Consumers ripped off with short measures or inaccurate labelling
December 27, 2015 1:00am
DARYL PASSMOREThe Sunday Mail (Qld)


A SHOCKING four in 10 businesses checked by the weights and measures police have been found to be ripping off buyers.

Even more startling, after receiving a warning from inspectors the first time, seven in 10 of the rogue businesses were found on follow-up visits, to be still not up to scratch.   :o

DUDDED: Goods up to 50pc underweight

ANGRY BUYERS: Firewood ‘rip-off’

Consumer advocates say spot checks of more than 8000 businesses by officers from the National Measurement Institute shows that consumers should not take for granted that they are getting what they pay for.   

Half the breaches related to short measures or labelling problems with prepacked goods and a quarter were about advertising, signage or incorrect operation of scales or other measuring instruments.   


Overall, 7 per cent of packaged goods were not properly labelled, with seafood and bakery items the worst. A third of complaints about prepacked articles were found to be justified, along with 40 per cent of those about meat and 14 per cent about fruit and vegetables.

The Queensland Consumers Association’s Ian Jarratt said it strengthened the argument against watering down labelling rules.

The Federal Government is now reviewing labelling rules.
Queensland Consumers Association’s Ian Jarrett from the Queensland Consumers Association is concerned about the lack of emphasis on unit pricing in supermarkets. Pic by Luke Marsden.

The Australian Food and Grocery Council and the National Retail Association want the regulations that require information to be on the front of packets and in a certain size, to be scrapped.

Industry chiefs say the rules are unnecessarily restrictive and push up prices. Imported products with information on other parts of packaging often have to be relabelled to comply. Relaxing the regulations could see more products imported, giving greater choice, they argue.

But the consumer lobby has branded it a “packet racket’’ that will make it easier for companies to shrink products but charge the same price.   :(

Mr Jarratt said it would be harder for shoppers to hold producers and retailers to account if content details were hard to see on the packet.

The National Measurement Institute issued 3962 non-compliance notices last year, 13 per cent more than 2013-14, and imposed 98 fines totalling $92,650, with 51 per cent of them for short measures.

The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions secured four convictions, including a $3300 fine for Woolworths for underweight birthday cakes and a $3000 penalty for Coles for shortfalls in prepacked lamb chops and weighing instrument problems.   :) 

4 convictions from 8000 checks?

.......big strike rate....

I wonder do we have enough of these Weights and measures people, out their checking these things?.   :-?

Quote:

The National Measurement Institute issued 3962 non-compliance notices last year, 13 per cent more than 2013-14, and imposed 98 fines totalling $92,650, with 51 per cent of them for short measures.

3962 cases of non-compliance and only 98 fines averaging less than $1000 each? How can anyone say that's adequate?

wrote on Dec 27^th, 2015 at 1:35pm:

I wonder do we have enough of these Weights and measures people, out their checking these things?.   :-?

....maybe we can withdraw compulsory penalty rates to pay for some more thumb twiddlers? 

Swagman wrote on Dec 27^th, 2015 at 1:31pm:

4 convictions from 8000 checks? .......big strike rate....

Sounds much like the 100millllllllllllllion dollar RC  ;D

Swagman wrote on Dec 27^th, 2015 at 1:31pm:

4 convictions from 8000 checks?

:D :D :D



wrote on Dec 27^th, 2015 at 1:17pm:

A SHOCKING four in 10 businesses checked by the weights and measures police have been found to be ripping off buyers.

they're not there to prosecute, they're there to make sure consumers aren't getting ripped off.

If consumers themselves aren't checking to make sure they are not getting ripped off them maybe they deserve to get ripped off  ;D

innocentbystander. wrote on Dec 27^th, 2015 at 8:46pm:

If consumers themselves aren't checking to make sure they are not getting ripped off them maybe they deserve to get ripped off  ;D

Perhaps we could take our own scales shopping.  :-?

Setanta wrote on Dec 27^th, 2015 at 9:00pm:

innocentbystander. wrote on Dec 27th, 2015 at 8:46pm: If consumers themselves aren't checking to make sure they are not getting ripped off them maybe they deserve to get ripped off  ;D Perhaps we could take our own scales shopping.  :-?

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Setanta wrote on Dec 27^th, 2015 at 9:00pm:

innocentbystander. wrote on Dec 27th, 2015 at 8:46pm: If consumers themselves aren't checking to make sure they are not getting ripped off them maybe they deserve to get ripped off  ;D Perhaps we could take our own scales shopping.  :-?

