Supermarket labels don’t tally with bills
I would like to bring to your notice the foul play at cash counters in various supermarkets. Two weeks ago I was shopping at the Sultan Centre, Qurm.
While my items were being billed I noticed that I was being overcharged for some items by almost half the price listed on the racks.
When asked, the cashier said that there might have been a mistake from my part and asked me if I picked the item from the right place. I was quite sure on my part and they then called someone to the counter to check. Even before he went to check the price, he started to put the blame on me by saying that I had picked the said item off the wrong shelf.
But when I insisted, he went and checked it. He came back shortly saying, “Yes Madam, you were right.” I thanked him and also apologised for any inconvenience caused, even though I wasn’t at fault, and I then went my way.
Unfortunately, the same thing happened at the same shop just days ago. The whole story was repeated and I was found to be right again. This time I asked the staff why this was happening and why the prices on the racks and in the system didn’t tally. They had no answer but ‘sorry’.
The next day at work, I put this topic for an informal discussion over morning coffee, and guess what? Every one had stories of a similar nature from other supermarkets as well. One of my colleagues stated that his wife actually saw the cashier put money into his own pocket rather than into the counter. This has been the hot topic at our office for more than two days and everybody has more and more stories by the day.
On one occasion, one of my colleagues caught a guy red-handed and took issue with the administration. I think this is going overboard now. Not every customer checks the prices as they are being billed. Innocent villagers and old people can be tricked easily.
I hope TheWeek can do something about this by creating awa-reness among the public as no one will be happy with the idea of being cheated of his hard-earned money.
PSZ, via email
Aggressive salespeople
I have been living in Muscat for five years. I have grown to enjoy the freedom and safety here, whether it is shopping at a mall, going to see a movie at Al Shatti or filling petrol at a petrol station.
However, a recent development has left me feeling harassed. This development is ‘salesmen’ who ‘attack’ me as I stop my car or go in after running my errands.
This is an invasion – and they do not take no for an answer – waylaying you as you try to get away. I understand that they need to make a commission by selling their product, but accosting someone this way is not acceptable. Personally if I want a product, I will find it. So if you ‘salespeople’ are reading this, please give us our space and privacy!
Dolly Singh, via email
Don’t waste food
In this letter I would like to convey a message about wasting food. Throwing down food and pouring drinks around tables have become quite common in theatres and food courts.
Children should be taught that fulfilling their basic needs is not enough – they should also be taught obedience and eat food without wasting it.
Worldwide there are millions of people sleeping without food. There are people struggling very hard to buy food. Parents should act as a role model for kids and make them aware of the importance of food, because kids are as impressionable as wet sand – you teach them and they will learn. Instead of ordering more, order less; make it healthy food (instead of cheese popcorn order normal popcorn and instead of beverages order fruit juices); and try sharing, which will be more beneficial in many ways including money and health.
I hope after reading this people will change and lead the kids towards a healthier and better way of life.
Jayashree Muralidharan, via email
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