Fruit racism exists?!

[sweet sparrow]

I tried price matching apples the other day, when a cashier told me they couldn't. They were the exact same variety, only one was from Ontario and the other was from the US. I was told I couldn't price match produce that were from different countries.

That was a new one I've never heard before. I always feel the need to suppress my giggles now. I just can't take them seriously anymore.

Now a "comparable item" means that produce must be from the same country? Where does it say that in the price match policy?!? It was a flashback of that day at Walmart where they claimed they charged me tax on my grapes because they were from Chile and not California (a previous thread). The funnier thing was that she claimed she could taste the difference between California grapes and Chilean grapes. (If you really were a grape connoisseur, perhaps you should be working at a wine company....)

Some cashiers are more fun than a barrel of monkeys. I don't mean to make light of the fruit racism situation. All racism is ugly, but fruit racism is rather creative.

[GracieAnne]

I can understand this, because local fruit tends to be waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more expensive.

At No Frills on the weekend, saw local strawberries ($3.49) vs. Cali strawberries ($1.97) right beside each other on the same table. And they were the same size. It's a bit mindboggling and sucks, but I can understand needing to support the local farmers, considering how bad the spring was on their crops.

(Sorry but I grew up on a farm, so I got to see first hand the panic and hardship from years when the weather didn't cooperate for the farmers.)

[MomOfOne79]

Now a "comparable item" means that produce must be from the same country? Where does it say that in the price match policy?!? It was a flashback of that day at Walmart where they claimed they charged me tax on my grapes because they were from Chile and not California (a previous thread). The funnier thing was that she claimed she could taste the difference between California grapes and Chilean grapes. (If you really were a grape connoisseur, perhaps you should be working at a wine company....)

That IS a new one! I have never Pm'd fruit yet, but I will make sure to ask c/s if they practice "fruit racism" Thanks for the giggles!

[Sally888]

When I saw this title I got a little sheepish.

I am a fruit racist.

Im soooooooooooo picky on what fruit I get. Cherries I like before their ripe, as well as bananas lol.

[SavenRaven]

Some cashiers are more fun than a barrel of monkeys.

LOL. Agreed.

[Natalka]

I've never PMed produce, and never would, but I know others have here on SC - the only place I've ever read about it!

I would think it was the same as something like - for example - crackers. You couldn't just PM 'crackers' from one store to another, you would have to do it by brand and get the same product. Maybe they are doing the same with produce - it would have to be the exact same product.

[Shwa Girl]

I tried price matching apples the other day, when a cashier told me they couldn't. They were the exact same variety, only one was from Ontario and the other was from the US. I was told I couldn't price match produce that were from different countries.

I'm curious. What the cashier have to say when you showed the store's price match policy? Did you get your price match after that?

[hollyquaiscer]

hmmm, no I've heard it all. I've never price matched produce or meat but their policy does say that it must be the EXACT same item. I guess that American apples are just a bit different from our Canadian apples....they need a passport

[sweet sparrow]

I like bananas and cherries before they're ripe too, Sally. But I don't think I'd mind if those bananas were from Honduras or Guatemala. As long as they're yummy, my taste buds don't mind.

I could see if they were obviously different, like locally picked, organically grown, different packaging, etc. These were just loose red delicious apples and the more expensive ones were not the local ones. I have price matched fruit at this store before, once with no problems, and on one other occasion, they said they couldn't because the per kg weight wasn't advertised (even though both advertise in lbs). On the first occasion, the cashier took out a calculator and did the conversion, so sometimes, it's up to the discretion of the cashier.

[sweet sparrow]

Their price match policy (RCSS) is stated on the back of their flyer. It actually says "Identical items are defined as same brand, item type (in the case of produce, meat, and bakery), size and attributes and carried at this store location."

So, it seems that only produce type applies in the case of apples, unless they define attribute in terms of nationality. Eventually, we'll all have to be lawyers to price match!

Shwa Girl, I didn't have their flyer and price match policy with me at the cash. I just figured I'd buy it within the hour at the actual store because DH was getting his haircut at the shop next door. If they don't need the money, that's no biggie! I don't want the apples that badly.

[K8's Fate]

I'm thinking that there is often a difference between two like items from different locations because of the different costs associated with their transportation. Often local produce (if available or in season) can be cheaper to purchase, than produce that needs to be brought in from a great distance (transport charges and gas).

[sweet sparrow]

I'm thinking that there is often a difference between two like items from different locations because of the different costs associated with their transportation. Often local produce (if available or in season) can be cheaper to purchase, than produce that needs to be brought in from a great distance (transport charges and gas).

Yup, that's what DH thought. He's the other reason I didn't question it. He was waiting and I don't want to see him suffer longer than he has to.

Edit: I've also price matched successfully at RCSS for produce before, and I've never heard that, so I just thought it was a new one for me.

[saveadollardiva]

I have had this happen before. If the fruit is from a different part of the world and it doesn't match the on the flyer they wont price match it. It sucks.

[FrugalKris]

Hrm... I PM fruit/veggies all the time at WM... i've only ever run into a problem with PMing some Asparagus once cause No Frills had them as bunches not per/pound... Not saying the fruit/veggies are amazing at WM but does allow me to save a bunch (pun intended) :D

[RSAS]

makes sense to me actually. There is a price difference between fruit from different location and often it is HUGE! Take strawberries...they are less then $2 a pound for USA berries, but about $4 a pound for local.