Why does this keep on happening?

It hasn't even been a week since we wrote a story about a Woolies shopper who discovered a 'sneaky' find on the supermarket shelf.

The supposed 'special' tag on a sauce item at the supermarket indicated that the price had dropped from $5 to $4.25. But upon taking a closer look, the original price was actually $4, not $5 as written on the discount tag.

Now, it looks like something similar has happened again. This time, it was a Coles shopper who posted about the incident on social media.

In a video posted on TikTok, the customer said that the jars of Lotus Biscoff Smooth Spread at the supermarket are on 'special' this week for $6.50, as indicated by the yellow tag we're all familiar with.

However, after pulling the tag to reveal the original price of the spread, the shopper was surprised that it was also $6.50.

This means that there were actually no discounts or savings of any kind, regardless of whether or not the product was considered to be on 'special'.

The yellow ticket cost the same as the original. Credit: TikTok.​

Despite the issue being more and more prevalent these days, shoppers seem to be taking it in their stride. Most of them even made jokes about the pricing blunder!

'Wow, what a bargain…' one person wrote in the comments. A second one added, 'Wait… what… where? I can't get to Coles fast enough!'

'Inflation is coming for everything, even Biscoff!' said a third.

The man behind the video also still went ahead and bought the product, despite the fact that there wasn't any kind of discount on it. He did mention, though, that the spread used to be cheaper.

Coles has already come forward with a statement to address the recent pricing issues, which were said to be caused by staff members simply making a few mistakes.

'All Coles Supermarkets apply "Our Promise on Price Scanning" to ensure confidence in the pricing accuracy at our registers,' said a spokesperson for the supermarket.

'If a single item scans at a higher price than the advertised or ticketed shelf price for that item, we will give the customer that item for free.'

'Our Promise on Price Scanning goes above and beyond the requirements of the Australian Consumer Law, which requires businesses to refund the difference between any overcharged amount and the correct price of the item.'

​

This isn't the first time the retail giant has claimed that a price increase on a product with a yellow 'special' tag was just a 'ticketing error.'

Just last week, we published a story on a similar ticketing error involving a Schick Quattro razor set purchased at Coles.

The sticker in the image displayed a 'special' price of $10.80; however, the original price was $10 underneath, and the barcode was crossed out in a pink highlighter.

As usual, a Coles representative explained that it was just a case of a staff member messing up.

However, many of you members have also shared your experiences with these dubious 'special' tags, and it's not just in Coles but in other big supermarkets as well.

Member @Abranass said, 'I have often noticed that the price on a "special" ticket is the same as the normal price on the ticket underneath. I find this extremely annoying as it is just false advertising and should not be allowed.'

Member @Oldtroll also wrote, 'This is nothing new. I have checked prices of items with a "special" sticker, not only in Coles but another BIG supermarket, in times past and found the same issue.'

You heard it here, folks! Several of our members have already had disappointing experiences with inaccurate 'special' tags, so make sure that you always check the price before checking them out!

What are your thoughts? Do you think the staff really made these price mistakes? Or are 'special' offers just a way for supermarkets to sell certain products even though there is no real discount? Let us know in the comments!

 

[Ricci]

How come Coles and Woolies both blame team members when all ticketing, shelf labels and specials tickets come from head office? It's not fair that the kids in store get the blame when it would seem that none of the supermarkets have enough checks and balances in place to ensure these stuff ups don't happen.

 

[FBuijs]

Why does this keep on happening?

It hasn't even been a week since we wrote a story about a Woolies shopper who discovered a 'sneaky' find on the supermarket shelf.

The supposed 'special' tag on a sauce item at the supermarket indicated that the price had dropped from $5 to $4.25. But upon taking a closer look, the original price was actually $4, not $5 as written on the discount tag.

Now, it looks like something similar has happened again. This time, it was a Coles shopper who posted about the incident on social media.

In a video posted on TikTok, the customer said that the jars of Lotus Biscoff Smooth Spread at the supermarket are on 'special' this week for $6.50, as indicated by the yellow tag we're all familiar with.

