A Perth woman, Hana Anderson, recently uncovered an impressive shopping advantage while at Coles, where she received a $50 item for free due to a supermarket policy. The 24-year-old social media strategist was buying a beauty tool, originally priced at $50 but marked down to $25. When the item scanned at the higher price during checkout, she took the initiative to query the discrepancy.
Anderson recounted, “The staff member assured me that if it scans incorrectly, I would get it for free.” This little-known feature of Coles’ pricing policy led to her leaving the store with the beauty tool at no charge. As a frequent Coles shopper who has noticed rising grocery prices lately, Anderson was pleasantly surprised and pleased at her unexpected gain.
Coles operates under a “Promise of Price Scanning” policy, which grants customers a free item in cases where a product scans at a price higher than either the advertised or ticketed price on its shelf. A representative from Coles confirmed the policy, stating, “If an item scans at a higher price, we want our customers to feel confident at the checkout.” This initiative reflects their commitment to pricing accuracy.
Other supermarket chains, including Woolworths and Aldi, have similar policies in place. At Coles, if customers find that multiple items scan at a higher price, only the first item is free, with the rest charged at the correct shelf price. However, it’s important to note that the policy applies only to items priced at $50 or below.
Anderson took to social media to share her experience, which garnered attention and elicited responses from fellow shoppers. Many had similar stories, with some expressing surprise at the policy and sharing their own experiences of receiving free items due to scanning errors. Comments included anecdotes of customers mistakenly charged higher prices for vitamins and even lettuce.
The enthusiasm surrounding Anderson’s post highlights a useful consumer strategy — always verify prices during checkouts. Her sentiment reflects a growing need for savvy shopping techniques as grocery prices continue to rise.
In conclusion, Anderson’s experience at Coles not only benefited her directly but also sparked a broader conversation around supermarket pricing policies. This incident serves as a reminder for shoppers to remain vigilant while checking out, leveraging policies that protect consumer interests.
