Are We Being Cheated at the Grocery Store?

Are we really being cheated at the grocery store? Recently, a Facebook user shared her experience about how the price of a pre-packed produce showed up different when it was weighed again. The difference ranged from Php 5.00 to Php 25.00. This incident has caused quite a stir on social media, receiving more than 10,000 mixed reactions and more than 7,900 shares on the popular social networking website. Various netizens commented on the popular post claiming that they experienced the same thing on other grocery stores in the Philippines.

While the variance on the pre-packed items before and after it is weighed again is negligible value, this variance adds up upon checkout and as a shopper, you wouldn’t want to spend more than what you are supposed to. Pinoy Life Hacks reached out to an employee who works for Robinson’s Supermarket and she has shared great insights on the alleged ploy that grocery stores use to drain the people out of cash.

According to the lady, who refused to be identified, people are not being cheated at the grocery store. For instance, several produce are pre-packed at Robinson’s supermarket. This is done to provide convenience to shoppers who would like to cut their shopping time by simply grabbing the items that they want without having to go to the grocery clerk for weighing. She said that people need to take a look at the price tags that are displayed all over the produce section.

She added that they set different prices for different days. It makes sense prices of commodities are volatile. The prices of the produce, meat, or poultry are liable to change unpredictable. During weekdays, she said that prices depend on the demands. However, the management set special low prices during weekends and it is what they call “Presyong Palengke.”

Yes! They set special prices for particular days so let’s say, you come in to shop on a Saturday. You grabbed the pre-packaged item and asked the grocery clerk to weigh it again. Don’t be surprised if the price comes out differently after weighing because it may still be based on the old pricing. No cheating. No manipulation.

It is important to pay attention to the weight. It would be a different case if the weight of the pre-packed item in question before and after it is reweighed changes. It would mean that the scale is either broken or worse, rigged. In conclusion, a smart shopper is always on the lookout. Be observant not only for discounted items but make sure you are only spending money for what you are supposed to pay.