However, after pulling the tag to reveal the original price of the spread, the shopper was surprised that it was also $6.50.

This means that there were actually no discounts or savings of any kind, regardless of whether or not the product was considered to be on 'special'.

The yellow ticket cost the same as the original. Credit: TikTok.​

Despite the issue being more and more prevalent these days, shoppers seem to be taking it in their stride. Most of them even made jokes about the pricing blunder!

'Wow, what a bargain…' one person wrote in the comments. A second one added, 'Wait… what… where? I can't get to Coles fast enough!'

'Inflation is coming for everything, even Biscoff!' said a third.

The man behind the video also still went ahead and bought the product, despite the fact that there wasn't any kind of discount on it. He did mention, though, that the spread used to be cheaper.

Coles has already come forward with a statement to address the recent pricing issues, which were said to be caused by staff members simply making a few mistakes.

'All Coles Supermarkets apply "Our Promise on Price Scanning" to ensure confidence in the pricing accuracy at our registers,' said a spokesperson for the supermarket.

'If a single item scans at a higher price than the advertised or ticketed shelf price for that item, we will give the customer that item for free.'

'Our Promise on Price Scanning goes above and beyond the requirements of the Australian Consumer Law, which requires businesses to refund the difference between any overcharged amount and the correct price of the item.'

​

This isn't the first time the retail giant has claimed that a price increase on a product with a yellow 'special' tag was just a 'ticketing error.'

Just last week, we published a story on a similar ticketing error involving a Schick Quattro razor set purchased at Coles.

The sticker in the image displayed a 'special' price of $10.80; however, the original price was $10 underneath, and the barcode was crossed out in a pink highlighter.

As usual, a Coles representative explained that it was just a case of a staff member messing up.

However, many of you members have also shared your experiences with these dubious 'special' tags, and it's not just in Coles but in other big supermarkets as well.

Member @Abranass said, 'I have often noticed that the price on a "special" ticket is the same as the normal price on the ticket underneath. I find this extremely annoying as it is just false advertising and should not be allowed.'

Member @Oldtroll also wrote, 'This is nothing new. I have checked prices of items with a "special" sticker, not only in Coles but another BIG supermarket, in times past and found the same issue.'

You heard it here, folks! Several of our members have already had disappointing experiences with inaccurate 'special' tags, so make sure that you always check the price before checking them out!

What are your thoughts? Do you think the staff really made these price mistakes? Or are 'special' offers just a way for supermarkets to sell certain products even though there is no real discount? Let us know in the comments!

Hi,
The Supermarkets can lower their price a bit as they wish, but if there is a special this is regulated throughout the country that they have to follow. Then it can be that the price is a little bit higher then the price that supermarket put on themselves.

 

[Craftingnonna]

I checked this out at our local supermarket, and yes those yellow label’s are lying.ALWAYS check the original price. If the price o the yellow label is the same as the one underneath I just don’t buy that item, and report the uhum the error.

 

[Ian Crane-Luff]

It says special, not lower so it can hardly be called misleading

 

[Nannacas]

Why does this keep on happening?

It hasn't even been a week since we wrote a story about a Woolies shopper who discovered a 'sneaky' find on the supermarket shelf.

The supposed 'special' tag on a sauce item at the supermarket indicated that the price had dropped from $5 to $4.25. But upon taking a closer look, the original price was actually $4, not $5 as written on the discount tag.

Now, it looks like something similar has happened again. This time, it was a Coles shopper who posted about the incident on social media.

In a video posted on TikTok, the customer said that the jars of Lotus Biscoff Smooth Spread at the supermarket are on 'special' this week for $6.50, as indicated by the yellow tag we're all familiar with.

However, after pulling the tag to reveal the original price of the spread, the shopper was surprised that it was also $6.50.

This means that there were actually no discounts or savings of any kind, regardless of whether or not the product was considered to be on 'special'.

