Wednesday 23 June 2010

Standing Your Ground





We like a glass of wine or two, with meals, as an aperitif,  or for no particular reason, while reading or watching TV, maybe. A lot of our everyday wines come from supermarkets and when we see that a particular favourite is on 'special offer'. we buy a box or two.

The other day we saw that one of the wines we enjoy had been seriously reduced; the labels were there, but there were no bottles left on the shelf.  We made enquiries and were told that deliveries were being held up by a fire and an overturned lorry on the motorway but that the store was expecting to re-stock the next day. As we live about an hour away from the town it was unlikely that we would return, we therefore ordered a dozen bottles to be collected at our convenience. "Certainly, madam, that will be fine. Let me have your number and I will ring you when deliveries get through."

I asked if the reduction in price would apply. " Yes indeed, this wine is on offer until the end of the month."

Lovely, thank you very much, good-bye.

Having heard nothing for over a week, I rang the supermarket last night. "Yes, the wine is here; sorry, I can't find your order; unfortunately, it doesn't look as if it has been put aside for you."   I asked, and they agreed, to put a dozen bottles aside for me there and then, to be collected  from the customer services desk today.

When we presented ourselves before midday, the wine was found to have gone back to its full price as from this morning.

I let the desk staff know that I was hurt, disappointed, even angry at their inefficiency and unwilling to buy the wine, order or no order, except at the reduced price.

The culprit who had mislaid the order was called, the supervisor appeared, as did the suit responsible for the wine department. Heads were shaken, sorrowful faces presented, apologies offered.

I was unwilling to relent, it was a misery of their own making.

Reader, I walked out of the store clutching my one dozen bottles of Sauvignon Blanc, not only at the reduced price but also with a small reduction for the quantity purchased.

Standing your ground brings benefits. I advise you to do likewise.

Cheers!

20 comments:

  1. Yes, you have all that character and depth for a reason, Dear Friko! You educated them by being (I imagine) calm and reasonable, not hectoring and petty. It was their honor to be instructed by someone of your experience and life wisdom...and OURS. I raise my glass to you in a toast! Thank you for being my friend, albeit somewhat "virtual"



    Aloha from Hawaii

    Comfort Spiral

    ReplyDelete
  2. Der Wein wird doppel so gut schmecken.
    Santé

    ReplyDelete
  3. Good for you. They absolutely should have honored the sale price.

    ReplyDelete
  4. How wonderful to receive good wine at a sale price. It may enhance the taste.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I bet that wine will taste especially good! Cheers!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Friko, do enjoy that wine. I very much enjoyed your report. In our shop, we always honor such customer-related situations. It is that sort of customer care that keeps the clientele returning.

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  7. Way to go, Friko! That was a positively North American thing to do - that wine will taste all the better for your having stood your ground.

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a hard taskmaster you are. Must have something to do with your former line of work.

    ReplyDelete
  9. However, I should add that you did exactly the right thing.

    ReplyDelete
  10. After all that, I would have had to drink at least one of the bottles on my ride home (only if I wasn't driving). If I were driving, I would drink it at my front door.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Good for you for standing up for what was right - all too often we are reluctant to make a fuss and good for the store for finally admitting it and giving you an extra discount - I'm sure you will go back there again. Enjoy the wine.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Took me years to reach this ground standing attitude, but it definitely pays dividends - full marks to you for not relenting. :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Good on ya! as they say down under. And I bet it did taste twice as good.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am encouraged by your success to re-enter the fray with my ex-milk suppliers who refuse to stop delivering (and charging me for ) milk despite my best efforts...

    ReplyDelete
  15. And 3 cheers for you, Friko! Well done...this sort of thing happens everyday here in the US - and they get away with it by calling it "marketing." As consumers, we are growing wise to their ways! Enjoy every single drop - you earned it!

    ReplyDelete
  16. ein Zeichen starken Willens, liebe Friko?!
    Renée

    ReplyDelete
  17. That was worth doing. When can I come round?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Good for you. Consumers have rights and shops should honor their commitments.

    ReplyDelete

Comments are good, I like to know what you think of my posts. I know you'll keep it civil.