'Very disappointing': Customers furious after Coles runs out of Stikeez
Coles customers across the country are furious to learn their local supermarket has run out of Stikeez mini collectables days before the promotion is due to end.
Shoppers nationwide have reportedly been told their local supermarkets were no longer able to honour giveaways of the plastic collectables because they had “run out”.
One woman claimed her two-year-old became upset when the Stikeez were missing from her Caroline Springs Click and Collect order, in Melbourne’s west, on Sunday.
“Seriously stop promoting something that is sold out. I could have saved money shopping at Aldi & money on [petrol],” the mum wrote on Facebook.
A Sydney dad accused the supermarket giant of “false advertising” after he was told the Chipping Norton store had run out of the coveted promotional items.
“I was really not happy at all and it is very disappointing for my 3 children who were eagerly waiting for their Stikeez,” he wrote on the Coles Facebook page on Monday.
“I see you are still advertising these Stikeez on the front page of your Facebook. This is now getting very close to FALSE advertising,” he added.
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By Sunday, other customers also reported missing out on the collectables at Horsham in regional Victoria, and in Mount Gambier, SA.
According to the Coles website, its latest mini collectables campaign is scheduled to run from February 13 to 11.59pm AEDT on Tuesday March 26 “or until stocks last”.
“Collectables will only be available during the Campaign Period or while stocks last. Coles accepts no liability if Collectables become unavailable,” reads a clause from the Stikeez information webpage.
A Coles representative told Yahoo7 News on Monday the Coles Fresh Stikeez had been incredibly popular with customers and the promotion may have ended early at some stores due to stock availability as per the terms and conditions listed on its website.
“We are delighted to see Aussie kids trying new fruits and vegetables for the first time, as part of the Rainbow Challenge,” the spokesperson added.
Coles came under fire last week when a Stikeez collectable washed up on the beach at Hamilton Island, some 34 kilometres from the chain’s nearest supermarket.
It followed reports of fake Stikeez being sold online by those looking to capitalise on the popularity of the craze after a rare golden banana was selling on eBay for more than $20,000.
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