Is this reward for my loyalty? (From Gazette Series)

Is this reward for my loyalty?

A LOYAL Tesco customer has accused the supermarket giant of short-changing Clubcard holders.

Mike Hobbs, of Cambridge, told the Gazette he has shopped with the supermarket chain for many years. He recently received discount vouchers for £4 off when spending £40 in the new Tesco store in Cam.

However, he said that he felt aggrieved when he later learnt that other people who were not regular Tesco shoppers had received vouchers for greater discounts including £10 off when spending £30 in store.

He said this week: "I found out about the different vouchers when a colleague told me what they had received one and another said he had received these vouchers even though he didn't shop at Tesco regularly.

"I rang Tesco and their marketing department told me that the vouchers were sent out randomly and it didn't matter who you were as to which vouchers you received.

"I just felt that as I spend a lot of money at Tesco they had short-changed their regular customers. I was given a ten percent discount instead of the 33 percent other people were getting."

Mr Hobbs said their excuse that the vouchers were sent out randomly was implausible.

"The vouchers can't be sent out randomly because they have names printed on them. It seems that they have seen who has a Clubcard and who doesn't shop with them. Those who don't shop there regularly were sent the bigger discount vouchers."

Despite Mr Hobbs' theory that the supermarket giants were neglecting loyal customers, fellow Cam resident Robina Burton said she was a Clubcard holder and had received a bigger discount voucher.

She said: "I received a voucher for £10 off £30 of shopping but I know that online shoppers have only been sent vouchers for £5 off.

"The way they have been sent out is really strange. I thought I received vouchers earlier because they were being sent out alphabetically. "I know quite a few people who are very disappointed. Some people who are regular Tesco shoppers haven't been sent anything."

Despite several attempts to contact Tesco, nobody from the company was available to comment before the Gazette went to press.