Getting free or discounted stuff is pretty rare, so when it happens, it’s quite a big deal.

For Aussies attempting to maximise their online shopping experience, savvy Coles shoppers have found a ‘loophole’ in the supermarket’s online ordering system, allowing them to get products at a reduced price or for ‘free’.

In theory, this loophole could be applied to any product, but whether it will continue remains uncertain.

So, what is this ‘loophole’?

A shopper at Coles boasts about snagging a free tub of ice cream weekly, but their advice may not be a lasting solution. Image source: TikTok/@thekickitforwardpodcast

Well, according to savvy shoppers, you can score ‘free’ products from Coles online by selecting items they anticipate will be out of stock and then rejecting the substituted product.

Based on one shopper’s statement, this approach involves searching for a product believed to be unavailable in-store, prompting Coles to send out a similar substitution.

One shopper shared their money-saving strategy on social media, claiming to use this method to ‘get a free tub of ice cream every week’.

‘If you say you’re not happy with the alternative they choose for you, you get the item for free... We say we are not happy with it and get a free tub of ice cream every week,’ they said.

While this strategy might yield short-term benefits, it is understood that Coles online will eventually flag the shopper as a frequent offender. The online fulfilment team receives reports for credits and refunds initiated by shoppers.

If there’s a consistent request, similar to the ice cream example, you might be flagged for attempting to exploit the system, potentially resulting in a denial of the credit.

According to a Coles spokesperson, the substitution choice is in place to make sure shoppers aren't left without alternatives if a particular item is out of stock.

Substitutions might not be your preference, so the online team may give you a call to confirm if you'd like to adjust your choices if you consistently decline replacements.

‘As per the Coles Online terms and conditions, customers have the choice to opt in or out for substitutions,’ the spokesperson said.

‘If you have chosen to allow substitutions, we’ll choose a similar item that is either a different size of the same product or a different brand.’

‘If we substitute any item, you'll be charged the lower of the original or the substitute price. When an item is out of stock, you won’t be charged for that item.’

Coles substitution policy and process

Whether you're after a free item or just want a smooth shopping experience at Coles, make the most of the substitute option for out-of-stock items with this simple guide.

• Step 1: Review your order and click Checkout.
• Step 2: After confirming your delivery details, head to the Review trolley and substitutions section. The ‘Allow substitutions’ option is automatically selected, but feel free to change this preference before saving and continuing. Click on ‘Change substitutions’ to view and adjust your preferences.
• Step 3: All items in your trolley will be ticked. Untick any you don’t want substitutes for. You can also switch to ‘Don't allow substitutions’ if you prefer. Make your selections and continue through checkout to place your order.

If something is unavailable when the order is packed, it will be swapped with a similar item from the range. However, you’ll only pay the price of the substitute item, and your final order total will be updated accordingly.

Please note that certain items like liquor, tobacco, and baby products are exempt from substitutions, as they are chosen based on specific preferences.

Woolworths offers a comparable feature where if items are out of stock, they will be replaced with a ‘suitable alternative of equal or higher value’.

‘This is at no extra cost to you, and you'll only be charged the price of the original item. If no appropriate substitute is available, we’ll refund you for the item/s, or adjust your final order total accordingly,’ the Woolworths website states.

Video source: TikTok/@@thekickitforwardpodcast​

Key Takeaways

• Savvy shoppers have figured out a workaround to get ‘free’ products from Coles online by choosing products they think will be out of stock and then rejecting the substituted product.
• This clever trick involves Coles’ substitution policy when products are out of stock and has been used by shoppers to get items such as ice cream for free.
• Coles has warned that they will flag repeat offenders who consistently reject substitutions, potentially denying them credits.
• Woolworths has a similar policy, where out-of-stock items are substituted with a comparable item, charged at the price of the original item. If no suitable substitution is available, shoppers are refunded, or their order total is adjusted.

Members, what's your take on this story? Would you consider trying this loophole for a free product at Coles or Woolworths? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

 

[Suzanne rose]

No, I wouldn't it's very dishonest, and people doing this all the time knowing that they are going to do it from the beginning is very dishonest.

