Unfair Business Practice - Weighing Already Labelled Goods?

Nelumbo on 12/11/2023 - 16:21
Last edited 12/11/2023 - 17:43 by 1 other user

Hi everyone, I was wondering if you could share your opinion on the below matter.

For some time now, I have been wondering whether this practice by the business is right. We buy cottage cheese from an Asian Indian grocery store. The cheese comes sealed and packaged by the manufacturer. It is important to note that the cheese comes in variable sizes, but always has the weight printed on the label at the back. It is sold by weight ($ per kg).

I have noticed that every time I buy these, the cashier weighs them on their own scale and charges accordingly. The package clearly has the weight printed on the back. In fact, it is bolded (net weight: x kg) on the label.

The label has other important information like nutrition information, ingredients, best before, along with net weight. So, it is coming directly from the manufacturer.

Why, then, does the business not take the weight printed on the label and charge me by that? Why do they weigh the product on their own machines? I tried asking this but the person behind the counter did not have a satisfactory answer.

Is this unfair? I am always charged more than what the labels say.

I came home and weighed the products myself, and there was some difference in the weight. The difference amounted to $0.44. I was overcharged. Of course, this could be due to the difference in scales. But, this is not so much about the money as it is about the practice.

I was wondering what you think about this. Could I report this behaviour? Who can I report it to?

Appreciate your answers 🙂

Food & Grocery

Comments

  • brendanm on 12/11/2023 - 16:35
    +26

    Buy it from somewhere else.

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 12/11/2023 - 17:03
      +2

      This might be the only asian grocer that sells cottage cheese though - I have never seen cottage cheese at an asian grocer…

      • Nelumbo on 12/11/2023 - 17:43
        +2

        Sorry, I should have mentioned, Indian grocery store, not Asian.

        • Protractor on 12/11/2023 - 18:26
          +4

          You'll be needing to lobby the UN ,then.

  • kiitos on 12/11/2023 - 16:36
    +4

    I guess the net weight is weight of cheese only, and when reweighed in store you're being charged for the weight of the packaging too?

    But then, the per kilo price is just set by the grocer, is that correct? There's no per kilo price on the manufacturer's label? So they could say their per kilo price takes the weight of the packaging into account (eg, is a lower per kilo price than if they calculated the price from the printed weight)?

    • Nelumbo on 12/11/2023 - 17:50

      I guess the net weight is weight of cheese only, and when reweighed in store you're being charged for the weight of the packaging too?

      Yes, that seems to be the case.

      But then, the per kilo price is just set by the grocer, is that correct?

      Yes, there is no per kilo price on the label itself.

      So they could say their per kilo price takes the weight of the packaging into account (eg, is a lower per kilo price than if they calculated the price from the printed weight)?

      Possibly, but even if they are setting their per kilo price, why not go by what's printed on the packet? By re-weighing it, they are taking the weight of the packaging into account too. The packaging isn't all that heavy, but still, it does contribute. To be precise, the other day I bought $22.78 worth of cottage cheese, and the difference between what they weighed and the labels is $0.44. So, about 2%.

      But like I said, I wanted to know if the practice is legal. But you could also argue that if I had purchased 10 times, the difference would come to be around $4.40, which is significant.

      • freefall101 on 12/11/2023 - 18:30
        +1

        $4.40 on $228 of cheese is not significant.

        If you don’t like it, go elsewhere. If you buy it 9 more times then you’ve agreed the practice is fine at that point.

        • Nelumbo on 12/11/2023 - 19:49

          $228?

          I said $22.78.

          To be precise, the other day I bought $22.78 worth of cottage cheese

          • Protractor on 12/11/2023 - 23:36
            +1

            @Nelumbo: Either you are feeding a tribe or using it commercially

          • freefall101 on 13/11/2023 - 07:08

            @Nelumbo: The $4.40 comes from 10 times the amount of cheese and I rounded it off

      • Malik Nasser on 12/11/2023 - 18:56
        +1

        Adjust your expectations.
        Knowing that the price would be 2% more expensive, would this alter your decision to purchase these goods?

        To me this is just a silly complaint.
        If this is the extent of your worries, then I think you need to get out more and interact with people that have more material issues. This should help you re-calibrate your concerns and to focus on things that are important (and in your control).

        • Nelumbo on 12/11/2023 - 21:06
          +4

          Knowing that the price would be 2% more expensive, would this alter your decision to purchase these goods?

          Certainly not. Perhaps you missed it, but the crux of this post is not as much about the surcharge as it is about the practice. Is the practice right?

