Case of Beer Scanned at Higher Price than Shown on Shelf at BWS. What Were My Options?

Blue Cat on 17/03/2019 - 16:48
Last edited 18/03/2019 - 09:43 by 1 other user

tl;dr Shelf price of beer case was $54, but scanned at $56. Cashier was reluctant to do anything about it. Got the $2 difference back in the end but shouldn't there be some kind of scanning code of practice that would have given me the beer for free or for a bigger discount?

So I was buying a case of beer at BWS, shelf price label said it was $54. Went to the cashier, paid for it with an eWISH gift card and a few seconds later I check the receipt and find that it scanned at $56. I was a bit in a rush so I didn't want to bother for $2 but decided to ask the cashier about this anyway, as I heard if this happens in Woolies you can get that item for free, and I can't turn down the chance for free beer.
He went to check the price and said "Oh yeah sorry there is some system mistake" and just looked at me moving his shoulders, expecting me to just walk away presumably??? 10 seconds later he looked annoyed and finally mumbled out "Come to cash register I will give you the $2 difference".
When we went to the cash register he seemed confused on what to do next, claiming he doesn't know how to do a refund when I bought it by gift card, pushed some buttons, kept looking at my receipt and so on.
Then (as I understand) his manager came and they started speaking in indian and a few seconds later the manager got all angry with him. He opened the cash register and just gave me $2 coin and said "Sorry about that". Since I was tight on time I didn't want to bother anymore so I just thanked him and left the shop.

I gave BWS a call, said what is their policy if this happens and all I got was "Well it depends on the store". So I asked them if I buy a bottle of vodka with advertised shelf price of $30 but it scans at $60, the store can do whatever they want? All I got again was "Not really but it depends on the store, you need to solve it at the cash register."
So from my understanding, they don't have a universal policy that applies to all stores and they can just do whatever they want?
Is this not against any Australian laws?

Should I have gotten that case for free or at a big discount? What should I do when this happens next time?

Food & Grocery Beer

Related Stores

BWS - Beer Wine Spirits
BWS - Beer Wine Spirits

Comments

  • Stewardo on 17/03/2019 - 16:53
    +128

    You should have got an apology and $2

    • whooah1979 on 17/03/2019 - 17:01
      +46

      The customer received both. Done and dusted.

      He opened the cash register and just gave me $2 coin and said "Sorry about that".

      • Stewardo on 17/03/2019 - 17:09
        +9

        I read that also. That was my point.

    • Fobsessive on 18/03/2019 - 20:49
      +1

      /end thread

  • theHMASfriendship on 17/03/2019 - 16:57
    +76

    Why would you ever think you'd be entitled to a whole case for free or for a discount?

    • Ronthecrypto on 17/03/2019 - 17:02
      +2

      They can only refund the difference which they did

    • Some Human on 17/03/2019 - 18:01
      +32

      I think at Woolworths, if something scans up more than it should be, you get it for free. I suspect OP thought BWS would do the same, as it’s part of the Woolworths group. But no, it doesn’t work like that.

      • blonky on 18/03/2019 - 10:36
        +15

        They do have a voluntary code at Woolies (and possibly Coles too) where they would give you the first item free if the price is incorrect, but I don't believe BWS are part of it.

        Legally, no they do not need to reimburse you or give you the product at no cost. You did not experience any losses and did not have to purchase if you did not agree to the price.

        For further reading look up 'invitation to treat'

        • zooter on 18/03/2019 - 17:23

          I've had some smart ass managers in Woolworths not give it for free, but just correct it to the right price (I bought 5 items of something marked down). I was short on time so didn't push it, but one reason why I avoid Woolworths as Coles seems to do it correctly in such cases

        • ajr5k on 18/03/2019 - 17:26
          +4

          Supermarkets Scanning Code of Practice - First item scanned higher is free, subsequent items at the cheaper marked price, excludes alcohol and tobacco.

          Got the $2 back and an apology, not sure what else you wanted?