Another reason groceries are going up is because of theft and dishonesty, and this is both.

Maybe the article should have just shown people that they can ask for substitutions and if they are not happy then coles will refund and left out the searching for out of stock items just so they can then ask for a refund.

This article may encourage people to do this , which really, is the same as stealing .
I now hope no one who reads this article goes and tries it.

I have had substitutions where I have asked for a refund. I asked for coke no sugar, and they gave me coke. Did they not know I wanted sugar free. I now untick substitutions for these and any other items I don't want substituted.

 

[stillyoung]

No I wouldn't it's very dishonest and by people doing this all the time knowing that they are going to from the beginning is very dishonest.

Another reason groceries are going up because of dishonesty .

Maybe the article should have just shown people that they can ask for substitutions and if they are not happy then coles will refund and left out the searching for out of stock items just so they can then ask for a refund.

This is incouraging people to do this , which really is the same as stealing .
I now hope no one that reads this article goes and try it.

I have had substitutions where I have asked for a refund. I asked for coke no sugar and they gave me coke. Did they not know I wanted sugar free. I now untick substitutions for these and anything other items I don't want substituted

Another similar dishonest trend is where people sign up for a free trial of a home delivery meal service with the full intention of cancelling the service once the "free" meal has been delivered. One of our neighbors brags about doing this. I find it pretty offensive and somewhat of a low life act.

 

[NotNats]

as far as I'm concern - that's stealing, as you know you are not going to pay for it.

 

[sheilmac]

Getting free or discounted stuff is pretty rare, so when it happens, it’s quite a big deal.

For Aussies attempting to maximise their online shopping experience, savvy Coles shoppers have found a ‘loophole’ in the supermarket’s online ordering system, allowing them to get products at a reduced price or for ‘free’.

In theory, this loophole could be applied to any product, but whether it will continue remains uncertain.

So, what is this ‘loophole’?

View attachment 33571

A shopper at Coles boasts about snagging a free tub of ice cream weekly, but their advice may not be a lasting solution. Image source: TikTok/@thekickitforwardpodcast

Well, according to savvy shoppers, you can score ‘free’ products from Coles online by selecting items they anticipate will be out of stock and then rejecting the substituted product.

Based on one shopper’s statement, this approach involves searching for a product believed to be unavailable in-store, prompting Coles to send out a similar substitution.

One shopper shared their money-saving strategy on social media, claiming to use this method to ‘get a free tub of ice cream every week’.

‘If you say you’re not happy with the alternative they choose for you, you get the item for free... We say we are not happy with it and get a free tub of ice cream every week,’ they said.

While this strategy might yield short-term benefits, it is understood that Coles online will eventually flag the shopper as a frequent offender. The online fulfilment team receives reports for credits and refunds initiated by shoppers.

If there’s a consistent request, similar to the ice cream example, you might be flagged for attempting to exploit the system, potentially resulting in a denial of the credit.

According to a Coles spokesperson, the substitution choice is in place to make sure shoppers aren't left without alternatives if a particular item is out of stock.

Substitutions might not be your preference, so the online team may give you a call to confirm if you'd like to adjust your choices if you consistently decline replacements.

‘As per the Coles Online terms and conditions, customers have the choice to opt in or out for substitutions,’ the spokesperson said.

‘If you have chosen to allow substitutions, we’ll choose a similar item that is either a different size of the same product or a different brand.’

‘If we substitute any item, you'll be charged the lower of the original or the substitute price. When an item is out of stock, you won’t be charged for that item.’

Coles substitution policy and process

Whether you're after a free item or just want a smooth shopping experience at Coles, make the most of the substitute option for out-of-stock items with this simple guide.

• Step 1: Review your order and click Checkout.
• Step 2: After confirming your delivery details, head to the Review trolley and substitutions section. The ‘Allow substitutions’ option is automatically selected, but feel free to change this preference before saving and continuing. Click on ‘Change substitutions’ to view and adjust your preferences.
• Step 3: All items in your trolley will be ticked. Untick any you don’t want substitutes for. You can also switch to ‘Don't allow substitutions’ if you prefer. Make your selections and continue through checkout to place your order.

