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!