can only do so much for a person. Thanks for the clarification
I'd say you're being a bit of a Karen. They can't give you stock they don't have, I also don't see why you would be entitled to a refund as you received the items you paid for. If it were me I'd just chalk it up to bad luck and move on with my day.
Full refund
seemingly unpopular opinion: yes you’re a Karen. When has any shop given a partial refund when you can’t complete the offer? In-store or online? If you’re unhappy with what’s delivered, just return the items and get a full refund
Editing to add: the delivery driver or order packet isn’t maliciously going picking up one item less to scam you out of an offer. If the stock isn’t there to meet the offer, no store is giving a refund for that you just opt not to get the offer then. That’s a choice that you still have.
It's annoying if you only ordered to avail of the offer and wouldn't have purchased the item(s) otherwise.
Right so would you rather the order picker assume and make the decision not to give you anything at all, or make the decision yourself on delivery? You can refuse the goods on delivery. OP has acknowledged that she was told she could return the items and get a full refund and is still whinging. Full on Karen.
Agree they are a karen, and 99% of everyone in the comments are Karen's too . The offer is 3 for 2, they were offered a refund. Instead they called up thinking if they were a karen about it they'd get the second one free. People are so entitled 🥴
Okay but if I am to be christened a Karen let it be known I asked customer service if a way to resolve it could be they give me 1/3 refund for the two that were delivered.
For asking for 1/3 refund you are even a bigger Karen, no other shop does that. Why would you think they would give you a partial refund?
Its tescos not a market, you can't bargain a discount 😆
Very unusual. I think I speak for most of us here when I say Tesco is a pleasure to buy from.
I would be requesting a full refund/return on the basis that I wouldn't have bought any if there had only been 2 I the shop. And I don't consider that Karen-y.
But you will likely find that their terms and conditions of the offer cover them here. Wonder how hard it would be to have their stocktake inform you that that product was low so you could have made a more informed decision?
It’s a headache, but it’s in their terms and conditions that all promotions and products are subject to availability, and if they don’t have all the items needed for the promotion (in this case, 3 vitamin packs) on the day of the order, they can’t offer the promotional price for the products they did have in stock.
It’s a bit shite but if it’s in the terms and conditions, there’s not much you can do.
They could call him, send him a message, WhatsApp or email and tell him your 3 for 2 is out of stock, do you want only 2?
He deserves refund.
Nothing is stopping them getting a refund...
Potential devils advocate here. If your shopping is collected from a working supermarket (as opposed to a warehouse), products that are on offer are often left when there is, for example, only one product of a buy one get one free offer. When the products are physically collected for you they pick it up for you anyway. This way if you needed something (maybe something for a recipe, maybe nappies) you will still have the product. There might be an equal number of people saying “I ordered three boxes of tampons but it was buy two get one free and they only had two so they gave me none!”. Maybe they could have offered a discount, but I wouldn’t expect that as standard.
Youre allowed to keep crates? Is there any rules for doing this?
The idea is that you hang on to the crates until the next delivery, when they are collected. This approach is much preferred by the delivery drivers so they don’t have to wait while you unload. Many times they don’t give me much of a choice, which has up until now always been fine.
Just go into them. I bought a steak before and when I opened it the underside was all fat. Brought it into them and they said just grab one from the fridge and then waved me out.
They text/sent message with the substitution or missing items.
They generally refund difference. I think they'd chalk it up to you didn't raise it at any time if that didn't happen
Think you may need to swallow it or is there an option to return it to a store with receipt or something?
That would annoy me too, especially since they're pricey for what they are. Id go to the supermarket and return them, then go back to the shelf and buy your 3 for 2 if it's ok stock
They can't give you a discount on two when the rule is three for two.
You'll just have to return it and buy three more.
Just bring them back to store with the receipt. Problem solved
This is time for Karen!
In the future, you can reject at the door and ask for a full refund instead. It sucks, usually they can sub in a third item, even if it's not in the promo and give you the promo price either, but when the item is literally under-picked, they can't do much if you don't reject it.
Like shopping in Tescos, but 100% would reject this situation and look for a refund.
Did you call Tesco customer service? Or did you call the store from which they were delivered? I think you might get more joy talking to the store. Maybe call in if it’s nearby and convenient and talk face to face? Bring the two jars of vitamins with you <positive thinking>. If they have got some more in stock they might even give you the third jar that you believed you were getting in your order.
I called customer service. Thanks for the tip!
NP. I’ve found that Tesco customer service are decent for those (seldom) occasions when you don’t get an item in your order but you notice after the driver has left. However, in this case I think you might get more joy with the store itself. Good luck.
Literally nothing they can do.
You want 2. You buy 2. They're giving you the 3rd for free. If they don't have it, you're still getting the 2 you purchased.
Hi again Alison. Yes, you explained this clearly on the phone
But if it was explained to you already then forget the Reddit post and just return them?
I completely understand the anger in this situation, but “Alison” isn’t going to go and restock the shelves herself when product isn’t there.
Simple fix; return both items, and wait for 3 of them to be in store to avail of the offer if it’s still there.
It’s like when people give out about Tesco in regards to their alternative replacements when product isn’t available - just get your full refund instead (which Tesco make very clear you’re entitled to)
The attitude to being told how it is even speaks volumes. Definitive Karen.
"I didn't want to give them a hard time"
Yeah, right.
Not Alison, just not a muppet.
Seriously though, the discount applies when the 3rd one is scanned. If you can't scan a third one, you can't get this discount.
Also, it's a popular item, and fucking everyone and the mother is on a new year new me buzz.
Literally, only they can do something about it. There is nothing 'free' here. They are the sellers and they made the promise to sell 3 jars for 20.