The yellow ticket cost the same as the original. Credit: TikTok.​

Despite the issue being more and more prevalent these days, shoppers seem to be taking it in their stride. Most of them even made jokes about the pricing blunder!

'Wow, what a bargain…' one person wrote in the comments. A second one added, 'Wait… what… where? I can't get to Coles fast enough!'

'Inflation is coming for everything, even Biscoff!' said a third.

The man behind the video also still went ahead and bought the product, despite the fact that there wasn't any kind of discount on it. He did mention, though, that the spread used to be cheaper.

Coles has already come forward with a statement to address the recent pricing issues, which were said to be caused by staff members simply making a few mistakes.

'All Coles Supermarkets apply "Our Promise on Price Scanning" to ensure confidence in the pricing accuracy at our registers,' said a spokesperson for the supermarket.

'If a single item scans at a higher price than the advertised or ticketed shelf price for that item, we will give the customer that item for free.'

'Our Promise on Price Scanning goes above and beyond the requirements of the Australian Consumer Law, which requires businesses to refund the difference between any overcharged amount and the correct price of the item.'

​

This isn't the first time the retail giant has claimed that a price increase on a product with a yellow 'special' tag was just a 'ticketing error.'

Just last week, we published a story on a similar ticketing error involving a Schick Quattro razor set purchased at Coles.

The sticker in the image displayed a 'special' price of $10.80; however, the original price was $10 underneath, and the barcode was crossed out in a pink highlighter.

As usual, a Coles representative explained that it was just a case of a staff member messing up.

However, many of you members have also shared your experiences with these dubious 'special' tags, and it's not just in Coles but in other big supermarkets as well.

Member @Abranass said, 'I have often noticed that the price on a "special" ticket is the same as the normal price on the ticket underneath. I find this extremely annoying as it is just false advertising and should not be allowed.'

Member @Oldtroll also wrote, 'This is nothing new. I have checked prices of items with a "special" sticker, not only in Coles but another BIG supermarket, in times past and found the same issue.'

You heard it here, folks! Several of our members have already had disappointing experiences with inaccurate 'special' tags, so make sure that you always check the price before checking them out!

What are your thoughts? Do you think the staff really made these price mistakes? Or are 'special' offers just a way for supermarkets to sell certain products even though there is no real discount? Let us know in the comments!

It's called "passing the buck". It seems that it is always someone else's fault and there is a lot of that these days. Take responsibility!

 

[Andrew]

What annoys me most is when the store leave the special labels on shelves and freezers after the special has finished, or the item has sold out.

 

[Imbi]

The Coles in my area is very clever they pull off original price when they have supposed specials on items, so you can't see original price.

 

[adorableagnes]

Why does this keep on happening?

It hasn't even been a week since we wrote a story about a Woolies shopper who discovered a 'sneaky' find on the supermarket shelf.

The supposed 'special' tag on a sauce item at the supermarket indicated that the price had dropped from $5 to $4.25. But upon taking a closer look, the original price was actually $4, not $5 as written on the discount tag.

Now, it looks like something similar has happened again. This time, it was a Coles shopper who posted about the incident on social media.

In a video posted on TikTok, the customer said that the jars of Lotus Biscoff Smooth Spread at the supermarket are on 'special' this week for $6.50, as indicated by the yellow tag we're all familiar with.

However, after pulling the tag to reveal the original price of the spread, the shopper was surprised that it was also $6.50.

This means that there were actually no discounts or savings of any kind, regardless of whether or not the product was considered to be on 'special'.

The yellow ticket cost the same as the original. Credit: TikTok.​

Despite the issue being more and more prevalent these days, shoppers seem to be taking it in their stride. Most of them even made jokes about the pricing blunder!

'Wow, what a bargain…' one person wrote in the comments. A second one added, 'Wait… what… where? I can't get to Coles fast enough!'

'Inflation is coming for everything, even Biscoff!' said a third.

The man behind the video also still went ahead and bought the product, despite the fact that there wasn't any kind of discount on it. He did mention, though, that the spread used to be cheaper.

