Tesco and BA [2007 archive]

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Mar 27, 2007, 2:26 am

#526

Blueboys999

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Quote:

Originally Posted by uk1

The extra detail is interesting. It's clear it was more than simply using the same slip over and over again but he made copies of it. Also I guess the 154 transactions in a two month period must have meant - and they say he was doing it several times a day - probably whilst on his police duties!

I find the Tesco comment disturbing, and I'm disturbed that the judge didn't seem to pick this up as in my view it's pivotal:

"Kay Clements, the operations manager for Tesco, told the court: “We knew about the situation at the trials stage . . . we have calculated the loss and it is not enough to warrant the investment of putting a reader in every machine.”

I'd very much like to see a judge say to Tesco "Well if you have calculated the loss and it is not enough to warrant the investment of putting a reader in every machine - then take the loss and stop wasting the court's and police's time until you are prepared to take the basic measures you are fully aware of to prevent the crime. The criminal justice system isn't there to save Tesco's irresponsible lack of investment in IT".

I absolutely agree - what this man did was wrong but we're talking about Clubcard points not gold bullion. So he exploited Tesco's considered decsion not to prevent this happening - big deal!

Mar 27, 2007, 3:43 am

#527

oyster

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Quote:

Originally Posted by uk1

He wasn't making copies, he was scanning and then using a fake coupon (i.e. a bit of scrap paper) to fool the machine into thinking the coupon was handed over.

Now I presume the illegal bit was the above.

If he had actually inserted the real coupons each time then I presume he wouldn't have broken any laws, but might have still been in abuse of the Clubcard.

OK let me recall the circumstances of that Temporary Clubcard extravaganza:
It was possible to get one voucher per transaction by using a new Clubcard each time. Now in theory you could get a voucher for spending 1p on a small carrot or something. If it was done repeatedly, does that constitute fraud?

Mar 27, 2007, 5:15 am

#528

uk1

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The other interesting comment in the article was:

"Ms Leigh told the court that in September 2005 the officer had legally taken advantage of a Tesco promotion involving Bird’s Eye meals. In three days he bought 759 of the cheapest meals and received 38,000 Clubcard points."

If this wasn't illegal - why was it allowed to be brought to the attention of the court? It seems that the implication was that although it was legal it wasn't quite right and was an example of negative behaviour of the defendant.

Mar 27, 2007, 5:26 am

#529

philco

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It seems a clear attempt to defraud Tescos of clubcard points, I think that's a no brainer. What's also a no brainer is that Tesco's beancounter preferred to make an example of him (cheap) than upgrade their terminals (expensive). But then what more can you expect - Tesco's are just that - beancounters.

Mar 27, 2007, 5:51 am

#530

Frequentflyer99

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Quote:

Originally Posted by philco

And there was I thinking that Tesco were beansellers !

Mar 27, 2007, 6:09 am

#531

cmcbugg

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Quote:

Originally Posted by philco

Exactly - I'm sure Tesco's couldnt care less about the points involved in this case but they need to make an example because this kind of activity is probably more wide spead (they probably even made sure the case had maximum publicity in the revelant newspapers)

All these offers which come along (beef,biscuits etc) which can be taken advantage of are perfectly fair game and should continue to be exploited to there maximum (legally of course) - but that just results in them being shut down sooner - but that's all part of the game in the end (and it's actually a very effective way for Tesco to move sh.t loads of stock they may not want).

Mar 27, 2007, 6:09 am

#532

philco

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Frequentflyer99

And there was I thinking that Tesco were beansellers !

Hmm. You have a good point. Curses.

Mar 27, 2007, 6:34 am

#533

uk1

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Quote:

Originally Posted by cmcbugg

........... (and it's actually a very effective way for Tesco to move sh.t loads of stock they may not want).

.......... don't you mean stock loads of sh.t?

Mar 27, 2007, 8:09 am

#534

Blueboys999

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Quote:

Originally Posted by cmcbugg

Actually the decsion to prosecute would not be Tesco's although obviously they would have reported the matter. I suspect that the police found themselves in a difficult position because, as the offender was a serving policeman, they are almost compelled to take action or be accused of looking after one of their own.

I believe that if he hadn't been a policeman this would never have got to court.