I had recently read an article about how the supermarkets are bedazzling customers with offers that may not be as good as they seem and this weekend found one that beggars belief.
A certain UK chain endorsed by one Jamie Oliver has an offer on packs of breaded ham. The ham is available in two pack sizes, 14 slices or 18 slices. Let's begin with the 18 slice packs. These cost £4 but if you buy three packs, you pay £10. So that's 54 slices of breaded ham for £10. Fine, seems like a good deal. However, the 14 slice packs cost £2 regardless as to how many packs you buy. So, if you buy 5 packs, also costing £10, you get 70 slices of breaded ham as opposed to 54 slices if you go for the deal on the 18 slice packs! The only difference in the packaging between the two packs is the number of slices in each. Firstly, it is very easy for people to pick up the 18 slice packs purely because there are more slices in them - 4 more for twice the price. Secondly, because of the 'buy three for £10' deal, people will automatically assume that they are getting a good deal. They're not! The three pack deal works out at 19p per slice, whereas the packs of 14 work out at 14p per slice regardless as to the number of packs you buy.
You have been warned.
