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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to rant about Asda - massive price hike on 'free from' chocolate bars

56 replies

iamamug · 17/02/2016 16:26

For background my DS is free from gluten, dairy, nuts and egg. This makes for a pretty restrictive diet particularly when it comes to treats.
We have been buying Asda free from chocolate orange bars for about 3 years - price 0.45
Today DH returned from a trip to Asda - the price has been increased to £1.00 a bar overnight.
My DS has 2 of these a day - one with lunch and one after dinner - he cannot eat most desserts - also has plenty of fruit but this is literally the only 'naughty' thing he can eat.
I am outraged and have actually written to the CEO demanding an explanation - I suspect there will be a 'special offer' shortly but £1 a bar in the meantime!! (They are really small - 35g)
I know I can get something similar in Sainsburys (they are 0.50p) but he prefers the flavour of these and such a restrictive diet deserves a bloody treat.... so mad.

OP posts:
Msqueen33 · 17/02/2016 16:29

Two out of my three kids have coeliac and it drives me crazy the cost of the free from food. Some mainstream food they can have but we have to be very careful. I think it's disgraceful. My child didn't ask to have this disease. What a price hike though. Have you tweeted them?

Original poster
iamamug · 17/02/2016 16:37

tweeting is a great idea Msqueen I hadn't thought of that - I'm on it!
I feel held to ransom!

OP posts:
Katenka · 17/02/2016 16:49

They do it with everything. Stick the price up then put it on offer.

The offer isn't really an offer, the price hike makes it look like an offer and this drives me insane. The hiked price is not the real price, just there to make an offer look good.

We never buy anything that has gone up massively in price as we know an offer is coming.

Yanbu.

Original poster
iamamug · 17/02/2016 17:01

That was my first thought katenka but my real gripe is that they have chosen something that is clearly for people with little choice for an alternative so while they wait for the fictitious 'special offer' we have to pay double the bloody price!!! (or poor DH has to have the Sainsburys version that he isn't as keen on.)
I usually rate Asda for many reasons but they have really boiled my piss with this and I have lots of other places to get the rest of our considerable weekly shop!

OP posts:
Katenka · 17/02/2016 17:14

Sorry I didn't say, I have several food allergies. So, while it happens with all products, I was meaning the products I can have.

Samcro · 17/02/2016 17:15

asda do this with lots of stuff. can you bulk buy next time they are on "offer"

FatalFemme · 17/02/2016 17:17

Have you tried Tesco? I've always found their free from range to be cheaper and more extensive than asda.

Original poster
iamamug · 17/02/2016 17:25

See what you mean katenka
With regard to other shops, actually the best range locally is Sainsburys - DS is very picky as you can imagine and when all 'nice' things are denied - (think any fastfood, krispy Kreme doughnuts, biscuits, cakes etc) this is pretty much the only junk type thing he likes.
Sainsbury version is 'tolerable' (his words) seems a shame he has to have something as a treat that is tolerable.
I've had a tweet reply from the service team asking which branch it is - I've replied and also pointed out that the new price is now the online price!
I do tend to bulk buy them but DH buys a few at a time to discourage DS from having too many.
DS is also quite underweight and the treats are sanctioned by his consultants and dietician (just pre-empting)

OP posts:
Katenka · 17/02/2016 17:27

I have no idea if your ds can have it but have you tried the raw Choc company. It's really nice. Quite pricey, but if you wanted an odd treat that was more than tolerable, it is nice.

Ilovenannyplum · 17/02/2016 17:29

YANBU

pretty much my whole family are coeliacs, they can eat next to nothing so it seems completely unfair to whack the prices up on the stuff that they can eat. Most GF is already pretty expensive anyway.

M&S GF treats I buy them seem to go down well, might be worth looking in there if you haven't already?

Original poster
iamamug · 17/02/2016 17:32

They look really nice katenka and he could have them but they are even more expensive than the hiked Asda ones! I may get some in as a treat for him. Great flavours. Thanks
We use the Asda ones in his lunch box - they are just snacks iyswim.
I'm really pissed off to pay £1 for the equivalent of a penguin bar.

OP posts:
Katenka · 17/02/2016 17:53

Yes I wouldn't recommend them for everyday. But something that is better than just OK.

I have them very occasionally, can't afford to have them everyday. I am 'OK' with normal chocolate in small amounts but far better if I stick with raw Choc company

Would be worth googling and seeing if there is a discount code

Katenka · 17/02/2016 17:55

There is Ombar as well. Their milk chocolate is made with coconut milk and are really delicious. But think they are more then raw chocolate company which is a pain.

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 17/02/2016 18:01

It must be really annoying but they're a business, they can charge whatever they like.

Katenka · 17/02/2016 18:01

Oh and you might see raw choc company cheaper and more widely available soon. They are quite a small company, but they got investment from dragons den. So hopefully as they grow and can buy stuff in at a cheaper price, their price will drop.

I work in the fitness food industry so have come across them in a professional capacity. They do want to be more affordable.

Original poster
iamamug · 17/02/2016 18:06

That's great news Katenka - I'll keep an eye on them - the products look really nice.
Helpful testing ?

OP posts:
Katenka · 17/02/2016 18:08

It must be really annoying but they're a business, they can charge whatever they like.

Yes and as a customer the OP can make a complaint when a shop artificially hikes prices to creat a fake offer.

She is also entitled to we opinion on it.

Sparklycat · 17/02/2016 18:09

Free from seems to command a premium. However I'm concerned that your child is eating two chocolate bars a day!! Shock

Pipbin · 17/02/2016 18:11

Isn't there a shortage of cocoa beans or some such? Isn't that making the price go up?

Archiesnan · 17/02/2016 18:12

Have you looked on line at vit-shop ?

Original poster
iamamug · 17/02/2016 18:19

sparkly I thought someone would bring this up!
His diet couldn't be more healthy - everything he eats is cooked from scratch - these are small chocolate bars - hence the upset at the ridiculous price.
He eats loads of fruit as well - the child is entitled to a treat .
He is also prescribed 'fat powder' to build him up by his consultant.
None of the HCPs treating him are remotely worried by the amount of chocolate he is allowed to eat.
And his dentist sees him regularly too -
I'm really trying not to rise to your post - looks like it's too late! Hmm

OP posts:
myusernamewastaken · 17/02/2016 18:22

Sparklycat....Op has already said they are only the size of a penguin bar....get over yourself....i fucking hate food police.

Katenka · 17/02/2016 18:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Katenka · 17/02/2016 18:24

The op has already said his diet is monitored.

FFS

Katenka · 17/02/2016 18:25

Ohh multiple posts Blush