I can see this from both sides. Having worked in an environment where I ordered cigarettes for a retail store, I can understand why they feel this can be classed as bulk buying - 300 is a lot of cigarettes for an individual to purchase. There was only one brand of cigarettes that I would order about 1500 of, and the rest we only ordered between 100-500 per week. If you walked into my store, I would be physically unable to sell you that many as I wouldn't stock enough! I knwo Tesco stock enough, but I am trying to point out how this may be perceived as bulk buying.
I can also understand your frustration at not being able to complete your shopping though and being given the run around by them! A typical case of the left arm not knowing what the right arm is doing...

I think by now all you regulars know I dont care for Tesco and its "Big Brother" attitude. Once again they are trying to dictate to us as to what we can buy and what we cant. BUT, bulk buying, who are they kidding. Lets look at the facts. Tescos cigs are not that cheap, maybe 5p per packet of 20 cheaper than "Some" places, not all or the majority. Buying 300 (15 packets) per week is above the average, but that amount could be for 2-3 people.
By limiting you to a set amount per week, is this not going to tempt people to go on the balck market were they can buy 300 for as little £40, a saving of £51 if you live in Newcastle. So why would anyone buy 300 from Tesco and sell them on for a profit of up to 5 p per packet. Were on earth do these CS agents get their brains from. THEN, once caught out, you get other lies and accusations thrown at you.
In my opinion there is only one answer to such crap with Tesco, "Dont shop there anymore, try somewhere else, vote with your feet. If enough of us do this they will suffer.

Thanks George , I should maybe have pointed out that there are 3 smokers in my household .I have just had a call from customer services ( after I posted on facebook )to say that they don't understand why this issue has occurred , apparently they have recently updated their website and that could be the cause of the issuse..a likely story ! but that if I was to buy individual packs of cigarettes I could purchase 99 packs .3 multi packs is only 300 cigarettes or 15 packets which would come at the cost of an extra 27 pence ..It doesn't make sense .The people who can answer these questions aren't available until during the week so now I'm being given the run around again and have to wait for yet another call, which will give me the information , but not necessarily the information I want to hear and they may limit the amount of single packs consumers are allowed to purchase because of the enquiry . Does this sound like Every little helps ..honestly yes, it sounds like Tesco are making sure that every little bit of profit they can make out of the consumer will help their profits.

Do you have to pay for delivery with them if you order online? Maybe you could make their life difficult by placing seperate orders!
They obviously just don't have a clue what they are doing!

Tracey, presumably if I decided to buy 10 boxes of cat food for my cat when it is on special offer they would refuse to sell it to me in case I was selling it on to other cat owners at a profit? When in fact I often do this, and donate some to our local Cat Protection league who have a collection box in our local Vet. I think this is really appalling, and you should stick to your guns and not take any rubbish from them...post everywhere you can online and write to your local paper too. Get heard, and get action. You sound to me like the sort of person who will not put up with rubbish, as a customer you deserve good customer services, and you seem determined to get them. Good for you - we need more people like you not willing to be fobbed off with rubbish.

Thanks LizzieAnn.

Had another call yesterday from CS team , the guy I spoke to said that a cap had been placed on the amount of cigarettes any person can buy online because of fears for the safety of the delivery drivers .Apparently an online delivery driver is only allowed to carry 200 cigarettes at a time.I questioned this saying that each van delivers to a minimum of 20 properties , are they telling me that they choose the consumer who will receive their cigarettes, its an absolute cop out of an answer .The CS rep got very uptight and said " That's what I've been told to say "...

You're right LizzieAnn I refuse to be fobbed off by large companies and will fight mine and any other consumers corner should the need arise.Unfortunately it's happening more frequently these days as the large companies believe they can get away with a mediocre customer service yet still charge top prices .

I have demanded that they find out where the decision came from and who made it because I don't believe that any company policy change can be implemented in the space of four days .

My reply to that demand was "we'll see what we can do ".
I won't be holding my breath , but I can say that the CS team will be getting extremely peeved by me in the mean time as I won't let this matter rest !

Good for you Tracey I am very impressed with your persistence and determination and I wish you the best of luck with your resolution.

Have an update .this from Tesco's 6 mins ago .The cap on cigarettes is now nationwide .Nobody purchasing cigarettes can buy more than 200 at a time ...Unless people complain to customer services this isn't going to change .so I have made everyone on the Tesco facebook page aware of the situation and hope that we can work to reverse this frankly stupid decision.

Well done for publicising this lunacy. It is just another example of the bizarre victimization taking place against smokers. I am an ex-smoker and it was never like this when I smoked over 10 years ago.

Success !!! I got a mail from Tesco this morning they have uncapped the limit they set last Wednesday " due to overwhelming customer pressure " Now you can purchase 4 x 100 packs and 4 x 200 packs in your online shop .Just goes to show if you kick up enough of a stink they will eventually see sense. Probably more to do with the complaint being made public via Facebook ...social networking is proving useful :0)

Good girl what a great result! Well done!

LOL I love being called a girl..shame its not true I am a grandma to five with twins expected later this year .

You are a girl on the INSIDE, Tracey!!

If you are lucky like me and live near an airport, you get an easyjet flight for £50 and legally buy up to 16 cartons of 200 for £35 per carton.I have a good day out abroad and save money( cigarettes all for self, and wife's consumption may I add)