How Do You Interpret "Any 2 for $13.90"

onthefence on 07/12/2019 - 22:49
Last edited 10/12/2019 - 19:43

Hello frugal friends,

So my wife has put me onto kombucha. I know it's not the most Ozbargain of beverages, but it's delicious, it's refreshing, it's possibly somewhat nutritious, and an ice cold bottle of booch is exactly what I need when I get home from work after a long day.

You're doing alright at approximately $6 a litre, and Coles has a deal going where of a selection of several flavours, you get "Any 2 for $13.90" coming out at around $5.50/L. It's various flavours, all sitting on the same couple of shelves, and looks like this: https://imgur.com/a/QPWEUUE

Now, to me, this is relatively straightforward. "Any 2 for $13.90", presented this way, means I can choose any two 4-packs of fermented heaven, irrespective of flavour, and get them for $13.90. I chose two different types.

When I was scanning them at the self-checkout, they came up at their individual single prices. Calling the friendly assistant and explaining the situation, she went away to check with someone more senior and said that you need to get two of the same flavour, but understood the confusion. She put two of one flavour through, and let me take two different flavours for $13.90.

Only partially satisfied with this result, and knowing many others will be (and will have been) caught in this nefarious swindle, I went to the place where people buy cigarettes to plead my case for getting one, or perhaps even both (pushing my luck) of the 4 packs for free, due to their pricing error.

When I enquired, however, with the above picture displayed on my phone, I was told in no uncertain terms by a much more unfriendly assistant that the two 4-packs had to be the same flavour. I received no freebies, and left mildly disgruntled.

Edit: For the record, I was happy enough with the overall result, but I think this is a pricing error and should have got one of the 4-packs for free according to their policy.

Edit #2: It's hard to argue with 300+ people! There are a couple of great comments somewhere down there which sum up the situation pretty well I think - the pricing is misleading, but not a scanning error (technically 2 different products, rather than 2 flavours, despite identical pricing and similar packaging), so no entitlement to a freebie. Thanks to all for commenting and voting - agreeing with me or drowning me in negs - very entertaining to read it all!

Edit #3: For all the talk of entitlement, the way I see it is this: their policy is "price scanning error = free 1st product" or thereabouts. The poll asks, in essence, if you think it's fair enough to assume it's a pricing error when they scan at individual prices, based on what you see on the shelf. If it is (and it actually isn't in this case, based on comments), you're within your rights to ask that they stick to their policy - the policy that they created for situations like this - and give you a freebie. Hopefully they then go on to rectify the pricing, which 95% of us agree is misleading at best.

Poll: What should the result of this interaction have been? How do you interpret "Any 2 for $13.90"?

Poll Options expired

  • 13
    Pricing is perfectly acceptable. You need to get 2 of the same flavour.
  • 421
    Pricing is misleading, but the friendly assistant sufficiently rectified the issue.
  • 33
    Pricing is misleading, and you should have got one of the 4-packs for free.
  • 13
    Pricing is misleading, and you should have got both of the 4-packs for free.
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Comments

  • lolz112 on 07/12/2019 - 22:54
    +83

    You need to find better things to do with your time.

    • onthefence on 07/12/2019 - 22:55
      +25

      My wife agrees.

    • poboy on 08/12/2019 - 08:03
      +7

      Seek a price match at office works. Keep pointing at their policy and don't take no for an answer.

    • Bryanalves on 08/12/2019 - 23:56
      +7

      OP greedy. Got what he/she wanted but still wanted to scam a freebie.

    • dcash on 09/12/2019 - 09:53
      -1

      Perhaps more importantly, why is he even drinking that stuff?!?

    • Dancasper on 10/12/2019 - 07:32

      …like brew kombucha.

  • ascorbic on 07/12/2019 - 22:58
    +77

    It's definitely misleading. If they meant two of the same flavour, it should say "2 for $13.90", not "Any 2 for $13.90".

    • onthefence on 07/12/2019 - 23:01
      +1

      My thoughts exactly!

    • Almost Banned on 08/12/2019 - 00:58
      +2

      Agree
      As for the one 'free' issue the Scanning Code of Practice only entitles you to the first item free (see cl. 4.2(a) of the Scanning Code of Practice).

