I know it's unreasonable but I'm hopping mad!

I mentioned Annesixty's event to DH, who said it was probably an example of staff theft. Sneaking a full bottle of gin out of a box and replacing in with a bottle full of water so that when the box was taken out to go on the shelves the theft would go unnoticed.

I would definitely have taken it back and complained, more in sorrow than in anger. I bet the manager would realise how a swap of that kind had happened and would tighten up his stock control procedures.

Contact Trading Standards.

A warning tale to anyone who has not bought a laptop computer from Currys/PC World. I bought a brand new one last year - it stopped working immediately, took it back was told I couldn't have a refund and that it would have to be presented for repair about three times. I left it for repair - it came back with a new hard drive ( my last laptop was used for 6 years before the hard drive went) the laptop stopped working again with the same problem. I phoned their number and was told categorically that I couldn't have a refund, speak to anyone in charge or have any contact details.
Basically they were legally in breach of contract and utterly refusing to give a refund for a product un-fit for purpose.
I had also heard previously that the law has been changed so you can get a refund up to 6 months after.
Never in my whole life have I come across this situation that is patently so illegal.

For every one person who goes to the trouble of complaining or returning an item there are many who just walk away and don't return but bad mouth the business concerned. Stores need to know this. Missing pants are annoying enough but potentially contaminated drinks are seriously worrying. That store needs to know. There's no reason why you shouldn't be believed. Its one of the benefits of being older, you're likely to be perceived as honest.

Tesco would replace the packs without question, I'm sure, on your next visit. It's irritating, but it sounds as though this is a common occurrence.

But I'd be very worried about the gin being replaced. This must have happened somewhere behind the scenes instore or during the production process. As an earlier poster said, it could have been something other than water in there. Definitely needs investigating.

Jane, I do like Sisley perfume especially as the spray bottles unscrew at the top and can be reused. A couple of weeks ago I dropped a perfume bottle and it hit the floor nozzle first, of course it wouldn't work but I was able to decant to an empty Sisley bottle. Quite an interesting combination, magnolia and Mure with a hint of eau de Campagne

JL and Tesco are slightly different Jane

Ok going a bit up market here.
I treated myself to some Sisley Eau de toilette spray perfume from John Lewis.
After some time it stopped spraying and when I looked closely, I saw that the little tube thing extended only half-way down the bottle, so it was impossible to get the remaining perfume out.
The JL assistants gave me a new bottle without question.

It has happened to me with a pack of socks and there was no problem when I returned them.

I once bought some cold sore ointment which had no tube in the box when I got it home. As it was quite expensive, for such a small item, I returned it and was told that it was quite common for tubes or tablets to be removed from the boxes and stolen. The idea had never occurred to me! How dishonest (or desperate) some people can be.

Very annoying, but not worth the petrol to complain, I bet some Mum has taken them for the same reason you bought them. Email Tesco, explain what happened, they may well send you an apology and token.

I had a problem with Morrison's, they sent me a £10 taken, but I am still fuming about their service, so probably won;t get to use it.

When I opened a packet of bacon thar came in my Sainsbury delivery this week there was 7 rashers in the pack instead of 8. I phoned customer service, mainly because I was worried there was a control problem. They said they would contact the store it had come from for them to check the other packs and gave me a refund.

I would definitely complain to Aldi A60 They are usually very good about refunds and I would think this is something the store would want to know about.

I'd be miffed about the pants and would email Tesco, but it's be b****y about the gin A60 and I'd be straight on the phone to Aldi complaining like mad.

Ds2 is a supermarket manager. Tells us it's very common for items to be opened, part removed and the original packaging put back on the shelves, apparently intact. He is never surprised when a customer returns something because part is missing. I had this conversation after buying a pack of Senokot (don't ask ) and finding it only 50% full. His advice was take it back, whatever it is, even if you have needed to use part of the content, you will be believed.

An sixty glad it was water could have been something nasty I would definitely mention it to manager . Oh bought pack of 5 men's briefs from Matalan there were only 4 pair in it's annoying especially if store some distance away but it's usually other customers I suppose .

I would email their customer service too, and I would have complained about the gin too.

I would certainly speak to Tesco. Not make a special journey because, as you say, it's not worth the petrol, but next time you go there. And tell them why you didn't bring them back immediately!

annsixty I would have been absolutely livid! I would definitely have taken it back and screamed blue murder if they even made the barest hint that I was trying it on

Kittylester, just send an email to their customer services, I am sure you will recieve apologies, refund and perhaps some vouchers, attach a photo of your receipt and packs.

I would be cross and would mention it to Tesco, take in your receipt.

If they start blustering or trying to make out you are a liar (which they did with me once over something else) then say that you are not interested in a £2 refund, you just thought you should let them know. Then go, head held high

Maybe it's become quite common for a mum with a child caught short to help themselves. I can imagine some bragging about doing it.

I think sometimes people take one item out to have a look/check for size etc. then can't be bothered to stuff it back in the bag. I've seen odd items draped here and there both in Tesco and Asda.

Don't get me wrong, I would be annoyed too and have a good moan, but then I would let it go. Life is too short.

I was buying a pack of 5 pairs of pants in Asda the other day and noticed some of the packs had been opened and only contained 4 pairs.

kitty if you went back to the shop, I think they'll believe you not just because you went to the bother, but for good customer relations.

I don't.