A first world problem

Jane10, no I didn't mean you! I wouldn't check the sell-by date of chocolates necessarily either, but I do with perishables

Waitrose customer service is very good locally - at Christmas I left a side of smoked salmon in my trolley as I did not see it in the dark when putting my shopping in the car. As soon as I realised what had happened, I telephoned Waitrose, to see if anyone had handed it in. They asked me to pop back, which I did and they gave me a replacement straight from the chiller. No-one had handed it in but still they gave me another! Amazing.

It never occurred to me to check the sell by date. DD picked and paid for the box. Also I sort of expected everything to be fine at JL. Och well its all sorted now. Unbelievably I somehow don't fancy the chocs any more. Sigh. Own goal John Lewis!

I have to say I don't always check sell by dates, it depends if I am in a rush or not.

I do now ana.
When Waitrose first came to the area I perhaps naively assumed that everything would be well within date but sadly not and I often have to get things from the back of the shelf!
The Co-op is better in that respect but doesn't stock the range of goods.

Don't you check the use-by/sell-by dates when you buy items, jane? I always do. Our local Tesco has been fined twice for having out-of-date stock on its shelves.

I'm glad you received a replacement from JL Jane10 but agree that an apology and compensation should have been forthcoming.

I'm glad you've got your chocs jane but it seems rather churlish of JL doesn't it?
On at least one occasion I've had to return something to our local Waitrose because it was already past its use-by date when I got it home and they have replaced the item and refunded the cost.
You deserve some compensation for hassle, disappointment, etc!

Update as requested: A replacement box arrived today. No note or apology but at least I've got my chocs at last. Can't say I'm thrilled by JL though.

Oooh I hadn't thought of mentioning it on Twitter. Don't think I would though. I wasn't looking for trouble or anything just didn't want to hurt DDs feelings or waste her money.

I'm certain that you will be satisfied with their response. After all, they don't want their name all over Twitter as selling out of date stock!

Let us know what happens Jane10. I'll be surprised (and disappointed) if JL don't do something sensible about this.

Thanks Mini I've put them in water in a lovely virtual vase!

Glad to hear you managed to get it sorted. to tide you over until the chocs arrive

Thanks all. Well I phoned JL. A wee laddie with a heavy cold answered. He eventually got the gist of what I was saying (fogey alert) transferred me to the right dept who told me to bring them back. I explained that it was very difficult for me to get to JL and he agreed to post out a box. Time will tell what state it will arrive in. After that I phoned DD to explain and say that it was all sorted. She was glad that I hadn't just put up with it. Phew all ok. BTW Jings I definitely will chuck the old box. The choc were all cloudy coloured and the one I tried tasted all soapy. Pretty yucky all round.

They might even give you an in-date box and let you keep that box. Which you will no doubt throw away - not!

Take them back to John Lewis. Doesn't matter that you didn't pay for them. Just explain if you need to.

I know what you mean but I don't think it's graceless Jane
I had the same problem a couple of Christmases ago - a very large box came from Hotel Chocolat, ordered by DS, with one extremely small box of chocolate mints in it. It was described as a 'hamper' and there were clearly lots of things missing.

I told DS and he got a refund.

I agree with the others, take them back to JL asap. Not good enough!!

Definitely contact Customer Services. My DD gave me a box of Thorntons last year and they were actually "off", despite being well within date. I was offered an immediate refund/replacement. I didn't tell DD until after I had sorted it, as I didn't want to upset her, but I thought she may have bought others at the same time that would need checking.

You should tell her Jane. It wasn't a surprise present as you were there, and I'm sure her real wish was for you to enjoy them. She will have proof of purchase, and I'm sure John Lewis would prefer to know that they may have more out-of-date chocolates on sale. Hope you soon get them replaced and enjoy your treat!

Definitely ring them. Out-of-date goods should not be on display or sold.

JL will almost certainly give you the benefit of the doubt. Just go to them.

You should tell your D. You know when they were bought and JL are at fault not you. Your D would be upset if she found out and a wrong needs to be put right.

Take them back to John Lewis. If you have a distance to travel call them but speak to a manager.

If they are any good at customer service they wil 'thank you' for bringing it to their attention. CCTV will show you purchased them yesterday and presumably there could well be other boxes still on sale that require removing or reducing in price.

I am sure your daughter will be as annoyed as you Jane and why waste her money. Beside all the do's and don'ts think of the all those scrummy chocolates your not devouring.

Chocolate rules, no man nor beast will get in the way of a woman who loves chocolate, go Jane.