Tesco Cancels Refund Policy Over Exploited Loophole

Mon, 19 Feb 2007
 
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Tesco has ditched its refunds policy after being exploited by shoppers through a company loophole, allowing customers to get food, wines, and even computer games consoles for free.

The supermarket’s ‘return and refund’ policy promises customers who are overcharged at the till a full refund, and they get to keep the item they bought.

Some customers seized on the generous scheme after sharing information posted on websites between one another, and deliberately purchased goods that were priced incorrectly in order to get a full refund, which cost the chain at least £100,000.

Return and refund-takers have also bagged themselves DVDs, food, beer, televisions, and even nappies .

Last month a pricing blunder meant that XBox 360 games consoles had to be given away for free as they were advertised in the store for £297.81, but when scanned at the till came up at £299.97, £2.16 more.

Tesco has reportedly tried banning the culprits from its stores, according to visitors to company’s website.

Yesterday the supermarket giant confirmed that it was abandoning its return-and-refund policy from Feb 26. The company said how a ‘small minority’ had been exploiting the service, which had cost the retailers too much.

A spokesman said, "We have lost too much money through the policy. People were just taking advantage and Tesco had to draw the line somewhere."

Martin Lewis, head of a money advising company, will continue to list all of Tesco’s wrongly priced goods on their website moneysavingexpert.com, until the policy changes.

He said, "If thousands of pounds worth of Xboxes walked out the door then it should teach Tesco to be a bit more careful about prices so that customers are not misled."

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