Read an article on news.com.au exposing a 'Secret Hack' to get a free Hot Roast Chicken from Coles.
Selected stores have a sticker (see photo in link) on the hot chicken cabinet that states:
"If you’ve missed out on a Coles hot roast chicken from 11am to close, your next one is free"
Credit to Facebook page Our Thrifty Family for the initial discovery which led to the press coverage.
If your store is participating, let your fellow OzB'ers know in the comments!
because they're cooking them multiple times a day?
The next one is free. Not the current one.
The one before the next one is not free unless you eat it before you ask for a free one.
gosh some people these days, with no common sense.
It's free because you get to take the imaginary one that's not in stock.
Ask a daft question get a daft answer.. 🙄
Good point. Only the house wins
Our store used to have that sticker, pre sure I never saw anyone get chickens free even when we ran out in the past.
Now you do since it is on ozb.
Then why have the sticker?
They remove the sticker when there's only 1 chook left. slap it back on when they add a new load of them.
Hahah idk I used to think all stores had to have it as a guarantee
ACCC here we come!
Is this a challenge?
This has been around for quite a while - our local Coles store in Perth had signage about it at least 3 or 4 years ago, both on the display cabinet and also a board outside the store. They always put out heaps of BBQ chooks so never saw the cabinet anywhere near empty - at least not until AFTER the signage was removed about 18 months later!
and you never posted this on OzBargain? Shame on you
Yes, shame on me :) . I only ever saw ithe signage at our local store and I doubt anyone was ever able to get a free chook anyway.
You do know that ozbargainers will do whatever it takes just to get a bargain right?? No matter how petty
I read the same article, read as though paid advert by Coles.
Those signs have been around my local (Wagga) for a number of years, and haven't seen an empty cabinet in those times, much better chance of nabbing a chook for $4 or so at 8PM or so.
I was in the other night and there was heaps of people hovering around the last chicken that I felt bad taking it …. it makes so much sense now!
Did they high five you and thank you for taking one for the team?
True story right
This blonde lady to my left said "Dunna na na na na na"
And Then this old bloke yells out from behind the watermelon stack "Dunna na na na na na"
And confusingly said "Dunna na na na na na?"
And then everyone at the same time clapped 4 times clap clap clap clap
It was very bizarre
Ha ha more details needed for this story.
Is the “Dunna na na na na na” the jaws music or more like the banana tv advert song?
This is an UNDERRATED comment.
Fill the trolly full of chickens, parks it in another aisle. :)
That's theft at that point.
No it's not.
If u dont leave the store, you are not stealing
BBQ chickens or live chickens?
On more than one occasion I've found abandoned hot roast chickens located in random places of Coles stores. You may be joking, but I can guarantee there's plenty of people who are willing to waste perfectly good chickens in the hope of scoring one for free. Probably more than half the people posting positive comments in this so-called "deal" would fall into that category. They're probably the same muppets who grab a cluster of grapes and consume the lot before they reach the checkout.
The long con. There will be a movie about it one day.
I love it when someone posts a deal and hasn't even looked at their own photo..
"Selected stores have a sticker (see photo in link) on the hot chicken cabinet that states:
"If you’ve missed out on a Coles hot roast chicken from 11am to close, your next one is free""
Yet the photo you linked states..
If you’ve missed out on a Coles hot roast chicken from 9am to 8pm,, your next one is free
Sorry, typo. The '11' key is right next to the '9' on my keyboard… :P
that is strange, mine has the 10 between them.
Close is not 8pm.
Not all stores. Never seen this in any store in VIC.
Traralgon, VIC seen it a few weeks ago
I'll check again in Melbourne lol
Used to be up at Fountain Gate, and Berwick North Coles, managed to get a few freebies, haven't noticed if it's still there, the sticker was pretty small.
It's only just been posted here so it might take some time for all stores to adopt the policy.
I can see all the ozbargainers shopping for chicken 5 min before close. Store manager be like…!!!
