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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Food samples in supermarket

83 replies

Canshopwillshop · 10/02/2020 17:42

My local supermarket has a sushi counter and the guy who runs it regularly has a stand giving out samples. My DS loves it and the odd time he’s with me he usually asks if it’s ok to take one. I buy the boxes regularly and the sushi guy recognises me.

Tonight we were there after I’d picked DS up from school and DS asked for a sample and the guy was really off with us exclaiming that we should just buy some from the counter. I didn’t want any tonight as it’s usually something we have at weekends but I didn’t think it was a problem for DS to take a sample? Then I thought that maybe the samples are only meant for people who have never tried it before. I don’t think DS will ask again for a sample after tonight but I’m just interested to know if people think we were being cheeky and unreasonable?

OP posts:
AnchorDownDeepBreath · 10/02/2020 17:45

How often is the "odd time", really?

I wouldn't take a sample twice, to be honest, I think they are intended for people who haven't tried them before to entice a sale, not as a snack... but I have no idea if other people regularly take them. Way back when I worked in Sainsburys, we were under strict instructions not to allow people to take more than one, and you'd be marked down for giving samples to regular people.

HelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHello · 10/02/2020 17:45

You weren't being cheeky! It's a supermarket and they can afford it. If it was a small struggling family business, I'd think you shouldnt.

I regularly take samples in supermarkets with no intention of buying the product! Especially at Christmas when the free stuff is tasty!! (Bailey's, mince pies..)

Given you do actually buy the stuff regularly, I think you r more entitled to the samples than the rest of us!!

GiveHerHellFromUs · 10/02/2020 17:51

The 'odd time' he's with you you let him sample but you 'regularly' buy the boxes? I'd guess these words should be the other way around?

Original poster
Canshopwillshop · 10/02/2020 17:55

@giveherhellfromus - you guess wrong. I buy the boxes most weekends. DS comes with me to the supermarket maybe once a month if that.

OP posts:
GiveHerHellFromUs · 10/02/2020 18:00

I'd have said something to him, if that's the case.
"I bought a box from you last weekend and do so almost every weekend."
Factual, not rude, shuts him down quickly and easily.

maslinpan · 10/02/2020 18:03

But samples are intended for new customers, not freebies for regular ones.

Original poster
Canshopwillshop · 10/02/2020 18:09

@giveherhellfromus - I did say something along those lines but I was a bit embarrassed so I just sort of muttered it and he probably didn’t hear me properly. It won’t happen again anyway!

OP posts:
Original poster
Canshopwillshop · 10/02/2020 18:15

@maslinpan - I think I misunderstood the situation because this guy is out with his samples at least once a week and I live in a small market town so this supermarket has a very regular customer base - not the sort of place to get lots of new people through the door. But I’ll accept I’m wrong and we won’t be doing it again!

OP posts:
Katzia · 10/02/2020 18:16

You don't need to sample it and neither does your son. You both know what it tastes like as you buy it regularly. Samples are to entice new custom. If your son is accustomed to getting a sample when he shops with you, take him to a different counter, ie deli and get a sample of something he doesn't normally have for him to try.

Original poster
Canshopwillshop · 10/02/2020 18:20

@katzia - ok, thanks for that. My son doesn’t need to find a substitute sample, he’s fine with just not having anything. Just didn’t see it as an issue until today.

OP posts:
Queenundercanvas · 10/02/2020 18:22

No idea if you're being unreasonable but if it makes you feel better, when my ds was younger he used to call the supermarket samples try-me's.

He liked to embarrass me whenever we went to the Deli by asking if they had any try me's today.

They used to do pretzel try me's in the shopping mall and he'd make a bee line for them. The boy is still food mad.

mum11970 · 10/02/2020 18:29

I will try a sample of something I know I like if it’s there to try in the supermarket. I’ve even remarked to the server that it isn’t something I haven’t eaten many times before. He’d have lost my regular custom at that counter there and then for that remark and I’d have told him so too.

PrinnyPree · 10/02/2020 18:32

I always snaffle any supermarket samples going and rarely buy the product lol

If he's got samples out I have no idea why he's being snippy with his regular customers, he's not at an artisan farmers market making a personal loss. (Btw I've worked in a supermarket before, I certainly wouldn't have given a damn)

BlueJava · 10/02/2020 18:36

Personally I avoid the sample - how long have they been there, who else has sniffed over them! I think they are there though for people who want to try it for the first time, not just take a sample on the way round.

bruffin · 10/02/2020 18:40

If he's got samples out
It's not clear if he got samples out or OP was asking for one from behind counter

lollybee1 · 10/02/2020 18:40

Maybe he thinks you are taking the piss.

EmpressJewel · 10/02/2020 18:43

What lollybee said.

He may not see you buying boxes at the weekend, particularly if you don't have your child with you or they aren't in school uniform.

WorraLiberty · 10/02/2020 18:43

Then I thought that maybe the samples are only meant for people who have never tried it before.

'Maybe'? Confused

Of course that's what they're there for.

AlwaysCheddar · 10/02/2020 18:48

This is why I love Costco - they’re happy for all to try the samples whether or not you buy the product. Always have the samples, sometimes buy the stuff, whether obvious nice items like cake or things I was a bit hmmm about - cottage pie - love it now! Wouldn’t have bought it without the sample. And if Costco read this, please please please start selling a chilli dinner like what you use for jacket potatoes!

earlydoors42 · 10/02/2020 18:48

My husband comes home full up from all the samples he eats at the supermarket!

Original poster
Canshopwillshop · 10/02/2020 18:57

@lollybee1 - yeah, my son is clearly taking the absolute piss out of him by taking a mouthful of sushi once a month 🤣 Think it’s backfired though as I won’t be buying my usual boxes at the weekends!

OP posts:
fluffedupferretonsteroids · 10/02/2020 18:57

I agree with always at Costco you can take as many samples as you want, its amazing. I'm shocked other places are so strict. I personally wouldn't have samples from a supermarket though as they can be left out for ages.

steff13 · 10/02/2020 18:58

If he had samples sitting out for anyone to take, then I think he was unreasonable to say anything. If you asked for a sample and they weren't out for the taking, you are being unreasonable.

Original poster
Canshopwillshop · 10/02/2020 18:59

@bruffin - no the samples are out on a separate stand with the guy offering them to people. We don’t ask for them!

OP posts:
Horehound · 10/02/2020 18:59

I don't think it's an issue. It's a tiny little thing usually. Hard anything to get worked up about from the employees point of view. I guess the "power" has gone to his head Grin