Coles has already come forward with a statement to address the recent pricing issues, which were said to be caused by staff members simply making a few mistakes.

'All Coles Supermarkets apply "Our Promise on Price Scanning" to ensure confidence in the pricing accuracy at our registers,' said a spokesperson for the supermarket.

'If a single item scans at a higher price than the advertised or ticketed shelf price for that item, we will give the customer that item for free.'

'Our Promise on Price Scanning goes above and beyond the requirements of the Australian Consumer Law, which requires businesses to refund the difference between any overcharged amount and the correct price of the item.'

​

This isn't the first time the retail giant has claimed that a price increase on a product with a yellow 'special' tag was just a 'ticketing error.'

Just last week, we published a story on a similar ticketing error involving a Schick Quattro razor set purchased at Coles.

The sticker in the image displayed a 'special' price of $10.80; however, the original price was $10 underneath, and the barcode was crossed out in a pink highlighter.

As usual, a Coles representative explained that it was just a case of a staff member messing up.

However, many of you members have also shared your experiences with these dubious 'special' tags, and it's not just in Coles but in other big supermarkets as well.

Member @Abranass said, 'I have often noticed that the price on a "special" ticket is the same as the normal price on the ticket underneath. I find this extremely annoying as it is just false advertising and should not be allowed.'

Member @Oldtroll also wrote, 'This is nothing new. I have checked prices of items with a "special" sticker, not only in Coles but another BIG supermarket, in times past and found the same issue.'

You heard it here, folks! Several of our members have already had disappointing experiences with inaccurate 'special' tags, so make sure that you always check the price before checking them out!

What are your thoughts? Do you think the staff really made these price mistakes? Or are 'special' offers just a way for supermarkets to sell certain products even though there is no real discount? Let us know in the comments!

I always look under the yellow ticket because this is not a problem with staff it lies with Coles thinking shoppers are stupid either that or they employ really stupid people because it happens in all their stores and Woolies is no better.

 

[goodmorning]

How come Coles and Woolies both blame team members when all ticketing, shelf labels and specials tickets come from head office? It's not fair that the kids in store get the blame when it would seem that none of the supermarkets have enough checks and balances i place to ensure these stuff ups don't happen.

I think the same just pass the buck down the line may be some of those sitting in there flash office need to come back down and check out what is going on

 

[rehandra]

Why does this keep on happening?

It hasn't even been a week since we wrote a story about a Woolies shopper who discovered a 'sneaky' find on the supermarket shelf.

The supposed 'special' tag on a sauce item at the supermarket indicated that the price had dropped from $5 to $4.25. But upon taking a closer look, the original price was actually $4, not $5 as written on the discount tag.

Now, it looks like something similar has happened again. This time, it was a Coles shopper who posted about the incident on social media.

In a video posted on TikTok, the customer said that the jars of Lotus Biscoff Smooth Spread at the supermarket are on 'special' this week for $6.50, as indicated by the yellow tag we're all familiar with.

However, after pulling the tag to reveal the original price of the spread, the shopper was surprised that it was also $6.50.

This means that there were actually no discounts or savings of any kind, regardless of whether or not the product was considered to be on 'special'.

The yellow ticket cost the same as the original. Credit: TikTok.​

Despite the issue being more and more prevalent these days, shoppers seem to be taking it in their stride. Most of them even made jokes about the pricing blunder!

'Wow, what a bargain…' one person wrote in the comments. A second one added, 'Wait… what… where? I can't get to Coles fast enough!'

'Inflation is coming for everything, even Biscoff!' said a third.

The man behind the video also still went ahead and bought the product, despite the fact that there wasn't any kind of discount on it. He did mention, though, that the spread used to be cheaper.

Coles has already come forward with a statement to address the recent pricing issues, which were said to be caused by staff members simply making a few mistakes.

'All Coles Supermarkets apply "Our Promise on Price Scanning" to ensure confidence in the pricing accuracy at our registers,' said a spokesperson for the supermarket.

'If a single item scans at a higher price than the advertised or ticketed shelf price for that item, we will give the customer that item for free.'

