Safeway deliberate overcharging Santa Cruz & Soquel California

I have shopped Safeway for many years, and unfortunately until recently, have not paid much attention to my receipts to see if my charges were accurate. I just assumed that whatever their ads stated, that was what I would be charged accordingly. WRONG! ! ! The following is my story, much shortened for this site:

I purchased a few items, according to their ads, 10 for $10.00, or $1.00 each. However, when I checked my receipts later, I discovered that I had not been given the sale price. I emailed Safeway 3 times before I received a response.

The first response stated that on those types of sales I must purchase all 10 items to receive the sale price. If I wanted to discuss the problems any further, I could call their toll free number.

I called their toll-free number. To my surprise, after I gave the person my name, my phone number, and a short synopsis of my complaint, he informed me that "someone" would call me. That was in the early part of September and I have yet to receive a response.

In Safeway's 2nd email, a different employee stated that I could buy 1, 2, etc. on their 10 for $10, or $1 each. Also, IF I had been overcharged, I could return to the store for a refund.

In early October, a new Safeway store opened, so I started shopping there, hoping for a better experience. Brand new store, but the SAME OLD PROBLEM.

I purchased a small bottle of Dawn detergent, advertised 10 for $10, or $1.00 each. As it was my only purchase, I pointed out to the clerk immediately that the price was wrong. He attempted to collect $2.59 for it!

On November 2, Safeway had signs "buy one,get one free" on both bags of prepared salad and Litehouse salad dressing. As I was on my way to a friend's for dinner, I only purchased these items, expecting my bill to be around $7.50. (the salad was $3.49, the dressing $3.99). My bill, on the 1st ring-up, was over $11.00.

Upon my mentioning this to the clerk, he called for a manager. While we were waiting, he attempted to explain the overcharge, perhaps I had to buy 2 salad dressings of the same flavor. (This turned out to be false, by the way) After keeping everyone in line waiting for about 5 minutes, the manager was able to correct the problem.

THE REAL PROBLEM HERE: I returned on November 11, 8 days later, & purchased the salad dressing, "buy one, get one free". Once again, I was overcharged.

MY CONCERN: in those 8 days, how many other consumers were overcharged? and of those, how many noticed it? In the past, when I shopped and spent $50, $100, or more, I didn't check my receipts for every single item. While $3.99 is certainly not the end of the world, any amount that is continually overcharged can and is a PROBLEM.

Why had no one at Safeway corrected this problem? I don't know when this "sale" started nor do I know if this situation was corrected after my second purchase. I only know it was 8 days between my 2 trips....

The only good news: I received money back from the overcharge, and the salad dressing for free. Apparently it is Safeway's policy to give a customer an item for free if they overcharge you. (Naturally on a 10 for 10, this doesn't apply.) However, it wasn't until Nov. 11 that I learned of this policy.

Unfortunately, Safeway is the closest large grocery store in my area, so most of the time, I still shop there. But now, I check my receipt CAREFULLY. . . . . . .

Gail
Santa Cruz, California
U.S.A.