to think Sainsburys should not be selling chocolate 6 months past the sell-by-date?

[NadiaWadia]

Just that really. Bought a multipack of their own brand chocolate today, bit into it, thought it tasted weird and very dry, and looked on the wrapper. Sell by date was September 2012.

Ok I know if I take it back tomorrow they will refund or replace, but that is all that will happen. (I know this because a few years ago I had to return some cheese slices that were going mouldy, and they just refunded and didn't say much. )

In this case it is not just a few days past the date we are talking about, after all. Should I do something else, like go to Trading Standards or something? Anyone have any similar experience?

I am not asking because I want to get 'compensation', just I don't think a big company like Sainsburys should be allowing this to happen.

I suppose you could contact their Head Office and ask for an explanation instead of taking it back to your local store.

Of course they shouldn't be doing it, but humans make mistakes. "A big company" is made up of individuals and while there are many procedures to stop things like this happening there are bound to be odd slip ups. By all means point it out to them so that they know it has happened and of course you should get your money back but really don't get so wound up by a very small human error.

It would be a best before date rather than a use by date. Take it back and get your money back.

I had a similar problem with baby formula not long ago..my branch of tesco were selling it a year out of date! I sent head office a letter and went back a week later to find it was all still there for sale. So although it might 'just' be chocolate here, it makes you wonder what else they're selling out of date!

They should give you a gift voucher as well, as well as the refund, and profuse apologies. That's what they did for me when I bought out of date ham.