    • Nebargains on 08/12/2019 - 19:17
      +3

      Probably just a mistake in their system as to how this multi buy offer is setup.

      Considering its the same brand and same price, I couldn't see any reason you couldn't mix and match.

    • ozbjunkie on 08/12/2019 - 22:01
      +2

      This guy pendants.

      I agree.

      Any two means "any" mofos.

    • saintpotter on 09/12/2019 - 10:36
      +4

      "2 for $13.90 still does not imply that it has to be the same flavour. I have picked up chip packets in the past in the "2 for" deals and I always alternate the flavors.

    • supersabroso on 09/12/2019 - 12:39
      +1

      They have this kind of promo all the time, at Woolworths you can get literally any two full stop for that price. That's completely wrong on Coles, they rip us off all the time with old stickers costing us a ton of money. Don't feel sorry for catching their error for taking more money than advertised and wanting your money back.

  • tsunamisurfer on 07/12/2019 - 23:07
    +49

    So OP got what he wanted with the assistance of helpful attendee…..then proceeded to decry price error at the front desk?????

    I really wish Coles personnel were allowed to tell customers of this calibre to F off.

      • Downvoter on 08/12/2019 - 00:49
        +29

        If I hadn’t used all my negs for the day they’d all be going towards your sense of entitlement for your actions at the front desk. Round of applause for the worker who rightfully handbraked you there.

        • onthefence on 08/12/2019 - 08:18
          -2

          This criticism is fair enough, reading my post back.

          In my defense, I never mentioned that the price had been initially fixed at the front desk, or even mentioned that I was hoping for a freebie - I was cut off as soon as I showed the photo. I wasn't rude in the slightest and didn't kick up a stink at all.

          And again, while I'd hoped to get a free 4-pack as per the policy, the hope that they'd actually fix the price was very much part of my reason for going to the front desk.

          • Bryanalves on 08/12/2019 - 23:58
            +3

            @onthefence: You greedy. You got what you want just walk away. Stop trying to scam.

        • ThithLord on 09/12/2019 - 09:15
          +2

          If I hadn’t used all my negs for the day

          I got chu bro

    • srr on 08/12/2019 - 20:00
      +1

      Yep, never correct error at the checkout. You should let the price error to happen, and then go straight to the service. Otherwise if your price has been corrected you won't get any freebies.

      • Almost Banned on 12/12/2019 - 14:57

        Actually nothing in cl. 4.1 of the Scanning Code of Practice requires you to pay for it before you get the item for free, and cl. 3.2 specifically says that you are entitled to your remedy under the Code regardless of whether you have completed your purchase.

  • Stewardo on 07/12/2019 - 23:10
    +1

    Which flavours did you get?
    I had a flybuys promo for nexba but it specifies kombucha not
    Kefir tepache switchel which comes in same packaging

    • onthefence on 07/12/2019 - 23:18

      Excellent point - I got a kefir and a kombucha (same packaging and deal pricing for both, though there is a technical difference), though I think overall, if you look at the presentation, it is still misleading, though there's probably room for debate.

      • mouseketeer on 08/12/2019 - 14:10

        Yes misleading, but Kefir and kombucha are different original prices (look at the save, and the price for one). So I wouldn't expect one of each of those to be '2 for', only different flavours of the same product.

      • miwahni on 08/12/2019 - 23:57
        +6

        I just went and checked my docket - I bought a fourpack of Rose Lemonade and one of Elderflower and Lemon, ie two different flavours, and they scanned at a total of $13.90, so your problem must have been the Kefir.

        • onthefence on 09/12/2019 - 20:00
          -1

          I'm sure you're right. Weakens my argument, but I still think when you look at that shelf, and see "Any 2 for $x", the average person grabs a couple of 4-packs of different types expecting to pay $x.

  • hawkeye on 07/12/2019 - 23:15
    +3

    Operative word "ANY", two
    Lazy people have no money

  • Sage on 07/12/2019 - 23:48
    +1

    It should be mix and match but sometimes it's not.
    I normally argue or question the offer if it doesn't apply.
    In the pic it's all the same brand, so it should be literally any 2 4 packs for $13.90.
    It's possible they didn't program it correctly and it is only working for 2 of the same 4 packs.