If something is unavailable when the order is packed, it will be swapped with a similar item from the range. However, you’ll only pay the price of the substitute item, and your final order total will be updated accordingly.

Please note that certain items like liquor, tobacco, and baby products are exempt from substitutions, as they are chosen based on specific preferences.

Woolworths offers a comparable feature where if items are out of stock, they will be replaced with a ‘suitable alternative of equal or higher value’.

‘This is at no extra cost to you, and you'll only be charged the price of the original item. If no appropriate substitute is available, we’ll refund you for the item/s, or adjust your final order total accordingly,’ the Woolworths website states.

Video source: TikTok/@@thekickitforwardpodcast​

Key Takeaways

• Savvy shoppers have figured out a workaround to get ‘free’ products from Coles online by choosing products they think will be out of stock and then rejecting the substituted product.
• This clever trick involves Coles’ substitution policy when products are out of stock and has been used by shoppers to get items such as ice cream for free.
• Coles has warned that they will flag repeat offenders who consistently reject substitutions, potentially denying them credits.
• Woolworths has a similar policy, where out-of-stock items are substituted with a comparable item, charged at the price of the original item. If no suitable substitution is available, shoppers are refunded, or their order total is adjusted.

Members, what's your take on this story? Would you consider trying this loophole for a free product at Coles or Woolworths? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Definitely not and I hope you are not promoting this unethical behaviour

 

[Veggiepatch]

One reason why I don't buy online. If the quality of fruit and veg is substandard, I will go to a shop with better produce.

You don't get that luxury with online shopping. What you get is what you are given, as chosen by some teenager, who probably have never done a substantial grocery shop in their lives.

 

[Judio]

Getting free or discounted stuff is pretty rare, so when it happens, it’s quite a big deal.

For Aussies attempting to maximise their online shopping experience, savvy Coles shoppers have found a ‘loophole’ in the supermarket’s online ordering system, allowing them to get products at a reduced price or for ‘free’.

In theory, this loophole could be applied to any product, but whether it will continue remains uncertain.

So, what is this ‘loophole’?

View attachment 33571

A shopper at Coles boasts about snagging a free tub of ice cream weekly, but their advice may not be a lasting solution. Image source: TikTok/@thekickitforwardpodcast

Well, according to savvy shoppers, you can score ‘free’ products from Coles online by selecting items they anticipate will be out of stock and then rejecting the substituted product.

Based on one shopper’s statement, this approach involves searching for a product believed to be unavailable in-store, prompting Coles to send out a similar substitution.

One shopper shared their money-saving strategy on social media, claiming to use this method to ‘get a free tub of ice cream every week’.

‘If you say you’re not happy with the alternative they choose for you, you get the item for free... We say we are not happy with it and get a free tub of ice cream every week,’ they said.

While this strategy might yield short-term benefits, it is understood that Coles online will eventually flag the shopper as a frequent offender. The online fulfilment team receives reports for credits and refunds initiated by shoppers.

If there’s a consistent request, similar to the ice cream example, you might be flagged for attempting to exploit the system, potentially resulting in a denial of the credit.

According to a Coles spokesperson, the substitution choice is in place to make sure shoppers aren't left without alternatives if a particular item is out of stock.

Substitutions might not be your preference, so the online team may give you a call to confirm if you'd like to adjust your choices if you consistently decline replacements.

‘As per the Coles Online terms and conditions, customers have the choice to opt in or out for substitutions,’ the spokesperson said.

‘If you have chosen to allow substitutions, we’ll choose a similar item that is either a different size of the same product or a different brand.’

‘If we substitute any item, you'll be charged the lower of the original or the substitute price. When an item is out of stock, you won’t be charged for that item.’

Coles substitution policy and process

Whether you're after a free item or just want a smooth shopping experience at Coles, make the most of the substitute option for out-of-stock items with this simple guide.