Scales are already provided in the shops as per the law  :)

innocentbystander. wrote on Dec 27^th, 2015 at 9:31pm:

Setanta wrote on Dec 27th, 2015 at 9:00pm: innocentbystander. wrote on Dec 27th, 2015 at 8:46pm: If consumers themselves aren't checking to make sure they are not getting ripped off them maybe they deserve to get ripped off  ;D Perhaps we could take our own scales shopping.  :-? Scales are already provided in the shops as per the law  :)

so when you pick up a packet of 500g mince, you walk to the fruit section and weigh it?

Liar. :D :D :D

I feel sorry for you poor bastards, you just wouldn't be able to get by in life without big government holding your little hand  ;D

innocentbystander. wrote on Dec 27^th, 2015 at 9:31pm:

Setanta wrote on Dec 27th, 2015 at 9:00pm: innocentbystander. wrote on Dec 27th, 2015 at 8:46pm: If consumers themselves aren't checking to make sure they are not getting ripped off them maybe they deserve to get ripped off  ;D Perhaps we could take our own scales shopping.  :-? Scales are already provided in the shops as per the law  :)

How do we know they are accurate?


Quote:

Half the breaches related to short measures or labelling problems with prepacked goods and a quarter were about advertising, signage or incorrect operation of scales or other measuring instruments.

innocentbystander. wrote on Dec 28^th, 2015 at 9:55am:

I feel sorry for you poor bastards, you just wouldn't be able to get by in life without big government holding your little hand  ;D

Yes - I have four breath testing machines and nobody to calibrate them for me...

"That'll be $1000 and loss of licence for six months, sir.... or you could contribute to the Police Orphan's Fund and take a warning......"

Drinking slowly is the way to go... I had three beers in around 4 hours and read 0.03.....

innocentbystander. wrote on Dec 28^th, 2015 at 9:55am:

I feel sorry for you poor bastards, you just wouldn't be able to get by in life without big government holding your little hand  ;D

if business didn't continuously try to find ways to screw the consumer there would be no need for hand holding. You ever own a business? When was the last time you calibrated your scales?

John Smith wrote on Dec 28^th, 2015 at 4:01pm:

innocentbystander. wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 9:55am: I feel sorry for you poor bastards, you just wouldn't be able to get by in life without big government holding your little hand  ;D if business didn't continuously try to find ways to screw the consumer there would be no need for hand holding. You ever own a business? When was the last time you calibrated your scales?

Like I said, you just can't look after yourself, you need big brother.

You are unable to recognise and deal with an honest proprieter.
You are unable to check your purchase is what you paid for.

And worst of all you put your trust in idiot government and its worse than useless bureaucrats instead of trusting your own judgement  ;D   

innocentbystander. wrote on Dec 28^th, 2015 at 4:22pm:

You are unable to recognise and deal with an honest proprieter. You are unable to check your purchase is what you paid for.

honest proporietor?  ;D ;D ;D there's no such thing

The breaches included coles and woolies. Do you check your measurement when you go to woolies?

and why the hell should I check the weights at home? If I buy a packet that says 500g, it should be 500g. No need to check.

Bam wrote on Dec 27^th, 2015 at 1:47pm:

Quote: The National Measurement Institute issued 3962 non-compliance notices last year, 13 per cent more than 2013-14, and imposed 98 fines totalling $92,650, with 51 per cent of them for short measures. 3962 cases of non-compliance and only 98 fines averaging less than $1000 each? How can anyone say that's adequate?

Do you know what a machine is called that records a 1Kg weigh as 995g?  NONCOMPLIANT. they arent fined. They are told to recalibrate as these things do go 'off' over time. Also, you can hardly call that a rip-off.

Never thought this through, did you?

John Smith wrote on Dec 27^th, 2015 at 10:25pm:

innocentbystander. wrote on Dec 27th, 2015 at 9:31pm: Setanta wrote on Dec 27th, 2015 at 9:00pm: innocentbystander. wrote on Dec 27th, 2015 at 8:46pm: If consumers themselves aren't checking to make sure they are not getting ripped off them maybe they deserve to get ripped off  ;D Perhaps we could take our own scales shopping.  :-? Scales are already provided in the shops as per the law  :) so when you pick up a packet of 500g mince, you walk to the fruit section and weigh it? Liar. :D :D :D

yes you can.... there is no law saying you cannot... ::)


meat is pretty much by machine now...its weighed and the label printed at the same time....if you go to the deli.. same thing...very little is manual today....

