1 reviews | Active since Jun 2020
Price gouging - face masks
On 1st April 2020 I purchased two disposable face masks (3 ply) from the Pick n Pay Hypermarket, Ottery.
I was charged R28.74 per mask.
This was at the beginning of the lockdown period and I was desperate to acquire the masks, so, despite my concerns at the price, I paid the amount charged.
In the light of the publicity surrounding the Diskem matter before the Tribunal for a similar matter, I realise that I have been the victim of flagrant price gouging by Pick n Pay. I cannot see how Pick n Pay can justify the charging of nearly R30 for a disposable paper mask, that I have subsequently learnt can be bought elesewhere for less than R10. I believe they were being opportunistic and taking advantage of the situation to increase their profit margins.
I have the proof of purchase.
I wrote to Pick n Pay to give them an opportunity to justify their ******ionate practice, and they duly acknowledged receipt of my complaint and furnished me with a reference number. But now, nearly a month later, I have still heard absolutely nothing.
I think the contempt displayed by Pick n Pay towards me, a loyal customer, merely corroborates my opinion that they are opportunistic and have taken unfair advantage of sad circumstances.
Thank you for choosing Pick n Pay. Please accept our apologies for the delay in response and any inconveniences caused to you. We view this incident in a very serious light, we are busy addressing this with our management team. We value you as a Pick n Pay customer and are committed to improve continually on our service levels. We appreciate your patience and understanding at this very difficult time. Kind regards,
The Pick n Pay Team
Thank you for choosing Pick n Pay. Please accept our apologies for the delay in response and any inconveniences caused to you. We view this incident in a very serious light, we are busy addressing this with our management team. We value you as a Pick n Pay customer and are committed to improve continually on our service levels. We appreciate your patience and understanding at this very difficult time. Kind regards,
The Pick n Pay Team
Within hours I received a call from Pick n Pay.
Of course all the usual apologies, we value our customers, etc.
Yet....... why can they answer with such alacrity when it is posted on HelloPeter but not when the original complaint is made.
I gave the 26 days since the first complaint, and all I received was a reference number.
I then followed it up and warned them that I was going to post on Hello Peter, another reference number.
Then when I post on HelloPeter, Wham! Bam! A phone call within the hour!
And you know what, the person who called me told me that she had made some inquiries at the pharmacy dept. of the Ottery Hypermarket and they told her that yes, there was a shortage of masks at that time and that is why it was so expensive.... HELLO!!!! Isn't that what this is all about. There was a shortage of supply, due to the Coronavirus; Pick n Pay hiked the prices taking unfair advantage of the situation; THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT PRICE GOUGING IS!!!
The moral of the story is: if you want a response from Pick n Pay, don't bother to report it to them (you'll only get a reference number) post it directly on HelloPeter and you'll definitely get a response.
Within hours I received a call from Pick n Pay.
Of course all the usual apologies, we value our customers, etc.
Yet....... why can they answer with such alacrity when it is posted on HelloPeter but not when the original complaint is made.
I gave the 26 days since the first complaint, and all I received was a reference number.
I then followed it up and warned them that I was going to post on Hello Peter, another reference number.
Then when I post on HelloPeter, Wham! Bam! A phone call within the hour!
And you know what, the person who called me told me that she had made some inquiries at the pharmacy dept. of the Ottery Hypermarket and they told her that yes, there was a shortage of masks at that time and that is why it was so expensive.... HELLO!!!! Isn't that what this is all about. There was a shortage of supply, due to the Coronavirus; Pick n Pay hiked the prices taking unfair advantage of the situation; THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT PRICE GOUGING IS!!!
The moral of the story is: if you want a response from Pick n Pay, don't bother to report it to them (you'll only get a reference number) post it directly on HelloPeter and you'll definitely get a response.