A co-worker told me about a 2 for $2 sale in the meat section of Albertsons this week. This would be for Oscar Mayer bologna and hotdogs. I thought this would be a great opportunity to save on the over-priced hotdogs they sell. I picked up 6 packs of hotdogs and 4 packs of bologna, a loaf of bread, a package of cheese and proceeded to the check-out.

The lady took the coupon and said she would ring it up. I scanned the hotdogs and bologna and the price did not reflect the special offer. I was told that the sale was only on the “meat” hotdogs and bologna, not on the BEEF products.

To me, and most people that know of meat, poultry and fish, BEEF is meat. BEEF is not fish. Fish is not poultry. But BEEF is definitely meat. I went to the customer service desk to complain. I brought up the fact that by any reasonable definition, BEEF is MEAT. They would have none of that nonsense. They said the sale applied only to the meat products, not BEEF. I find that to be an incredibly stupid comment!

I got the number for corporate complaints and called them as I walked to my car. I had a long argument with Mikey Milquetoast at Albertsons corporate customer service. The situation escalated to the point that now I was out for blood, [no bologna!].

I was told that the marketing department would call me within 24-48 hours. Marketing called the next day and we went around again over the definition of meat. Apparently, Oscar Mayer has developed a hybrid hotdog which should be referred to as the “by-product” or “hybrid” hotdog, not “meat”, because that is deceptive advertising.

It is this deceptive advertising and the attitude of Albertsons grocery personnel in University Place, that causes me to have to suspend all future purchases at that store. For those that keep track of that sort of thing, this is one customer no longer spending approximately $475 each month at their store. Multiply this by each customer that reads this blog and decides that BEEF truly is “meat” and that Albertsons grocery is guilty of a “bait and switch” advertising gimmick. Blame it on Oscar Mayer if they choose, either way, I won’t be shopping at the Bridgeport Way Albertsons store any longer. I will take my business to Fred Meyer for now. They often have prices that beat Albertsons, anyway.

By the way, to assuage this angry customer’s feelings, Albertsons thought a $10 gift certificate would be sufficient. They are wrong. If they do send the certificate, I will award it to anyone with the best response to this blog. Do you have a similar complaint about Albertsons? Tell us here. Register and blog. The best comment wins any certificate that Albertsons sends me.

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