SAINSBURY'S in Orpington, my preferred supermarket, was unable to supply me with eleven punnets of strawberries for a lunch club dessert.

I walked back to Tesco and selected my fruit and, at the checkout, was advised I could only purchase ten of any item at one time.

I paid for ten, requested that the other punnet be scanned and paid yet again.

I had bought what I needed.

The floor supervisor explained it was company policy but I could go through the checkout as many times as I felt necessary to complete my purchases.

What logic. While I accept a "rationing system" is advisable in times of real shortage, there did not appear to be a shortfall on the day.

So Tesco, if you do not need my money, thank you for filling my basket on Monday but with that attitude towards your customer base, I shall not be returning to your store.


Jean Haysom, Cloonmore Avenue, Orpington