          If this is the extent of your worries, then I think you need to get out more and interact with people that have more material issues. This should help you re-calibrate your concerns and to focus on things that are important (and in your control).

          Thank you for your concern and the suggestions. I assure you, I am not having sleepless nights over the issue. This post was born out of the desire to correct a malpractice if it exists, and do some good.

          But if that is unimportant to you and a silly complaint, you are welcome to sit back, relax, and 'adjust your expectations.'

          • Malik Nasser on 12/11/2023 - 21:07
            +1

            @Nelumbo:

            sit back, relax, and 'adjust your expectations.'

            I love it. Great response

          • Protractor on 12/11/2023 - 23:38
            +2

            @Nelumbo: Nobody with a logical brain says "This post was born out of the desire to correct a malpractice if it exists, and do some good" after NOT communicating to the source.

  • bobbified on 12/11/2023 - 16:39
    +3

    The difference amounted to $0.44. I was overcharged.

    How much was the total to get this $0.44 difference? If it's $5 and the difference is $0.44c, then it might a concern because it's almost 10%. But if you're talking $100 worth of cheese and the difference is $0.44, then it's not even worth arguing about.

    BYO scale and weight them each one off the shelf. Pick one that weighs a little less than the label. Take it to the counter and pay less than expected. Then walk out and feel proud.

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 12/11/2023 - 17:02

      $100 worth of cheese

      Damn!

      Catering service or just British?

    • Nelumbo on 12/11/2023 - 17:51

      How much was the total to get this $0.44 difference? If it's $5 and the difference is $0.44c, then it might a concern because it's almost 10%. But if you're talking $100 worth of cheese and the difference is $0.44, then it's not even worth arguing about.

      $22.78 spent on cheese, and overcharged by $0.44.

      • Protractor on 12/11/2023 - 18:22

        Jesus H Christ. What a travesty

        and the here>

        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/14548100/redir

        You acknowledge it's a petty issue. Well apparently not.
        It's on a national forum seeking tribal validation

        • Nelumbo on 12/11/2023 - 19:47
          +1

          No, do you know what a travesty is? Your derision on the Internet.

          It felt like a petty issue to me to be seeking the manager for on the spot. Clearly, I think it is a wrong practice, which is why I created this post asking for suggestion on who I can report the problem to.

          seeking tribal validation

          I am sorry, but being a migrant here, I am yet to fully get accustomed to what is right/wrong in this country, and what my rights are. Indeed, the practice which I described in this post is a common one in the place where I come from.

          I would like to help correct it if I can, and if you can help me, I would welcome/value your opinion.

          It's on a national forum

          If you want to be more scornful, you could say international. The Internet is accessible to everyone on the planet.

          • Protractor on 12/11/2023 - 19:57
            -1

            @Nelumbo: Derision? I'd say that was the person who racially stereotyped all Indian grocers in this post.
            To you> who changes the practise you are questioning is wrong? .The manager (if you afford them the opportunity) A Current Affair, or Ozbargain? Anyone?

            "If you want to be more scornful, you could say international. The Internet is accessible to everyone on the planet."
            Yep, true. But I believe 'less scournful' is the correct word in this case.

            "Indeed, the practice which I described in this post is a common one in the place where I come from."
            Where was that, and do the customers also not inform the manager store owner that it's wrong, or do they weigh it without packaging?

            Your starting point for resolution are the places you are complaining about directly and initially.That's a practise in THIS country. Otherwise ppl are right to also call YOU out.

      • try2bhelpful on 12/11/2023 - 18:52

        What weight was the packaging?

  • onetwothreefour on 12/11/2023 - 16:59
    +1

    Next time take it out of the pack before they weigh it.

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 12/11/2023 - 17:04
      +1

      Whip out own pocket scale

      • onetwothreefour on 12/11/2023 - 17:08

        I wouldn't want cheese all over my pocket scale… But then again I wouldn't want the shops scales all over my cheese!

        • Jimothy Wongingtons on 12/11/2023 - 17:11
          +4

          Cottage cheese at that…

          Squelch Squerch
          Squelch Squerch
          Squelch Squerch

          Sir, we will let you just have the cheese if you promise to never scoop out 1kg of cottage cheese by hand again and dump it on the scales

    • JIMB0 on 12/11/2023 - 19:50
      -1

      If they allow this then its also worth trying the same with bananas by taking them out of the skin before purchase.

  • hasher22 on 12/11/2023 - 17:22

    Is the weight on the packaging true to its weight? The packaging could say 500g but in reality could be 470g or something.

    Also how heavy is the packaging?

  • Muzeeb on 12/11/2023 - 17:48
    +2

    What did the store manager say when you challenged them?

