Inappropriate Tesco substitute! WIBU to complain?

I agree that it was unacceptable and that you should absolutely raise it with Tesco, not in a furious way but as a serious concern. It wasn't even a "funny" substitution but a potentially dangerous one. Of course it is the shopper's decision to accept or send back the alcohol, but a newly sober alcoholic teetering on the edge could very well frame it as "the universe is telling me it's OK to have a drink", even if unconsciously.

Exactly!

I hope you're not a surgeon or similar.

I think attention to detail for a full paid shift is expected in all jobs.

I hear you, but at the end of your shift are you still alert to what you’re doing? I don’t think I would be

We know what we're picking, it's not just a code. It will say non alcohol prosecco for instance

I think her ability to overlook your crass posts says a lot about the OP that is really positive. She's nicer than I am.

I am sorry, you are clearly a better person than me, in terms of empathy.

I think it's fair to raise the point that alcohol free products should never be subbed with alcohol. Likewise the other way round.

Someone might not notice that it was different and served it to a recovering addict or someone underage or unwell or from a religion that bans alcohol.

So yes, I'd definitely say something to head office.

I agree with you. In a similar vein, I was quite annoyed to receive a chocolate chip pancake mix to replace the vegan one I had ordered for little one with a dairy allergy. The brand was the same and I didn’t immediately notice that the item had been substituted, so I could easily have used it. I can’t think why someone would order a vegan product and be happy with a chocolate, non vegan alternative?

I hate that phrase "it really isn't all about you" the OP has every right to query alcohol being subbed for a non alcoholic product!. Computers are programmed by people .

I don’t think they necessarily think the products through. If you are picking hundreds of items and ‘beeping’ them one after the other based on a product code your little machine gives you, it would be safe to assume the job becomes robotic. You’re not going to necessarily think this customer is clearly a vegan as they bought a few vegan items so this substitution doesn’t make sense, or this person bought alcohol free so they must not want to drink alcohol - they will literally have a code pop up on the screen, pick up the item off the shelf and throw it in the crate. The algorithm though, is worth feeding it back based on that.

totally off subject(ish) but kylie minogue brand wine does a Prosecco (alcohol free) and it’s amazing!!! Just a thought for you wanting to celebrate without drinking!!! Genuinely it’s really nice!! Also at least you didn’t order a bumper pack of toilet rolls that got substituted with sausage rolls!!!! (True story, happened to my dad!!) lol.

The algorithms are computer-based and can then involve people exercising their 'common sense'.

Alcohol-free 'spirits' will be included in 'spirits' as a substitution same as alcohol-free lager will still some up in 'lager' as substitutions as the category so you'd be expecting a worker to note that when they're doing the dozens of orders that day. Which is a bit of an ask.

And as with all substitutions, the person ordering is notified before it arrives and just sends it back as unsuitable so why would the worker think it would be an issue? and have to potentially consider someones alcoholism?

Employee here and pick trained you're not being unreasonable and should definitely make them aware of this. As much as you can add notes to say non alcholic only a little bit if common sense would say if someone orders non alcholic why agree to the automatic sub. (You can change the option to add your own) this should be part of training. 100% agree with you op

I would politely complain (and say it's more you think their policy should be adjusted than anything else) they should really have a no alcohol as a sub for non alcohol rule.

YANBU and I think you should complain in a sensible way. They really shouldn't substitute non-alcoholic with alcohol, it is a completely different thing and could cause problems as you say.

It should have been substituted with another non-alcohol product.

You would be sensible to bring this to the attention of Tesco, who are usually very reasonable with complaints.

And none of that is relevant to the OP and you still thought it was big and clever to put the boot in.

And thought it was appropriate to make a snide post about accepting responsibility.

The algorithm is made and modified by people.

I once got a packet of Twix instead of Tampax - that wasn't helpful either!

To the OP - I would raise it politely as a concern rather than a complaint - it's a very poor substitution. And well done on your sobriety.

Well I guess we'll have to agree to differ here. Op said she bought something premium, non alcoholic then was delivered the original version which contained alcohol.
If I was celebrating my sobriety I don't think I'd choose to do it that way, as personally I do view alcohol free versions of alcoholic drinks to be related.

My granddad used to recognise and acknowledge the problem monthly, stay dry for a while and then it would start again, blaming it on the government, politics, etc. Yes, I am devoid of empathy for a reason. Guess what, the problem at the end of the day was my gran's, not his in every respect - she used to pick up all that shite until she died. The alkie granddad lived into his 90s, recognising and acknowledging the problem regularly.