at the checkout your fruit and veg is weighed again my the machine.....its not rocket science...


what this is about is truck loads of sand or wood..

which cannot be measured by anyone.....

of course if the you were charged for 500g and received 600 grams would you tell them??>.. ::) ::)

we hear about those that measure under.. but I am sure their are some that measure over....scales are more accurate than they have ever been.....no chewy under the bowl anymore.. ;) ;) ;)

John Smith wrote on Dec 28^th, 2015 at 4:30pm:

honest proporietor?     there's no such thing

what a sad miserable life you must lead.. only ever look on the dark side.. >:(

cods wrote on Dec 28^th, 2015 at 6:06pm:

John Smith wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 4:30pm: honest proporietor?     there's no such thing what a sad miserable life you must lead.. only ever look on the dark side.. >:(

That's why he is unemployed or has a Kat job ie 4 hours a week.

mariacostel wrote on Dec 28^th, 2015 at 7:36pm:

cods wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 6:06pm: John Smith wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 4:30pm: honest proporietor?     there's no such thing what a sad miserable life you must lead.. only ever look on the dark side.. >:( That's why he is unemployed or has a Kat job ie 4 hours a week.

Tch, tch.. it was so peaceful here while the lower classes were absent....

An over-reliance on personal attack is a sure sign of a lack of ability and knowledge....

Funny... mania goes on about how educated middle class private school  'she' is, but says she'll be claiming the pension.... why do I doubt every word from her cyber-mouth?

cods wrote on Dec 28^th, 2015 at 6:04pm:

yes you can.... there is no law saying you cannot... Roll Eyes

I didn't say you cannot ... of course you can. The question was does he?


cods wrote on Dec 28^th, 2015 at 6:04pm:

meat is pretty much by machine now...its weighed and the label printed at the same time....if you go to the deli.. same thing...very little is manual today....

and if you'd bothered to read the OP , you'd see the 'machines' (they're called scales deary) weren't giving the correct readings.


cods wrote on Dec 28^th, 2015 at 6:04pm:

of course if the you were charged for 500g and received 600 grams would you tell them??

do you even know what you are arguing about?


cods wrote on Dec 28^th, 2015 at 6:04pm:

scales are more accurate than they have ever been...

and they need to be re calibrated more than they ever have been :D :D :D

cods wrote on Dec 28^th, 2015 at 6:06pm:

John Smith wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 4:30pm: honest proporietor?     there's no such thing what a sad miserable life you must lead.. only ever look on the dark side.. >:(

not at all cods ... I see the good in you even if you are a dark and miserable old sod. Hell, the grog shop has to make it's money somewhere.

mariacostel wrote on Dec 28^th, 2015 at 7:36pm:

cods wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 6:06pm: John Smith wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 4:30pm: honest proporietor?     there's no such thing what a sad miserable life you must lead.. only ever look on the dark side.. >:( That's why he is unemployed or has a Kat job ie 4 hours a week.

and that is why you are always, and will forever more, be called an idiot.

keep making it up Maria, afterall, you've got nothing to lose ... everyone already thinks you're an idiot.

Grappler Deep State Feller wrote on Dec 28^th, 2015 at 8:54pm:

mariacostel wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 7:36pm: cods wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 6:06pm: John Smith wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 4:30pm: honest proporietor?     there's no such thing what a sad miserable life you must lead.. only ever look on the dark side.. >:( That's why he is unemployed or has a Kat job ie 4 hours a week. Tch, tch.. it was so peaceful here while the lower classes were absent.... An over-reliance on personal attack is a sure sign of a lack of ability and knowledge.... Funny... mania goes on about how educated middle class private school  'she' is, but says she'll be claiming the pension.... why do I doubt every word from her cyber-mouth?

now she's changed her story ... the latest is hubby is buying a multi million dollar business that employs hundreds, and she will work for him and make millions more. :D :D :D :D

John Smith wrote on Dec 28^th, 2015 at 11:03pm:

Grappler Deep State Feller wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 8:54pm: mariacostel wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 7:36pm: cods wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 6:06pm: John Smith wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 4:30pm: honest proporietor?     there's no such thing what a sad miserable life you must lead.. only ever look on the dark side.. >:( That's why he is unemployed or has a Kat job ie 4 hours a week. Tch, tch.. it was so peaceful here while the lower classes were absent.... An over-reliance on personal attack is a sure sign of a lack of ability and knowledge.... Funny... mania goes on about how educated middle class private school  'she' is, but says she'll be claiming the pension.... why do I doubt every word from her cyber-mouth? now she's changed her story ... the latest is hubby is buying a multi million dollar business that employs hundreds, and she will work for him and make millions more. :D :D :D :D

Changed story?  Right from the start I said we are investigating STARTING a business.  So try and occasionally keep up.