    • Nelumbo on 12/11/2023 - 18:00

      I did not seek the store manager, I just asked the cashier. I felt it was a petty issue to be seeking the store manager for.

    • poboy on 12/11/2023 - 18:31
      +9

      The manager didn't want to weigh in.

      • MrThing on 12/11/2023 - 18:37

        zing

      • Protractor on 12/11/2023 - 18:42

        He /she would have spat coffee up through his nose when told.

        +This post would not exist if the re-weighing benefited the OP. Kudos for the store's diligence,I say. If you are aggrieved and have proof and STILL don't speak up, you are not a victim, you are an enabler of bad practises for all

      • DashCam AKA Rolts on 12/11/2023 - 20:37
        +1

        O.P. complaining about server's heavy handed approach.

    • brendanm on 12/11/2023 - 22:12

      Thank you, come again?

  • try2bhelpful on 12/11/2023 - 17:57

    The starting point is weigh the package with the cheese and then weigh the cheese on its own. What is the difference in the weight? If the stated weight of cheese is equivalent to what you are weighing this should give you an idea on the accuracy of your scale.

    If this is 44c difference how much per kilo are you paying for the cheese and what does the packaging weigh? It does seem a tad high.

    • GordonD on 12/11/2023 - 18:24
      +3

      And make sure to tell them when you lodge the complaint its about 44 cents.

      • this is us on 12/11/2023 - 19:05

        It's more to make a point and highlight the irregularity.

        If you refil your car with petrol and the service station irregularly charges 1 cent more per litre resulting in 44 cents extra charge, you might pay extra 44 cents every week, or every month.

        If OP has a family of six and buy cottage cheese every second day, or every week, the 44 cents will be multiplied.

        If that's irregular, "go somewhere else" is not the solution as they are probably scamming people with other items too.

        • Protractor on 12/11/2023 - 19:44

          "It's more to make a point and highlight the irregularity." Yeah ,nah.
          And yet OP appears too meek to talk to the person that matters.

          • this is us on 12/11/2023 - 19:49

            @Protractor: Yes, OP will have to talk to the person that matters before anything else.

  • GordonD on 12/11/2023 - 18:30

    Who can I report it to?

    The store. Maybe the store staff member doesn't even realise there's a weight on the package. Maybe they could give you an explanation.

    That's always the advice for the first contact when you have a complaint. Talk to who you have a complaint against. What did they say when you complained to them?

  • MrThing on 12/11/2023 - 18:36

    good to see the indian grocery is being honest as always, charging you for weight of packaging, water, etc

    find another shop.

    • Protractor on 12/11/2023 - 19:45

      Bad news for your "narrow viewpoint".You do realise all major supermarkets have items in the meat section with excess water.

      • MrThing on 12/11/2023 - 21:04

        pro tip you dont pay for the packaging the meat comes in at the supermarket

        • Protractor on 12/11/2023 - 21:10

          In this case "pro" what?

        • JIMB0 on 12/11/2023 - 21:18

          At the deli they weigh it in the plastic bag. So you are paying for plastic.

          • brendanm on 12/11/2023 - 22:12

            @JIMB0: They subtract that weight from the total.

  • this is us on 12/11/2023 - 18:58

    Check with the manager. It does look dodgy.

    Very unusual to be charged by the Kg for something that is already packed with net weight indicated.

    I have these mini cucumber pickles. It's labelled 500g (non specified) but it actually weighs 745g (with pot and water). It's obviously sold by the unit.

    I'd say it doesn't make much sense to charge per kilogram and weigh it if the net weight is already there.

    • Nelumbo on 12/11/2023 - 19:25

      Exactly. It implies that I am being charged for the packaging - at the same rate as the cottage cheese itself. I doubt whether the manager would do anything to remedy the situation. At best, they might offer me a refund for the surcharge.

      Surprisingly, this seems to be the standard practice. I shopped at three different Indian stores and they all seem to do the same thing. I never spared a thought for it until recently.

      • Protractor on 12/11/2023 - 19:43

        The way you called an Indian shop "Asian", seems to indicate that your might be ex pat UK person.

        Are you buying cheese at all these places? To eat at home or for a business?
        Would you prefer they did not confirm the weight at all? Would you prefer your cheese unpackaged and double handled before you buy it?
        Does it say the weight on the pkgs cheese is contents nett or gross weight?
        A simple courteous convo with the manager would sort it and possibly educate them IF you HAVE been 'gouged'.

  • JimmyF on 12/11/2023 - 20:07

    I tried asking this but the person behind the counter did not have a satisfactory answer.

    What did they say?

