THE EDITOR, Sir:
ON SATURDAY evening 2003 September 6 my wife went to her favourite supermarket to do her weekly shopping. She became concerned about the total of the bill, as she could not understand how the bill was so much based on the few items which she bought.
While unpacking the groceries she decided to check the details, and discovered that an item costing $87.09 was cashed for $467.09 (a difference of $380 or 436.33%) a significant increase on one item.
The next morning I returned to the supermarket and secured the refund of the difference. At the supermarket I met three other persons whom I knew and to who I related the story and they told me that they have had similar experiences there as well as at other places. One friend told me that she had at least five such experiences; the last one was an item for $76 cashed for $760 (difference of $684 or 900%) a significant increase on one item. I have subsequently heard of other similar instances in other supermarkets in Kingston as well as in Portmore.
God knows how many times and to how many customers this has happened and it goes undetected. May I ask, is this the fault of "technology" or poor maintenance of the machines? Consumers, be aware and check your bills carefully. Be vigilant. The cost of living is already becoming unbearable. We cannot afford to allow ourselves to be cheated out of our declining disposable income due to "technological defects".
I am, etc.,
ALERT CONSUMER
Kingston