    I wouldn't call it a pricing error since technically the tags don't specify you can mix and match, it's only implied.
    Edit: Actually I notice from an above comment, it does indeed say "any" 2 which is a pretty clear way of saying you can have multiple varieties.
    I still wouldn't bother with it, personally.

    • Stewardo on 08/12/2019 - 01:43

      Without seeing all the products and tags it’s hard to tell, it is slightly misleading however it was my understanding that it’s only the products with the discount tag in front of the price tag. It’s complicated by them having a different range of products in the same size packaging. It looks like a different flavour but it’s a different product.

  • RockyRaccoon on 08/12/2019 - 04:53
    -5

    You buy kombucha at $6 a litre, for health, and smoke away the benefits with discounted cigarettes. Bargain!

    Next look for discounted health policies, you will need them more.

    • pantsparty on 08/12/2019 - 06:03
      +5

      I don’t think he said that he smokes cigarettes. He just went to that specific counter to plead his case.

      • RockyRaccoon on 08/12/2019 - 07:28
        +1

        Ah yes you are right. Apologies to my healthy friend. 🙏

        • Some Human on 08/12/2019 - 07:51

          I read it that way at first, then thought, What? An ozbargainer buying cigarettes? I’d better read that again…

    • onthefence on 08/12/2019 - 08:19

      Sorry - I don't smoke, I should have said 'the front desk'. That didn't come to mind last night - said that so you'd all know what I was on about.

    • jacross on 08/12/2019 - 08:44

      Way to misapply your misplaced righteousness.

    • HelpMeiCantSee on 08/12/2019 - 08:55

      If he wants to smoke, he can. Who are you to decide what he does with his own body?

  • Okayy on 08/12/2019 - 07:12

    Did they remove the tag?

  • Belistic on 08/12/2019 - 07:19
    +1

    Funny you mentioned the 2 for $# price.

    This week, I ordered a Click & Collect, they had 2 dips for $6. I was charged $4 each.
    I sent an email to their Customer Service, and they sent me a $2 credit.

    Maybe they're going back to having to buy the SAME product for the cheaper deal?

  • Blue Cat on 08/12/2019 - 07:53
    -1

    Price errors in Coles or Woolworths have happened to me many times before now and I am sure this "if price scans different from ticket price, first item is free, all others half price" myth is just that, a myth, probably created by OzBargain as a meme or something.
    Never EVER do they give out the item for free and they always look so disgruntled when they have to fix the price and they only reduce it to the ticket price.
    Sometimes they even don't bother and say "you were looking at the wrong price" after supposedly "checking the shelf" for a minute and sometimes I show the a photo taken minutes ago, they get madder even more (just an observation: the younger the attendant, the madder she gets!) and fix the price.
    This espeically happens with cheese and beef, as they seem to be increase the price for those every 1.5 months!

    FYI: 1KG of cheapest beef mince is now $10, while (I am pretty sure) it was $7/kg one year ago - a 43% price increase in my everyday staple!

    • Never Pay RRP on 08/12/2019 - 10:02
      +7

      Lol, take off the tinfoil hat for a second and read https://www.coles.com.au/customer-service/helping-you-shop under "our promise on price scanning"
      Coles being blatantly dishonest and unethical, it does not surprise me that their staff have probably been instructed to violate their own policy, but this standard practise (which Woolworths also has) was not created by ozbargain

    • Laziofogna on 08/12/2019 - 10:56
      +1

      I have free things for wrong price regularly

      • Blue Cat on 08/12/2019 - 10:58

        Do you have to remind the attendant that the item is free or do they offer it themselves?

        • Laziofogna on 08/12/2019 - 10:59

          How would they know the shelf price is different? They have to go check it and then give it free. The exception is "worker mistake", say you buy peaches and they think they are apples

          • Blue Cat on 08/12/2019 - 11:01

            @Laziofogna: Yeah mine check, but all I get is "sorry" or "I couldn't find the tag you were talking about", hence I take photos, or "sorry I can't give it for free" or whatever excuse they come up with.
            Or maybe I am just unlucky, there's 3 Coles that I frequent so maybe I got the 3 worst Coles in NSW.
            But I also don't want to make a scene so I never "push" them to give it for free or point fingers at their policy…

            • Laziofogna on 08/12/2019 - 11:03

              @Blue Cat: You should, they have a sign about scanning code practice hanging there. I never had that kind of experience myself

        • lolz112 on 09/12/2019 - 20:44
          +1

          It depends on the store. When I was working as an attendant, I had some managers tell me to only put it through if the customer asked about the scanning policy. Personally I didn't give a rats ass about whatever the targets the managers were meant to go for and would just apply the scanning policy anyway.

