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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect a refund from tesco????

112 replies

Baffledandbewildered · 30/10/2011 20:17

I bought a Mary Berry Christmas cake mix from tesco earlier in the week when it was cooked according to the instructions it cake out burnt... Yuck. So as my son wanted this cake for his grandad we went and bought another mix started all over again and same thing burnt.... Bloody hell. I have tested my oven and even cooked another mary Berry cake mix and no problems. This mix is not cheap and each mix cost me £10 !! I know madness plus a pack of butter and 4 eggs each time. So am I being unreasonable to expect a refund ????

OP posts:
onepieceofcremeegg · 30/10/2011 20:20

Have they actually refused to give you a refund? Your post is not clear.

If they have refused then I would write to them, explaining the full story as you have described above. Also send a copy of the letter to the manufacturer.

In your letter clearly set out your additional expenses (i.e. work out how much the butter and eggs etc cost)

They may well give you a gift voucher as well as a refund as a good will gesture. I'd be very surprised if you didn't - unless you are some sort of serial complainer. Grin

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 30/10/2011 20:21

I think you probably are BU. Tesco aren't responsible for your baking failures.

Buy Mary Berry's baking bible and do it from scratch. I bought DH this book and, as a complete novice baker, he's turned out some lovely stuff. Just digesting her orange pancakes now, actually!

FabbyChic · 30/10/2011 20:21

Your thermostat on your cooker could be hotter than your temperature gauge seriously you should just have cooked it for less time.

Bellavita · 30/10/2011 20:21

Yabu for using a packet mix full stop Grin

Honestly, you would be better buying her books (I have three of them) and the recipes are foolproof...

You could ask for a refund... But whether you will get one or not is a different matter.

FabbyChic · 30/10/2011 20:21

This is a joke right? You cooked it for how long it said first time and it burnt so you done it again? Seriously this has to be a joke.

onepieceofcremeegg · 30/10/2011 20:21

By the way a burnt top is very common on a Christmas type cake (well I've not used a mix, but I know from making my own). Basically the top browns and can burn as the inside takes so long to cook. Most recipe books advise covering with a double layer of greaseproof paper once the top is brown enough. Mary Berry should probably advise this on the packaging. hth

If you still want a Christmas cake, get a few tips on here and you will be surprised that it is quite easy to do from scratch. :)

onepieceofcremeegg · 30/10/2011 20:23

When you did another Mary Berry type cake mix what was it? If it wasnt' a rich fruit cake then I think the problem is the usual problem of the top browning/burning as explained on my previous post.

IneedAbetterNickname · 30/10/2011 20:23

It's not Tescos fault surely? Contact Mary Berry, and like Fabby says, you should have cooked it for less time! I always have to adjust cooking times on everything as my oven cooks faster than the times given in recipies.

Original poster
Baffledandbewildered · 30/10/2011 20:25

No I haven't complained yet just testing the water whilst fuming .... And yes it would have been easier to make from scratch but I'm lazy and all the other cake mixes I do with the children work so don't understand this one not working bugger bugger bugger!! Tomorrow off to complain and buy bits to make again !!!! Wish my son just wanted to give his grandad slippers or a book!

OP posts:
squeakyfreakytoy · 30/10/2011 20:26

As others have said, most christmas cakes have a burnt top.. you cut that off before putting the marzipan and icing on it..... YABU

Sirzy · 30/10/2011 20:29

I agree with others that its normal for the top of a fruit cake to burn anyway but I don't see how you can hold them responsible for you burning the cake especially not a second time - did you not think it would be worth checking it sooner to make sure it didn't?

manticlimactic · 30/10/2011 20:30

£10 for a cake mix?? Shock

Bellavita · 30/10/2011 20:30

You should never get a burnt top. Putting a triple layer of greaseproof paper on top of the cake whilst it is cooking should prevent this (a 10p pieced sized hold should be cut out if the middle of the paper though for the steam to escape).

Bellavita · 30/10/2011 20:30

Hole

MoaninMinny · 30/10/2011 20:32

nowt to do with tesco is it, its the manufacturer if anyone

couldnt you just have looked at the cake every so often to see how long it would take

dippy donuts without the sense they were born with

Original poster
Baffledandbewildered · 30/10/2011 20:34

Well contacting tesco's as it's their label ie Mary berry for tesco on the packet and yes I agree with everyone should have just followed the recipe in one of the hundreds of cook books I have, but my son love the big red bag with a not burnt cake on it!!! I had the oven checked by the oven manufacturer earlier this week when they were checking something else so defiantly not my oven. And that's why we cooked another cake first to double Check . I may just buy a cake now and let him ice it ..... So much for being organised LOL At least the house smells nice!

OP posts:
squeakyfreakytoy · 30/10/2011 20:35

just cut the top off it for gods sakes.. it will be absolutely fine!

SansaLannister · 30/10/2011 20:37

YABU.

Yak to using a mix for a Christmas cake.

Original poster
Baffledandbewildered · 30/10/2011 20:39

Moaning it said not to open oven for the first 3 1/2 hours!! And it was like a blood brick by then and it was manufactured for tesco by MB well not personally obviously!!

And yes it had double greaseproof paper and a greaseproof hat So hey ho will have to stick to non fruity mixes from now on

OP posts:
Sirzy · 30/10/2011 20:39

They will probably just point out that the times are just a guide and you have to use your judgement. Anything I bake I always check it 3/4 of the way through the cooking time to judge how long is needed.

GalaxyWeaver · 30/10/2011 20:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Baffledandbewildered · 30/10/2011 20:41

Squeaky it defiantly won't be ok but hey it will be good if the bricks fall out of my house !!

OP posts:
picnicbasketcase · 30/10/2011 20:42

Using a cake mix, in my opinion, is meant to be a bit cheap and lazy.

If it's expensive and causes you stress, it's pointless.

MilkNoSugarPlease · 30/10/2011 20:45

But why on earth would you cook it for the same amount of time...a second time?!?

YABU

voddiekeepsmesane · 30/10/2011 20:49

All cookers cook differently, surely everyone knows that. If it burnt the first time why the hell did you not keep an eye on it the second time. Say with me ...open the oven...check middle of cake with finger or skewer...its easy really...duh