Radio and online forums have been inundated with stories of how some shoppers are piling up trolleys with hot chickens and hiding around them in Coles stores - just so they can then ask for free vouchers.
‘I’ve seen some shoppers do it and it’s disgusting,’ said one commenter. ‘I called over the manager to alert her as to what was going on, I was just so angry.
‘Not only because of all the food waste and potential health risks - but also because if we abuse the system, Coles will stop offering the free chicken vouchers for good.’
It was a sentiment echoed at the Markdown Addicts Australia Facebook group, who first spotted the secret Coles hot chook sign last week and say they’ve heard of similar scams.
Said one of the group’s members: ‘I heard on the radio about people removing all the chickens just to get a voucher then putting them back or worse dumping the trolley down an aisle.’
Replied another: ‘Omg. So if I see a hot chick dumped somewhere down the aisles I will know why. All the manager need do is look at cctv to see if it's a scammer.’
Another added that they wouldn’t be surprised if Coles end the deal because of ‘people being dodgy about it, it’s a shame it ruins it for everyone else.’
We couldn’t agree more, and urge any shopper who notices unscrupulous behaviour as such to report it to staff or a manager immediately.
Meanwhile the debate over whether all Coles stores offer the deal has continued, with some suggesting that only stores that have the sticker will honour the deal.
Others, however, claim that it’s a Coles company policy and therefore you should always talk to the manager.
Said one Markdown Addicts Australia follower: ‘It’s company policy, just ask the duty manager about it.’
Added fellow member Glenn: ‘Just got my free roast chicken. They had no chooks, but removed all signs with price and the guarantee. Manager knew about it and said he has run out of vouchers. I said I wonder why. Agreed to hold one for me tomorrow.’
Good for you Glenn! For more bargain hunting advice, make sure you’re following the Markdown Addicts Australia Facebook group - click here for more.
