Members, have you ever got to the checkout and found that the scanned price of an item is different from the one displayed on the shelf?

Well, we have just discovered a little-known retail 'loophole' that can get you some items for FREE at Coles, Woolworths, and ALDI under certain conditions. Intrigued? Let us dive right in!

This information was brought to our attention by a clever shopper named Jarrod, who used to work in a supermarket. He explained to us The Scanning Code of Practice, a voluntary policy that Coles, Woolworths, ALDI, and, to some extent, IGA have adopted.

To break it down for you, Jarrod explained, 'Let's say the ticket on the shelf says $10, you get it to the counter, and it scans at $12. You get that item for FREE.'

Although there was doubt and scepticism regarding this revelation, Jarrod stood by his words, confirming his claim with open-source information from supermarket websites and a government site.

​

Here's what you need to know: if multiple units of a product scan at a higher price, only the first one is free, while the rest will be sold at the lower display price. Moreover, retailers only apply the policy on products up to a particular price.

And here's a real-life situation to illustrate this point: In a recent article, a shopper encountered a similar case. She purchased some chicken portions from Coles, which were originally priced at $12 but had been marked down to $9.50. However, when she reached the checkout counter, she was surprised that she was charged the full price instead of the discounted amount.

Frustrated, the customer had to discuss with the Coles cashier to rectify the situation. After some back-and-forth, she managed to secure the chicken portions for free, thanks to The Scanning Code of Practice.

Now, you might be wondering how often pricing errors like these occur. While we couldn't find any concrete statistics, we do know that mistakes happen, and with thousands of products in a supermarket, pricing errors could be more common than we think.

Coles and Woolworths have shared their respective policies on their websites. Coles stated, 'All Coles supermarkets apply 'Our Promise on Price Scanning' to ensure confidence in the pricing accuracy at our registers. 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 free.'

In Woolworths' case, their Scanning Code of Practice applies to all scanned merchandise, including items that are registered using a PLU number (Price Look-up Number). The code does not cover liquor and tobacco products, items with a shelf price of $50 or higher, errors in unit pricing on shelf labels, or checkout operator errors.

ALDI's help site also acknowledges this policy: 'If a regular product scans at a price higher than that displayed, you are entitled to receive the first item free. All subsequent items will be charged at the lower price.'

Australia's biggest supermarkets follow a code that every shopper should know about. Credit: Unsplash/Franki Chamaki.

IGA's stand on the issue may vary, as their Scanning Code of Practice is optional for independent retailers. It's always best to check with your local IGA store should you ever be caught in this situation.

If you ever come across a scanning discrepancy at the supermarket, don't fret! We've got a simple guide to help you navigate the situation smoothly. Just follow these steps:

1. Take a moment to double-check the price on the shelf and the price displayed on the scanner.
2. Inform the cashier or a customer service representative about the discrepancy you've noticed.
3. Make sure to provide them with the correct price displayed on the shelf, and kindly ask them to verify it.
4. Following the supermarket's policy, politely request either a free item or a price adjustment.

While trying to take advantage of this 'loophole', practising kindness and understanding is essential when dealing with supermarket employees, as they may not be aware of the policy themselves. Always remember that patience and politeness can go a long way.

Key Takeaways

• A shopper revealed a retail 'loophole' that allows customers to get certain products for free if the scanning price is higher than the displayed price in the supermarket.
• The Scanning Code of Practice is a voluntary policy signed up to and followed by Coles, Woolworths, ALDI, and some IGA stores in Australia.
• The shopper’s claims were met with scepticism, but a Coles spokesperson confirmed the policy, stating that they apply 'Our Promise on Price Scanning' to ensure pricing accuracy at the registers.
• Woolworths and ALDI also have information about the Scanning Code of Practice on their websites, outlining the conditions and items that either qualify or are exempt from the policy.

This handy tip serves as a reminder to stay vigilant and double-check the scanned prices of our purchases. After all, retail mistakes happen, and we need to make sure we're not overpaying for our weekly groceries!

So, next time you're at the checkout counter, keep an eye on the scanned prices. You never know—you might just end up with a free item or two! Do you have other supermarket tips and tricks to share? Let us know in the comments!