'Our Promise on Price Scanning goes above and beyond the requirements of the Australian Consumer Law, which requires businesses to refund the difference between any overcharged amount and the correct price of the item.'

​

This isn't the first time the retail giant has claimed that a price increase on a product with a yellow 'special' tag was just a 'ticketing error.'

Just last week, we published a story on a similar ticketing error involving a Schick Quattro razor set purchased at Coles.

The sticker in the image displayed a 'special' price of $10.80; however, the original price was $10 underneath, and the barcode was crossed out in a pink highlighter.

As usual, a Coles representative explained that it was just a case of a staff member messing up.

However, many of you members have also shared your experiences with these dubious 'special' tags, and it's not just in Coles but in other big supermarkets as well.

Member @Abranass said, 'I have often noticed that the price on a "special" ticket is the same as the normal price on the ticket underneath. I find this extremely annoying as it is just false advertising and should not be allowed.'

Member @Oldtroll also wrote, 'This is nothing new. I have checked prices of items with a "special" sticker, not only in Coles but another BIG supermarket, in times past and found the same issue.'

You heard it here, folks! Several of our members have already had disappointing experiences with inaccurate 'special' tags, so make sure that you always check the price before checking them out!

What are your thoughts? Do you think the staff really made these price mistakes? Or are 'special' offers just a way for supermarkets to sell certain products even though there is no real discount? Let us know in the comments!

If I was a staff member and was putting up the yellow special tags I would notice the price difference and would draw it to the Manager's attention; but then again I am from a different era. The younger ones today probably cannot be bothered. Management should have a staff meeting and tell them that it is part of their job to draw any discrepances to the Manager's attention....."commonsense"!!!

 

[RTS]

I always check my receipt and get my full refund if I've been overcharged at Coles or Woolies. It used to happen every time I shopped at Woolies but I've noticed it doesn't happen as often now.

 

[rathy58]

Why does this keep on happening?

It hasn't even been a week since we wrote a story about a Woolies shopper who discovered a 'sneaky' find on the supermarket shelf.

The supposed 'special' tag on a sauce item at the supermarket indicated that the price had dropped from $5 to $4.25. But upon taking a closer look, the original price was actually $4, not $5 as written on the discount tag.

Now, it looks like something similar has happened again. This time, it was a Coles shopper who posted about the incident on social media.

In a video posted on TikTok, the customer said that the jars of Lotus Biscoff Smooth Spread at the supermarket are on 'special' this week for $6.50, as indicated by the yellow tag we're all familiar with.

However, after pulling the tag to reveal the original price of the spread, the shopper was surprised that it was also $6.50.

This means that there were actually no discounts or savings of any kind, regardless of whether or not the product was considered to be on 'special'.

The yellow ticket cost the same as the original. Credit: TikTok.​

Despite the issue being more and more prevalent these days, shoppers seem to be taking it in their stride. Most of them even made jokes about the pricing blunder!

'Wow, what a bargain…' one person wrote in the comments. A second one added, 'Wait… what… where? I can't get to Coles fast enough!'

'Inflation is coming for everything, even Biscoff!' said a third.

The man behind the video also still went ahead and bought the product, despite the fact that there wasn't any kind of discount on it. He did mention, though, that the spread used to be cheaper.

Coles has already come forward with a statement to address the recent pricing issues, which were said to be caused by staff members simply making a few mistakes.

'All Coles Supermarkets apply "Our Promise on Price Scanning" to ensure confidence in the pricing accuracy at our registers,' said a spokesperson for the supermarket.

'If a single item scans at a higher price than the advertised or ticketed shelf price for that item, we will give the customer that item for free.'

'Our Promise on Price Scanning goes above and beyond the requirements of the Australian Consumer Law, which requires businesses to refund the difference between any overcharged amount and the correct price of the item.'

​

This isn't the first time the retail giant has claimed that a price increase on a product with a yellow 'special' tag was just a 'ticketing error.'