    • Miss B on 08/12/2019 - 23:03

      I always get the first item free if it scans at a higher price than it says on the shelf. A few times they have offered it without me having to say anything, but usually when they go to put it in at the shelf price I will ask them if it's meant to be free. Usually I get something like you'll need to go to the front desk, or you'll need to wait a few minutes and I'll get X person. If they try to make up a reason not to give it to me for free I'll mention that it says on their website that it's meant to be free if it scans at a higher price than the shelf price and get out my phone to look it up (don't need to actually look it up), but that's pretty rare. I haven't had anyone get mad about it, sometimes a little frustrated.

      OP definitely should have gotten the first one for free, the second for $6.95. I don't know why people think it's enough that they changed it to the ticketed price. OP may be acting entitled, but according to Coles policy they ARE entitled to it. There's no way that ticketing means you have to get the same flavour that's what the any is for, the staff know that.

    • sheebies on 09/12/2019 - 09:10
      +1

      I frequently get things free because of price errors. I find I have the best luck with it if I have already paid for the item in question and not bring it up at the register, going to the service desk seems to work better. I've never had to mention it to them.

      Same with the fresh of free guarantee at Woolworths.

      • Blue Cat on 09/12/2019 - 12:04

        I have already paid for the item in question and not bring it up at the register, going to the service desk seems to work better.

        Never thought about this, will try next time!

  • Samsungnote10 on 08/12/2019 - 09:31
    +5

    $6 a litre for a soft drink is ludicrous

    • Draxxx on 08/12/2019 - 19:07
      +1

      Especially one so easy to make..
      I make 6L a week for the cost of 1Kg of Raw Sugar (about $1) and 10 tea bags..

      • Samsungnote10 on 08/12/2019 - 19:21
        +1

        ive tried a few of them, I dont particularly like them

        I also think its very "fad"dy

        • Draxxx on 08/12/2019 - 21:50
          +1

          Agreed. But the Missus likes (and was buying it), and it does help your guts a bit.
          Like most foods the home-made stuff is heaps better than the store bought varieties.

          • Samsungnote10 on 09/12/2019 - 14:48

            @Draxxx: I was a bit shocked to see Kombucha mixed with vodka, premix, being stocked,

            cant really think anything worse than that stuff mixed with alcohol

      • movieman on 08/12/2019 - 20:08

        Can you please share your tips / instructions on how to successfully make it?

        • Draxxx on 08/12/2019 - 21:45
          +2

          I would but it would be a very long post.
          There are HEAPS of sites, videos, and forums dedicated to making the stuff.
          Do a bit of research, get the gear, and have a go.
          Don't expect it to be perfect the first go. Troubleshoot your issues as you go.
          Fortunately the cost of the raw ingredients (Sugar, Tea & Water) are all cheap. So don't worry if you screw it up.
          I think it took me about 6 batches to get the fermentation time, right balance of pH, and then right amount of carbonation.
          But now that I have all of that sorted, the Missus says the stuff I make is much better than the stuff she was buying.
          Good Luck, Have fun.

        • Sassenach on 09/12/2019 - 13:01
          +3

          I totally agree - it's very cheap to make from scratch. We have a kombucha urn on our benchtop that has a tap/spigot. We top it up twice a week with about 5 litres of sweet tea (made with 10 teabags and 10 dessertspoons of sugar in 5 litres of water). Our kids love it and we drink it straight from the urn - we don't decant and re-ferment in bottles. It's lovely and fizzy.
          The kombucha urn cost $65 from a local health food shop - you don't need one but I got it as a gift. The only other thing you need is a live scoby. You can only get one of these from someone who is brewing kombucha. Most people don't charge anything to give you some scoby. Put a call out on social media and someone in your area will have one or know someone with one.

