Mobile service station, Christchurch, NZ - high service Station Markup for Disposable Nappies

# 4 for July 17, 2003

Complaints.com received the following on July 16, 2003:

From:

RE: Mobile service station, Christchurch, NZ - high service Station Markup for Disposable Nappies

To Whom it May Concern On Sunday 13th July, I rushed into the Mobil Service Station on the corner of Ferry and Aldwins Road in Christchurch to purchase $20 worth of gas and a packet of Treasures Ultra Care 16 X-Large disposable nappies. At the time I thought the nappies were rather expensive but when I go home I realized just how over priced they were. I was charged $22.50, the same product at the supermarket would have cost me $13.25 (and insidently the same nappies were on special that week for $10 at the supermarket.) Thats a mark up of $9.25. The next day I was quite annoyed that the service station could charge that much extra for this item, so I rang to ask if I could return them unopened and with the reciept as they were not the usual nappies I would buy, (they didn't have the ones I wanted). I was told no because they were a toiletry item, I said but they haven't been opened, there is no way you can damage or contaminate a packet of nappies that have'nt been opened and who could I take this further with? His reply was himself or I could write to Wellington. I have never had any trouble returning anything unused with a docket, toiletry item or not and would like to know if there is anything further I can do about this. I fail to see any real reason for not being able to get a refund. I still have the unopened nappies and am really angry with this retailer for their money hungry attitude, which sadly seems to be the way of the world. I am also a beneficiary and don't have money to waste like that. I would like to know if anything further can be done about this, and await your reply. Thank you Unhappy customer, Lisa