SUPERMARKET shoppers have been warned about a price glitch that could see them paying more than expected at the checkout.
Co-op customers buying groceries online have spotted errors that mean the final basket price could be higher or lower than the display price.
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Money Saving Expert (MSE), which first spotted the issue, has warned that shoppers should be aware of the technical issue as it could result in a higher than expected bill.
A reader told the website how they ordered 15 items and paid a higher price after adding them to their virtual basket compared to the initial price shown.
The anonymous shopper said: “I paid more than what was advertised and I think it’s wrong, it’s very concerning.
“Most people probably won’t notice once there are multiple items in your basket and I think people are being duped.”
Shoppers can order online with Co-op for home delivery or collection in store within two hours in selected areas.
There’s a minimum spend of £15 and you’ll be charged for carrier bags too, for how many will depend on the size of your order, and these charges are added at the checkout.
You can also buy from the Co-op on Deliveroo, but the issue is not understood to affect this ordering service.
Co-op told MSE that the glitch affects a “small number” of products and the correct prices are those seen at the checkout after being added to baskets, and that no one has been overcharged.
A Co-op spokesperson told MSE: “Customers can be confident that the total price they pay online matches what they will pay in the local store fulfilling the order for delivery, as these are checked and updated daily.
“We are aware that a small number of prices on our Co-op online shop don’t match on some webpages, which we are looking into. We are very sorry for any confusion this may have caused.”
But it means that shoppers may not be getting the price they see first on product listings when browsing the site.
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For instance MSE found that Kellogg’s Corn Flakes were listed as costing £2.50 but came up as £3.00 when added to the online basket.
The same happened with Muller rice puddings four pack which jumped in price from £2 to £3.
It’s not clear how long the price glitch has affected shoppers’ baskets and the issue is still ongoing.
One customer complained to the supermarket on Twitter in December last year about issues with prices on the Co-op website.
They said: “Your prices online are still a complete mess. While searching it shows one price, click on product shows a different price, then add to basket and it’s different again!”
Customers shopping with Co-op online should check the final basket price at checkout to avoid any unexpected increase to their food shopping bill.
According to Co-op’s terms and conditions prices shown are “for guidance” only and “you will be charged the in-store prices of the goods on the day that your order is prepared for delivery or collection”.
It also says that some some products may be incorrectly priced and that you could get a refund if the error “is obvious and unmistakeable and could reasonably have been recognised by you as a mispricing”.
Your legal rights if something is advertised at the wrong price online generally depend on whether you’re deemed to have a “contract” with the business, which is outlined in terms and conditions of online shops.
In shops it’s easier to spot a price glitch that means you’re charged more than the advertised price on a shelf label or price tag.
A shop isn’t legally obliged to sell you the item at the lower price, though you can always ask.
Co-op has refunded the person affected by the glitch as a gesture of goodwill, but there’s no guarantee you will get the same if you’re affected.
If you think you’ve been charged more than you should have, you can make a complaint directly to Co-op. You’ll need some evidence of the price difference and your proof of purchase.
If you’ve managed to bag an item for less than the advertised price then you won’t be expected to pay back the difference.
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