Boots the Chemist

[shazzabell]

I paid �1.10 for a raspberrry slice (like one of those Mr Kipling things) and about 60p for a Mullerlight in my local Boots the other day. I wouldn't have bothered if I'd seen how much it was going to cost, but strangely enough they don't have any price points where their food's stored. Does anyone agree that Boots prices are a rip-off?

[Gilli]

Have to disagree with you .... whilst I never buy food from there, I do think that you can't beat it for toiletries etc. and the biggest plus for me is their advantage card where I really notice the points adding up (especially as they often have special promotions like 500 points = �5, when you spend more than �25 on baby stuff, or triple points on each purchase). Other loyalty cards don't give back nearly as much ..... I know I spend about �3-400 pm in Tescos for example but rarely get more than about �20 back on their card, but, at Boots, and spending a lot less, with promotions, I frequently get enough points to treat myself to some perfume.

[acw]

What is a "price point"?  Once you take items to the till, you are under no obligation to buy them.  If you didn't like the price, you should have told them so and left the items with them. 

Boots is a Chemist, not a food retailers.  They make extra money from hungry shoppers.  It should be fairly obvious that therefore prices are likely to be a little higher in this area.  Boots food prices may be a bit dear, but once the offers are taken into account, the toiletries are very competitively priced. 

I also really agree with Gilli.  Having enjoyed 2 relaxing spa days with my Mum (including manicure, pedicure, lunch, gym, swim etc) just from our Boots points, I really do feel that the point system is one of the best out there. 

If Boots were a rip-off, it would be priced out of the market. 

[shazzabell]

That's me told. You pair don't work for Boots by any chance? By "Price Point" I mean the little ticket which is supposed to be on the shelf in front of items for sale. Superdrug here I come!

[acw]

There's no obligation to display the prices in shops - only outside restaurants.  Believe me, I've studied contract law - there's even a case about Boots on the books! 

I certainly don't work for Boots.  I'm a student and I waitress to cover my rent!  We may be the exception shazza, your support may arrive after the Bank Holiday!

[Oneeyedvic]

acw - I sincerely hope you are not studying contract law.....

 

the Price Marking Order 2004 states that pricing must be "unambiguous, easily identifiable and clearly legible"

 

If you feel there is a problem with a Boots store, you should inform your local Trading Standards who have a duty to investigate......

[acw]

I've passed my contract law, have an LLB(hons), and am on track for a distinction in my LLM.  I concede that I was wrong in this instance however.  Your legal fact - which was of course correct, is a matter of regulation law, NOT contract law.  What i said about contract law stands - well, the bit about the point where a contract is formed.  Goods on the shelf = invitation to treat.  Customer taking them to the checkout = offer.  The shop is not obliged to accept that offer.  Likewise, before the offer is accepted, the customer can retract the offer.  Any discussion of price at the till merely constitutes contractual negotiations. 

For a gentler reaction, you could talk to any member of staff, or go to the manager.  There's no need to be heavy handed.

[Eeeek]

Getting back to the original point I have to say that i agree with you shazzabell, not necessarily on the food issue but on their prices overall. I feel that they are overpriced on most items but especially noticed it in the childrens dept, Calpol and Pampers wipes are on average 50p more expensive than in other stores altho i agree that if you shopped solely for their "offers" then they would be good value as would anywhere. I guess overpricing is how Boots can afford to give 4pts for every �1 spent.

[marion29]

I would agree with the statement, Boots is generally overpriced for many things and I rarely buy food items there. I read a report recently on them as they are "struggling" in the marketplace, and they said they had aimed their products at "more well off people2 or along that line. They have seen in the past few years that there is lots of other competitors and shoppers are voting with their feet and wallets! You have Superdrug, Savers, Wilkinsons(depending where you live)and Bodycare among others. They have lowered many of their prices, but it's stillnot that competitive, but I only buy things there on offer,or when I know it's same price as somewhere else. Though I don't really agree with big corporations and loyalty cards per se, I have had a Boots card for ages and have managed to get a fair few points/pounds and use them to buy presents or "luxuries" for myself! This built up quicker when they added over the counter medicines to the points and as I get through a fair few allergytablets/headache tablets and personal pads etc!!

[5029]

I totally agree - a 500ml bottle of coke is 95p in there.

[flaming]

I think the price of toiletries, over-the counter pharmaceutical products and medical accessories  are over-priced wherever they are from;  some of the �3 - �4 items are sold only in tiny quantities with no opportunity for customers to buy in economic bulk.  It is my major spending item - not on frivolrous items either.  There's never much said about mark-up in that trade.  Very few items are under �3.  We have liitled knowledge about whether VAT applies to a range of goods or not.  I am willing to hear points made by anyone in the trade but it will be hard for him/her to defend the prices of the semi-medical items.