John Smith wrote on Dec 28^th, 2015 at 11:00pm:

cods wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 6:06pm: [quote author=John_Smith link=1451186245/17#17 date=1451284207]honest proporietor?     there's no such thing what a sad miserable life you must lead.. only ever look on the dark side.. >:(

not at all cods ... I see the good in you even if you are a dark and miserable old sod. Hell, the grog shop has to make it's money somewhere.


[/

poor john!!!! poor dead john

not an original thought in his poor little head...

ho hum.. when will he run out of personal abuse one liners.....his repertoire is so dull and repetitive...

so sad...so immature so boring....

never a nice word for anyone...so bleak...

your reply confirms everything .... :( :( :(

John Smith wrote on Dec 28^th, 2015 at 10:59pm:

cods wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 6:04pm: yes you can.... there is no law saying you cannot... Roll Eyes I didn't say you cannot ... of course you can. The question was does he? you insinuated as you do....with the word LIAR... cods wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 6:04pm: meat is pretty much by machine now...its weighed and the label printed at the same time....if you go to the deli.. same thing...very little is manual today.... and if you'd bothered to read the OP , you'd see the 'machines' (they're called scales deary) weren't giving the correct readings. have you been caught????..diddled cods wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 6:04pm: of course if the you were charged for 500g and received 600 grams would you tell them?? do you even know what you are arguing about? yes I do... if you get MORE for your MONEY.. do you  tell the owner he has given you too much??? or do you just  walk out saying its my lucky day???.. ::) ::) cods wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 6:04pm: scales are more accurate than they have ever been... and they need to be re calibrated more than they ever have been :D :D :D

and are you prepared to pay for the man power that will go into doing that??

I dont know how many shops we have in this country...could it be a million...with more than one set of scales..... ::) ::)

like I said I do believe they are working on making scales as accurate as is humanly possible......

and I dont believe its all deliberate tampering with scales like it used to be....either... I believe we have more honest people out there than dishonest... and I prefer to think like that..

mariacostel wrote on Dec 29^th, 2015 at 8:19am:

John Smith wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 11:03pm: Grappler Deep State Feller wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 8:54pm: mariacostel wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 7:36pm: cods wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 6:06pm: John Smith wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 4:30pm: honest proporietor?     there's no such thing what a sad miserable life you must lead.. only ever look on the dark side.. >:( That's why he is unemployed or has a Kat job ie 4 hours a week. Tch, tch.. it was so peaceful here while the lower classes were absent.... An over-reliance on personal attack is a sure sign of a lack of ability and knowledge.... Funny... mania goes on about how educated middle class private school  'she' is, but says she'll be claiming the pension.... why do I doubt every word from her cyber-mouth? now she's changed her story ... the latest is hubby is buying a multi million dollar business that employs hundreds, and she will work for him and make millions more. :D :D :D :D Changed story?  Right from the start I said we are investigating STARTING a business.  So try and occasionally keep up.

no, originally you said you'd retired and were waiting until hubby retired in about ten years time so you can claim the pension ... the new business wasn't mentioned until several months later.

cods wrote on Dec 29^th, 2015 at 8:47am:

John Smith wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 11:00pm: cods wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 6:06pm: [quote author=John_Smith link=1451186245/17#17 date=1451284207]honest proporietor?     there's no such thing what a sad miserable life you must lead.. only ever look on the dark side.. >:( not at all cods ... I see the good in you even if you are a dark and miserable old sod. Hell, the grog shop has to make it's money somewhere. [/ poor john!!!! poor dead john not an original thought in his poor little head... ho hum.. when will he run out of personal abuse one liners.....his repertoire is so dull and repetitive... so sad...so immature so boring.... never a nice word for anyone...so bleak... your reply confirms everything .... :( :( :(

let me guess, you think your comment was original, right?  ;D ;D ;D ;D

cods wrote on Dec 29^th, 2015 at 9:02am:

you insinuated as you do....with the word LIAR...

no, i insinuated innocent doesn't, and HE was lying.


cods wrote on Dec 29^th, 2015 at 9:02am:

have you been caught????..diddled

don't know ... i don't come home and re-weigh everything


cods wrote on Dec 29^th, 2015 at 9:02am:

yes I do... if you get MORE for your MONEY.. do you  tell the owner he has given you too much???