      • ironxylophone on 18/03/2019 - 11:05
        +4

        work at Coles, and yes if an item is marked incorrectly (doesn't include liquor, tobacco, gift cards or items >$50) the customer gets the first one free. However 90% of the time it's the customer incorrectly reading the sticker above or below or an item was placed back in the wrong spot.

        • minniethemoocher on 18/03/2019 - 12:16
          +10

          Or a employee missed taking off a shelf price from last weeks specials.

          • kiitos on 18/03/2019 - 12:35
            +4

            @minniethemoocher: That should still count though, shouldn't it?

            • ironxylophone on 18/03/2019 - 16:59

              @kiitos: yeah if it's employee's fault item is free

              • Eeples on 18/03/2019 - 22:25

                @ironxylophone: if it’s a scanning error… sure.

                But I thought employee error…. eg. The cashier manually typing in the wrong variety of mangos….. is just user error ie. employee error… and the customer doesn’t get the item free?

        • brizzy on 18/03/2019 - 14:07
          +1

          happens to me all the time at coles and woolies and i just get difference (pay correct price) .. just yesterday again. Its more lik 90% of the time coles scans the special wrong … its appalling actually i have to run and get the specials and show the lady for and hold up the line … i feel bad but its the ethics of it. get yo shit together cairns

          • peterpeterpumpkin on 19/03/2019 - 09:21
            +1

            @brizzy: I kept telling Coles to fix the scanned price of a reduced-to-clear item for a week at self-checkout and they didn't.

            So I confidently rocked up to a living checkout person for the first time in ages, had them scan the incorrect price, and requested the item for free to teach them a lesson.

            She said that even then the database wouldn't be updated or even flagged until someone did it manually in the office.

        • Miss B on 18/03/2019 - 17:42

          Or if the employees put the item in the wrong spot.

        • EyesWideOpen on 19/03/2019 - 10:59

          Whether it's employee error or not, at some suburbs they make you feel cheap if you ask for it, and check/reimburse sloooowly. I avoid some stores.

    • serpserpserp on 17/03/2019 - 21:03
      -1

      Because if you are in any way uncomfortable with anything that happens at any retailer for any reasons that may or may not make sense to you, you should get whatever you are purchasing for free. That is just the way things work in Australia. Don't let those fat cats dictate how YOU should shop in YOUR bottleshop that YOU help keep afloat by your vote, taxes and superannuation investments.

      • wozz on 18/03/2019 - 06:32
        +4

        I think OP is referring to the supermarket Code of Practice. From what I can tell it only applies to supermarkets, and furthermore it is voluntary anyway:

        https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/buying-products-and-servi…

        Supermarket scanner myth

        'If a supermarket scanner scans an item at a price higher than the displayed shelf price, I can get that item free of charge.'

        Supermarket scanner fact

        This only applies if the supermarket abides by the voluntary Code of Practice for Computerised Checkout Systems in Supermarkets. Under the Code of Practice, if an item scans at a price higher than the shelf price, the customer is entitled to receive the first item free and all subsequent items with the same barcode, at the lower shelf price.

        • serpserpserp on 18/03/2019 - 07:58
          +6

          Doesn't apply to liquor. bah-bow

  • Amaris on 17/03/2019 - 16:57
    +31

    There's no language called 'indian".

    • FireRunner on 17/03/2019 - 18:22
      +2

      Maybe he was speaking Mexican instead?

    • Daabido on 17/03/2019 - 20:55
      +8

      Of course there isn't. It would need a capital "I". Idiots everywhere.

    • serpserpserp on 17/03/2019 - 21:04
      +3

      He obviously meant native American. Those guys run all our bottleshops here…..

    • Nick939 on 18/03/2019 - 01:38
      +19

      To be honest, you're being quite pedantic. Can you tell the difference between Mandarin and Cantonese? Or will you just call it Chinese?

        • Hydrool on 18/03/2019 - 12:20
          +6

          Incorrect, ‘Chinese’ is an umbrella term for seven major languages groups which are unified by a written script, but are otherwise unintelligible to each other. However in the modern era ‘Chinese’ is sometimes used interchangeably with Standard Mandarine which itself was historically only used in certain areas in and around Beijing as the ‘language of the officials’ and was chosen as the national language in the 20th century.

