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AIBU?

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Original poster

What on earth were they thinking?!

259 replies

PissTakeSubstitution · 04/03/2023 19:53

Hardly ever tick ‘allow substitutions’ on my online shop because of past experience, however I didn’t want to risk no wine and I’m not too fussy.

AIBU to think this was a ridiculous substitution? There must have been 20+ different white wines in the price range I’d selected, yet for some unknown reason the person picking this shop decided to an Alcohol Free bottle was the closest match.

Worst still DH didn’t notice it was an alcohol free bottle and accepted the substitute Angry

What on earth were they thinking?!
OP posts:
Hawkins003 · 06/03/2023 00:14

PissTakeSubstitution · 04/03/2023 20:00

@yoyo1234 the wine I ordered was £8, the AF one and the price they charged me was £3.25.

How many white wines must there have been on the shelf to substitute it for?

Seriously Tesco, literally any white wine with alcohol would have been fine.

Could be it was the closest and they don't have time to randomly go choosing?

MarsandVenus · 06/03/2023 04:50

I once ordered distilled water (for steam iron) and Tesco substituted it with a car air freshener. Errrr….

Cassiehopes · 06/03/2023 04:53

Greensleevevssnotnose · 04/03/2023 20:01

What's right with it? 🤯

This!

There are a million alcohol free drinks that I enjoy. If I buy wine, I’m buying it FOR the alcohol!

Emptycrackedcup · 06/03/2023 06:32

Cassiehopes · 06/03/2023 04:53

This!

There are a million alcohol free drinks that I enjoy. If I buy wine, I’m buying it FOR the alcohol!

Show quote history

💯

Lianne1977 · 06/03/2023 06:58

I’d be livid, I’d March it back to the store and ask for an exchange! Sainsbury’s once substituted cat food with dog food on our shop which had me and the driver in hysterics

AnnoyedFromSlough · 06/03/2023 08:35

Lianne1977 · 06/03/2023 06:58

I’d be livid, I’d March it back to the store and ask for an exchange! Sainsbury’s once substituted cat food with dog food on our shop which had me and the driver in hysterics

Livid seems like an overreaction.

Given that op has paid £3.25, tesco are unlikely to exchange it for an £8 bottle of wine. Much better to just contact the customer helpline and ask them to refund it. Then donate it to a raffle if they don't want it.

mustgetoffmn · 06/03/2023 09:18

yoyo1234 · 04/03/2023 19:57

Is that correct, £8 for alcohol free wine 😡 .

Alcoholic drink price doesn't reflect the alcohol content. Actually AF wine is same or a bit more than other because the industry and market is smaller, as with anything.

This is obviously a mistake made by Tesco, or whoever the poor person doing the job is. Even DH didn't notice, just a mistake, not a personal slight against OP!!

Lianne1977 · 06/03/2023 10:16

AnnoyedFromSlough · 06/03/2023 08:35

Livid seems like an overreaction.

Given that op has paid £3.25, tesco are unlikely to exchange it for an £8 bottle of wine. Much better to just contact the customer helpline and ask them to refund it. Then donate it to a raffle if they don't want it.

Show quote history

I was joking

PamPamSpamMan · 06/03/2023 11:05

I once bought a measuring jug from Asda online - the only option was a Pyrex one for £12 but I really needed the measuring jug so that was fine. Come delivery day they didn't have the Pyrex one in stock so they sent me FOUR of their own brand measuring jugs which cost £3 each! At the time the driver couldn't process that I would only like to keep one jug, so I had to accept or reject all four.

Mama2six · 06/03/2023 11:39

I ordered nappies from Asda once and they sent me sanitary towels??

KarmaStar · 06/03/2023 11:57

I ordered a 75% off beautiful throw to cover sofa as dogs use it and they sent me...a single fitted sheet!

anynamesavailable · 06/03/2023 12:10

Once ordered prawn crackers …. substituted with cream crackers🤦🏻‍♀️Not quite the same with chicken in black bean sauce 😏

VoluptuaSneezelips · 06/03/2023 12:26

Due to stupid substitutions in the past, I now always put a note in for items that are important (tesco has a box for this by each item) and it seems to have worked so far - just noting things like getting the same absorbency 'super plus' tampons for example. Fresh apple juice being subbed with apple scented fairy up liquid was what prompted me to start doing this in case anyone was wondering about the stupid sub was.

eastegg · 06/03/2023 13:14

StalkedByASpider · 04/03/2023 21:31

Some of these substitutions are brilliant 😅😅

Our online shop this week, we ordered two packs of "Walkers Max Strong Fiery Prawn Cocktail Sharing Crisps".

