Pick n Pay's underhanded sales tactics

While shopping at Pick n Pay Lemon Tree in Alberton, I encountered an issue with the pricing of coconut chips/slices. Despite seeing a shelf label indicating a price of R35.95, the cashier charged me R55.99 at the till.

Upon raising the discrepancy, the packer assisted in confirming the correct shelf price was R35.95. The frontline supervisor, Siyamcela Mapukana, was called to address the situation. However, upon his verification, he claimed that the R35.95 price did not correspond to the product I had chosen. Despite showing him the pricing in the isle, he insisted that the labelled price was for a different product, even though the two rows above the pricing of R35.95 displayed the product I selected.

Siyamcela Mapukana mentioned that the front product was out, leading to the his confusion. I argued that this wasn't a case of misplaced items and I had taken the front product hence it was empty, further note that the two rows above the pricing of R35.95 were of the product I intended to purchase. The item he advised that the R35.95 pricing was for was on the opposite side of the shelf and had a price of R89.95.

In response, I returned the item to the shelf and requested the cashier to remove it from my purchase. Siyamcela Mapukana was supposed to call the store manager, who did not bother to appear during the incident.

Upon Siyamcela Mapukana return without the manager, he brought the product back and asked what I intended to do. I emphasized that the issue wasn't about my actions but about Pick n Pay rectifying their mistake and ensuring customer satisfaction. I express concern that the discrepancy in pricing could be a tactic employed by the store or the pick n Pay Brand, with lower prices displayed but higher charges at the tills means through false advertising instore the Pick n Pay corporate gains.

Despite the minimal R20 difference, I highlighted the principle involved and questioned whether Pick n Pay was using such practices intentionally. I assert that this amounts to false advertising and vow to take the matter further, there is definitely a use of underhanded tactics and the apparent lack of customer service skills among the supervisors. I would also like to raise the concern that customers might not always notice such discrepancies, posing a potential ethical issue.