 

[saundy]

I scored a 3 litre bucket of Vanish last year, I picked it up in store went through the checkout was advised that it was twice the price ($32.00?) I said that has a ticket on the shelf half price the manager went with me I pointed to the ticket were it said half price not a happy manager as it was the previous week special, so I got it fo free because they had to return the purchase price

 

[Judy HB]

What I’ve found in the past is you have to actually remind them of their policy to get it for free, they’ve been happy to give it to me for the lower price. So if you’re not aware they don’t remind you.

 

[ausbear]

I got a double-bed-sized Electric Blanket for free at Woolies one year because of this "loophole". Went home feeling very happy!

 

[Sallysenior]

I have known about this for what seems 20 years. I check my dockets every time I shop. If you buy weighed produce (no barcode) you will be reimbursed the difference in price. You do not get the item free.

 

[Thecheesequeen]

This is not a loophole - it’s clearly stated in their company policy.

 

[peteloo]

Members, have you ever got to the checkout and found that the scanned price of an item is different from the one displayed on the shelf?

Well, we have just discovered a little-known retail 'loophole' that can get you some items for FREE at Coles, Woolworths, and ALDI under certain conditions. Intrigued? Let us dive right in!

This information was brought to our attention by a clever shopper named Jarrod, who used to work in a supermarket. He explained to us The Scanning Code of Practice, a voluntary policy that Coles, Woolworths, ALDI, and, to some extent, IGA have adopted.

To break it down for you, Jarrod explained, 'Let's say the ticket on the shelf says $10, you get it to the counter, and it scans at $12. You get that item for FREE.'

Although there was doubt and scepticism regarding this revelation, Jarrod stood by his words, confirming his claim with open-source information from supermarket websites and a government site.

​

Here's what you need to know: if multiple units of a product scan at a higher price, only the first one is free, while the rest will be sold at the lower display price. Moreover, retailers only apply the policy on products up to a particular price.

And here's a real-life situation to illustrate this point: In a recent article, a shopper encountered a similar case. She purchased some chicken portions from Coles, which were originally priced at $12 but had been marked down to $9.50. However, when she reached the checkout counter, she was surprised that she was charged the full price instead of the discounted amount.

Frustrated, the customer had to discuss with the Coles cashier to rectify the situation. After some back-and-forth, she managed to secure the chicken portions for free, thanks to The Scanning Code of Practice.

Now, you might be wondering how often pricing errors like these occur. While we couldn't find any concrete statistics, we do know that mistakes happen, and with thousands of products in a supermarket, pricing errors could be more common than we think.

Coles and Woolworths have shared their respective policies on their websites. Coles stated, 'All Coles supermarkets apply 'Our Promise on Price Scanning' to ensure confidence in the pricing accuracy at our registers. 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 free.'

In Woolworths' case, their Scanning Code of Practice applies to all scanned merchandise, including items that are registered using a PLU number (Price Look-up Number). The code does not cover liquor and tobacco products, items with a shelf price of $50 or higher, errors in unit pricing on shelf labels, or checkout operator errors.

ALDI's help site also acknowledges this policy: 'If a regular product scans at a price higher than that displayed, you are entitled to receive the first item free. All subsequent items will be charged at the lower price.'

View attachment 23168

Australia's biggest supermarkets follow a code that every shopper should know about. Credit: Unsplash/Franki Chamaki.

IGA's stand on the issue may vary, as their Scanning Code of Practice is optional for independent retailers. It's always best to check with your local IGA store should you ever be caught in this situation.

If you ever come across a scanning discrepancy at the supermarket, don't fret! We've got a simple guide to help you navigate the situation smoothly. Just follow these steps:

1. Take a moment to double-check the price on the shelf and the price displayed on the scanner.
2. Inform the cashier or a customer service representative about the discrepancy you've noticed.
3. Make sure to provide them with the correct price displayed on the shelf, and kindly ask them to verify it.
4. Following the supermarket's policy, politely request either a free item or a price adjustment.

While trying to take advantage of this 'loophole', practising kindness and understanding is essential when dealing with supermarket employees, as they may not be aware of the policy themselves. Always remember that patience and politeness can go a long way.