Like I said, I don't re weigh my purchases ...


cods wrote on Dec 29^th, 2015 at 9:02am:

and are you prepared to pay for the man power that will go into doing that??

we already do pay for it cods. This is nothing new, this has been happening for decades.


cods wrote on Dec 29^th, 2015 at 9:02am:

like I said I do believe they are working on making scales as accurate as is humanly possible......

scales have moving parts ... as such they need to be re calibrated every so often. The same way you tune your car or service every other mechanical instrument. Scales are no different.


cods wrote on Dec 29^th, 2015 at 9:02am:

and I dont believe its all deliberate tampering with scales like it used to be....

no one said it was deliberate tampering.

John Smith wrote on Dec 29^th, 2015 at 1:15pm:

mariacostel wrote on Dec 29th, 2015 at 8:19am: John Smith wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 11:03pm: Grappler Deep State Feller wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 8:54pm: mariacostel wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 7:36pm: cods wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 6:06pm: John Smith wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 4:30pm: honest proporietor?     there's no such thing what a sad miserable life you must lead.. only ever look on the dark side.. >:( That's why he is unemployed or has a Kat job ie 4 hours a week. Tch, tch.. it was so peaceful here while the lower classes were absent.... An over-reliance on personal attack is a sure sign of a lack of ability and knowledge.... Funny... mania goes on about how educated middle class private school  'she' is, but says she'll be claiming the pension.... why do I doubt every word from her cyber-mouth? now she's changed her story ... the latest is hubby is buying a multi million dollar business that employs hundreds, and she will work for him and make millions more. :D :D :D :D Changed story?  Right from the start I said we are investigating STARTING a business.  So try and occasionally keep up. no, originally you said you'd retired and were waiting until hubby retired in about ten years time so you can claim the pension ... the new business wasn't mentioned until several months later.

Imagine people having new ideas, passion and a desire to succeed.  Actually, I doubt you could imagine that.

mariacostel wrote on Dec 29^th, 2015 at 5:47pm:

John Smith wrote on Dec 29th, 2015 at 1:15pm: mariacostel wrote on Dec 29th, 2015 at 8:19am: John Smith wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 11:03pm: Grappler Deep State Feller wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 8:54pm: mariacostel wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 7:36pm: cods wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 6:06pm: John Smith wrote on Dec 28th, 2015 at 4:30pm: honest proporietor?     there's no such thing what a sad miserable life you must lead.. only ever look on the dark side.. >:( That's why he is unemployed or has a Kat job ie 4 hours a week. Tch, tch.. it was so peaceful here while the lower classes were absent.... An over-reliance on personal attack is a sure sign of a lack of ability and knowledge.... Funny... mania goes on about how educated middle class private school  'she' is, but says she'll be claiming the pension.... why do I doubt every word from her cyber-mouth? now she's changed her story ... the latest is hubby is buying a multi million dollar business that employs hundreds, and she will work for him and make millions more. :D :D :D :D Changed story?  Right from the start I said we are investigating STARTING a business.  So try and occasionally keep up. no, originally you said you'd retired and were waiting until hubby retired in about ten years time so you can claim the pension ... the new business wasn't mentioned until several months later. Imagine people having new ideas, passion and a desire to succeed.  Actually, I doubt you could imagine that.

Just Imagine ehh ... and then imagine the leech that he's married to!

oh wait, you don't need to imagine that, you just need a mirror

I was hoping this thread may have been about truck drivers and mermaids

miketrees wrote on Dec 29^th, 2015 at 11:21pm:

I was hoping this thread may have been about truck drivers and mermaids

No its actually about people like jonny smith being sold a half a kilogram of mince and then getting home and not being able to work out whether they actually got a half a kilogram of mince so they demand taxpayers pay 100 million dollars to a bunch of dickhead bureaucrats to ensure that they get their a half a kilogram of mince but instead those bureaucrats just sit around in the office with their thumbs up their arse.

