We all love a good bargain, especially when it comes to groceries. But sometimes, supermarkets can be a little too good at making their deals look irresistible... so much so that some might say they're crossing the line into false advertising.

Coles has recently come under fire from shoppers who have accused the supermarket of using misleading labels on certain products in order to make them look like they're discounted when they really aren't.

After noticing that Cheer's Tasty cheese pack had a 'down down' label and was being sold for $14, a number of shoppers took to social media to allege the retailer of tricking customers by giving the impression that the customers were getting a deal.

It was said that the product's price was increased from $11 to $17.55 for two weeks before it was brought back down to $14.

Shoppers noted that the price of a pack of Cheer's Tasty cheese slices has been going up and down in recent weeks. Credit: Reddit.

Many pointed out that the drastic 60 per cent price increase from its original price and its subsequent 'price drop' is a marketing ploy directed at unsuspecting customers to make them think that they are benefiting from the discount when in fact they are not.

One person wrote: 'Now "down down" to $14. The price was increased from $11 to $17.55 for two weeks then brought down to $14.'

'Previously, they had a 60 per cent increase in the price, now they're marketing it as if shoppers are gaining benefits.'

Several more users also claimed that the supermarket has done the same thing before by increasing the price of certain goods and then dropping them to a higher price than the ones they originally were before 'praising' themselves for their 'low prices.'

One comment read: 'They did this trick before the pandemic, raising prices, then dropping them to more than they originally were, and then patting themselves on the back and praising themselves for low prices.'

The changes in the price of the popular dairy buy prompted many shoppers to accuse Coles of false marketing. Credit: Reddit.

Another agreed and pointed out: 'It's disgusting and they know it sells because you see a ‘down down’ tag and automatically assume you are on the winning side. I wouldn’t call that a low price…'

Meanwhile, a third said that the 'game' being played is for retailers to increase prices, then cut those increases in half.

'So X starts at $1, doubles to $2 and settles at $1.50,' the person explained. 'That's just the way the game is played, apparently.'

It should be noted that while there are shoppers who are continuously on the lookout for 'false marketing' schemes, there are also those who find value in promotions such as 'down down' deals.

One bargain hunter wrote: 'Love being part of the down down sale club.'

'We don't buy anything unless it's on sale,' another added.

Key Takeaways

• Shoppers are accusing Coles of false marketing after they spotted a 'down down' label on the Cheer Tasty cheese pack, retailing it for $14.
• They allege that Coles increased the price of the cheese from $11 to $17.55 for two weeks before bringing it back down to $14 and marketing it as though shoppers are getting a good deal.
• Some commenters say that this is not an isolated incident and that Coles has pulled this trick before with other products.
• Others say that this is how food inflation works, with prices being increased and then decreased so that the consumer pays more in the end.

So far, the accusation has been directly addressed by the supermarket giant.

Do you think the shoppers' frustrations over the 'down down' deals are justified or just semantics? Also, do you think this is a typical practice among retailers or is only Coles guilty of doing this? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

 

[jace1950]

I agree re Coles Down and Locked program
Specifically, I have noticed a couple of other items:
Campbells Soup Concentrate Cans - were $1-80 and now are Down and Locked at $2-00
Also, Coles Evaporated milk Cans - were $1-70 and now Down and Locked at $1-90
These are only ones that I have noticed because they are part of my shop

 

[Lozza1940]

While you are on the subject. our local Aldi Store is selling an incomplete product. They have a Ferrex Garden Skin only tool for sale. Batteries and Charger sold separately. Except they don't sell the Batteries and Charger. Their site says they don't sell spare parts, agreed. But a battery and Charger for a cordless tool can hardly be described as spare parts. A bit like buying a new car only to find out that wheels for it aren't supplied or sold by the dealer.

 

[mylittletibbies]

How weird!!

 

[StephenNikita]

We all love a good bargain, especially when it comes to groceries. But sometimes, supermarkets can be a little too good at making their deals look irresistible... so much so that some might say they're crossing the line into false advertising.

Coles has recently come under fire from shoppers who have accused the supermarket of using misleading labels on certain products in order to make them look like they're discounted when they really aren't.

After noticing that Cheer's Tasty cheese pack had a 'down down' label and was being sold for $14, a number of shoppers took to social media to allege the retailer of tricking customers by giving the impression that the customers were getting a deal.

It was said that the product's price was increased from $11 to $17.55 for two weeks before it was brought back down to $14.

Shoppers noted that the price of a pack of Cheer's Tasty cheese slices has been going up and down in recent weeks. Credit: Reddit.

Many pointed out that the drastic 60 per cent price increase from its original price and its subsequent 'price drop' is a marketing ploy directed at unsuspecting customers to make them think that they are benefiting from the discount when in fact they are not.