Key Takeaways

• A shopper revealed a retail 'loophole' that allows customers to get certain products for free if the scanning price is higher than the displayed price in the supermarket.
• The Scanning Code of Practice is a voluntary policy signed up to and followed by Coles, Woolworths, ALDI, and some IGA stores in Australia.
• The shopper’s claims were met with scepticism, but a Coles spokesperson confirmed the policy, stating that they apply 'Our Promise on Price Scanning' to ensure pricing accuracy at the registers.
• Woolworths and ALDI also have information about the Scanning Code of Practice on their websites, outlining the conditions and items that either qualify or are exempt from the policy.

This handy tip serves as a reminder to stay vigilant and double-check the scanned prices of our purchases. After all, retail mistakes happen, and we need to make sure we're not overpaying for our weekly groceries!

So, next time you're at the checkout counter, keep an eye on the scanned prices. You never know—you might just end up with a free item or two! Do you have other supermarket tips and tricks to share? Let us know in the comments!

There were a couple of times that it did not happen at the Coles self-checkout. When my wife picked up an item on sales with a lower shelf price than scanned, the customer service person attending to self-checkout went to confirm the shelf price, and then came back to adjust the scanned price at the checkout. We didn’t get the item free.

 

[Suzanne rose]

I have received items a few times because of this.
But if I got to the checkout and noticed they scanned an item and the price was incorrect I would tell them there and then. If the price is corrected before paying you won't get it for free. If I saw it during checkout and waited until after I paid to tell them I would feel like I was stealing.
Although I don't stand there looking at the tally unless it's near the end.

I would only look at my receipt if I thought it came to more that I thought it would.

So if you see the wrong price after you leave checkout then it's ok to get it for free but if you notice it while they are scanning it then you should tell them

 

[Pat T]

Members, have you ever got to the checkout and found that the scanned price of an item is different from the one displayed on the shelf?

Well, we have just discovered a little-known retail 'loophole' that can get you some items for FREE at Coles, Woolworths, and ALDI under certain conditions. Intrigued? Let us dive right in!

This information was brought to our attention by a clever shopper named Jarrod, who used to work in a supermarket. He explained to us The Scanning Code of Practice, a voluntary policy that Coles, Woolworths, ALDI, and, to some extent, IGA have adopted.

To break it down for you, Jarrod explained, 'Let's say the ticket on the shelf says $10, you get it to the counter, and it scans at $12. You get that item for FREE.'

Although there was doubt and scepticism regarding this revelation, Jarrod stood by his words, confirming his claim with open-source information from supermarket websites and a government site.

​

Here's what you need to know: if multiple units of a product scan at a higher price, only the first one is free, while the rest will be sold at the lower display price. Moreover, retailers only apply the policy on products up to a particular price.

And here's a real-life situation to illustrate this point: In a recent article, a shopper encountered a similar case. She purchased some chicken portions from Coles, which were originally priced at $12 but had been marked down to $9.50. However, when she reached the checkout counter, she was surprised that she was charged the full price instead of the discounted amount.

Frustrated, the customer had to discuss with the Coles cashier to rectify the situation. After some back-and-forth, she managed to secure the chicken portions for free, thanks to The Scanning Code of Practice.

Now, you might be wondering how often pricing errors like these occur. While we couldn't find any concrete statistics, we do know that mistakes happen, and with thousands of products in a supermarket, pricing errors could be more common than we think.

Coles and Woolworths have shared their respective policies on their websites. Coles stated, 'All Coles supermarkets apply 'Our Promise on Price Scanning' to ensure confidence in the pricing accuracy at our registers. 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 free.'

In Woolworths' case, their Scanning Code of Practice applies to all scanned merchandise, including items that are registered using a PLU number (Price Look-up Number). The code does not cover liquor and tobacco products, items with a shelf price of $50 or higher, errors in unit pricing on shelf labels, or checkout operator errors.

ALDI's help site also acknowledges this policy: 'If a regular product scans at a price higher than that displayed, you are entitled to receive the first item free. All subsequent items will be charged at the lower price.'

View attachment 23168

Australia's biggest supermarkets follow a code that every shopper should know about. Credit: Unsplash/Franki Chamaki.

IGA's stand on the issue may vary, as their Scanning Code of Practice is optional for independent retailers. It's always best to check with your local IGA store should you ever be caught in this situation.

