Tesco customers have slammed the supermarket after it increased the price of its famous lunchtime meal deal.
Previously, shoppers could pick up a sandwich or sushi, a drink and a snack for the cost of £3, but this has now been raised to £3.50.
Although the deal now includes hot drinks from Costa, and a Clubcard is free to pick up, Tesco customers have taken to Facebook to slam the price jump.
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The supermarket wrote on the social media site: "Whether you love Peperamis or plant-based sarnies, keep your Meal Deal £3 with your Clubcard or Tesco Grocery and Clubcard app, now includes Costa Coffee. Terms and conditions apply."
Before long, the post had attracted more than 1,100 comments — with many from fans critical of the new cost of the meal deal.
One said: "Prices should be the prices… Clubcard or no Clubcard… rather than charging people without a Clubcard rip off prices".
"Now you're required to have a Clubcard I’m afraid I’ll be getting my butties elsewhere," a second revealed.
A third shared: "I've been a Tesco shopper for years, but I've seen the sun shining from Aldi's, it's chalk and cheese, Tesco so overpriced on everything, price match you're having a laugh Tesco, your shops are emptying fast, get a grip or lose your dedicated customers like me, goodbye".
Another echoed: "Stopped shopping in Tesco as I don’t want a Clubcard why do you need all my details to sell on or watch my buying, everything in the shop is near double without a club card should be the same price, why do I pay double because I don’t want ur gimmick card? I now just go supermarkets that don’t make you sign up to rubbish and just give ALL customers the same fair price……"
A fifth angry shopper stated: "An increase of 50p without a Clubcard! They're having a laugh ‘NOT’".
"Tesco’s forcing customers to get a Clubcard by increasing prices for those that don’t have one.. scandalously treating customers that have been loyal to Tesco for YEARS, disgraceful behaviour," wrote a sixth.
A seventh commented: "Putting the price to £3.50 is going to lose yourself a lot of customers.. me included. Will get my dinner from elsewhere.. Good job".
Another argued that a key demographic wouldn't be able to take advantage of the lower price, writing: "I believe you’ll miss out on the market of school children by making it a Clubcard deal, obviously they’re not old enough to have a Clubcard. Perhaps have a parent/child Clubcard that the child can have on their phone?"
One customer meanwhile jumped to the defence of the supermarket chain, writing: "Simple solution to all your moaning. Make your own f ing lunch. You'll be able to have exactly what you want and save a fortune. There are more important things to worry about."
"People are getting properly angry about a meal deal," a second echoed.