Remove all chicken to trolley, send husband back while circling the dairy section with the stash
That's the best way. Get a mate to take them all then claim there were none left!
Its a real hassle trying to claim this freebie! I tried this a month ago at my local Coles. All of the staff knew about the deal but cannot approve the free chicken. Only the manager (of the Deli/meat section) has the ability to approve a free roast chicken. In my case the manager saw that the new batch of roast chickens were being cooked, asked the staff member to bring me out the first cooked chicken. Waited 2 minutes for the first chicken and brought out an unappetising burnt chicken. For my troubles my local store offered me no free chicken and chose the ungliest roast chicken … lose lose situation. Not worth the time to deal with a manager who doesn't want to honour the freebie.
You can see the timer though, at 2 minutes are you really going to ask for a free chicken? You would spend more then 2 minutes buying the rest of your groceries.
5-10mins, I would be asking for it
I had the same experience, they are very reluctant to honour the freebie. This is the equivalent of trying to obtain a price match at Harvey Norman etc. It all depends on which staff you get to speak to.
More of a hassle claiming price beat at chemist warehouse or Hardly Normal?
Like Mumbles, I also asked for a free chicken at my local Coles about 2 months ago, after finding that there were none left at around 7pm. They refused to honour the claim made on the sticker, saying that it was from "a long time ago" and "no longer applied".
They will probably dock the pay of the poor chicken cooker if he or she doesn't have enough chickens cooked :(
They'd really be choking the chicken then :)
Or choking the chicken cooker
Do you get two free if they're out "next time" too?
When is best time to get a reduced price one? 20 mins before close I'm guessing?
Honestly they aren't that great at that point, very dry.
Good for putting in the fridge to carve up for chicken sandwiches during the week
They only let them sit for a few hours so every few hours there is a possibility they will have some marked down if they have not sold.
It has been along running offer for a while now, it’s just un-advertised (not “secret”).
If its not advertised I feel like you become a difficult customer.
abuse it and lose it.
They've had this "offer" for ages. Don't expect them to volunteer the free chicken if the cabinet is empty and you ask when the next chickens are coming available. You'll need to ask for it, and I suspect they have been trained to make you feel like a total scab for asking.
They are not in the business of giving out free hot chickens. Many avoidance tactics. They'll keep you waiting. Promise chicken in five minutes when they really mean twenty. They will have mislaid the coupons. Teenager deli girl is not high enough on the pecking order to give these out.
Prediction: now that it's gone viral this deal will be pulled nationwide in 5…4….3….2…
You seem a little delusional.
Whats the point of a promotion if nobody knows about it?
What exactly is delusional when I'm simply stating that my firsthand experience on several occasions over the past couple of years indicates they really don't want to honour it. They will (maybe), but they'll make you work for it, trust me. It's quite possible I've had bad luck but this has been the vibe at two different stores that display this sticker.
It is not a promotion.
the picture posted by OP says otherwise.
Didnt work for me i put all the chickens on the empty baby formula shelves then claimed my free chicken but got banned from the store instead
hehehe
Reminds me of the old Video Ezy new release guarantee days
Video Ezy movie guarantee. Get it first time or get it free!
I actually used that. Even in my youth I was a cheapskate 😅
They still offer it on select new releases at their kiosks.
On most films. If you can’t find it only in your area, ring up and ask them where it is. If the nearest like 5 don’t have it, they’ll give you a voucher ($5~?) to use in about two weeks. As long as you haven’t rented that film before.
I’ve done this about three times. I’ve actually never paid for a film yet through them!
I only use them when they have free rentals anyway and use multiple debit cards if I want a few movies. I ended up forgetting to return one one day so I have paid for one night rental on one movie. I still live with the shame.
Secret HackStore Policy
Thanks for the shout though, I'll look out for the sticker.
Or maybe use the promotion for its intended purpose and you can be lucky enough to have a free chicken one day.
