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Tesco threatens to fine pensioners for taking too long to shop
Last updated at 22:37pm on 30.11.07An elderly disabled couple whose Christmas shopping trip to Tesco cost more than £300 have been given a warning for taking too long in the store.
Wheelchair-bound Roland Hodgson, 80, and his wife Pauline, 75, took more than four hours to complete their gift-buying expedition, which included a meal in the cafe.
Shortly afterwards they received a letter pointing out that they had exceeded a three-hour limit for parking at the store in Trowbridge, Wiltshire.
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Roland Hodgson and his wife Pauline said they won't go back to Tesco again. '"They're persecuting the disabled for shopping too slowly'
They were warned that they face a fine of up £100 if they repeat their transgression.
But the couple say there will be no danger of that because they will never shop at Tesco again.
"They may say every little helps, but it's clearly only if you're spending your money fast enough," said Mr Hodgson, a retired marine engineer, at his home in Trowbridge.
"Between us we spent around £1.25 a minute – that's better than they'd get from any pay-and-display car park. But they still want more.
"We go there once a week and normally spend around £60. We won't be going back again. What a way to treat loyal customers.
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The Hodgson's local Tesco Extra
"They're persecuting the disabled for shopping too slowly; the very sort of people they know will take more time than the average shopper."
Mr Hodgson has the muscle-wasting condition myasthenia gravis while his wife has Parkinson's Disease, so they went shopping with their daughter Georgina Johnston, 40, who drives them in her Renault Clio and pushes her father's wheelchair.
Mrs Hodgson spent part of the time trying on clothes, while some time was wasted when an electric buggy provided by Tesco for her husband ran out of charge after ten minutes.
The elderly couple spent more than £200, their daughter spent £80 and the meal came to more than £20.
Mr Hodgson said the only warning about the time limit was on a small sign on the way into the car park.
"It's the Big Brother feeling you get about the place that's really worrying. Why should a company have DVLA access to my number-plate for commercial purposes?
"After we got the letter we called them up and they were saying that we could have parked there and gone shopping in town.
"It's ridiculous – both of us have trouble walking and it's freezing cold. We're not going to go lugging shopping about the place.
"Ironically, it's easier to park with a blue badge in town. They've got more spaces."
The letter from Tesco stated: "We know from research that the time limits exceed the time customers spend shopping in our stores and feel that they are fair and reasonable.
"Therefore could you please observe the time restrictions to avoid a parking charge notice being issued?"
Tesco claimed the letter was a gentle reminder' rather than a telling-off.
A spokesman said: "We feel that in the vast majority of cases, three hours should be enough for everyone's needs."
Reader views (6)
It is obvious P. Robinson doesn't know people with either myasthenia gravis or Parkinson's Disease. Even young people with these diseases need lots of time to do things. They have to do a little bit then rest awhile and then do some more.
They would love to be able to do necessary things faster so they would have time for their many other much more pleasurable interests!
This couple had age against them as well as the diseases. I have some dear British friends who are slowing down as they are reaching their 80's and need the buggies to get around when they shop.
Their daughter has her hands full trying to help her parents. She is in my prayers.
Anyone not familiar with Myasthenia Gravis and/or Parkinson's Disease do an internet search to enlighten yourself on the challenges these people face every day.
I'll avoid Tesco on my next trip to Britain unless they become enlightened and lighten this family's burden instead of adding to it.
- Donna, St Joseph, Missouri, USA
Who wants to spend even an hour in a supermarket? I don't. The sooner I get what I want and get out the better.
Tesco is right to remind peope who park too long. No way can it take more than three hours to shop. I think these people should get some other interest instead of hanging around stores all day.
- P.Robinson, Northants
Oh, the irony - in 2005, Tesco chose Age Concern as their Charity of the Year, raising £2.6 million to help combat social isolation and poverty amongst vulnerable older people in local communities. Every little helps? Yeah, right.
- Austen, London
Tesco are getting far too big for their boots if you ask me!
- Julie, Essex
Why have a cafe then? It will only encourage people to spend time there! Luckily I stopped using Tesco many, many years ago! You should be ashamed of yourselves, Tesco! Disgusting.
- Jay, London, UK
'Research'? Nonsense. People have individual needs and limitations. If it takes this couple over 3 hours to complete their Christmas shopping then that's what it takes despite Tesco's attempts to make them conform to the 'average'. I would have thought that a fulsome apology and the reimbursement of the cost of that day's shopping would be the least that this multi-billion business could do.
- Peter Haldane, London
