TESCO have been accused of the mother of all delivery substitution blunders after they couldn’t supply a number five candle for a birthday cake.
Instead, the driver turned up with the mathematical equivalent – two number two candles and a number one.
Sheree Scanlon, who was trying to organise Charlotte’s fifth birthday bash, could barely believe her eyes.
The 45-year-old from Coventry took to the supermarket’s Facebook page to complain: “Absolute disbelief at the substitution from Tesco for a number 5 birthday candle.
“2, 2 and 1 is not quite the same.”
Sheree had ordered a £1 Baked with Love Sparkly Candle number five with which to decorate Charlotte’s cake.
She decided against using the “alternatives” provided by Tesco, which appeared to suggest her daughter was having her 221nd birthday.
The teaching assistant’s post has left many commenters in stitches.
Laura Rees said: “Howling.”
Joanne Griffiths added: “I’m creased.”
Lorraine Martin wrote: “It will help your child to add up his/her age.”
Jack Penry said: “That sub.”
Tesco’s social media team responded Sheree’s post saying: “Thanks for getting in touch.
“That’s not a great substitute at all, so I’m sorry about that. Can you please message me privately with confirmation of your full name, post code and email address? Also, can I ask if you handed these candles back with the driver for a refund?”
Sheree said today: “I think it’s a ridiculous substitution, I did laugh, but in absolute shock! I called Tesco to ask if it was a computer that made the substitution but it wasn’t! I sent the candles back in disbelief!”
She added: “It’s Charlotte’s 5th birthday today (tue). My thoughts are just how ridiculous it was. I called Tesco straight away as I could not believe a human could think that’s a suitable alternative.
“Friends have said surely a four and one would have been cheaper! Or five ones would have made more sense.”
Sheree ended up buying a set of “normal” candles from B&M ahead of Charlotte’s birthday today.
