Readers of this blog will have noticed a link to a website called ‘Tescopoly’ in the links section for sometime now. The website aims to unite those against Tesco and the numerous appalling practices which they implement.

In the last month I’ve been reading Andrew Simms book ‘Tescopoly’ which looks in depth into the practices of Tescos and the problem with the store on many levels. Having read this book I’ve been shocked at the way which Tescos treat everyone from suppliers (who they dictate prices too) and people who work for them (who they allow to worship themselves like a god) right up to local councils who are practically bullied into granting planning permission for Tescos because of the threat of an expensive, legal planning permission process if they turn down Tesco.

As a result of this I have made the decision to boycott Tesco stores…the only other company who I avoid are Nestle (although readers could argue I also avoid SSG Shops however I feel that they don’t really have stores to avoid!). I have just finished packing my clubcard and keyfob into an envelope alongside a letter informing Tesco of my decision and asking to be removed from their systems.

I am writing to Tesco not because I feel I can change them alone but because if they have enough customers who don’t go for their appalling antics then maybe they’ll be forced to change in the long run…if nothing else I am curious at their response to my letter (which I may publish on the blog)… Will they try and persuade me to shop with them? Will they actually remove my data (or state that they have)? Will they even reply?

I don’t know but the bottom line for anyone who is dissatisfied with a shop is that unless you let them know then nothing will ever change…how many people avoid companies without telling them? If a company know you are avoiding them then surely that makes far more sense!

We live in a world where it’s difficult to shop anywhere but a supermarket, I was in Sheffield a couple of weeks back and loved wandering around the indoor market browsing the numerous butchers and fruit stalls, seeing a massive variety of produce compared to Tesco…a few days later I spent ten minutes in a Tescos and felt stressed and fed-up. Consumers (like yourselves) have a choice, we always have a choice, if we didn’t use Tesco they wouldn’t exist, if we don’t campaign against new stores in our areas then they will ultimately take away our choice, taking away every independent shop from our local towns and villages. So think carefully about your shopping habits…think about whether you want a world of Tescos because that’s what we’ll get…if they wipe out all competition then does price matter? They can charge whatever they like…and already do in their ‘Metro’ stores where prices increase when there aren’t other shops in the locality!

Anyway here is my letter to Tesco

Dear Sir/Madam,
In recent months I have been looking into several aspects of your company including the data kept from the use of Tesco Clubcards, the methods which yourselves use to obtain planning permission for stores, the treatment of those involved in your supply line both in this country and oversees and the customer service experience I have personally come across in your stores. To be perfectly honest after this research I am appalled by the practices of your business and treatment of customers, employees, local councils and suppliers.

As a result of my findings I am writing to you to inform you that I will no longer be using your stores either for personal or work use (I should explain that as a youth worker I regularly run residentials for young people which require large shops to cater for), I am also including in this letter my Tesco Clubcard and Key Fob and request that I am removed from your Clubcard scheme, that my online account linked to my clubcard (under the e-mail e-mail address removed) is also removed and that I no longer receive any form of mailing from yourselves.

I appreciate that with the number of your stores in existence avoiding your stores may be difficult but it is something I am prepared to go out of my way to do.

Alongside the information I have been reading on your stores (including Andrew Simms book ‘Tescopoly’) my recent experience of customer services in your stores has been less than helpful. In my most recent (and what shall remain my most recent visit) I aimed to purchase some Fireworks and some shopping but was informed by one of your employees that I was unable to pay for both at once. When I explained that by purchasing these items together I would be applicable for a 5p off fuel voucher under your current promotion I was told that I couldn’t pay for both fireworks and shopping at once and would therefore not be able to benefit from your promotion (as a result I purchased Fireworks from an alternative vendor).

It is on that rather poor experience of customer services that I shall close my letter. I will look forward to hearing from you, if nothing else confirming that my Clubcard membership has been cancelled. I sincerely hope that in the future your company will begin to think about the best for your suppliers, employees and customers rather than your own profits.