This Coles mark-down tip divides the internet - Are bargain hunters crossing the line?
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There's no denying that we all love a good bargain and enjoy finding ways to save a few extra bucks while shopping. After all, we’re not called the Seniors Discount Club for nothing, right?
And while there are several different strategies to help save money while shopping, one method that many people like to use is taking advantage of markdown prices on certain items.
In Australia, shoppers like us can usually spot markdown items quite easily when we go to our local supermarket, allowing us to make the most of those wonderful reduced-price buys.
However, one shopper accidentally divided social media when she revealed her method of getting a bigger markdown on a tray of silverside, prompting many to question whether this tactic is going too far.
The incident took place at a Coles store when the woman arrived at the location at 5:30 pm and noticed the reduced silverside.
When she asked an employee for a further markdown, the shopper was told that she would have to wait 30 minutes.
'I picked up the silverside when I first got in the shop at 5:30 pm,' the woman wrote in a post on the Markdown Addicts Australia Facebook group.
'I thought I'd give it a shot and see if I could get it discounted further (it was $28 and was still a great deal, even if it wasn't lowered), and was told: "Sorry, I can't until 6 pm."'
True to her word, the woman waited until 6 pm and asked the management for a bigger reduction, and low and behold, it paid off.
She shared: 'So, I painfully waited in the shop for 30 minutes. I went and found the manager at 6 pm and asked if he could reduce it further. I was definitely not expecting this amount but was so happy!'
'He then reduced the silverside and chops. I now have two steaks and three chops – I am thrilled because I’ve been unemployed since our Christmas holiday!'
From the original $36.22 price tag, the silverside was discounted by an impressive 80 per cent, coming out to a total of just $7.24 in the end.
The post gained traction on Facebook, attracting the attention of many bargain hunters who commended her for doing 'a nice job' and congratulated her on her great savings.
One comment read: 'So pleased for you, it helps boost your life and health when this happens.'
'Worth the 30-minute wait,' another user added.
A third chimed in: 'Nice work. Well done. Savings like this make a huge difference.'
Others praised the woman's patience just to score the product at a marked-down rate.
'Totally understand your pain. That’s great, I’m sure you deserve that great markdown. Good on you for waiting! These often come at a time when we need them the most,' one person said.
While many members of the FB group applauded the shopper's decision to be proactive with bargain hunting, not everyone approved of the way she went about getting a good deal.
A Coles worker commented on the customer’s post, saying that hiding or ‘stealing’ the reduced items from the shelves is not appropriate.
‘If this was at my store, we wouldn’t do that. We don’t mark things down when customers or workers 'hide' shopping,’ they said.
‘Someone else could have bought it for the original markdown price, but you had it in your trolley,’ they continued.
‘I’m just letting people know, not having a go, that this shopper "got lucky" and it’s not recommended to hide markdowns for further markdown later.’
As the Coles supermarket customer’s markdown act proves to be a polarising topic, it’s worth raising the ethical implications of the markdown practice in supermarkets.
Markdown discounts provide customers with a chance to buy what they want for a much lower price, at the cost of other customers not being able to purchase the same item who were willing to pay the original markdown price.
This raises a moral dilemma for shoppers; should they take advantage of a lower price and a potential bargain, or continue to shop at the original marked-down price and let other customers take advantage of the opportunity?
Many argued that a markdown act such as this is unethical, as it denies other customers the chance to pay the reduced amount, and involves taking advantage of a store’s discounting policies.
On the other hand, others argued that shoppers should take advantage of such opportunities as it can lead to great savings and provides customers with more options when it comes to shopping and budgeting.
Whichever side of the debate you’re on, it is important to be aware of the ethical implications of markdown practices and fully understand the implications of both buying and not buying the item at the marked-down price. Though it’s always nice to avoid food waste and score a good bargain at the same time!
So what do you think of this shopper’s bold markdown tip? Would you give this tip a go as well if you were in the same situation as this shopper? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
And while there are several different strategies to help save money while shopping, one method that many people like to use is taking advantage of markdown prices on certain items.