If you ever come across a scanning discrepancy at the supermarket, don't fret! We've got a simple guide to help you navigate the situation smoothly. Just follow these steps:

1. Take a moment to double-check the price on the shelf and the price displayed on the scanner.
2. Inform the cashier or a customer service representative about the discrepancy you've noticed.
3. Make sure to provide them with the correct price displayed on the shelf, and kindly ask them to verify it.
4. Following the supermarket's policy, politely request either a free item or a price adjustment.

While trying to take advantage of this 'loophole', practising kindness and understanding is essential when dealing with supermarket employees, as they may not be aware of the policy themselves. Always remember that patience and politeness can go a long way.

Key Takeaways

• A shopper revealed a retail 'loophole' that allows customers to get certain products for free if the scanning price is higher than the displayed price in the supermarket.
• The Scanning Code of Practice is a voluntary policy signed up to and followed by Coles, Woolworths, ALDI, and some IGA stores in Australia.
• The shopper’s claims were met with scepticism, but a Coles spokesperson confirmed the policy, stating that they apply 'Our Promise on Price Scanning' to ensure pricing accuracy at the registers.
• Woolworths and ALDI also have information about the Scanning Code of Practice on their websites, outlining the conditions and items that either qualify or are exempt from the policy.

This handy tip serves as a reminder to stay vigilant and double-check the scanned prices of our purchases. After all, retail mistakes happen, and we need to make sure we're not overpaying for our weekly groceries!

So, next time you're at the checkout counter, keep an eye on the scanned prices. You never know—you might just end up with a free item or two! Do you have other supermarket tips and tricks to share? Let us know in the comments!

That policy came in not long after the scanning came in. I got quite a few freebies back then. None in recent years though that might be the cause of bad eyesight.

 

[rehandra]

Members, have you ever got to the checkout and found that the scanned price of an item is different from the one displayed on the shelf?

Well, we have just discovered a little-known retail 'loophole' that can get you some items for FREE at Coles, Woolworths, and ALDI under certain conditions. Intrigued? Let us dive right in!

This information was brought to our attention by a clever shopper named Jarrod, who used to work in a supermarket. He explained to us The Scanning Code of Practice, a voluntary policy that Coles, Woolworths, ALDI, and, to some extent, IGA have adopted.

To break it down for you, Jarrod explained, 'Let's say the ticket on the shelf says $10, you get it to the counter, and it scans at $12. You get that item for FREE.'

Although there was doubt and scepticism regarding this revelation, Jarrod stood by his words, confirming his claim with open-source information from supermarket websites and a government site.

​

Here's what you need to know: if multiple units of a product scan at a higher price, only the first one is free, while the rest will be sold at the lower display price. Moreover, retailers only apply the policy on products up to a particular price.

And here's a real-life situation to illustrate this point: In a recent article, a shopper encountered a similar case. She purchased some chicken portions from Coles, which were originally priced at $12 but had been marked down to $9.50. However, when she reached the checkout counter, she was surprised that she was charged the full price instead of the discounted amount.

Frustrated, the customer had to discuss with the Coles cashier to rectify the situation. After some back-and-forth, she managed to secure the chicken portions for free, thanks to The Scanning Code of Practice.

Now, you might be wondering how often pricing errors like these occur. While we couldn't find any concrete statistics, we do know that mistakes happen, and with thousands of products in a supermarket, pricing errors could be more common than we think.

Coles and Woolworths have shared their respective policies on their websites. Coles stated, 'All Coles supermarkets apply 'Our Promise on Price Scanning' to ensure confidence in the pricing accuracy at our registers. 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 free.'

In Woolworths' case, their Scanning Code of Practice applies to all scanned merchandise, including items that are registered using a PLU number (Price Look-up Number). The code does not cover liquor and tobacco products, items with a shelf price of $50 or higher, errors in unit pricing on shelf labels, or checkout operator errors.

ALDI's help site also acknowledges this policy: 'If a regular product scans at a price higher than that displayed, you are entitled to receive the first item free. All subsequent items will be charged at the lower price.'

View attachment 23168

Australia's biggest supermarkets follow a code that every shopper should know about. Credit: Unsplash/Franki Chamaki.