  • vikvance on 08/12/2019 - 10:02
    +5

    Each of the stickers clearly mentions the flavour. It doesn't say "Nexba Drinks - Any 2 for $13.90". It says "Nexba Kombucha Mixed Berry - Any 2 for $13.90".

    There is no pricing error.

    • 2enjoy on 08/12/2019 - 11:21
      +4

      no pricing error agreed, but using “Any” is misleading, and i think he has a valid case.

    • DarwinBoy on 08/12/2019 - 19:25

      Spot on. Came here to say that.
      If they didn't mention a flavour in the ticket I would be with the OP.
      But I wonder what Coles reasoning is for doing it this way. Seems a bit of a d@#k move really.

  • [Deactivated] on 08/12/2019 - 10:06
    +4

    At Coles, "any two" should refer to any flavours of the same product. They have a different sign for two of the same product/flavour "2 for x". I've tested this with lindt chocolate and that's how it works there.

  • Laziofogna on 08/12/2019 - 10:55
    +3

    Buy 4 packs (2+2 different flavours) since you seem hooked on that s#€t

  • DemocracyManifest on 08/12/2019 - 11:04

    It’s a misleading ticket, you should be able to get away with a price change between each store if you are polite. To add to that if there is a genuine price error you get 1 of the items for free but it’s not enforced

  • OzHunterNSW on 08/12/2019 - 11:24
    -1

    I think you should get a hobby - build a matchstick model. Or paint the house.
    Go to Uni and do a Doctorate, just for the fun of it.
    Undertake a pilot's course. Get your boat licence. You must be sending your wife crazy.

  • barbarella on 08/12/2019 - 11:35

    I would definately expect to be able to get two different flavours for the deal.
    At my local Coles nearly every time I go there is an error at checkout - I don't use the self checkouts at all (ços I'm not employed there :/). I check my docket immediately and up I go to the front desk. I get some grumpy biatches there that are so reluctant to hand over the refund, you wpuld think it is coming out of their own pockets!!! ggggrrrrrr

  • jjjaar on 08/12/2019 - 12:02

    Did… did you scan the individual bottle barcode instead of the four pack barcode the first time though?

    Regardless, two of any flavour is what it should be. Likely a scanning error but it was obviously corrected.

  • AS2035 on 08/12/2019 - 12:22
    +2

    I hope you realise that you can make your own.. why pay for something you don't know where

    1.ingredients come from
    2. how well it's made
    3. then there is carbon footprint.

    If you go to farmers markets you can buy kombootcha there or some bulk buy stores sell it. just bring your own bottle or get one from them

  • holdenmg on 08/12/2019 - 12:25
    +1

    I wouldn’t go to the smokes counter, why not the ACCC, ACA, and if that fails the NRA…

  • hawkeye on 08/12/2019 - 13:44
    +2

    Coles if they specifically meant 2 for $13 they'd sack the idiot for using filler words wasting money on printing costs and staff time.

  • Geekomatic on 08/12/2019 - 14:31
    +1

    "Any", to me, = "any flavour". I call it deliberate and assume Cole's hopes to get people who don't notice they're over-charged.

    • capslock janitor on 09/12/2019 - 14:09

      Yeah it's quite clear cut "ANY 2" would make me just grab any 2 flavours as i go by,
      "2 for" would make me read the fine print but can presume 2 of exact same product.

  • Lexan on 08/12/2019 - 17:49
    +1

    What if you had paid for it with more stuff in your basket. Then once you're in the car park looking at the receipt and got over charged. Would you get a free drink when you go back to inform them?

  • Windows98 on 08/12/2019 - 18:41
    +1

    The discounted label specifically says each flavour under the any two discount. It doesn't say any two from the flavour range.

    They can do whatever they want with the prices. What the system scans them as is the rules set by head office

    I wanted to buy a white hat as an Xmas present today at a clothing store. A white hat was $20, the exact same hat but in black was $10. I asked if they could match the price, they said no dice.

  • Jugganautx on 08/12/2019 - 19:17
    +1

    Kombucha is the biggest scam of all time, owners are laughing their way to the bank.

    • smartazz104 on 09/12/2019 - 08:21

      You could probably replace "Kombucha" in that sentence with almost anything…

  • GaryG on 08/12/2019 - 19:19
    +1

    I think it is a case of win one. lose one. The shelf tag definitely suggests you should have been charged the the 2for price but I don't think that counts as a scanning policy error as the items scanned as the correct price for each item.