One person wrote: 'Now "down down" to $14. The price was increased from $11 to $17.55 for two weeks then brought down to $14.'

'Previously, they had a 60 per cent increase in the price, now they're marketing it as if shoppers are gaining benefits.'

Several more users also claimed that the supermarket has done the same thing before by increasing the price of certain goods and then dropping them to a higher price than the ones they originally were before 'praising' themselves for their 'low prices.'

One comment read: 'They did this trick before the pandemic, raising prices, then dropping them to more than they originally were, and then patting themselves on the back and praising themselves for low prices.'

The changes in the price of the popular dairy buy prompted many shoppers to accuse Coles of false marketing. Credit: Reddit.

Another agreed and pointed out: 'It's disgusting and they know it sells because you see a ‘down down’ tag and automatically assume you are on the winning side. I wouldn’t call that a low price…'

Meanwhile, a third said that the 'game' being played is for retailers to increase prices, then cut those increases in half.

'So X starts at $1, doubles to $2 and settles at $1.50,' the person explained. 'That's just the way the game is played, apparently.'

It should be noted that while there are shoppers who are continuously on the lookout for 'false marketing' schemes, there are also those who find value in promotions such as 'down down' deals.

One bargain hunter wrote: 'Love being part of the down down sale club.'

'We don't buy anything unless it's on sale,' another added.

Key Takeaways

• Shoppers are accusing Coles of false marketing after they spotted a 'down down' label on the Cheer Tasty cheese pack, retailing it for $14.
• They allege that Coles increased the price of the cheese from $11 to $17.55 for two weeks before bringing it back down to $14 and marketing it as though shoppers are getting a good deal.
• Some commenters say that this is not an isolated incident and that Coles has pulled this trick before with other products.
• Others say that this is how food inflation works, with prices being increased and then decreased so that the consumer pays more in the end.

So far, the accusation has been directly addressed by the supermarket giant.

Do you think the shoppers' frustrations over the 'down down' deals are justified or just semantics? Also, do you think this is a typical practice among retailers or is only Coles guilty of doing this? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

And just how do they justify a $6.55 increase in the first place. Where just getting ripped off. The profit coles & Woolworths are make is staggering.

 

[Ashmenou]

While you are on the subject. our local Aldi Store is selling an incomplete product. They have a Ferrex Garden Skin only tool for sale. Batteries and Charger sold separately. Except they don't sell the Batteries and Charger. Their site says they don't sell spare parts, agreed. But a battery and Charger for a cordless tool can hardly be described as spare parts. A bit like buying a new car only to find out that wheels for it aren't supplied or sold by the dealer.

Agree

 

[Hughsie]

We all love a good bargain, especially when it comes to groceries. But sometimes, supermarkets can be a little too good at making their deals look irresistible... so much so that some might say they're crossing the line into false advertising.

Coles has recently come under fire from shoppers who have accused the supermarket of using misleading labels on certain products in order to make them look like they're discounted when they really aren't.

After noticing that Cheer's Tasty cheese pack had a 'down down' label and was being sold for $14, a number of shoppers took to social media to allege the retailer of tricking customers by giving the impression that the customers were getting a deal.

It was said that the product's price was increased from $11 to $17.55 for two weeks before it was brought back down to $14.

Shoppers noted that the price of a pack of Cheer's Tasty cheese slices has been going up and down in recent weeks. Credit: Reddit.

Many pointed out that the drastic 60 per cent price increase from its original price and its subsequent 'price drop' is a marketing ploy directed at unsuspecting customers to make them think that they are benefiting from the discount when in fact they are not.

One person wrote: 'Now "down down" to $14. The price was increased from $11 to $17.55 for two weeks then brought down to $14.'

'Previously, they had a 60 per cent increase in the price, now they're marketing it as if shoppers are gaining benefits.'

Several more users also claimed that the supermarket has done the same thing before by increasing the price of certain goods and then dropping them to a higher price than the ones they originally were before 'praising' themselves for their 'low prices.'

One comment read: 'They did this trick before the pandemic, raising prices, then dropping them to more than they originally were, and then patting themselves on the back and praising themselves for low prices.'

The changes in the price of the popular dairy buy prompted many shoppers to accuse Coles of false marketing. Credit: Reddit.

Another agreed and pointed out: 'It's disgusting and they know it sells because you see a ‘down down’ tag and automatically assume you are on the winning side. I wouldn’t call that a low price…'

Meanwhile, a third said that the 'game' being played is for retailers to increase prices, then cut those increases in half.

'So X starts at $1, doubles to $2 and settles at $1.50,' the person explained. 'That's just the way the game is played, apparently.'

It should be noted that while there are shoppers who are continuously on the lookout for 'false marketing' schemes, there are also those who find value in promotions such as 'down down' deals.