Now sure, there might be something in T&Cs that its only until stocks last or whatever. But then it's on them to highlight it to the customer at the time of sale/delivery that they are out of stock and let the customer decide.
I mean if we leave it to T&Cs, who is going to stop them from shafting the customers on everything? Cow milk but T&Cs say only till stocks last- otherwise boar milk.
Literally there is multiple things they should have done. Either just charge for 1 , or give credit for the value of 1 . The reality is this person probably spends thousands of € in their store and we should show some decency
That's not how any of this works, you don't get to make up your own deals.
They can simply return the items for a refund and that's it.
If you were in the store and you only saw 2 you might well've made a different decision, as it is they offered you 3 for X price and didn't deliver
Plus and minuses to shopping on line,
I'm just saying, the argument Tesco is offering doesn't seem to hold water
I wouldn’t go as far to say you’re being a Karen, but I also think you don’t have a leg to stand on. However, I do think you can look on this as a learning experience; in the future either tick the no substitution option, or include a note saying something like “if the offer can’t be fulfilled please do not include.”
Thanks and fair enough! FWIW I did indicate no substitutions. According to Tesco customer service this is where I went wrong as they could have substituted
Oh interesting…. Are they saying they could have given different vitamins? Such as multivitamins instead of B vitamins? Or a different brand?
So annoying for you!
I used to use a service in Canada - Instacart - where a person does your shopping for you, as their job (kinda like uber groceries), and they would contact you for each individual item if the exact thing you requested wasn’t available. I know it would be too time consuming for Tesco etc, but it would be very beneficial for customers.
Yeah- the lady seemed to be indicating they would have provided me with different vitamins- tho from the Tesco substitution stories I’ve heard I don’t know I would have come out ahead on that either !
I would have returned the two if they offer couldn't be fulfilled
Had similar at Christmas, the large multipacks of cans of coke zero were on offer, order turned up with a smaller pack instead as the large packs were sold out - not only were they more expensive per unit, they were just flat out more expensive as only the larger pack was on offer.
That’s awful. How is it that if Tesco don’t have the stock that is showing up as available online to purchase, the customer has to pay more per unit than they agreed to. I don’t see how it’s legal tbh
They did the same to me last week for chocolate! I even also had unticked the substitute box to make sure they only gave me that specific bar but apparently I need to write a note explicitly saying I only want all 3 or none.
I wouldn't mind but it's not even a bar I like but my 3 nephews love them. I couldn't very well just give it to 2 of them!
Whoever was doing the picking must have had zero cop on because usually I find them very good.
Definitely complain and bring them back in. I'm embarrassed to say I didn't do that myself but if I'd had the time I definitely would have.
Oh wow, I feel for you! That’s even worse than what they did to me! After reading some comments about other similar stories I am suspicious that the amount of times Tesco is only having the two in stock is “statistically significant.” And whether intentional or not, by not making the customer right in the 3 for 2 instance, it’s a conscious cost-related decision by them (ie I prob won’t be returning either).
Why would you get a refund? you didn’t pay for the third. And I’m sure there’s probably Ts&Cs about while stocks last etc…
They probably only bought two to get the third free. They would've only bought one or even held off buying altogether if it wasn't for the offer.
They've short changed her in a way because they've changed everything about the sale.
Grand so return one and get refunded for that.. they haven't short changed anyone.
Would you want more than 1 pack if you weren’t getting the 3 for 2 offer though? Surely she’d be entitled to return 1
Well absolutely, but that’s a separate issue. Of course they can return a received product for a refund but OP seems to want to be compensated for something they didn’t even pay for.
Exactly, reeks of entitlement that retail workers have to deal with every day. OP has clearly never worked in retail.
They can return one, that's not what OP is critical of. OP wants a partial refund while keeping the two items because they didn't get the free 3rd item. That's not how it works.
Um actually 🤓
Useless pricks. Yes, they've covered themselves legally, but they should always keep the discount and eat the loss. They failed to stock enough products, and now they've tricked you into buying at a price you didn't want.
Its bad enough when products are replaced, I shouldn't have to be treating the supermarket as hostile so I don't get screwed over by not triple checking their receipt. Next, I'll be expected to get out the calculator and tot up figures while they scan my goods.
That is pure scam artistry. And what would be the chances there were only two specifically for your order?
Full refund, follow up and if not claim a chargeback.
Maybe worth a shot emailing their customer service and send the receipt. I’ve found them so good on email for any issues with delivery order problems. Even very minor things.
Nah, that's not on. It's not your fault it's out of stock and you only bought them because they were on offer. I wouldn't let this slide. I don't know what you should do, I'd have to do some research to figure out who to contact but start with a store manager at least.
We've had similar a couple times before, infuriating. 3 for €10 offers, and they sub in for something not in the offer and it costs heaps more.
Give them back, they are cheeky bastards
Nah thats bullshit, be a petty bitch about it. Tesco management are cunts so they deserve it,just be nice to the floorstaff
Sprayed toilet?
You shopped in Tesco, that's your problem right there.
I would say never a Karen when advertised one thing and given something else without notice. We can't allow shops to make this become the norm. Tesco's employee is just taking the piss and this wouldn't be in their code of ethics or guidelines.
You've clearly been wronged which they should solve immediately.
No way, stand up for yourself on this one and don't be afraid of being difficult. You're well within your rights.
Yeah I'd be returning them fairly lively! Love that they're saying 'ph if you saw two in the store' knowing full well. 3 for 2 is used to entice you to buy..
I’ve completely stopped shopping in Tescos. The staff on my local one are a nightmare to deal with. So I just don’t use them at all now.
The local Lidl and Aldi are great
Post about it on twitter and tag them, I’ve done that and got refunded 😂
Get a refund, principle of it fuck that.