In Australia, shoppers like us can usually spot markdown items quite easily when we go to our local supermarket, allowing us to make the most of those wonderful reduced-price buys.
However, one shopper accidentally divided social media when she revealed her method of getting a bigger markdown on a tray of silverside, prompting many to question whether this tactic is going too far.
The incident took place at a Coles store when the woman arrived at the location at 5:30 pm and noticed the reduced silverside.
When she asked an employee for a further markdown, the shopper was told that she would have to wait 30 minutes.
'I picked up the silverside when I first got in the shop at 5:30 pm,' the woman wrote in a post on the Markdown Addicts Australia Facebook group.
'I thought I'd give it a shot and see if I could get it discounted further (it was $28 and was still a great deal, even if it wasn't lowered), and was told: "Sorry, I can't until 6 pm."'
True to her word, the woman waited until 6 pm and asked the management for a bigger reduction, and low and behold, it paid off.
She shared: 'So, I painfully waited in the shop for 30 minutes. I went and found the manager at 6 pm and asked if he could reduce it further. I was definitely not expecting this amount but was so happy!'
'He then reduced the silverside and chops. I now have two steaks and three chops – I am thrilled because I’ve been unemployed since our Christmas holiday!'
From the original $36.22 price tag, the silverside was discounted by an impressive 80 per cent, coming out to a total of just $7.24 in the end.
The post gained traction on Facebook, attracting the attention of many bargain hunters who commended her for doing 'a nice job' and congratulated her on her great savings.
One comment read: 'So pleased for you, it helps boost your life and health when this happens.'
'Worth the 30-minute wait,' another user added.
A third chimed in: 'Nice work. Well done. Savings like this make a huge difference.'
Others praised the woman's patience just to score the product at a marked-down rate.
'Totally understand your pain. That’s great, I’m sure you deserve that great markdown. Good on you for waiting! These often come at a time when we need them the most,' one person said.
While many members of the FB group applauded the shopper's decision to be proactive with bargain hunting, not everyone approved of the way she went about getting a good deal.
A Coles worker commented on the customer’s post, saying that hiding or ‘stealing’ the reduced items from the shelves is not appropriate.
‘If this was at my store, we wouldn’t do that. We don’t mark things down when customers or workers 'hide' shopping,’ they said.
‘Someone else could have bought it for the original markdown price, but you had it in your trolley,’ they continued.
‘I’m just letting people know, not having a go, that this shopper "got lucky" and it’s not recommended to hide markdowns for further markdown later.’
As the Coles supermarket customer’s markdown act proves to be a polarising topic, it’s worth raising the ethical implications of the markdown practice in supermarkets.
Markdown discounts provide customers with a chance to buy what they want for a much lower price, at the cost of other customers not being able to purchase the same item who were willing to pay the original markdown price.
This raises a moral dilemma for shoppers; should they take advantage of a lower price and a potential bargain, or continue to shop at the original marked-down price and let other customers take advantage of the opportunity?
Many argued that a markdown act such as this is unethical, as it denies other customers the chance to pay the reduced amount, and involves taking advantage of a store’s discounting policies.
On the other hand, others argued that shoppers should take advantage of such opportunities as it can lead to great savings and provides customers with more options when it comes to shopping and budgeting.
Whichever side of the debate you’re on, it is important to be aware of the ethical implications of markdown practices and fully understand the implications of both buying and not buying the item at the marked-down price. Though it’s always nice to avoid food waste and score a good bargain at the same time!
Key Takeaways
- A Coles supermarket customer’s controversial tactic to score a markdown on a premium buy has divided social media.
- The shopper waited 30 minutes before asking the store manager for a bigger markdown, which paid off.
- Some were critical of the customer’s actions, while others applauded her for her savvy coupon tactics.
- The customer’s find was welcomed by some, who said it would make 'a huge difference'.
So what do you think of this shopper’s bold markdown tip? Would you give this tip a go as well if you were in the same situation as this shopper? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!