One bargain hunter wrote: 'Love being part of the down down sale club.'

'We don't buy anything unless it's on sale,' another added.

Key Takeaways

• Shoppers are accusing Coles of false marketing after they spotted a 'down down' label on the Cheer Tasty cheese pack, retailing it for $14.
• They allege that Coles increased the price of the cheese from $11 to $17.55 for two weeks before bringing it back down to $14 and marketing it as though shoppers are getting a good deal.
• Some commenters say that this is not an isolated incident and that Coles has pulled this trick before with other products.
• Others say that this is how food inflation works, with prices being increased and then decreased so that the consumer pays more in the end.

So far, the accusation has been directly addressed by the supermarket giant.

Do you think the shoppers' frustrations over the 'down down' deals are justified or just semantics? Also, do you think this is a typical practice among retailers or is only Coles guilty of doing this? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

 

[Hughsie]

This happens at Coles Corrimal very often, and most people desert Coles.

 

[riskydave]

And just how do they justify a $6.55 increase in the first place. Where just getting ripped off. The profit coles & Woolworths are make is staggering.

I wouldn’t call that a low price…'I would call that a 'low life'. I see it a lot in the supermarket, the other one is you see are large 1 kilo bag of Beans or similar for 3.50 on Special....look further and you will see 500g bags of beans or similar for 90 cents each...or two (1KG) for a 1.80 for the same product. Supermarkets care about two things, skimping on wages and making money...the one thing they do not care about is you the customer.

 

[kiwidi29]

We all love a good bargain, especially when it comes to groceries. But sometimes, supermarkets can be a little too good at making their deals look irresistible... so much so that some might say they're crossing the line into false advertising.

Coles has recently come under fire from shoppers who have accused the supermarket of using misleading labels on certain products in order to make them look like they're discounted when they really aren't.

After noticing that Cheer's Tasty cheese pack had a 'down down' label and was being sold for $14, a number of shoppers took to social media to allege the retailer of tricking customers by giving the impression that the customers were getting a deal.

It was said that the product's price was increased from $11 to $17.55 for two weeks before it was brought back down to $14.

Shoppers noted that the price of a pack of Cheer's Tasty cheese slices has been going up and down in recent weeks. Credit: Reddit.

Many pointed out that the drastic 60 per cent price increase from its original price and its subsequent 'price drop' is a marketing ploy directed at unsuspecting customers to make them think that they are benefiting from the discount when in fact they are not.

One person wrote: 'Now "down down" to $14. The price was increased from $11 to $17.55 for two weeks then brought down to $14.'

'Previously, they had a 60 per cent increase in the price, now they're marketing it as if shoppers are gaining benefits.'

Several more users also claimed that the supermarket has done the same thing before by increasing the price of certain goods and then dropping them to a higher price than the ones they originally were before 'praising' themselves for their 'low prices.'

One comment read: 'They did this trick before the pandemic, raising prices, then dropping them to more than they originally were, and then patting themselves on the back and praising themselves for low prices.'

The changes in the price of the popular dairy buy prompted many shoppers to accuse Coles of false marketing. Credit: Reddit.

Another agreed and pointed out: 'It's disgusting and they know it sells because you see a ‘down down’ tag and automatically assume you are on the winning side. I wouldn’t call that a low price…'

Meanwhile, a third said that the 'game' being played is for retailers to increase prices, then cut those increases in half.

'So X starts at $1, doubles to $2 and settles at $1.50,' the person explained. 'That's just the way the game is played, apparently.'

It should be noted that while there are shoppers who are continuously on the lookout for 'false marketing' schemes, there are also those who find value in promotions such as 'down down' deals.

One bargain hunter wrote: 'Love being part of the down down sale club.'

'We don't buy anything unless it's on sale,' another added.

Key Takeaways

• Shoppers are accusing Coles of false marketing after they spotted a 'down down' label on the Cheer Tasty cheese pack, retailing it for $14.
• They allege that Coles increased the price of the cheese from $11 to $17.55 for two weeks before bringing it back down to $14 and marketing it as though shoppers are getting a good deal.
• Some commenters say that this is not an isolated incident and that Coles has pulled this trick before with other products.
• Others say that this is how food inflation works, with prices being increased and then decreased so that the consumer pays more in the end.

So far, the accusation has been directly addressed by the supermarket giant.

Do you think the shoppers' frustrations over the 'down down' deals are justified or just semantics? Also, do you think this is a typical practice among retailers or is only Coles guilty of doing this? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

 

[kiwidi29]

Cheating like that is unconscionable! Bad, bad, Cole’s!!

 

[Ricci]

These places will only continue these practices as long as we let them. We need to vote with our wallets and take our custom elsewhere. If everybody stopped buying a particular item, it wouldn't take long, say 2 weeks of no sales and you could almost guarantee the prices would drop. We ultimately have the power to change things but until we become an organised and cohesive unit the big corporations will always win.