I wasn't aware, great PA to keep on people's radar. I occasionally pop in to Coles to grab a few things, I'll now keep an eye out on the Hot Roast Chicken section and if I see there's none, attempt to claim a free one. Thanks OP.
It's not my problem if you can't read English or need a stronger prescription.
It is your problem that you’re a rude C U Next Tuesday though. I also never knew about this promotion and can read English perfectly thanks.
I’m going to roast u. What is a deal? Well coles has made a “deal” which is clear. This to why someone would post it. Also maybe a hungry person would wait around all day. They will give u a chicken if no chickens are available at the time. Plan and simple. Who the hell would stand around all day… I didn’t know this deal existed until now. Ur common knowledge is not mine and I assume thousands of others. So well done op.
When it's something that is available every day, and has been for years, it hardly constitutes a deal, does it? Otherwise I may as well post a new deal stating "Free stuff at Coles — just buy groceries and scan your Flybuys card to accumulate points and get free stuff!". People like yourself are no doubt oblivious.
Come with your family of 10, and buy all the chickens, then get your family to claim 10 extra chickens.
Feast for today, feast for tomorrow!
Hmmm.. I got one about 2 months ago from my local coles.. just walking past late at night by accident…no issues getting the coupon… coupon expires in 1 week from date of issue (luckily they forgot to mark the expiry date)
Coupon not redeemable on public holidays… (found out the hard way).. took around a month, to get around to getting my free chicken…
Been back many times.. and its always well stocked with chickens now… no chance now… even late at night..
Hi All,
This is actually not actually viable. I tried to claim this, repeatedly, in store and via customer services, flatly refused. Even with a photo of the sign & a photo of the chicken counter empty.
This is impossible to claim in my experience
What was the reason they gave you?
There’s always chicks at coles
I think you are supposed to get a voucher.
Which Coles?
you’re either lying or not giving the full story.
Dont think so.
Tried to claim from the store staff who looked blankly at me, they called the duty manager, again blank. The last email from customer service was after I basically asked them to clarify if this policy was still in place this place was the exact reply “This is correct. We're following up with the store to ensure that we can avoid this in the future.”
No chicken, just an apology despite sending them a photo to back myself up.
Not worth the hassle IMO.
I assume they immediately stocked the chicken when you tried to claim it.
The point is that you are compensated if you ever miss out on an opportunity to buy it, you're not rewarded for "seeing it" whilst it's empty.
If they refused to add stock AND honour your deal, I would take the complaint directly to the ACCC for misleading advertising practices.
Nope, just looked blankly. Kinda shrugged but expected more from customer services…
I second this. My experience trying to claim the voucher was unsuccessful too.
Read an article on news.com.au exposing a 'Secret Hack'
Hahaha imagine paying someone to write this shit
The only true hack is the writer of the story. A hack shouldn't require good timing and luck in honouring it, that's NEVER been secret and has openly been available for YEARS. So many writers from that website trawl the internet (Reddit, Whirlpool, OzB, Mumsnet, Bored Panda) looking for other people to have done their work for them.
I hope Woolies adopted this..
PS. Can we make our tickets and go around sticking them all over the place…
Ok look heres the thing.
I worked in the deli (albeit 2 years ago now). This is not new. Its been around for at least 4 years. It was advertised on the bain marie for gods sake. Its not Coles fault if people dont bother to read what they might be entitled to.
It doesnt matter about if you are 'low' on the pecking order. Its more if you even know where the vouchers are. If not its more the manager at that coles is concerned with sales and their own ass. Lets be honest we would all be the same. Coles has never tried to hide this promotion from what i could see and actively advertised it because the chickens should be avaiable (may i add it was between 4pm and 8pm when i was there).
Also no employee in their right mind would have lied about when chickens were coming out. If they say 5min and it takes 20 its more likely they are taking them off. You think the oven magically bags them?
The ovens have timers on them, the customer can see when they will be ready.
I use this to get fresh chickens.
Next day