This was from one of the large superstores that has an entire aisle dedicated to crisps. They have TONS of crisps, loads of choice.

No substitution for the crisps. Just....nothing. Out of all of those crisps apparently there wasn't a single thing to substitute.

These crisps were DP's choice and we had no other crisps included in the order. He was not happy 😅

I still can't quite work it out tbh. We've had all kinds of weird and wonderful substitutions over the years. Pretty much never return them, normally just keep them. Crisps, chocolate, biscuits, drinks - they always just stick in an alternative. No clue why no alternative was offered here??

As a fellow crisp lover may I just say that I am infuriated on your DP’s behalf.

Mikki77 · 06/03/2023 13:18

Divorce husband?

eastegg · 06/03/2023 13:22

Some of these are hilarious; thanks OP (sorry about your wine).

With certain practical, household items, or any item with a very specific purpose, there is surely no point substituting anything. I mean what on earth can be substituted for a tin opener? The supermarkets really need to have a look at their systems. Surely it wouldn’t be difficult, eg, to prevent non food items being substituted for food items and vice versa.

eastegg · 06/03/2023 13:28

RingInTheNew · 05/03/2023 19:55

I used to do consumer research for a grocery store and there were some very amusing substitutes, including a tin of roses instead of a bunch, and an arsenal birthday cake instead of a Man U one.

Oh the birthday cake is priceless! Well it’s got red on it whatcha moanin about….😂

zzzink · 06/03/2023 22:36

Once ordered a vegan pizza from ASDA that was replaced with gluten free pepperoni pizza. Looking back it seems pretty tame to some of the crazy subs mentioned in this thread 😂

BirdsAndBoats · 06/03/2023 22:39

zzzink · 06/03/2023 22:36

Once ordered a vegan pizza from ASDA that was replaced with gluten free pepperoni pizza. Looking back it seems pretty tame to some of the crazy subs mentioned in this thread 😂

I heard gluten free is very ethical. Think of all the wheat you’re saving from undo suffering in those terrible commercial farms! I myself prefer free range wheat.

Harmonypus · 07/03/2023 14:11

Tesco. It feels personal for some reason…. Like they didn’t want me to have wine.

But they DID give you wine, just not alcohol.

It wouldn't have bothered me, I buy wine for the taste, not alcohol content.

MamaBearBoo · 08/03/2023 21:16

We use laithwaites for wine now (not on a plan just order when we want to) had this happen too much- it happens a lot where you get an unsuitable substitution even when you tick none -at least I now use Amazon grocery and can request a refund easily! I once got disposable razors which are rubbish and wasteful instead of razor blades so it cost me more and I did put no substitutions -I haven't used them!

Zapzep · 08/03/2023 21:27

PissTakeSubstitution · 04/03/2023 19:56

Tesco. It feels personal for some reason…. Like they didn’t want me to have wine.

Wouldn’t surprise me if the ‘picker’ had some kind of anti alcohol agenda, and used the need for a substitute to try a sell you the t-total lifestyle. Absolutely pathetic but people are like that.

AKAsomeonelse · 09/03/2023 08:05

Harmonypus · 07/03/2023 14:11

Tesco. It feels personal for some reason…. Like they didn’t want me to have wine.

But they DID give you wine, just not alcohol.

It wouldn't have bothered me, I buy wine for the taste, not alcohol content.

All the AF wine I’ve ever tried tastes disgusting! I’d rather have water. It’s the alcohol that gives it the depth of flavour.

TippityTappingLikeAWaterboatman · 09/03/2023 10:12

Harmonypus · 07/03/2023 14:11

Tesco. It feels personal for some reason…. Like they didn’t want me to have wine.

But they DID give you wine, just not alcohol.

It wouldn't have bothered me, I buy wine for the taste, not alcohol content.

LOL "They did give you wine just not alcohol" will keep me laughing for a long time, I hope you don't work in customer care.
Most people buy for both, alcohol free has tons more sugar in it I wouldn't touch it.

CremeEggQueen · 09/03/2023 11:16

Harmonypus · 07/03/2023 14:11

Tesco. It feels personal for some reason…. Like they didn’t want me to have wine.

But they DID give you wine, just not alcohol.

It wouldn't have bothered me, I buy wine for the taste, not alcohol content.

You buy wine for the taste?
WTF would you want alcohol free wine for then, it either tastes like cat's piss or flat vinegar 😂