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IGA and Big W ridiculed over sales pricing blunders: 'Doesn't make sense'

An IGA store has been mocked on social media after a pricing error left customers scratching their heads.

The confounded shopper who spotted the sale mishap posted her findings on the Markdown Addicts Australia Facebook group.

Sharing a photo with the group, the Victorian woman revealed that a slightly damaged carton of Diet Coca-Cola had been priced for a "quick sale" with a $0 discount sticker. The price was advertised as previously $20.99 and now $20.99.

“The bargain of the day at my local IGA!” she joked.

Side-by-side image. Left: Front of IGA store. Right: Diet Coca-Cola box, slightly damaged, with sales sticker showing
Facebook members were confused if the IGA special was advertised because the box was slightly damaged, or whether there was a sale on the item. Source: Getty Images, Facebook

The woman’s post follows a slew of complaints against grocery retailers who have been accused of using sales stickers as a dodgy marketing tactic, even when a sale is not taking place.

Hundreds of group members have interacted with the woman’s post.

“This sure beats the 1 cent savings stickers,” said one group member.

“The worker who put that sticker on needs to go to Specsavers,” wrote a second.

“Some staff members must have thought it was April 1,” commented a third.

IGA bag around man's shoulder in supermarket

Another group member took to the comments section to offer a potential explanation for the pricing mistake.

“May have been too busy or too lazy to put the details in correctly, but a pack for that price is actually a good bargain!” they said.

The group member then shared a photograph from IGA’s website showing Diet Coca-Cola cases are currently retailing at $31.10. But other group members weren’t convinced.

“Well how is it a bargain when it says the exact same price and it’s damaged too?” retorted another Facebook user.

Big W bargain fail mocked on social media

Another price blunder has captured Facebook’s attention, with the Markdown Addicts group slamming a similar mishap at a Big W store.

A Canberra woman posted a photo of a pair of shorts with a tag and yellow sticker indicating a sale price of $10. The only problem is that the original price of the shorts shown on the tag is also $10.

“I do love an irresistible bargain!” the woman joked.

Several group members took to the comments section to poke fun at the non-sale price.

Big W sign and inset photograph of pants showing $10 original and specials tag. Source: Getty Images
Group members saw the pricing blunder as humorous. Source: Facebook/Markdown Addicts Australia, Getty Images

“I hope you bought them all at that price, you could sell on and... maybe get your money back,” said one group member.

“Must be a lot of people out there who don’t read the original price,” wrote another.

“Glad you got it - bargains are so hard to find these days!” joked a third.

“I bought these two days ago, I mean the yellow sticker made me bend down and I was like 'oh well I'm already down here may as well get them',” added a fourth.

Retailers called out for markdown mishaps: ‘Seeing this more and more’

Group members have called out a number of retailers as incorrect price tags continue to catch consumers’ eyes.

“I saw a manager’s special for Telfast at the local chemist for $8.99, removed the price tag and it’s usually $8.99,” wrote one group member.

“Sefan has shampoo and conditioner on special - normally $56 now $55,” wrote another.

A third group member shared a screenshot from the Dan Murphy’s website, showing two "online offer" items at a significantly higher price point than originally advertised.

“Online offer from Dan Murphy’s doesn’t make sense,” they said.

Another group member added: “More and more, I’m seeing shops doing the same thing.”

Liquor ad showing online offers that are more than the original price
A Facebook user shared some reverse bargains spotted in a Dan Murphy's marketing email. Source: Facebook

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