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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed that my dh was refused a free sample of fruit in the supermarket because...

57 replies

Linnet · 12/01/2008 22:40

He might give it to our three year old who'd already had a piece?

We're in the supermarket and on the way past the fruit and veg the two dd's each had a piece of fruit that was being given out as a sample from a stall.

At the end of our trip when we were back at the fruit and veg our 3 year old wanted another piece so we asked and were told "No only one sample per customer and you've already been" Fair enough that is their policy and neither dh or I have a problem with that.

So dh mentions to the lady, the same lady who gave the girls the sample earlier that since he hadn't had a sample earlier so could he please have a piece now and she said No because we'd already been.

I pointed out that yes we'd been but Dh and I hadn't taken samples so technically we could still have a piece and she said and I quote "Yes that's correct but you're not getting a piece because you'll give it to your dd and she's already had a piece."

Is that not just a little bit ridiculous? Surely if dh is given a sample and he decides to give it to his dd or share it with her it's up to him?

Isn't it just a bit jobsworthy to be so pedantic about something as small as a piece of fruit?

Am I unreasonable to be annoyed by this?

OP posts:
Original poster
Linnet · 12/01/2008 23:46

Thank you for all your comments. It's just bothered me all day, stupid I know but it's the principle of the whole situation.

Reallytired, I had considered buying the fruit on offer but after the way we were treated I declined. I know that supermarkets are not a charity and not there to give a free feed to everyone who walks through their doors. But if they are offering samples and their policy is one sample per customer then they should give one sample per customer if a customer asks for a sample. The woman even agreed with me that dh and I were both entitled to a sample seeing as we hadn't had a piece on the way past earlier she was just refusing to let dh have one in case, shock horror, he gave it to our dd.
I didn't actually want a piece because it was a fruit that I don't like so therefore didn't want a piece anyway.

OP posts:
cherryredretrochick · 12/01/2008 23:47

What fruit was It?

lucyellensmum · 12/01/2008 23:49

fecking idiots, bet you wont worry about nicking the odd grape from now on!!

It reminds me of my DP having a fit at the woman in tesco many years back when she refused to give DD a sweet after giving two girls one in front of her. I cant remember her reason, but after DP had finished, she gave DD a sweet!"

Original poster
Linnet · 12/01/2008 23:54

Oh, it was Kiwi Fruit, which I really don't like but dh and the dd's love.

And it was in ASDA

OP posts:
Tortington · 12/01/2008 23:55

it really makes me wonder what kind if person is it that does that job - and ACTUALLY gives a shit?

i'd be like - yeah whatever - am on £6.ph and an extra piece of fruit or 6 on my shift isnt going to kill anyone.#

i mean really

bookwormmum · 12/01/2008 23:56

I'd probably make a point of offering fruit to children above adults. They'd have no profits with me in charge of samples .

kslatts · 13/01/2008 00:17

We were in M & S one day and my dd's tried a sample of fruit, the lady then asked them if they wanted some more, they had about 4 pieces each in the end.

lazarou · 13/01/2008 11:35

Agree with custy

DoubleBluff · 13/01/2008 11:38

LOL Custty!
If it was me I would be like 'take it cos I anint bovvered'!

lazarou · 13/01/2008 11:40

I think i would just stand there eating the fruit and ignoring the customers.

Janos · 13/01/2008 11:41

Nope, how ridiculous. I would be annoyed too.

I'm very upset that ASDA may have missed out on some profits there, mind you. I may have to have a little cry

lazarou · 13/01/2008 11:45

Yeah, I wouldnt feel too sorry for supermarkets. They are quite prepared to screw over the local butchers, greengrocers, farmers etc in order to bump up their own profits

CharlieAndLolasMummy · 13/01/2008 11:47

no they are not charities

they are huge multinationals who screw over farmers and are in a large part responsible for the growing wave of obesity and shitey food in this country today.

they don't give out samples out of kindness. They also don't treat customers with respect out of kindness. They do so because that makes good business sense.

bamboostalks · 13/01/2008 11:55

What nonsense, that is a very sad soul, begrudging children a piece of kiwi. That must be how they keep their prices low.

Pruners · 13/01/2008 11:56

Message withdrawn

lazarou · 13/01/2008 11:58

Did the fruit lady look like this

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nS0VVTyPnY

SenoraParsnip · 13/01/2008 12:02

that is ridiculous.

In Spain, if you go shopping in Hypecor on a Saturday, you don't have to give the kids lunch!

lazarou · 13/01/2008 12:04

excellent! I'm off to spain

SenoraParsnip · 13/01/2008 12:06

hipercor is the really expensive supermarket though. you have to have an iron will not to buy all the stuff.

it reminds me of that episode of the simsons where homer says "if it's got a stick in it, you can eat it!"

chocchipcookie · 13/01/2008 16:18

At my local supermarket here in the US you can get the following samples...

  1. bread at the bakery
  1. Hershey chocs at the deli
  1. Crackers and cheese
  1. Something hot - usualy salmon or sausage
  1. Melon/fruit
  1. Tortilla chips and salsa.

BECAUSE THEY LIKE CUSTOMERS.

Vacua · 13/01/2008 16:23

this thread should be retitled - things that would never happen in waitrose part 12

Greensleeves · 13/01/2008 16:24

agree with custy, how the fuck does a human being get themselves into that state?

Unbelievable.

beansprout · 13/01/2008 16:28

You have to marvel at the value system operating there - the parent company (Walmart) will sell bullets in the US but oh no, no free fruit or what will the world come to?!!

Ubergeekian · 13/01/2008 16:39

NoBiggy: "Unless the dresses are brown, maybe"

Brown bridesmaids' dresses? Surely not! Isn't there a law that says they have to be made of cheap peach coloured satin?

filthymindedvixen · 13/01/2008 16:43

just as an aside, Asda were giving out samples of some sort of apple. DS went bounding up, asked for a piece and when he tasted it, his little face screwed up in digust and he spat it out. The woman had liberally soused the pieces with lemon juice to stop them browning!
Needless to say the small group waiting behind us decided not to bother tasting....