Spotlight shoppers in frenzy over promo code that gives up to 100 per cent off

Savvy spotlight shoppers have saved big bucks – some even scoring an entirely free order – using a short-lived discount count which was shared on social media.

The voucher, which many posted to the Facebook group Markdown Addicts Australia, allowed customers to get $40 off if they spent $40, meaning they could be discounted up to 100 per cent off their orders.

The code required shoppers to be a member of Spotlight's VIP club, which also gave additional savings.

Dozens of shoppers shared their bargains online, including one woman who bought two quilt sets for her boys that came down to an astonishing 17 cents for both.

Another picked up a $47 double bed quilt cover for just $3.98, and scored a matching dinosaur pillow for $1.52, down from $18. As well as the $40 voucher, the store's VIP club gave an extra $19.50 in savings.

Another shopper ordered $40 worth of craft supplies that she needed anway for free.

“I just paid for post, so I’m pretty happy!” they commented on Facebook.

Others swiftly followed suit, with one woman revealing she purchased a Tefal frying pan for just $2.

“Just worked a treat for me,” one woman responded.

One woman uploaded a photo of her order, showing a $17 cupcake pan, two sets of tongs for $7 and an oil sprayer for $17, and revealed she paid just $1.50 for the lot.

Some chose to spend the voucher on bedding and towels, while others opted for Christmas decorations or home decor.

“Thanks for sharing, I’ve been waiting for these for a long time,” wrote another.

“Thank you so much! Just ordered some paints and craft stuff for my little one! Merry Christmas!” a shopper added.

“Great deal” and “absolute bargain” others wrote.

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But all good things must come to an end and after a frenzied few hours, the code was suddenly invalid.

“Grr, was ready to process my order and it started thinking, and now the code that was working is no longer working,” one person revealed.

“Same with mine was working now I’m checking out it won’t work,” a customer commented.

In a statement to Yahoo News, Spotlight Group confirmed the voucher was deactivated after "fraudulent activity" was detected on the website "due to a system error in barcode generation".

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