    And as others have said, they fixed the problem on the spot so it all worked out. You didn't allow for this in your poll though.

  • aimon on 08/12/2019 - 20:35

    Just get it delivered from https://teagardenskombucha.com.au/

    Turmeric Ginger & Pear is my favourite.

  • Pecan on 08/12/2019 - 21:37

    Make it yourself at home, it's pretty easy and costs next to nothing. Tons of videos online and on YouTube.

    • Melong on 09/12/2019 - 00:43

      This, or make water kefir or jun, the retail stuff is all watered down

  • Blargman2001 on 09/12/2019 - 00:39
    +1

    I have seen similar tags at my local Coles for various items. The ones I can remember were Nestle chocolate bars, Chicken tonight jars, dog food and Maggi and Masterfoods sauce sachets. On each occasion I was allowed to pick any flavour and still get the deal. Your Coles is a bit funny.

  • Munki on 09/12/2019 - 00:46
    +1

    Can we take a moment to note OP has referred to it as "booch"?

    That sounds even more disgusting than the drink itself.

  • monkeyfood on 09/12/2019 - 06:25

    scan the same bottle flavour twice and pack both the bottles (different flavours) in the bag, the weight will be the same

  • smartazz104 on 09/12/2019 - 08:22

    Coles is dumb, what's the point of qualifying this promotion by saying it has to be 2 of the same flavour. Almost every time supermarkets have an "Any 2 for $X", it doesn't matter what 2 you get.

  • macrocephalic on 09/12/2019 - 10:47
    +2

    This is an issue in the POS system. The assistant rectified it for you, but they should have fixed up the backend so that it works for all future purchasers.

    • zooter on 09/12/2019 - 21:44

      rather OP should have fixed their POS system

  • bobwokeup on 09/12/2019 - 10:56
    +2

    Very misleading but the wrong place to raise it haha loved how you wrote the post btw! After seeing the results of the poll we have a lot of lazy members who are content with an average life. I love a bargain hence being a member and I also push these sorts of things, not for the money but it’s the principle for me. Plus like you pointed out all the other people who bought but didn’t realise they were charged incorrectly.

  • cuteseal on 09/12/2019 - 12:25

    <Insert MichaelJacksonEatingPopcorn GIF>

  • mparf on 09/12/2019 - 13:24
    +1

    This was the exact scenario I found myself in yesterday. They did give me the price change though, I was a little miffed I had to argue it to begin with.

  • readeral on 09/12/2019 - 14:18
    +1

    When a tag says "Nexba 4-pack varieties/range" (as an example) that's whichever flavour you want. This tag isn't whichever you want, but two of one flavour. This kind of labelling drives me insane because it you need to pay close attention - and they know it - and trade on it.

  • mrkorrupt on 09/12/2019 - 15:25
    -1

    The tag is pretty clear, The items pretty clear, the Kombucha special is different from the other ones.

    Your argument will be valid if you got Lemon and Elderberry and Mixed Berry.

    If it was not like this it would be advertised with a further face plate detailing the whole range.

    • OzBrogains on 09/12/2019 - 15:44
      +1

      The tag's not clear but. "Any" is redundant as it clearly contradicts the specified product on the tag.

  • O15 on 10/12/2019 - 08:04
    -1

    I'd like to believe the OP is one of the 'creative' writers we have here on OzBargain and not actually that much of an entitled c***.

    • onthefence on 10/12/2019 - 19:24
      +1

      Sounds like someone needs a kombucha.

  • Samsungnote10 on 10/12/2019 - 10:00

    going to comment a bit late but ignoring entitlement or not

    I think the confusion arises because the different flavours are side by side

    if a flavour was a few spaces down with say something different in between eg bread, youd just assume its 2 of the same flavour

    and I dont drink kombucha but if different flavours were differently priced, then 2 for $X mix and match wouldnt be fair

    ive been in the same situation as OP in terms of buying 2 or 3 for $X, and keep an eye at the checkout whether it goes throguh at the lower price, as its a royal pain in the butt to leave my stuff and go and return the mixed item to excahnge for the same one

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