          • TtiGeR on 19/03/2019 - 04:34

            @Hydrool: When we say "Chinese" in the context of languages, we typically refer to the written language. Traditional Chinese or Simplified Chinese, they both refer to the Chinese language for writing.

            Technically, the so-called Standard Mandarin (oral) is not based on the "language of the officials" in and around Beijing.

            Standard Mandarin (oral) was specifically created (not chosen), in 1953, for standardization. It was primarily based on the language spoken by people at Jingoutun, Luanping, Hebei (河北省滦平县金沟屯镇金沟屯村). Google "普通话标准音采集地" for more info.

            "Beijing Mandarin" is quite different from "Standard Mandarin". At least to most Chinese people, people in Beijing speak with a strong accent.

      • Amaris on 18/03/2019 - 21:49

        Just because he or you can't tell the difference it does not become one language. To someone from India there could possibly be 'European' or 'African' as well.

        • Nick939 on 19/03/2019 - 01:14
          +1

          Your confusion confuses me.

    • anonymous12345 on 18/03/2019 - 09:50
      +6

      How can he even recognize Tamil, Hindi and any other languages of India if he doesn't know about it?

  • whooah1979 on 17/03/2019 - 16:57
    +6

    Should I have gotten that case for free

    Nope.

    Is this not against any Australian laws?

    The retailer may pull the price listed on shelf and the customer either pay the lower price or walk away empty-handed.

    • Ronthecrypto on 17/03/2019 - 17:01
      +20

      scanning code of practice doesn't work for liquor and tobacco

      • whooah1979 on 17/03/2019 - 17:04
        +5

        Thanks for that.

        https://www.choice.com.au/shopping/consumer-rights-and-advic…

        Supermarket code of conduct
        Some (but not all) supermarkets are signatories to the code of practice for computerised checkout systems in supermarkets. The supermarkets which participate in the code display signs telling customers that they are participants. The code says that when an item is scanned at a higher price than it says on the shelf or as advertised, a customer is entitled to receive the first item free and all later items at the lower price.

        There are some exceptions:
        Liquor products
        Tobacco products
        Items without a barcode or PLU number
        Items with a shelf price of $50 or more

  • Baysew on 17/03/2019 - 17:01
    +1

    What should I do when this happens next time?

    This -

    Save money on slabs of beer (damaged cartons) - Woolworths

    Are you confusing the voluntary code "Scanning Code of Practice for Supermarkets" with "can just do whatever they want" at the bottle shop?

  • Xyzzy on 17/03/2019 - 17:11

    You seem to be expecting the
    Code of Practice for Computerised Checkout Systems in Supermarkets to apply to BWS. It doesn't. As long as the pricing discrepancy was a mistake and not deliberate, it's not illegal, and it's up to the retailer how they resolve it. Refunding you the difference seems reasonable.

    More info at:

    https://legalvision.com.au/when-do-retailers-have-to-honour-…

  • altomic on 17/03/2019 - 19:02
    +38

    ACCC, and then when they laugh at you then take it to the High Court of Australia - because it is the vibe of the thing.

    You fight for your rights.

    This is why diggers died at Gallipoli

    I don't use the word "hero" very often, but you are the greatest hero in American history.

    BWS is shitting on the rights of Australians.

    Ozbargain and it's members should boycott BWS.

    you need to write to your local MP both state and federal.

    start a petition on change.org

    don't you give up.

    obviously that particular store is cheating everyday Australians like yourself, and it could happen to anyone.

    That store probably does this price scam 1000 times a day. making millions off the hard working ozzie battling locals in the surrounding area.

    taking the hard earned money from the pockets of respectable hard working australians (who just want a fair go) just so they can buy another private jet or solid gold toilet seat.

    OP don't give up just because the vocal majority says to get over it.

    this is a classic David & Goliath story - but this time the slingshot is the truth!!

    or it could have been a simple mix up with the shelf pricing tag.