IGA's stand on the issue may vary, as their Scanning Code of Practice is optional for independent retailers. It's always best to check with your local IGA store should you ever be caught in this situation.

If you ever come across a scanning discrepancy at the supermarket, don't fret! We've got a simple guide to help you navigate the situation smoothly. Just follow these steps:

1. Take a moment to double-check the price on the shelf and the price displayed on the scanner.
2. Inform the cashier or a customer service representative about the discrepancy you've noticed.
3. Make sure to provide them with the correct price displayed on the shelf, and kindly ask them to verify it.
4. Following the supermarket's policy, politely request either a free item or a price adjustment.

While trying to take advantage of this 'loophole', practising kindness and understanding is essential when dealing with supermarket employees, as they may not be aware of the policy themselves. Always remember that patience and politeness can go a long way.

Key Takeaways

• A shopper revealed a retail 'loophole' that allows customers to get certain products for free if the scanning price is higher than the displayed price in the supermarket.
• The Scanning Code of Practice is a voluntary policy signed up to and followed by Coles, Woolworths, ALDI, and some IGA stores in Australia.
• The shopper’s claims were met with scepticism, but a Coles spokesperson confirmed the policy, stating that they apply 'Our Promise on Price Scanning' to ensure pricing accuracy at the registers.
• Woolworths and ALDI also have information about the Scanning Code of Practice on their websites, outlining the conditions and items that either qualify or are exempt from the policy.

This handy tip serves as a reminder to stay vigilant and double-check the scanned prices of our purchases. After all, retail mistakes happen, and we need to make sure we're not overpaying for our weekly groceries!

So, next time you're at the checkout counter, keep an eye on the scanned prices. You never know—you might just end up with a free item or two! Do you have other supermarket tips and tricks to share? Let us know in the comments!

This information has been around for quite a while but not widely known it would appear. Remember, always to take your receipt and check before leaving store. A number of times I have got home and "then" found out so now always check before walking away from the store.

 

[Iggydi]

It used to be if the item scanned higher than the shelf price and you noticed, the first item was free and any of the same item was given to you at half price. This has been a policy at Coles for a very long time

 

[DotP]

I have had several items for free from both Coles and Woolies because of scanning policy but Aldi manager in Baldivis disputed how the scanning policy worked and very reluctantly refunded item

 

[Trudi]

That is news??? It's been happening since stores have relied on computerised pricing and checkouts! I can't count the number of times I have taken items to the service desk after checking my docket and found I was charged the full price instead of the marked down price.

Supermarkets aren't the only ones to watch. Spotlight is perhaps the worst offender and it is frequently difficult to convince them that they overcharged because "head office puts the prices into the checkout system"

 

[Silla]

I’m always in a hurry and don’t check , while scanning and recently bought a celebration cake ( which is never in store) and it was on special for $29 instead of $30.( I know it was only a dollar but in these hard times a dollar is also worth it) I was happy I got the cake, again didn’t check my receipt- went home and checked but couldn’t go back , since I was busy getting ready for the party.
Lesson learnt next time to check the receipt before I leave the store.

 

[Robbo3006]

Members, have you ever got to the checkout and found that the scanned price of an item is different from the one displayed on the shelf?

Well, we have just discovered a little-known retail 'loophole' that can get you some items for FREE at Coles, Woolworths, and ALDI under certain conditions. Intrigued? Let us dive right in!

This information was brought to our attention by a clever shopper named Jarrod, who used to work in a supermarket. He explained to us The Scanning Code of Practice, a voluntary policy that Coles, Woolworths, ALDI, and, to some extent, IGA have adopted.

To break it down for you, Jarrod explained, 'Let's say the ticket on the shelf says $10, you get it to the counter, and it scans at $12. You get that item for FREE.'

Although there was doubt and scepticism regarding this revelation, Jarrod stood by his words, confirming his claim with open-source information from supermarket websites and a government site.

​

Here's what you need to know: if multiple units of a product scan at a higher price, only the first one is free, while the rest will be sold at the lower display price. Moreover, retailers only apply the policy on products up to a particular price.

And here's a real-life situation to illustrate this point: In a recent article, a shopper encountered a similar case. She purchased some chicken portions from Coles, which were originally priced at $12 but had been marked down to $9.50. However, when she reached the checkout counter, she was surprised that she was charged the full price instead of the discounted amount.