• Step 1: Review your order and click Checkout.
• Step 2: After confirming your delivery details, head to the Review trolley and substitutions section. The ‘Allow substitutions’ option is automatically selected, but feel free to change this preference before saving and continuing. Click on ‘Change substitutions’ to view and adjust your preferences.
• Step 3: All items in your trolley will be ticked. Untick any you don’t want substitutes for. You can also switch to ‘Don't allow substitutions’ if you prefer. Make your selections and continue through checkout to place your order.

If something is unavailable when the order is packed, it will be swapped with a similar item from the range. However, you’ll only pay the price of the substitute item, and your final order total will be updated accordingly.

Please note that certain items like liquor, tobacco, and baby products are exempt from substitutions, as they are chosen based on specific preferences.

Woolworths offers a comparable feature where if items are out of stock, they will be replaced with a ‘suitable alternative of equal or higher value’.

‘This is at no extra cost to you, and you'll only be charged the price of the original item. If no appropriate substitute is available, we’ll refund you for the item/s, or adjust your final order total accordingly,’ the Woolworths website states.

Video source: TikTok/@@thekickitforwardpodcast​

Key Takeaways

• Savvy shoppers have figured out a workaround to get ‘free’ products from Coles online by choosing products they think will be out of stock and then rejecting the substituted product.
• This clever trick involves Coles’ substitution policy when products are out of stock and has been used by shoppers to get items such as ice cream for free.
• Coles has warned that they will flag repeat offenders who consistently reject substitutions, potentially denying them credits.
• Woolworths has a similar policy, where out-of-stock items are substituted with a comparable item, charged at the price of the original item. If no suitable substitution is available, shoppers are refunded, or their order total is adjusted.

Members, what's your take on this story? Would you consider trying this loophole for a free product at Coles or Woolworths? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Aside from dishonest and stupid - Coles will end up NOT substituting etc. All this does is ruin the chance of it continuing. Better ways to save money. STOP DOING IT!

 

[Big M]

Definitely not and I hope you are not promoting this unethical behaviour

I agree - should not put an article online that gives people ideas to do dishonest things - shame on you SDC!

 

[Anoush]

I don't shop online for the simple reason I like to choose what I want,,,that is being very dishonest and another reason prices are high

 

[mylittletibbies]

No pride, I would be ashamed to admit I did this.
Nothing to be proud of.

 

[joany]

I was in Coles one time buying a particular brand of eggs but they’d sold out, the lady next to me called a staff member and both of us got a dozen eggs costing twice as much for free, I must admit I was stunned shocked but happy at getting a freebie, but felt like I’d stolen the item. Years later and Ive never ever done it again. I have my pride intact and my head held high.

 

[AlanQ]

Appears this 'savvy' shopper doesn't consider this to be his own scam. Not any different to the people that order Uber Eats and when it is delivered to the doorstep (doesn't need to be handed to a person) they then flag the order as not received, but will only get away with once or maybe twice before the system rejects their claim and applies the charge. I'm sure we're not going to see a story on customers scamming retailers or restaurants.

 

[Clancieblue]

Why on earth are you printing this ? Everyday we are warned about scammers and now you are training them.
Not savvy, just plain thieves.

 

[Sally G]

Very immoral and unethical - These supermarkets already have good policies for refunds and replacements when things go genuinely wrong - this kind of thievery will just make it harder for honest shoppers because we will all be regarded with suspicion.

 

[Jo Piper3]

What happened to honesty? This is not acceptable behaviour.

 

[lonelyasacloud]

Shameful. Pure theft and dishonesty. Such an article should not be printed

 

[Petra]

Getting free or discounted stuff is pretty rare, so when it happens, it’s quite a big deal.

For Aussies attempting to maximise their online shopping experience, savvy Coles shoppers have found a ‘loophole’ in the supermarket’s online ordering system, allowing them to get products at a reduced price or for ‘free’.

In theory, this loophole could be applied to any product, but whether it will continue remains uncertain.

So, what is this ‘loophole’?

View attachment 33571

A shopper at Coles boasts about snagging a free tub of ice cream weekly, but their advice may not be a lasting solution. Image source: TikTok/@thekickitforwardpodcast

Well, according to savvy shoppers, you can score ‘free’ products from Coles online by selecting items they anticipate will be out of stock and then rejecting the substituted product.