    • AdosHouse on 17/03/2019 - 19:30
      +5

      100% the former.

    • ericb on 17/03/2019 - 19:52
      +4

      how did you fit so many cliches into one post!

      • altomic on 17/03/2019 - 19:57
        +6

        i've been on ozbargain long enough to have seen it all.

        • Daabido on 17/03/2019 - 20:57
          +6

          Would you like a medal? I agree us old timers have seen it all. Come join me on the porch and we can yell obscenities at the young ones as they walk past.

          • altomic on 19/03/2019 - 11:42
            +3

            @Daabido: "you kids don't know that Ikea Ladda batteries are just rebadged eneloops!!"

            yeah, I'd like that. thanks

    • serpserpserp on 17/03/2019 - 20:57
      +4

      This should be the standard reply to all OzWhinge posts.

    • spackbace on 17/03/2019 - 22:44
      +3

      Slow night? 😂

  • Ughhh on 17/03/2019 - 20:04
    +1

    scanning code of practice

    It's a policy, not the law. In addition, it's not a policy BWS is voluntary in.. Don't assume the scanning code of practice is applicable to every store like is law.

  • serpserpserp on 17/03/2019 - 20:50
    +6

    Should I have gotten that case for free or at a big discount?

    How entitled are you?

    Seriously, you got the correct outcome. Why do you need to come here and post about something that happen where you got exactly what you should have?

  • p1 ama on 17/03/2019 - 21:06
    +7

    So from my understanding, they don't have a universal policy that applies to all stores and they can just do whatever they want?

    Yes.

    Is this not against any Australian laws?

    No.

    Should I have gotten that case for free or at a big discount?

    No.

    What should I do when this happens next time?

    Go back and get your $2.

    Got the $2 difference back in the end but shouldn't there be some kind of scanning code of practice that would have given me the beer for free or for a bigger discount?

    What are you talking about…"scanning code of practice"? You've had too many beers mate. Stay off the roads!

    • Hybroid on 17/03/2019 - 21:30
      +3

      Agreed with your post but think they mean this:-

      If a single item scans at a higher price than the advertised or ticketed shelf price for that item, we will give you that item FREE.

      https://www.coles.com.au/customer-service/helping-you-shop

      However:

      Our promise does not cover:

      Items without a barcode or PLU
      3rd Party Gift Cards
      Tobacco or Liquor products
      Items over $50
      When the wrong PLU number is entered

  • smpantsonfire on 18/03/2019 - 00:03
    +1

    I get people want to tell everyone else about their minor inconveniences in their day, and maybe people want to add to the discussion. It's a great opportunity for others to learn, but google could have told you the answer in less time it took you to hit submit on a new post that you've thoughtfully typed up.

    • Ti-au on 18/03/2019 - 23:34

      Is it white person problems or 1st world problems?

      I really can't tell.

      Perhaps a Housos problems……

  • This Guy on 18/03/2019 - 03:08
    +7

    A $54 case of beer? Too good for a $29 case of Rivet Lager?

    Are you on CBA money? Have you thought of investing in a high yield investment car?

  • DarkOz on 18/03/2019 - 06:20
    -1

    You are willing to pay $54 for a case of beer and you got all tight for a lousy $2 from a system error? It was only TWO DOLLARS! The cashier probably only get paid $2 an hour working there.

    • Jugganautx on 18/03/2019 - 07:22

      Atleast $19+ being over 18

      • [Deactivated] on 19/03/2019 - 17:33

        indian btw

        • smartazz104 on 19/03/2019 - 18:20

          Not 7-11 by the way.

    • brad1-8tsi on 18/03/2019 - 15:34

      My neighbour works at liquorland. He's 21 and gets ~$23/hr plus penalty rates. He loves it.

  • dumvamp on 18/03/2019 - 06:58
    +1

    So paying $11 for a smashed avocado and $30 for your weekly moustache waxing is ok, but a system error of $2 that was corrected at the time, in a fair manor, is too much for you. Lol.

