My Mind Has Been Blown

The other week I did my shopping and noticed that when the cashier scanned two different items they didn’t come up as the advertised price on the shelf. I was lucky to have caught it. I never check my receipt when I leave the store. And because I tend to do my shopping at places that require you to pack your own groceries (a bit of a hassle but then they have less staff which means grocery items are cheaper which means you save cash!), I don’t watch as the cashier rings the items. I’m too busy shoving the items in my reusable bags to notice. I usually shop when it’s the most hectic, because that’s when I’m free. And by the time that I’ve wrestled my way through the grocery aisles, I’ve lost all my patience and just want to get the hell out of there. Anyway, I politely say to the cashier that I knew those items were on sale and she apologizes and I get refunded. It was $6. Not much but its still $6.

And now, because I'm obsessed with saving money on groceries I've been doing loads of research. 

Here’s an interesting factoid indeed. There is something called The Scanning Code of Practice. Apparently it’s not mandatory but it’s some little policy that most retailers will follow. The policy says something like, “If the scanned price of a non-price ticketed (I think this means the little orange sticker that goes on the actual item, not sure but I’m guessing) is higher than the shelf price or any other displayed price, the customer is entitled to receive the item free, up to a $10 maximum. When the price is tagged, the lowest price applies”. *

Ummmm….excuse me…..I GET IT FOR FREE!?!?! HOW COME I DON’T KNOW ABOUT THESE THINGS???

So, I’m not sure if my grocery store that I frequent follows this policy, but you know for shizzle I’m going to find out the next time I go in.  And when the item comes up wrong I'm going to have no shame in saying “Yah, um I get that for FREE. Thank you very much!”

So check your items before you leave the store. Make a note what items were on sale so you can be sure to get it for the discounted price or if it’s scanned wrong make sure you let them know you get it for free (up to 10 bucks)

Seriously, how did I not know about this?

*article from www.frugalshopper.ca

“The rich man plans for tomorrow, the poor man for today” – Chinese proverb

UPDATE - here is a list of participating retailers. If you don't ask you don't get. There are parent companies listed so you may not see the one you go to. For example, Loblaws is Extra Foods. AND here's a link to the policy. http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/eng/01262.html

Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores -- Supporting Companies:
Shoppers Drug Mart
The Groupe Jean Coutu (NB and Ont only)
Lawton Drug Stores
London Drugs
Lovell Drugs
Pharmasave (BC and Sask)
Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors -- Supporting Companies:
Canada Safeway Limited
The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company of Canada Limited
Loblaw Companies Limited
Sobeys Inc.
Metro Inc.
Thrifty Foods
Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd.
Co-op Atlantic
Federated Co-operatives Limited
Coleman�s Food Centre (Nfld.)
Retail Council of Canada -- Supporting Companies:
Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd.
The Home Depot Canada
Canadian Tire Corporation Ltd.
Toys r Us
Shoppers Drug Mart
Wal-Mart Canada Corp.
Giant Tiger Stores Ltd.
The North West Company
Best Buy/Future Shop ( in implementation stage)
2 Home Hardware franchisees
Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers -- Supporting Companies:
Thrifty Foods
Overwaitea Food Group
The Harry Watson Group
Longos Brothers Fruit Markets
+ 1374 independent locations