Shocked at the mark-up prices, just "because we can".

SPAR outlets are fantastic, as they are easily available in all areas. HOWEVER, we've recently discovered something which we feel everyone needs to be made aware of, especially in the economic times that we are currently facing.

Normally we drive to the SPAR outlets as they are closer than any other grocery store. But not anymore.

After paying R460.00 for a carton of cigarettes from SPAR, we were absolutely shocked when we needed to travel to another grocery store due to visiting friends and travelling with them and purchased cigarettes for only R400.00. That is a R60.00 SAVING compared to SPAR!

When we approached SPAR and asked them if they perhaps had the incorrect pricing on the carton of cigarettes, they had advised us that because they are independent stores, they "have the freedom to mark their prices up to whatever they wish".

WOW.

After realizing this, we went around SPAR outlets and compared the marked-up prices to other grocery stores (food included), and we were absolutely shocked. If you have not done this, then please do so.

It is cheaper for a South African to travel the distance to a grocery store that is further away from your house, than to travel to a local SPAR just up the road.

We seem to take it as the norm that it's just the price we pay and have to accept, but the truth is, a R60.00+ mark-up price because "you simply can", is just not worth it for us.

By no longer relying on the ‘local’ SPAR outlets closer to our home, we have ended up saving a huge amount on groceries and cartons of cigarettes.

When we mentioned SPAR would be losing a local customer due to this, the response from the Manager was simply, “Well, that’s the way things go. Sorry about that.”

It’s unfortunate, as the team of SPAR are very friendly, but regrettably, you have lost us as your customers, and we hope to make others aware to please check your prices before just accepting it as the normal.