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Kroger shoppers will ‘boycott’ store after ‘money grab’ move to quietly increase fee on common customer transaction
The store made another recent change that customers aren't fond of
KROGER was forced to apologize to a customer after they noticed an added charge to get cash back.
Getting cashback is a service that almost every retailer offers.
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But some Kroger shoppers just realized the store charges a small fee for the service.
"Kroger, apparently, the $8,000 or more I spend a year isn't enough. Somehow, they need 75 cents for cash back," wrote Steve (@stevegeiselman) on X.
"Why do you hate your customers so much? And don't start with the convenience BS because it's not. It's just another money grab."
Kroger apologized to Steve and said they would pass along his concerns to leadership.
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Another customer said she would make an extra stop to avoid paying the fee at Kroger.
"I went to Kroger yesterday and was dismayed to find they are now charging 75 cents for cash back," wrote Kathy in a Facebook post.
"Nope! I'll go to the bank before I do that."
One shopper asked if she was really going to boycott the store over 75 cents, to which she replied: "Yes, ma'am!"
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CART-ASTROPHE
Kroger shoppers have also been critical of new shopping carts at the store that are missing the bottom rack.
The space is usually reserved for heavy and bulky items like cases of soda or huge packs of paper towels.
‘Better watch your receipt,’ says Kroger shopper after being ‘overcharged by $140’ – she faced 2 weeks wait for refund
Customers said the move was the dumbest thing they've ever seen.
"As someone who has a very difficult time with heavier items like packs of soda, Gatorade, and water, this would be a no-go for me," she wrote in a post to Facebook.
"Imagine elderly folks and folks who have disabilities."
A shopper with disabilities replied to the comment saying this was a "bad move" on Kroger's part.
"Kroger is not what it was back in the day. It's a hard place to shop," replied a third shopper.
How to cut the cost of your grocery shop
BELOW are some tips on how to reduce the amount you spend on groceries.
- Write yourself a list - Only buy items that you need. If it isn't on your list, don't put it in the trolley
- Create a budget - Work out a weekly budget for your food shopping
- Never shop hungry - You are far more likely to buy more food if your tummy is rumbling
- Don't buy pre-chopped veggies or fruit - The extra they'll charge for chopping can be eye watering
- Use social media - Follow your favourite retailers to find out about the latest deals
- Be disloyal - You may want to go to different stores to find the best bargains
- Check the small print - It’s always worth checking the price per kg/lb/litre when comparing offers so you’re making a like for like decision as a bigger box won’t necessarily mean you get more
- Use your loyalty cards - Don’t be afraid to sign up to them all. They all work slightly differently - work out what bonus suits you better and remember to trade in your points for additional rewards
However, some customers argued that removing the bottom rack was a necessary way to cut down on theft.
"I can see why it's being done...a lot of "I forgot it was there" happens with items on the bottom of the basket," commented one person, implying that people steal items by putting them on the bottom rack.
"Let's not forget the people that put stuff on the bottom and just happen to forget to pay," wrote another.
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Kroger shoppers have expressed fears about price gouging amid a possible merger with Albertsons.
The two companies announced that they would divest from a total of 579 stores ahead of the merger.