Based on one shopper’s statement, this approach involves searching for a product believed to be unavailable in-store, prompting Coles to send out a similar substitution.

One shopper shared their money-saving strategy on social media, claiming to use this method to ‘get a free tub of ice cream every week’.

‘If you say you’re not happy with the alternative they choose for you, you get the item for free... We say we are not happy with it and get a free tub of ice cream every week,’ they said.

While this strategy might yield short-term benefits, it is understood that Coles online will eventually flag the shopper as a frequent offender. The online fulfilment team receives reports for credits and refunds initiated by shoppers.

If there’s a consistent request, similar to the ice cream example, you might be flagged for attempting to exploit the system, potentially resulting in a denial of the credit.

According to a Coles spokesperson, the substitution choice is in place to make sure shoppers aren't left without alternatives if a particular item is out of stock.

Substitutions might not be your preference, so the online team may give you a call to confirm if you'd like to adjust your choices if you consistently decline replacements.

‘As per the Coles Online terms and conditions, customers have the choice to opt in or out for substitutions,’ the spokesperson said.

‘If you have chosen to allow substitutions, we’ll choose a similar item that is either a different size of the same product or a different brand.’

‘If we substitute any item, you'll be charged the lower of the original or the substitute price. When an item is out of stock, you won’t be charged for that item.’

Coles substitution policy and process

Whether you're after a free item or just want a smooth shopping experience at Coles, make the most of the substitute option for out-of-stock items with this simple guide.

• Step 1: Review your order and click Checkout.
• Step 2: After confirming your delivery details, head to the Review trolley and substitutions section. The ‘Allow substitutions’ option is automatically selected, but feel free to change this preference before saving and continuing. Click on ‘Change substitutions’ to view and adjust your preferences.
• Step 3: All items in your trolley will be ticked. Untick any you don’t want substitutes for. You can also switch to ‘Don't allow substitutions’ if you prefer. Make your selections and continue through checkout to place your order.

If something is unavailable when the order is packed, it will be swapped with a similar item from the range. However, you’ll only pay the price of the substitute item, and your final order total will be updated accordingly.

Please note that certain items like liquor, tobacco, and baby products are exempt from substitutions, as they are chosen based on specific preferences.

Woolworths offers a comparable feature where if items are out of stock, they will be replaced with a ‘suitable alternative of equal or higher value’.

‘This is at no extra cost to you, and you'll only be charged the price of the original item. If no appropriate substitute is available, we’ll refund you for the item/s, or adjust your final order total accordingly,’ the Woolworths website states.

Video source: TikTok/@@thekickitforwardpodcast​

Key Takeaways

• Savvy shoppers have figured out a workaround to get ‘free’ products from Coles online by choosing products they think will be out of stock and then rejecting the substituted product.
• This clever trick involves Coles’ substitution policy when products are out of stock and has been used by shoppers to get items such as ice cream for free.
• Coles has warned that they will flag repeat offenders who consistently reject substitutions, potentially denying them credits.
• Woolworths has a similar policy, where out-of-stock items are substituted with a comparable item, charged at the price of the original item. If no suitable substitution is available, shoppers are refunded, or their order total is adjusted.

Members, what's your take on this story? Would you consider trying this loophole for a free product at Coles or Woolworths? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

This is stealing !!!!!!!!! SHAME ON YOU ! @Shaira I am getting more and more disappointed with Seniors Discount Club ......

 

[Aussie D]

Its selfish morons like this who wreck things for all the genuine claimants.
Look what's happened with the Disability Pension ! Because selfish greedy people took advantage and dishonestly lived on disability payments while secretly working for cash, it is now near impossible for genuine people in dire circumstances to get a successful application outcome.
And I have to agree that headlining this article as "savvy" is an offensive mistake SDC ! Where is your moral code ?

 

[scouserdog]

Straight out theft

 

[June E]

Getting free or discounted stuff is pretty rare, so when it happens, it’s quite a big deal.

For Aussies attempting to maximise their online shopping experience, savvy Coles shoppers have found a ‘loophole’ in the supermarket’s online ordering system, allowing them to get products at a reduced price or for ‘free’.