  • THICKnSLOW on 18/03/2019 - 07:43
    +2

    Who pays more than two bucks per bottle of beer on ozb??!! Crazy

    • raymosaurus on 20/03/2019 - 00:44

      Me. I struggle to get a case that satisfies my tastes for under $58, and even then, sometimes I lash out over $70 for a case of white rabbit dark ale. FML

      • THICKnSLOW on 20/03/2019 - 10:16

        Keep searching and tasting, with the staggering number of beer products out there there's bound to be something that will be discounted to under $2 a bottle.

        Especially when producers start making 220mL bottles :(

        • raymosaurus on 20/03/2019 - 15:22

          Any suggestions? Seems to me that if you want to drink quality beer, you have to pay up. The struggle is real. 💁🏻‍♀️

          220ml isn't a substitute for high price per bottle. 😂 I measure my beer in ml, not bottle. 👍🏻

  • kaleidoscope on 18/03/2019 - 07:56
    +2

    “and I can't turn down the chance for free beer“

    This is whats wrong in current society. Attitude of taking most things for granted and waiting for someone else to make a mistake to gain something from that.

    I’m glad you got balance refund which was the right thing to do, but expecting free beer? come on …

    • ashikk on 18/03/2019 - 09:35
      +1

      This ^
      And would OP go back to pay $2 difference if the beer scanned $52?

  • Stevecro on 18/03/2019 - 08:09
    +14

    Customer should have gotten:

    • A written apology
    • $1000 in compensation for stress
    • The carton of beer for free
    • 50% discount off all beer for life
    • A hug from the Managing Director
    • cille745 on 18/03/2019 - 10:08
      +3

      Don't forget the free for life card as well as the BWS vinyl wrapped supercar

  • Windows98 on 18/03/2019 - 08:18

    The free if price is wrong policy doesn't apply to alcohol. There are a lot of discounts and promotions that don't link to the associated Coles/Woolies bottle-os due to the fact that it's alcohol and there are different government rules around it.

    You got your money and an drink your alcohol send be happy

  • gimme on 18/03/2019 - 08:20
    +8

    I'm going on a self imposwd ban from forums after reading this post.

  • Soluble on 18/03/2019 - 08:27

    Liquorland/FC if they refund the beer and put it back through with wrong ticket price you get (Don't quote me but it's either 5 or 10%) off the case and are refunded the difference, the register automatically does the discount. BWS I'm not sure on but certainly not a case of free beer. A simple sorry about that here's your $2 is all I'd expect.

  • mreddie on 18/03/2019 - 08:42
    +2

    First world problems right here

  • ashikk on 18/03/2019 - 09:12

    Why would they reduce the price of case of beer just because carton is damaged (unless it is a very low selling beer or it is close to best before date), when they make more profit selling 6 packs/ singles. If that’s the case based on clientele of the certain shop there will be heaps of damaged cartons.

    EDIT: wrong thread.

  • lltravel on 18/03/2019 - 09:24
    +1

    lol @ going back for 2 dollars….

    • Danstar on 19/03/2019 - 06:40

      Yet was in a rush

      and also had time to contact BWS about it afterwards too

  • greencomet on 18/03/2019 - 09:46
    +4

    When I worked at woolies we used to get heaps of people getting pissed about scan policy stuff. Had dudes clean out a shelf of an item expecting scan policy on it all when they realised it was scanning wrong. Had people take specials tickets off the shelf then return a week later (once the special had finished), put them back on the shelves and expect scan policy on their entire shop of all last weeks specials. Customers would talk to you like an entitled piece of shit when they didn't get what they want, it was super satisfying giving them the "Have a lovely day" when they storm off after the usual "I'll be doing all my shopping at Coles from now on!" comment.

    It was a mistake, get your two dollars back and get on with your life.

    • natman on 19/03/2019 - 17:14

      From a customer point of view though, I learnt that I had to check the receipt every time for errors. It was common for last weeks special ticket price to not be taken off the shelf. Or for “reduced to clear” items, the employee wouldn’t put the sticker over the original barcode, so the full price barcode gets scanned instead of the clearance barcode. Then when you go back to the counter, they act like your the biggest cheapskate and are not apologetic at all. Maybe this was just a bad store/manager. Now with self serve checkouts, it’s not such a problem, easy to see the price of each item as you go.