Frustrated, the customer had to discuss with the Coles cashier to rectify the situation. After some back-and-forth, she managed to secure the chicken portions for free, thanks to The Scanning Code of Practice.

Now, you might be wondering how often pricing errors like these occur. While we couldn't find any concrete statistics, we do know that mistakes happen, and with thousands of products in a supermarket, pricing errors could be more common than we think.

Coles and Woolworths have shared their respective policies on their websites. Coles stated, 'All Coles supermarkets apply 'Our Promise on Price Scanning' to ensure confidence in the pricing accuracy at our registers. 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 free.'

In Woolworths' case, their Scanning Code of Practice applies to all scanned merchandise, including items that are registered using a PLU number (Price Look-up Number). The code does not cover liquor and tobacco products, items with a shelf price of $50 or higher, errors in unit pricing on shelf labels, or checkout operator errors.

ALDI's help site also acknowledges this policy: 'If a regular product scans at a price higher than that displayed, you are entitled to receive the first item free. All subsequent items will be charged at the lower price.'

View attachment 23168

Australia's biggest supermarkets follow a code that every shopper should know about. Credit: Unsplash/Franki Chamaki.

IGA's stand on the issue may vary, as their Scanning Code of Practice is optional for independent retailers. It's always best to check with your local IGA store should you ever be caught in this situation.

If you ever come across a scanning discrepancy at the supermarket, don't fret! We've got a simple guide to help you navigate the situation smoothly. Just follow these steps:

1. Take a moment to double-check the price on the shelf and the price displayed on the scanner.
2. Inform the cashier or a customer service representative about the discrepancy you've noticed.
3. Make sure to provide them with the correct price displayed on the shelf, and kindly ask them to verify it.
4. Following the supermarket's policy, politely request either a free item or a price adjustment.

While trying to take advantage of this 'loophole', practising kindness and understanding is essential when dealing with supermarket employees, as they may not be aware of the policy themselves. Always remember that patience and politeness can go a long way.

Key Takeaways

• A shopper revealed a retail 'loophole' that allows customers to get certain products for free if the scanning price is higher than the displayed price in the supermarket.
• The Scanning Code of Practice is a voluntary policy signed up to and followed by Coles, Woolworths, ALDI, and some IGA stores in Australia.
• The shopper’s claims were met with scepticism, but a Coles spokesperson confirmed the policy, stating that they apply 'Our Promise on Price Scanning' to ensure pricing accuracy at the registers.
• Woolworths and ALDI also have information about the Scanning Code of Practice on their websites, outlining the conditions and items that either qualify or are exempt from the policy.

This handy tip serves as a reminder to stay vigilant and double-check the scanned prices of our purchases. After all, retail mistakes happen, and we need to make sure we're not overpaying for our weekly groceries!

So, next time you're at the checkout counter, keep an eye on the scanned prices. You never know—you might just end up with a free item or two! Do you have other supermarket tips and tricks to share? Let us know in the comments!

Aldi doesn't follow supermarket rules, they are above the laws, look it up, price mistakes don't work at Aldi, I had a massive argument with them but they are considered a wholesale food and commodity outlet, Google it, I was also shocked.

 

[Robbo3006]

I have had several items for free from both Coles and Woolies because of scanning policy but Aldi manager in Baldivis disputed how the scanning policy worked and very reluctantly refunded item

They are not considered a supermarket, our government needs a kick in the ass, Aldi can legally get away with it.

 

[Robbo3006]

There were a couple of times that it did not happen at the Coles self-checkout. When my wife picked up an item on sales with a lower shelf price than scanned, the customer service person attending to self-checkout went to confirm the shelf price, and then came back to adjust the scanned price at the checkout. We didn’t get the item free.

They knowingly ripped you off. Sometimes you got to get a manager, they'll try it on.

 

[JoanFranklin]

Members, have you ever got to the checkout and found that the scanned price of an item is different from the one displayed on the shelf?

Well, we have just discovered a little-known retail 'loophole' that can get you some items for FREE at Coles, Woolworths, and ALDI under certain conditions. Intrigued? Let us dive right in!