Just last week, we published a story on a similar ticketing error involving a Schick Quattro razor set purchased at Coles.

The sticker in the image displayed a 'special' price of $10.80; however, the original price was $10 underneath, and the barcode was crossed out in a pink highlighter.

As usual, a Coles representative explained that it was just a case of a staff member messing up.

However, many of you members have also shared your experiences with these dubious 'special' tags, and it's not just in Coles but in other big supermarkets as well.

Member @Abranass said, 'I have often noticed that the price on a "special" ticket is the same as the normal price on the ticket underneath. I find this extremely annoying as it is just false advertising and should not be allowed.'

Member @Oldtroll also wrote, 'This is nothing new. I have checked prices of items with a "special" sticker, not only in Coles but another BIG supermarket, in times past and found the same issue.'

You heard it here, folks! Several of our members have already had disappointing experiences with inaccurate 'special' tags, so make sure that you always check the price before checking them out!

What are your thoughts? Do you think the staff really made these price mistakes? Or are 'special' offers just a way for supermarkets to sell certain products even though there is no real discount? Let us know in the comments!

How can the staff members make a mistake? Surely those special tags are printed by head office or somewhere higher up and the staff member is just displaying what they are given. Sounds fishy to me.

 

[To ynz]

It says special, not lower so it can hardly be called misleading

The accepted interpretation for Special is that there is a Special Lower Price on an item displaying the Yellow Tag so yes it is misleading, especially to older fol

 

[rehandra]

I always check my receipt and get my full refund if I've been overcharged at Coles or Woolies. It used to happen every time I shopped at Woolies but I've noticed it doesn't happen as often now.

I have elected to get my receipts on my phone now and I find easier to check and I have the record if things go wrong with a purchase. I usually throw receipts out after a day or so and on the odd occasion have needed to take an item back. I am talking Woolworths.

 

[maggiej]

This type of tricking people when buying anything has been happening for many years. Going back about 45 years I went shopping at a big department store at the June sales. An item I wanted was a mans shirt on Special at 30 shillings only to find when taking the discounted tag off the actual price was 29 shillings and eleven pence. Certainly not much but the principals applied back then. So in fact I paid more than the normal price even though it was only minimal

 

[Ricci]

If I was a staff member and was putting up the yellow special tags I would notice the price difference and would draw it to the Manager's attention; but then again I am from a different era. The younger ones today probably cannot be bothered. Management should have a staff meeting and tell them that it is part of their job to draw any discrepances to the Manager's attention....."commonsense"!!!

The managers don't care either, most of them are young, not fully trained in management and not paid enough to care.

 

[Ezzy]

How come Coles and Woolies both blame team members when all ticketing, shelf labels and specials tickets come from head office? It's not fair that the kids in store get the blame when it would seem that none of the supermarkets have enough checks and balances in place to ensure these stuff ups don't happen.

I worked for Woolworths in 1973 & as you stated Ricci, everything comes from Head office. I cannot recall having these stuff-ups back then. One practice was to remove the plastic numbers at the front of the shelf making up the price of the item & turn them over to show the back of the number which was white. A bit sneaky but there was never an opportunity to use the lame excuse that the employee erred. The blame must lay securely on the shoulders of management for their adopted practices!

 

[Ezzy]

I have elected to get my receipts on my phone now and I find easier to check and I have the record if things go wrong with a purchase. I usually throw receipts out after a day or so and on the odd occasion have needed to take an item back. I am talking Woolworths.

Sounds like a sound idea because unless they are photocopied almost immediately a receipt nowadays fades & can't be read in a very short period of time & are useless if a refund or exchange is needed.

 

[Ezzy]

If I was a staff member and was putting up the yellow special tags I would notice the price difference and would draw it to the Manager's attention; but then again I am from a different era. The younger ones today probably cannot be bothered. Management should have a staff meeting and tell them that it is part of their job to draw any discrepances to the Manager's attention....."commonsense"!!!

Chances are they would be told to, 'do what they are employed to do & if that didn't suit them they would find someone to replace them who could.'