Now, when you buy eggs, you flip the carton open to give them a quick once-over, right? It’s a tale as old as time, a shopping habit instilled in us by generations past. It’s a simple check, just to make sure the eggs are still intact, that there aren’t any visible cracks, and that they’re fit for purchase. After all, such delicate products can very easily become damaged. But a new shoplifting scam means that shoppers will want to take an even closer look at their eggs before buying, particularly if they’re buying premium eggs from Clarence Court.
If the name Clarence Court doesn’t ring a bell, you might know the eggs by the specific product names. Their product range includes the likes of Burford Browns, Old Cotswold Legbar eggs, Cornish Blues, and more. (In fact, Clarence Court boast a surprising 26 varieties of egg products to its name!)
An egg-swapping scam
Essentially, Clarence Court’s eggs are top-shelf supermarket eggs – with a price tag to match. For context, a pack of 10 Burford Browns from Sainsbury’s will run you £4.50. Meanwhile, a pack of 10 Stamford Street Co. Mixed Size British Eggs Free Range is just £1.95. Even Sainsbury’s own-brand pack of 12 medium free-range eggs is a comparatively paltry £2.85. This price difference has made the expensive eggs the target of a new scam.
Shoplifters have started swapping the contents of the bougie egg cartons with cheaper eggs. They then buy the ‘cheap’ carton of eggs, which is now filled with Clarence Court eggs. In turn, when people go to purchase the premium eggs, they end up with incorrect eggs.
Video: @_anita_wong, via IG
The issue came to light after shoppers started sharing their frustration on social media, among them Anita Wong. In one post, she refers to the egg scam as ‘egg gate’.
How to spot real Clarence Court eggs
When you open the lid on your eggs before popping them in your basket, there’s one more thing you should keep an eye out for. Proper Clarence Court eggs can be spotted by the stamped crown on each egg. If you don’t spot them, then someone has likely swapped out the pricier eggs for a cheaper alternative.
It’s best to flag a store attendant and let them know, rather than trying to solve the issue for yourself. But be sure to pay extra attention from now on if you decide to buy the pricey eggs.
Image: @clarence_court, via IG