      • greencomet on 20/03/2019 - 07:10
        +1

        Yeah I always told people to check their receipts, because like anything sometimes there are mistakes. Was more than happy to fix those things up, it's more the customers that would purposely try and rort a good faith policy that would get up my nose. As for bad service I'm not defending that but front end workers do put up with a heap of abuse and rude customers, some workers let it roll off their back but others do take it personally. That worker you got was probably just having a bad day, it doesn't excuse the poor service though.

  • domadgee on 18/03/2019 - 09:51
    +2

    I believe local shelf pricing is 'an invitation to treat'
    As a consumer you can collect the item, take it to the counter and 'offer' to buy the item at that marked price.

    If the shelf price is incorrect, the retailer can decline your offer and ask you to pay the full price.

    • [Deactivated] on 18/03/2019 - 10:59

      Well done, not sure why it took so many comments to get to the actual answer.

  • brentl on 18/03/2019 - 11:10

    This happened to me at Thirsty Camel a few years ago. They then told me the price was for members but it was not advertised. I complained and they sent me a $10 gift card.

  • Mrgreenz on 18/03/2019 - 12:46
    +2

    Yes you should have got it for free, also they should pay for your transport costs to and fro the place of purchase.

    They then should provide you with a fund to mount a legal case against them for misleading conduct.

    The cashier should be sentanced to 7 years hard labour and 100 lashes a week. And a left jab from Senator Anning

  • jno on 18/03/2019 - 12:56

    look at you tryna get a free ride lol

  • No ONE on 18/03/2019 - 13:30

    but shouldn't there be some kind of scanning code of practice that would have given me the beer for free or for a bigger discount?

    Are you for real?

  • SupeNintendoChalmers on 18/03/2019 - 13:59
    +3

    YOU GOTTA FIGHT!!

    FOR YOUR RIGHT

    TO BARGAIN!!!!

  • dogboy on 18/03/2019 - 17:38

    Solution - never buy alcohol from BWS again. They are the biggest rip off. All their beer specials are on 2x6packs. Seriously, who buys 2x6packs and not just a carton?!

    • ozbjunkie on 18/03/2019 - 18:15

      People who are seriously financially stretched. My housemate regularly buys six packs because he can't afford a case. I don't get it.

      • ashikk on 18/03/2019 - 18:23
        +1

        And to control themselves not to drink more.

  • dbun1 on 18/03/2019 - 20:59
    +2

    The sense of entitlement is strong with this one.

  • Danstar on 19/03/2019 - 06:39
    +2

    I always get stuck behind this kind of person at a checkout when I go to Coles

    • brad1-8tsi on 19/03/2019 - 09:17

      For 1 person it's only $2 but multiply that by the number of cartons that they sell per day nationwide and it's a fair bit of extra profit. I personally know of at least one "whoops" by a major supermarket that was worth $750k extra profit when noticed.

      Coles and Woolies are not nice companies.

      • Danstar on 19/03/2019 - 09:54

        Well it's not extra profit as the price it scans at on their system is the actual price. If people don't want it after seeing it's $2 more, they don't have to buy it

      • Soluble on 19/03/2019 - 16:42

        You mean the 1 store that didn't do their ticketing properly?

  • Black Brown Blue on 19/03/2019 - 07:27

    Where is the common sense these days
    Free in your dreams

  • ozbargainer88 on 19/03/2019 - 08:17
    +1

    It's $2. Jesus Christ.

  • DiscoJango on 19/03/2019 - 09:19

    Next time, just underpay them by $2, then watch them jump up and down

    Eg: item is $54, heres $52 see ya later. Excuse me sir you cant do that, security!

    • misu p on 19/03/2019 - 14:15

      Your logic is flawed. How about he gives them $52 and they call the cops because he stole from them? They would not do that because making a mistake is human. It is a mistake… move on.

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