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AIBU?

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Original poster

No compensation from Tesco for washing powder in my chocolates?

106 replies

StormTreader · 07/12/2017 14:17

So I did some Tesco shopping last night and decided to get some of the mint Thorntons chocolates as they were on for £3.

Started eating them at home, and got a distinct "washing powder" soap taste, a closer look has revealed that what I thought was powdered sugar actually seems to be a tiny amount of strongly-perfumed washing powder, probably spilled at some point and has worked its way in.

Contacted Tesco, and all they will offer is that if I spend my time and petrol driving back to the store, wait in the huge xmas lines for the customer service counter, show them the issue with the product so they can contact their suppliers...they will refund my £3.

AIBU to think that with the time and petrol PLUS the fact my nice treat was ruined (and I was worrying and googling exactly how poisonous washing powder is), that a little bit of a goodwill gesture would not be unreasonable? Even an offer of a £5 voucher would have been something - if I'd wanted the £3 rather than the chocolate, I wouldnt have bought it!

I can see why THEY want to investigate with their supplier so they dont get sued by someone, but Im not sure whats in it for me thats better than just chucking them in the bin and going to Morrisons in future...

OP posts:
araiwa · 07/12/2017 18:07

Theyre not going to do anything without seeing the product.

If they send compo out based on a phone call, their phonelines will be blocked for eternity with chancers ringing up asking for compo for unsubstantiated claims

PersianCatLady · 07/12/2017 18:10

I'm still waiting for that quote from your earlier post where you lied about what I'd said, maybe do that before posting another one about your opinion of me? I appreciate thats not as satisfying for you as it involves judging yourself rather than me
I never said you lied I got you confused with another poster, no big deal.

I am beginning to understand why this is such a big deal to you, are you always this dramatic??

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 07/12/2017 18:13

The thing is they refund without seeing the product if the shopping has been delivered. I’ve had a whole box of eggs refunded because one was broken, potatoes refunded because a couple were manky and pork chops refunded as they were very fatty.

Doublechocolatetiffin · 07/12/2017 18:15

Sorry OP but I am another one who thinks you are being a bit unreasonable. You don’t say how you contacted them, but as you haven’t actually returned the item yet and spoken to customer services you can’t really complain that Tesco hasn’t offered an additional voucher. You don’t know that they won’t yet, as far as I can tell they have just advised you on the normal procedure, which is to return it and they’ll refund you - which is what would happen at any store.

PersianCatLady · 07/12/2017 18:18

The tablet had a quality control sticker on it & as was over £100, I would expect that it is checked
It was checked before it left the factory.

Considering that it is transported a long way and anything can happen to it from the factory to the store, the sticker is not a 100% guarantee that it will function when you buy it. I can see why you thought that though.

Any way the fact that your 7 year old's Christmas was ruined is not actually the manufacturer's or the store's fault.

I mean this bit in a kind way. No whatever what electric good you buy in the future, do not assume that it will function on Christmas morning.

It is so annoying that this happens but it isn't an uncommon thing to find that things don't work when you get them home.

If something is a gift for a child, open it, check it and charge it before Christmas morning and then if there is an issue you can get it sorted before Christmas.

If there is no problem then at least the device will be ready for your kid to enjoy straight away.

Spangles1963 · 07/12/2017 18:22

It's up to the retailer (i.e. Tesco's) to remedy any issues with things that you buy from them. They then have to take it up with the manufacturer/supplier of said item. It is not the customer's responsibility to chase up the manufacturer. This is what I was told by the trading standards dept at my local council a couple of years ago when a well known supermarket tried to fob me off with this.

ILostItInTheEarlyNineties · 07/12/2017 18:37

I'd take the refund and apology from Tesco and they can alert Thorntons if they think it's necessary.

Expecting a £50 voucher is a bit much. Such a small amount of washing powder isn't poisonous at all.

How would you justify needing £50 back? Did you lose that amount in earnings because you were so ill? Did it cause you such distress your life was seriously impacted? If no, then £50 compensation is disproportionate to the inconvenience you were caused.

I can do a weekly shop for £50!

NewtsSuitcase · 07/12/2017 18:43

Your'e expecting way too much.

I had a thick hair in a chocolate pudding. It had a root on the end and looked suspiciously like either a public hair or a beard hair.
They immediately refunded my £3 but that was it.

PersianCatLady · 07/12/2017 18:48

It is not the customer's responsibility to chase up the manufacturer
Exactly.

You have a contract with the retailer not the manufacturer or supplier therefore it is their legal obligation to refund faulty goods within the first 30 days after purchase. After 30 days, some stores may give you a refund but legally they only have to offer you a replacement or a repair.