All so little jonny smith doesn't have to work out how to use a pair of scales.  :(

innocentbystander. wrote on Dec 30^th, 2015 at 6:29pm:

No its actually about people like jonny smith being sold a half a kilogram of mince and then getting home and not being able to work out whether they actually got a half a kilogram of mince so they demand taxpayers pay 100 million dollars to a bunch of dickhead bureaucrats to ensure that they get their a half a kilogram of mince but instead those bureaucrats just sit around in the office with their thumbs up their arse. All so little jonny smith doesn't have to work out how to use a pair of scales.  Sad

you're just not real bright are you?

this is nothing new. we had had inspectors checking scales for decades now. It's not about whether or not I can check the weight to make sure that it's accurate, it's that I shouldn't NEED TO. If they claim there is 500grams of mince, then you have every right to expect 500 grams of mince. Not 600, not 400, but 500.

John Smith wrote on Dec 30^th, 2015 at 6:41pm:

innocentbystander. wrote on Dec 30th, 2015 at 6:29pm: No its actually about people like jonny smith being sold a half a kilogram of mince and then getting home and not being able to work out whether they actually got a half a kilogram of mince so they demand taxpayers pay 100 million dollars to a bunch of dickhead bureaucrats to ensure that they get their a half a kilogram of mince but instead those bureaucrats just sit around in the office with their thumbs up their arse. All so little jonny smith doesn't have to work out how to use a pair of scales.  Sad you're just not real bright are you? this is nothing new. we had had inspectors checking scales for decades now. It's not about whether or not I can check the weight to make sure that it's accurate, it's that I shouldn't NEED TO. If they claim there is 500grams of mince, then you have every right to expect 500 grams of mince. Not 600, not 400, but 500.

You should weigh your brain, I'm pretty sure that you got short changed there  ;D 

innocentbystander. wrote on Dec 30^th, 2015 at 6:43pm:

John Smith wrote on Dec 30th, 2015 at 6:41pm: innocentbystander. wrote on Dec 30th, 2015 at 6:29pm: No its actually about people like jonny smith being sold a half a kilogram of mince and then getting home and not being able to work out whether they actually got a half a kilogram of mince so they demand taxpayers pay 100 million dollars to a bunch of dickhead bureaucrats to ensure that they get their a half a kilogram of mince but instead those bureaucrats just sit around in the office with their thumbs up their arse. All so little jonny smith doesn't have to work out how to use a pair of scales.  Sad you're just not real bright are you? this is nothing new. we had had inspectors checking scales for decades now. It's not about whether or not I can check the weight to make sure that it's accurate, it's that I shouldn't NEED TO. If they claim there is 500grams of mince, then you have every right to expect 500 grams of mince. Not 600, not 400, but 500. You should weigh your brain, I'm pretty sure that you got short changed there  ;D

hell, at least they didn't replace it with sawdust like they did in your case.

John Smith wrote on Dec 30^th, 2015 at 6:44pm:

hell, at least they didn't replace it with sawdust like they did in your case.

You wouldn't even know if my brain was sawdust unless an overpaid government parasite bureaucrat told you it was, just like you don't know if you got a half a kilogram of mince or not, you are completely incapable of looking after yourself and require an army of useless government bureaucrats to watch over you.

innocentbystander. wrote on Dec 30^th, 2015 at 6:52pm:

John Smith wrote on Dec 30th, 2015 at 6:44pm: hell, at least they didn't replace it with sawdust like they did in your case. You wouldn't even know if my brain was sawdust unless an overpaid government parasite bureaucrat told you it was, just like you don't know if you got a half a kilogram of mince or not, you are completely incapable of looking after yourself and require an army of useless government bureaucrats to watch over you.

of course I know ... it's easy to tell with all that goat sh1t on it.

John Smith wrote on Dec 30^th, 2015 at 6:41pm:

innocentbystander. wrote on Dec 30th, 2015 at 6:29pm: No its actually about people like jonny smith being sold a half a kilogram of mince and then getting home and not being able to work out whether they actually got a half a kilogram of mince so they demand taxpayers pay 100 million dollars to a bunch of dickhead bureaucrats to ensure that they get their a half a kilogram of mince but instead those bureaucrats just sit around in the office with their thumbs up their arse. All so little jonny smith doesn't have to work out how to use a pair of scales.  Sad you're just not real bright are you? this is nothing new. we had had inspectors checking scales for decades now. It's not about whether or not I can check the weight to make sure that it's accurate, it's that I shouldn't NEED TO. If they claim there is 500grams of mince, then you have every right to expect 500 grams of mince. Not 600, not 400, but 500.

Of course it's not new. Merchants screwing over customers with dishonest weights and measures has been with us so long that there are multiple Bible verses denouncing this misconduct. I have no idea why some people act as if it's something that's been with us only a few years or that being honest is somehow an onerous impost on business.