    I came home and weighed the products myself, and there was some difference in the weight.

    So what are the weights then? What was on the packet? What did the shop weigh it at? What did you weigh it at?

    The difference amounted to $0.44. I was overcharged. Of course, this could be due to the difference in scales. But, this is not so much about the money as it is about the practice.

    How did you calculate you had been overcharged? Weight of the package vs what? Your weight or the stores weight?

    What is the price per kg?

    I was wondering what you think about this.

    Shop elsewhere.

  • Zeph101 on 12/11/2023 - 20:13
    +1

    It might need to be weighed at the POS. The POS might also not allow for manual input of weight

  • AustriaBargain on 12/11/2023 - 20:29

    Buy bigger chunks of cheese, the cheese to plastic wrapping ratio will be higher.

  • Timtamdoritos on 12/11/2023 - 20:45

    1.Take a 3 ltr can of milk, bring it to boil.
    2. Add some vinegar or lemon juice .
    3.Use muslin cloth to separate whey from cheese and wrap cheeze in same cloth to make a ball like structure.
    4.Wash with cold water to remove taste of vinegar or cheeze. Squeeze it to remove water.
    5.Now press the cheeze ball wrapped in muslin cloth under something heavy for an hour.
    And now my dear friend you have made cottage cheeze at half the price.

    • Protractor on 12/11/2023 - 23:41
      +1

      But he buys his milk at Asian grocers. They weight it

  • payless69 on 12/11/2023 - 21:00

    Indian consumer law!
    Every bowser there has the gravity of its supplied fuel displayed.
    Cheese might be from a more or less holy cow.

  • GordonD on 12/11/2023 - 21:14
    +2

    It occurs to me that one possible reason they might weight good that already have a weight marked on them is that they are required to by law. When shops sell by weight they can't use any old weighing machine, or people would be weighing them again on their own home scales and complaining they were robbed.

    Like petrol pumps, shop weighing devices have to be calibrated, and periodically recalibrated.

    If a shop doesn't know something they are selling by weight has been weighed on a device calibrated by the appropriate authority in their state, or they know it has come from somewhere where it wouldn't have been, they would need to weigh it again on their scales, and rely on that weight to charge the customer.

    • Protractor on 12/11/2023 - 23:43

      So Indian deli is double checking weight. OP complaining about it. Ironically to a forum not connected to the source of the petty initial yet to be proved weight difference.

  • valuer on 13/11/2023 - 08:32

    Perhaps they also the machine to also show the price?

    I find that if paying by cash an attendant may struggle to even calculate change if their machine hasn't shown them the amount.

  • thwarted on 13/11/2023 - 10:10

    It's a process issue. The bar code identifies the product and its price/kg. The scales establish the weight. The system calculates the cost. Simple. Any alternative is not as simple and prone to error.

    The packaging is included in the calculation at the price set by the retailer which builds in a slight inconsistency - minor and acceptable (in my view).

    KISS

  • Darayus on 13/11/2023 - 11:51

    Try to see what petrol browsers dispense and what you pay, there is an official allowance of +- 3% but at many browsers, it's off by 10% to 15%.

    You can check this every time you top up the tank to full, reset your counter on your car to zero and from the second filled up you monitor how much fuel you have consumed as per the car and what you top it up.

    there are very few browsers in Sydney that are calibrated and dispense fuel correctly so if you top up your tank at the current price of at least $ 60 every week that means you are losing $ 10 with every top-up.

    Any members have noticed this?

  • hasher22 on 13/11/2023 - 12:24

    OP: You have been asked many times about the product weight vs packaging weight and you have not replied to any of those comments. You mind showing us a picture of the product then?

    Cause as of right now, it seems you're not giving a clear picture and just want people agreeing with you.

  • Webber000 on 13/11/2023 - 18:17

    They're weighing it because as you say, the product comes in differing size servings even though its packaged. So they can't use a barcode or something to always charge $7.50 for a pack etc - they need to enter the weight to charge you per kg. And its easier for the staff to weigh it than search over every product they sell to see IF there is a weight listed, and then find it - probably in quite small print - "somewhere" on the packaging, knowing that some of the products like this may have the weight listed, but probably a lot more that they sell do not have the weight listed, and its just not reasonable or efficient to have the staff searching all over each product to try to see if there is already a weight listed. Easier to just weigh it and then charge that weight.
    Yes, they could also be happy with the fact that they know they are also charging you for the weight of the packaging and making a few extra cents - but actually no different at all to if they were serving it by hand and slicing it for you and they put it on a little sheet of paper before weighing it and charge you for that bit of paper thats also weighed.

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