This is so bizarre...

[PistolWhipped]

DP just returned from Tesco having bought a 12.5g box of Amber Leaf tobacco. When he tore off the cellophane and looked inside the box he found no tobacco and precisely seven sheets of toilet paper and 2 two-pence pieces! What the devil is going on? We're just sat here, open-mouthed, staring at bog roll and coppers. Has anyone got any idea what could have happened at t'factory? Has anything like this ever happened to you? Where's our baccie?!

I laughed at that Joycedivision... I'm a bad lady and I'm going straight to hell.
might pass marksies on the way and pop some notes of my own in the hideous trousers

The people in the factory get free cigarettes, so i doubt they stole them. Maybe they were leaving the job and thought it was funny. They probably had to get the weight right for it to escape without being detected!

Joyce, I would love to get a note like that in my trousers.

Coincidently I am going trouser shopping tomorrow, I may leave notes in trouser pockets saying "You look lovely in these trousers". That's not really that funny though is it, maybe I should just go for the twat message.

I t was years ago, still makes me laugh now! I think the random notes in pockets plan is a good idea!

Does the packaging look absolutely right? Spelling, embossing, etc? I'd suspect counterfeit even though it was purchased from Tesco - I've heard of counterfeit wine being found in supermarkets before, (although I couldn't fathom how such a big name could be duped by its suppliers). Possibly the counterfeiters mixed up what was to go to which supplier and this was meant to be hawked by one of those dodgy guys who sells on the street and is long gone by the time you discover that you've not bought what you thought you had.
If Tesco give you no joy then get on to Trading Standards.

Whoever said that it was the packer loading up the packet and pocketting the.baccy was probably right. A 2p piece weighs about 7g. Two of them would come close to the weight of the baccy, packet and a packet of papers that is normally in there.

Yes but they get it free so why?

JoyceDivision proper chuckling at that. I want a go.

OP what a swizz. Hope Tesco refund.

I used to pack fags and didn't get anything free. Lots of the workers were on the rob.

I used to work in the offices of a tobacco factory - there were LOADS of scams to rob the tobacco & cigs, weighting the packs & boxes so they'd pass the weight inspection. It especially happened on the night shifts when there was less security.

And they didn't get free fags either - they got a discount but it was rubbish.

Well Tesco have sold counterfeit wine in the past. Why not expand to tobacco? They are not to be trusted.

You should contact Tesco on their facebook page or twitter, it's the quickest way to get a response.

How strange!

To sell Lucky. Nobody can smoke that much!

JoyceDivision, I am howling!

I have an answer to my email to Amber Leaf!

Thank you for your recent email.
From what you describe the tobacco pouch you bought has been subject to tampering post production, this process is known as switching. Switching is a practice whereby an individual asks for a tobacco product which is then placed in front of them on the counter by the retailer. The individual then asks the retailer for another item, usually away from the till area at which time the individual takes the fake packet or packets out of their pockets and switches with the genuine pack. When the retailer comes back to the till area the individual claims they have not got any money or a similar excuse and walks out having left the retailer to return the switched stock on the shelf. This is then purchased by an innocent consumer who buys the packs with paper in.

As you would expect, JTI’s production and packing processes are highly automated and subject to strict quality control and monitoring. Also, as tobacco products have a very high duty element included in their costs, special controls are undertaken by H M Customs & Revenue throughout our manufacturing processes.

This is not a new issue and is one that occurs from time to time. Previous experience indicates that premium brands are targeted by criminals due to the relative higher value in the tobacco market.

We caution all retailers to be aware of anyone who is acting suspiciously when trying to swap over any tobacco products that they may or may not have purchased from a retailer or if someone is trying to distract retailers whilst buying tobacco products.

I am grateful that you have brought the problem to our attention.

Kind Regards

redacted by MNHQ
Consumer Services Executive
Consumer Services'

No free baccie, then

Hang on, so they're saying "Put up and shut up" now?

Switching is THEIR problem, not yours!

JoyceDivision I laughed so hard at that, no mean feat with a chest infection.

I knew someone who bought an Xbox years ago from Tesco and when he opened the box it had 4 bags of sugar in!

Thats rubbish how they wont give you anything for something which is not your fault. Have you complained to Tesco?

They are seriously not sending you a voucher for a new pack?

I reckon if you forward that to Tesco, they will give you a voucher.

And harrr at Joyce

No,they are saying that your problem is with the shop where the product was switched. Which it is. So go back to Tesco, its them that owe you money.

Surely they are saying that switching is the shops problem not the manufacturers as the switching must have taken place at Tescos. Get in touch with Tesco.