When it comes to shopping, everyone loves a good deal. But what if the 'specials' you're seeing aren't as budget-friendly as they seem?

That's the question being asked by Coles customers, who have recently uncovered a potentially deceptive pricing practice at the popular supermarket chain.

Rowan Element, a vigilant shopper from Canberra, has blown the whistle on a pricing discrepancy she discovered at her local Coles in Tuggeranong.

She noticed that the special price on a pack of sliced mushrooms was actually higher than the original price tag hidden behind it.

A Coles shopper reported to the supermarket manager a ‘deceptive advertising’ of a mushroom product. Image: Facebook/@Rowan Element

'I bought this humble pack of sliced mushrooms, they were on special “two for $6.50” or $4 for one. When I moved the specials tag, the price was $3.50...It is the first time that I’ve noticed something like this,' she told a news source.

'Clearly, Coles put the price up to make the “special” look better but forgot to take off the original price ticket.'

When she confronted the store manager about the 'deceptive advertising', she was refunded and allowed to keep the mushrooms. The staff then hurriedly removed the misleading tag from the shelf.

But this isn't just about a 50-cent discrepancy on a pack of mushrooms. Element believes this incident points to a larger issue of corporate greed and disregard for customers.

'Sadly, I think it's what we've come to expect from large corporations determined to make massive profits at the expense of their customers. There's [a] total disregard for [the] morality of their behaviour...It's dead dodgy,' she said.

Element's experience has resonated with many Australians, who have shared their own stories of similar pricing discrepancies at Coles.

Social media is rife with examples of 'specials' that are anything but, with some price differences being even more significant.

In one instance, a six-pack of mini tarts was marked at $15 on the specials tag, only for the original tag to reveal its true original price before it was $9.50.

This comes at a time when Coles and Woolworths are under investigation for alleged price gouging during the current cost of living crisis. You can read more about this story here.

Coles has confirmed that the price tag in question at the Tuggeranong store has been 'corrected'. However, they did not respond to accusations that this was a deliberate strategy.

'Coles takes clear and accurate pricing information on tickets very seriously,' a spokesperson said.

'We always aim to ensure that our specials represent value for our customers and have confirmed that the special tickets were indeed correct in these instances.'

While Coles maintains that this was an isolated incident, it's a good reminder for shoppers to stay vigilant.

Here are some tips to ensure you're getting a real deal:

• Always check the original price: If the original price is hidden, ask a staff member or check a similar item nearby.
• Compare prices: Use your smartphone to compare prices with other stores.
• Know your rights: If you believe you've been misled, don't be afraid to speak up. You have the right to accurate pricing information.

As consumers, we have the power to hold corporations accountable for their actions. By staying informed and vigilant, we can ensure that we're getting the best value for our money.

Key Takeaways

• A Coles shopper in Canberra found a discrepancy between the special price tag and the original price of a product, suggesting potential deceptive pricing practices.
• After raising the issue, the shopper was refunded, and the staff removed the misleading price tag from the shelf.
• The incident has sparked online discussions, with many Aussies sharing similar experiences of price discrepancies at Coles.
• Coles is under investigation for price gouging, but it maintains that clear and accurate pricing is taken seriously and the specific issue has been corrected.

Have you experienced similar pricing discrepancies at your local supermarket? Share your stories in the comments below.

 

[BellaJugar]

I’ve noticed that both Woolworths & Coles have been doing this for many years. As I used to work in the retail industry over 25 years ago I always look at the regular price under the special price label to check out how real the special “savings” actually are. Quite often you will find specials on the smaller sizes in products are not worth buying as the larger size is still the more economical and cheaper way to buy that product. It pays to take that time to look at the price per qty/amt.