 

[Lynjw]

We all love a good bargain, especially when it comes to groceries. But sometimes, supermarkets can be a little too good at making their deals look irresistible... so much so that some might say they're crossing the line into false advertising.

Coles has recently come under fire from shoppers who have accused the supermarket of using misleading labels on certain products in order to make them look like they're discounted when they really aren't.

After noticing that Cheer's Tasty cheese pack had a 'down down' label and was being sold for $14, a number of shoppers took to social media to allege the retailer of tricking customers by giving the impression that the customers were getting a deal.

It was said that the product's price was increased from $11 to $17.55 for two weeks before it was brought back down to $14.

Shoppers noted that the price of a pack of Cheer's Tasty cheese slices has been going up and down in recent weeks. Credit: Reddit.

Many pointed out that the drastic 60 per cent price increase from its original price and its subsequent 'price drop' is a marketing ploy directed at unsuspecting customers to make them think that they are benefiting from the discount when in fact they are not.

One person wrote: 'Now "down down" to $14. The price was increased from $11 to $17.55 for two weeks then brought down to $14.'

'Previously, they had a 60 per cent increase in the price, now they're marketing it as if shoppers are gaining benefits.'

Several more users also claimed that the supermarket has done the same thing before by increasing the price of certain goods and then dropping them to a higher price than the ones they originally were before 'praising' themselves for their 'low prices.'

One comment read: 'They did this trick before the pandemic, raising prices, then dropping them to more than they originally were, and then patting themselves on the back and praising themselves for low prices.'

The changes in the price of the popular dairy buy prompted many shoppers to accuse Coles of false marketing. Credit: Reddit.

Another agreed and pointed out: 'It's disgusting and they know it sells because you see a ‘down down’ tag and automatically assume you are on the winning side. I wouldn’t call that a low price…'

Meanwhile, a third said that the 'game' being played is for retailers to increase prices, then cut those increases in half.

'So X starts at $1, doubles to $2 and settles at $1.50,' the person explained. 'That's just the way the game is played, apparently.'

It should be noted that while there are shoppers who are continuously on the lookout for 'false marketing' schemes, there are also those who find value in promotions such as 'down down' deals.

One bargain hunter wrote: 'Love being part of the down down sale club.'

'We don't buy anything unless it's on sale,' another added.

Key Takeaways

• Shoppers are accusing Coles of false marketing after they spotted a 'down down' label on the Cheer Tasty cheese pack, retailing it for $14.
• They allege that Coles increased the price of the cheese from $11 to $17.55 for two weeks before bringing it back down to $14 and marketing it as though shoppers are getting a good deal.
• Some commenters say that this is not an isolated incident and that Coles has pulled this trick before with other products.
• Others say that this is how food inflation works, with prices being increased and then decreased so that the consumer pays more in the end.

So far, the accusation has been directly addressed by the supermarket giant.

Do you think the shoppers' frustrations over the 'down down' deals are justified or just semantics? Also, do you think this is a typical practice among retailers or is only Coles guilty of doing this? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

I went to 3 coles supermarkets for a dairy free creamy cheese supposedly on special a week ago. No one had it and when I quizzed a worker in shop 3 I was told that it was out of stock at the distribution centre. They apparently decide on specials months in advance. Surprisingly it was back on the shelves again this week after the specials were finished. I’ve had this experience on other occasions as well. Do they hold them back til the specials are over? It appears so.

 

[RTS]

I used to shop at Coles, but I don't now. All their 60% price hikes annoyed me out the door.

 

[Lynjw]

These places will only continue these practices as long as we let them. We need to vote with our wallets and take our custom elsewhere. If everybody stopped buying a particular item, it wouldn't take long, say 2 weeks of no sales and you could almost guarantee the prices would drop. We ultimately have the power to change things but until we become an organised and cohesive unit the big corporations will always win.

I’ve had probs with Woolies too faksely labelling specials. I told staff who just threw up their hands. I refused to buy the prod and after it happened 3 times I reported it to the ACCC. The last special on this prod was accurate.

 

[JehazFNQ]

I wouldn’t call that a low price…'I would call that a 'low life'. I see it a lot in the supermarket, the other one is you see are large 1 kilo bag of Beans or similar for 3.50 on Special....look further and you will see 500g bags of beans or similar for 90 cents each...or two (1KG) for a 1.80 for the same product. Supermarkets care about two things, skimping on wages and making money...the one thing they do not care about is you the customer.

That’s why I always look at the unit prices for anything that I buy and then compare when the same products are sold in different weights.

 

[HMC]

I have noticed this too. Western star butter was $7 then it went down to about $6.50 saying this was a new down down price. I noticed last week it was back to $7.