Tesco shopper sent pack of condoms instead of latex gloves as stores use artificial intelligence to pick orders
A CUSTOMER who wanted latex gloves was sent condoms instead.
The Tesco delivery is among baffling bloopers reported as shops turn to artificial intelligence systems to sort out online orders.
If they can’t find the right thing, they pick what they think is similar — in the case of the gloves, from Birmingham, what the items were made from.
Other customers have had red shoelaces instead of red shoelace sweets and a lemon instead of lemon-scented fabric conditioner.
One got Kiwi shoe polish instead of kiwi fruit and another got kettle crisps when she ordered an electric Tefal kettle.
Some swaps are harder to fathom — such as lighter fuel instead of a Freddo Easter egg.
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Most retailers do not charge extra if a replacement is more expensive, and customers can always return goods. Some retailers have a box to tick to stop swaps.
Since coronavirus, 12.5 per cent of all grocery shopping is done online.
Consumer campaigners Which? said: “Substitutions can be a laughing matter — but on the flipside they can sometimes work in your favour if there is a price promise.”
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