A letter of complaint to Lidl Supermarket.

I have written this mainly for my own website, as I thought others should have the chance to hear about my experiences today, when I visited one of your branches for the first time.

I work in Camden, for one of the town's largest, if not the largest, employers.  I usually shop in Sainsbury's several times a week, but I saw that a new shop had opened, and I'd never been in Lidl before, so I decided to try it.  I spent £16 on what I would class as impulse purchases, and paid with my debit card. I then asked for a bag, surprised at not being given one, or even offered help in packing as is usual in Sainsbury's.   I was told that they are nine pence each.   It seemed excessive, but I had no choice as I had 8-12 items.  As I was on the way to the bank, during my lunch hour, I only had my debit card, which I offered and II was stunned to it see accepted.  

Yes, one of your staff, 'Cashier 15' at 13:37 on 26th October, 2010 (I've kept the receipt) actually processed a transaction on my card for £0.09.  

I suggested that it would probably cost more to process than the cost of the bag.   He said absolutely nothing.   I suggested that a notice be displayed saying that bags are extra.   He said nothing. I AGAIN suggested that a notice should be displayed saying that bags are extra.   (I'm not a greenie I don't have any objection to paying for a bag.)   He said absolutely nothing. I said that it would be a useful suggestion.   He said nothing.   At this point I left.   Not a very good first experience of Lidl.   I really think that staff should be able to show some sort of common sense, as a less self-controlled customer would probably have walked behind the counter and taken a bag, if not started an altercation with the staff member.  Ironically he ripped the bag while packing my shopping and had to put the whole lot in a second bag.

I don't want vouchers, I don't want an apology.   I don't even really need a reply, but with 2000000 unemployed, I think you could do better.   You'll probably read about this in one of the daily papers I've sent this to as well.   It's a story to share.   Ah well, back to Sainsbury’s.

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