This information was brought to our attention by a clever shopper named Jarrod, who used to work in a supermarket. He explained to us The Scanning Code of Practice, a voluntary policy that Coles, Woolworths, ALDI, and, to some extent, IGA have adopted.

To break it down for you, Jarrod explained, 'Let's say the ticket on the shelf says $10, you get it to the counter, and it scans at $12. You get that item for FREE.'

Although there was doubt and scepticism regarding this revelation, Jarrod stood by his words, confirming his claim with open-source information from supermarket websites and a government site.

​

Here's what you need to know: if multiple units of a product scan at a higher price, only the first one is free, while the rest will be sold at the lower display price. Moreover, retailers only apply the policy on products up to a particular price.

And here's a real-life situation to illustrate this point: In a recent article, a shopper encountered a similar case. She purchased some chicken portions from Coles, which were originally priced at $12 but had been marked down to $9.50. However, when she reached the checkout counter, she was surprised that she was charged the full price instead of the discounted amount.

Frustrated, the customer had to discuss with the Coles cashier to rectify the situation. After some back-and-forth, she managed to secure the chicken portions for free, thanks to The Scanning Code of Practice.

Now, you might be wondering how often pricing errors like these occur. While we couldn't find any concrete statistics, we do know that mistakes happen, and with thousands of products in a supermarket, pricing errors could be more common than we think.

Coles and Woolworths have shared their respective policies on their websites. Coles stated, 'All Coles supermarkets apply 'Our Promise on Price Scanning' to ensure confidence in the pricing accuracy at our registers. 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 free.'

In Woolworths' case, their Scanning Code of Practice applies to all scanned merchandise, including items that are registered using a PLU number (Price Look-up Number). The code does not cover liquor and tobacco products, items with a shelf price of $50 or higher, errors in unit pricing on shelf labels, or checkout operator errors.

ALDI's help site also acknowledges this policy: 'If a regular product scans at a price higher than that displayed, you are entitled to receive the first item free. All subsequent items will be charged at the lower price.'

View attachment 23168

Australia's biggest supermarkets follow a code that every shopper should know about. Credit: Unsplash/Franki Chamaki.

IGA's stand on the issue may vary, as their Scanning Code of Practice is optional for independent retailers. It's always best to check with your local IGA store should you ever be caught in this situation.

If you ever come across a scanning discrepancy at the supermarket, don't fret! We've got a simple guide to help you navigate the situation smoothly. Just follow these steps:

1. Take a moment to double-check the price on the shelf and the price displayed on the scanner.
2. Inform the cashier or a customer service representative about the discrepancy you've noticed.
3. Make sure to provide them with the correct price displayed on the shelf, and kindly ask them to verify it.
4. Following the supermarket's policy, politely request either a free item or a price adjustment.

While trying to take advantage of this 'loophole', practising kindness and understanding is essential when dealing with supermarket employees, as they may not be aware of the policy themselves. Always remember that patience and politeness can go a long way.

Key Takeaways

• A shopper revealed a retail 'loophole' that allows customers to get certain products for free if the scanning price is higher than the displayed price in the supermarket.
• The Scanning Code of Practice is a voluntary policy signed up to and followed by Coles, Woolworths, ALDI, and some IGA stores in Australia.
• The shopper’s claims were met with scepticism, but a Coles spokesperson confirmed the policy, stating that they apply 'Our Promise on Price Scanning' to ensure pricing accuracy at the registers.
• Woolworths and ALDI also have information about the Scanning Code of Practice on their websites, outlining the conditions and items that either qualify or are exempt from the policy.

This handy tip serves as a reminder to stay vigilant and double-check the scanned prices of our purchases. After all, retail mistakes happen, and we need to make sure we're not overpaying for our weekly groceries!

So, next time you're at the checkout counter, keep an eye on the scanned prices. You never know—you might just end up with a free item or two! Do you have other supermarket tips and tricks to share? Let us know in the comments!

I have had products that have a markdown barcode added that has scanned at a higher price and have only received the dollar difference. I was told as the product is already marked down I couldn’t get it for free but I could get the difference in price back.

 

[AlanQ]

They are not considered a supermarket, our government needs a kick in the ass, Aldi can legally get away with it.

what's an Ass?

 

[AlanQ]

so does anyone also highlight or bring to the staffs attention when they find a product is below the marked price?