Shocking price tag photo sparks outrage—see how Coles responded to viral accusations!
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As we navigate the aisles of our local supermarkets, we trust that the price tags dangling from the shelves are a beacon of honesty, guiding us through our shopping experience.
But what happens when a seemingly deceptive label shakes that trust?
This is the question many Australian shoppers are asking after a recent incident at a Coles supermarket that has left customers feeling duped and outraged.
The controversy began when a photo of a Coles clearance sticker went viral, igniting a debate about ethical pricing practices.
The image, widely shared on social media, depicted a 'reduced to clear' price tag alongside a 'regular' price tag for a BBQ seasoning.
The catch? Both price tags listed the same amount: $7.
This revelation sparked a wave of anger among consumers, with many questioning the legality of such a move.
'Is this even legal?' asked the original poster, who stumbled upon the perplexing price tag at the Coles Canberra Centre.
The photo quickly gained traction, with comments ranging from disbelief to anger. 'What the f***?', 'This is a rip-off!' and 'ridiculous' were just some of the reactions from the community.
In response to the uproar, a Coles spokesperson addressed the issue, stating, 'Coles takes clear and accurate pricing information on tickets very seriously.’
‘We always aim to ensure that our specials represent value for our customers and strive to ensure accuracy across the thousands of products we offer.'
They acknowledged that errors can occur and assured that they work urgently to resolve them, including investigating the cause to prevent future mistakes.
Upon closer examination, some astute observers noted that the date on the shelf tag was just two days before the photo was taken.
'This is normal. If the yellow ticket falls off or is removed, the ticket label left behind is still accurate,' one person explained.
However, the absence of a previous 'WAS $X' on the yellow ticket was pointed out as a source of confusion that could have been avoided.
Even if this pricing process is 'technically allowable,' some argue that it remains 'immoral,' especially in light of Coles' reported significant increase in revenue and profit margins during the pandemic.
Many Australians are struggling with the rising cost of living, and such pricing practices can feel like a slap in the face.
This incident follows a class action lawsuit filed against Coles and Woolworths by the Sydney-based GMP Law firm.
The lawsuit alleges that dodgy sales prices misled consumers and could be entitled to refunds ranging from $200 to $1300.
The case stems from the ACCC's separate lawsuits against the two supermarket giants, accusing them of violating Australian Consumer Law by promoting products with misleading discounts between February 2022 and May 2023.
Do you think Coles' response is enough to regain customer trust, or should they do more? Have you ever seen misleading pricing in stores? Share your experiences in the comments below.
But what happens when a seemingly deceptive label shakes that trust?
This is the question many Australian shoppers are asking after a recent incident at a Coles supermarket that has left customers feeling duped and outraged.
The controversy began when a photo of a Coles clearance sticker went viral, igniting a debate about ethical pricing practices.
The image, widely shared on social media, depicted a 'reduced to clear' price tag alongside a 'regular' price tag for a BBQ seasoning.
A photo of a Coles clearance sticker showing identical 'reduced to clear' and 'regular' prices was widely shared, sparking customer outrage. Credit: Reddit
The catch? Both price tags listed the same amount: $7.
This revelation sparked a wave of anger among consumers, with many questioning the legality of such a move.
'Is this even legal?' asked the original poster, who stumbled upon the perplexing price tag at the Coles Canberra Centre.
The photo quickly gained traction, with comments ranging from disbelief to anger. 'What the f***?', 'This is a rip-off!' and 'ridiculous' were just some of the reactions from the community.
In response to the uproar, a Coles spokesperson addressed the issue, stating, 'Coles takes clear and accurate pricing information on tickets very seriously.’
‘We always aim to ensure that our specials represent value for our customers and strive to ensure accuracy across the thousands of products we offer.'
They acknowledged that errors can occur and assured that they work urgently to resolve them, including investigating the cause to prevent future mistakes.
Upon closer examination, some astute observers noted that the date on the shelf tag was just two days before the photo was taken.
'This is normal. If the yellow ticket falls off or is removed, the ticket label left behind is still accurate,' one person explained.
However, the absence of a previous 'WAS $X' on the yellow ticket was pointed out as a source of confusion that could have been avoided.
Even if this pricing process is 'technically allowable,' some argue that it remains 'immoral,' especially in light of Coles' reported significant increase in revenue and profit margins during the pandemic.
Many Australians are struggling with the rising cost of living, and such pricing practices can feel like a slap in the face.
This incident follows a class action lawsuit filed against Coles and Woolworths by the Sydney-based GMP Law firm.
The lawsuit alleges that dodgy sales prices misled consumers and could be entitled to refunds ranging from $200 to $1300.
The case stems from the ACCC's separate lawsuits against the two supermarket giants, accusing them of violating Australian Consumer Law by promoting products with misleading discounts between February 2022 and May 2023.
