2 for $4.00

[Gaki]

Something about this confuses people. There are these bags of chips that have a "sale" on them. When you buy two you get them for 4 dollars. The sticker on them CLEARLY has on it this: 2/$4.00. If you ring up ONE of them it comes up as 2.99. The original price sticker (on the shelf, the other is on the bag) has on it "[Brand] Chips: $2.99"

2 Bags of Chips = $4.00. Alright we have that.
1 Bag of Chips = $2.99. We have that.

Somehow this is false advertising because ONE bag isn't $2.00. One guy screamed about it and how they were a horrible company and it's false advertising and when he asked me about it I looked at the chips and said, "Well it says 2 for 4, not 1 for 2." He continued to rant about how it was false advertising and blah blah blah. At least he bought it in the end.

Another guy put one down and then when it didn't come up right he said, "Well I don't want it then" and left it on my counter. As he was walking to the door I turned to my CW and said rather loudly, "I don't want this either," and I pushed them off the counter onto the floor. The guy was a little shocked but he left without saying anything. Another customer picked them up and was like, "These were on the floor." So I explained and we laughed and he WENT AND PUT THEM BACK. I was stunned. Floored. Really. The day was better.

[Moon]

This seems to vary from store to store. SOME stores will honor the effective price on less than the full number (if a case of Mt Dew is marked 3/10.00 they will give you one for 3.33). A certain midwest chain of superstores started by a guy named Fred is really generous with this. OTHER stores, such as the Green Wall drug store chain have one price for a single item with another price for buying more (as mentioned here). Usually, stores that require the full quantity to be purchased list both prices in the aisle (as yours does).

Throwing a hissy-fit about not getting the extended price when you don't buy the number shown? Pretty lame. And no, it's NOT false advertising. Had the douche-bag bought 2, it would be 2 bucks each.

[BrenDAnn]

Our specials are ALWAYS 2 for $X or ORIGINAL price each. Always. Example: One bottle of Powerade right now costs, total, $2.34. You can get 3 for $3.21. We do have people that ask, but I've never had anyone throw that much of a fit about it. Your reaction the I don't want it guy...would get me fired if I did it. Your boss must be a lot more laid-back than mine. Of course, my boss has to answer to her supervisor, and the supervisor's supervisor, etc, on up to corporate.

[MoonCat]

One of the supermarket chains here will give you the individual price like that, but not all of them. I always ask if I'm not sure and then I accept the answer they give me.

Haven't had chips for ages, though...trying not to eat greasy junkfood...

[ShootMePlease]

As long as there's adequate signage that clearly states 2 for 4 or 2.99 each I don't see how anyone should have to honor a 1 for 2 claim. Any ____for____ sale I've encountered has always stated 1 for regular price. So either I buy the multiples or none at all.

Then again, I'm a rational, literate individual

[Bright_Star]

Why is that hard to understand. They ARE 2 bucks a piece if you buy TWO OF THEM!! They have specials like that all the time at the Karns I do my grocery shopping at.

[Merriweather]

As long as there's adequate signage that clearly states 2 for 4 or 2.99 each I don't see how anyone should have to honor a 1 for 2 claim. Any ____for____ sale I've encountered has always stated 1 for regular price. So either I buy the multiples or none at all.

Then again, I'm a rational, literate individual

I agree, as long as they signpost it, it's their right to decide how to do it.

Around here, it's the norm that 2 for $4 also means 1 for $2. There's only one major chain around here that's an exception, and it was quite annoying not so much that they didn't do it that way, but that they didn't bother to signpost it in any way. I think enough of us complained (yes, I did complain to a manager, but in a polite way ("as you are the only exception in town, posting your policy on each sale sign would certainly cut down on disastisfied complaining customers"") because they are getting better about putting policy in prominent places.

[mattm04]

At my store normally it is normal for 2 for $4 to also be 1 for $2. However, some sales you have to buy the 2 or whatever is specified to get the sale price. Even though we have multiple "you must buy X to get $Y signs" at ac display, SC still complain and claim their was no sign.

[Ellf]

Most places around here actually do the individual prices are adjusted accordingly. Like say if Clublix has a 2 Publix sodas for 1 dollar, it ends up meaning that each soda rings up as 50 cents. (53.5 cents if we include tax)

Very rarely do I see them ring up separately. However, I'd never throw a fit about that.

[DGoddessChardonnay]

It depends on the individual retailer as to how they price multiples.

Around here, most convenience stores do the "buy X for Y" but if you get one, it's going to be Z price, so for the customer to get the sale price they have to purchase X multiple.

At my store, our sales (unless specifically stated, which once in a great while we do this) you can purchase one at whatever fraction of the price is.

Say, for example, we run the Kraft Deluxe mac and cheese at 3/$5.00 . . . for one it'll ring up at $1.67. Or if it's Pepsi 2 ltr at 4/$5.00, one will scan at $1.25.

Our signage will generally show whatever the price is. Even our BOGO items will scan at half price for each one (unless it's a special price and then you have to purchase 2 to get the BOGO price, but that's rare.)

But then we've been running items at Buy 2 Get 1 free . . . talk about confusion galore.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

At my store, buying the one bag of chips would only set you back $2. The vast majority of the time, you can buy one item for half the price of the two. If this isn't the case, the sign in the store will say "must buy 2 to get $X price," but I haven't seen this for quite some time

This illustrates pretty well why we choose to advertise "2 for $X" instead of "1 for $X/2"

[emt_cookies]

Every major grocery chain I go will sell the item for 2 dollars if it is 2 for 4. Gas stations are the exception here including the one s that are run by major grocery chains. I forget that sometimes so I'll become annoyed when I run out to grab a hot dog or something. I don't know about the smaller stores like Rite Aid or Walgreens.

That will explain why some people will buy ridiculous amounts of items. When we run the 10 for 10, I'll have people come through with 10 items of 9 different products. I didn't say anything to them though.

[BeenThereDoneThat]

To me it's just another case of Gimme Gimme Gimme syndrome. Unless it says 2 for $4 OR 1 for $2, don't assume you get a discount for buying only one...it's a VOLUME discount. Sheesh.

[Mytical]

Krogers is good about if it is 2 for $4, having one = $2..and sometimes Walmart (depends) but at any gas station, etc..it says thinks like 2 for x or 1 for normal price...

[underemployeed]

This illustrates pretty well why we choose to advertise "2 for $X" instead of "1 for $X/2"

I love buy one get one free..... NO you can't have ONE half off, but if you buy one seriously yes we WILL give you one extra at no cost, not even a penny.