Letters: Avoid being overcharged at French supermarkets: a guide for the smart shopper

A Connexion reader says overcharging is common and staff rarely apologize for mistakes

It can be profitable to calculate the bill yourself instead of blindly trusting the store.

To the editor,

It was very nice to read Susan Warner’s letter in the May issue.

I couldn’t agree more with supermarkets and other stores charging more than the retail price.

I always compare my cash receipt with my notes and add up the invoice while I shop. The cashier is always surprised (or upset) with me for finding a mistake in the price and rarely apologizes for the errors.

Read more: How inflation in France compares to other EU countries

I was once overcharged by a whopping €163.95 at Decathlon. Several of my items were 50% off but sold at full price, including two pairs of hiking boots for €79.99 each and a third pair that I hadn’t purchased.

Read more: Which supermarket do the French prefer to buy food?

As a savvy shopper I was able to prove that I only had two pairs before I left the store. On that occasion I demanded to speak to the manager, who was kind enough to apologize.

Loretta Hartop, Charente

Send us your own views and experiences to [email protected]