RavenLG · 07/12/2017 18:55

It's standard practice to return a faulty item if you want a refund.

Christ, if this has rocked your world so much I'd hate to see you during an actual issue.

I except to see you in the paper soon, angry face pointing at offending half eaten choccies demanding Tesco fawn all over you

PersianCatLady · 07/12/2017 19:24

I except to see you in the paper soon, angry face pointing at offending half eaten choccies demanding Tesco fawn all over you
Maybe the Daily Mail are taking the OP's photo for the article right now??

buttercupmeadow · 07/12/2017 19:35

Why are people getting stuck on the fact that the op said she'd eaten a few chocolates before she noticed. This is what happens. You don't just eat one chocolate and spit it out thinking "ughh this tastes of washing powder." , because it's something you just don't expect. It often takes a while before you realise something's contaminated.

Emerald92 · 07/12/2017 19:38

Post a picture on their facebook and kick up a stink, they hate that. Twitter also.

ArcheryAnnie · 07/12/2017 20:09

Post a picture on their facebook and kick up a stink, they hate that. Twitter also.

Over a £3 box of chocolates, which they have already said they will refund when the OP returns them? Really? What would the "stink" be about, then?

RunningOutOfCharge · 07/12/2017 20:14

They 'hate' being exposed on social media

People really think that?! I doubt they are overly bothered..... everyone knows you only get moaning Minnie's on social media!!

AlonsosLeftPinky · 07/12/2017 21:05

There's just no way that washing powder can contaminate chocolate. They aren't ever produced in the same place, and the chocolates are boxed with lipped lids which are sealed.

I don't really see what Tesco have done wrong here if I'm honest. They've told you how to obtain a refund. You're spitting your dummy out because you're grabbing for compo.

Yesterday I bought a prawn snack pot from tesco, realised they hadn't been deveined so just took a few pics and sent them in a fb message to Tesco. My refund gift card arrived in the post today. I'd say that was pretty efficient service tbh.

taratill · 07/12/2017 21:20

persiancatady is spot on!

Thank goodness someone on here sees sense!

WhatALoadOfOldBollocks · 07/12/2017 21:24

Next step is clearly to go to your local paper. Get your best pouty compo face on and soon you'll get the recognition you deserve.

If OP does really well she could feature in Angry People in Local NewspapersWink
OP, soapy chocolates sound horrid, but just take them back when you next go to Tesco and get them to swap for non-soapy ones or wash them under the tap and scoff them

I mean this bit in a kind way. No whatever what electric good you buy in the future, do not assume that it will function on Christmas morning...If something is a gift for a child, open it, check it and charge it before Christmas morning and then if there is an issue you can get it sorted before Christmas.

^ This. Moral of the story is buy far enough in advance that you can check it works well before Xmas and exchange if it doesn't.

Perfectly1mperfect · 07/12/2017 21:26

We found plastic in a sponge pudding from a different supermarket. They sent a bag for us to send it back to them in as well as £30 in vouchers as compensation. I would have preferred to know what the plastic was exactly as some was swallowed 😷😳

Original poster
StormTreader · 08/12/2017 09:59

sigh Some people on here are clearly spoiling for a fight and really enjoying the chance to put in a judgemental boot.

I have not said I was looking for £50.
I have not said I expected a refund without returning the product.
I have not, nor would I ever, say I am looking for a "compo payout".
I have no idea how washing powder got into my chocolates, I didnt put it there, and I agree it makes little sense on the face of it, however it is there and thats the facts of the matter.

I await persian jumping back on to gleefully screech DAILY MAIL FACE YOU LYING JEREMY KYLE WANNABE because I know thats her one joy in life.

OP posts:
Original poster
StormTreader · 08/12/2017 12:17

Unless that also causes a chemical floral smell, it isnt that.

I KNOW it doesnt make any sense on the face of it, I live in the world also, the fact its so unlikely doesnt make it less of a fact though.
I almost wish I HAD bought some kind of cleaning stuff so I could assume it was that that had spilled, that would at least make sense.

OP posts:
buttercupmeadow · 08/12/2017 12:33

Rather than the OP trying to figure out how the chocolates tasted of soap, let Tesco figure it out. They've sold chocolates that taste of soap, now it's up to them to find out why.

PersianCatLady · 08/12/2017 14:31

StormTreader
You did say in your OP that you expected some kind of goodwill payment over and above the refund.

Domani · 08/12/2017 16:43

Completely get where you're coming from, OP.As you say, a bit of a goodwill gesture maybe 5 or 10 pounds. Bit of concern that it could have caused an upset tummy, particularly if a child had eaten a couple. Could have offered to pay postage for you to return in post. I'd be pissed off too and yes to all you goaders, even for just £3.