In theory, this loophole could be applied to any product, but whether it will continue remains uncertain.

So, what is this ‘loophole’?

View attachment 33571

A shopper at Coles boasts about snagging a free tub of ice cream weekly, but their advice may not be a lasting solution. Image source: TikTok/@thekickitforwardpodcast

Well, according to savvy shoppers, you can score ‘free’ products from Coles online by selecting items they anticipate will be out of stock and then rejecting the substituted product.

Based on one shopper’s statement, this approach involves searching for a product believed to be unavailable in-store, prompting Coles to send out a similar substitution.

One shopper shared their money-saving strategy on social media, claiming to use this method to ‘get a free tub of ice cream every week’.

‘If you say you’re not happy with the alternative they choose for you, you get the item for free... We say we are not happy with it and get a free tub of ice cream every week,’ they said.

While this strategy might yield short-term benefits, it is understood that Coles online will eventually flag the shopper as a frequent offender. The online fulfilment team receives reports for credits and refunds initiated by shoppers.

If there’s a consistent request, similar to the ice cream example, you might be flagged for attempting to exploit the system, potentially resulting in a denial of the credit.

According to a Coles spokesperson, the substitution choice is in place to make sure shoppers aren't left without alternatives if a particular item is out of stock.

Substitutions might not be your preference, so the online team may give you a call to confirm if you'd like to adjust your choices if you consistently decline replacements.

‘As per the Coles Online terms and conditions, customers have the choice to opt in or out for substitutions,’ the spokesperson said.

‘If you have chosen to allow substitutions, we’ll choose a similar item that is either a different size of the same product or a different brand.’

‘If we substitute any item, you'll be charged the lower of the original or the substitute price. When an item is out of stock, you won’t be charged for that item.’

Coles substitution policy and process

Whether you're after a free item or just want a smooth shopping experience at Coles, make the most of the substitute option for out-of-stock items with this simple guide.

• Step 1: Review your order and click Checkout.
• Step 2: After confirming your delivery details, head to the Review trolley and substitutions section. The ‘Allow substitutions’ option is automatically selected, but feel free to change this preference before saving and continuing. Click on ‘Change substitutions’ to view and adjust your preferences.
• Step 3: All items in your trolley will be ticked. Untick any you don’t want substitutes for. You can also switch to ‘Don't allow substitutions’ if you prefer. Make your selections and continue through checkout to place your order.

If something is unavailable when the order is packed, it will be swapped with a similar item from the range. However, you’ll only pay the price of the substitute item, and your final order total will be updated accordingly.

Please note that certain items like liquor, tobacco, and baby products are exempt from substitutions, as they are chosen based on specific preferences.

Woolworths offers a comparable feature where if items are out of stock, they will be replaced with a ‘suitable alternative of equal or higher value’.

‘This is at no extra cost to you, and you'll only be charged the price of the original item. If no appropriate substitute is available, we’ll refund you for the item/s, or adjust your final order total accordingly,’ the Woolworths website states.

Video source: TikTok/@@thekickitforwardpodcast​

Key Takeaways

• Savvy shoppers have figured out a workaround to get ‘free’ products from Coles online by choosing products they think will be out of stock and then rejecting the substituted product.
• This clever trick involves Coles’ substitution policy when products are out of stock and has been used by shoppers to get items such as ice cream for free.
• Coles has warned that they will flag repeat offenders who consistently reject substitutions, potentially denying them credits.
• Woolworths has a similar policy, where out-of-stock items are substituted with a comparable item, charged at the price of the original item. If no suitable substitution is available, shoppers are refunded, or their order total is adjusted.

Members, what's your take on this story? Would you consider trying this loophole for a free product at Coles or Woolworths? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

No I wouldn’t do it. I shop Coles online most of the time as I don’t drive, if I’m particular about a brand I tick no substitute but mainly leave it open. I’ve been missing items occasionally but when I ring I get a credit, but I would never lie about that either it’s all stealing when alls said and done and I’m not dishonest.
To the people having a go at SDC they are just telling the news not advocating we all go and do it!