Do you know about a little-known supermarket agreement that could score you free groceries?
It’s known as the Scanning Code of Practice and it works like this.
If an item scans at a price higher than the shelf price then you receive the item for free.
That’s right, free, not the shelf price, but free.
It sparked a bit of debate online recently when one shopper explained how she took home more than $100 of meat for free.
The anonymous shopper trawled through the butchery department for products marked incorrectly and came home with $138 worth of free product.
It works best with meat, when prices change between the standard price and an advertised special.
The meat may have been in the cabinet since before the special came into effect but then not correctly relabelled with the new price.
In one example, the shopper found some lamb cutlets that were on special for $37/kg, but were still carrying the standard price of $43/kg.
The comments under the social media post were divided, some labelled it ‘cheap and dodgy’ and ’embarrassing’.
However, the support was mostly positive. The comments pointed out that the amount was peanuts compared to the millions supermarkets make in profits. And when people were struggling to pay rent, every cent counts.
Check out your local store before you start trying to claim your free items though. Although the leading chains are signed up to the practice, smaller chains, some independent stores and some IGAs do not offer the deal.
If multiples of the same item scan at a higher price, the first item is free, but the remaining items are charged at the lower price.
The code is a voluntary and not legally binding. It’s a legacy from when scanning was introduced in Australia in the 1980s and consumers were extremely wary about being overcharged by the new technology.
This week’s best deals
Coles
Sensible: Coles Slow Cook Beef Brisket, $15/kg, save $2/kg. Brisket is having a bit of a moment thanks to Australia adopting US-style barbecuing, and I’m all for it. But don’t end your quest there. Also good for a classic pot roast or for the more adventurous that Vietnamese classic pho.
Indulgence: Whittaker’s Block Chocolate varieties, $5.50, save $1.40. For some reason there has been a coconut chocolate bar binge at our house over the past few weeks, and the consensus is that Whittaker’s tops the lot. Nothing comes close to the Golden Rough, but compromise is inevitable in life.
See the catalogue here.
Woolworths
Sensible: Half-price Bonds socks, underwear and hosiery. Never pay full price for Bonds in the supermarket, they inevitably go to half price eventually. The quality has gone down considerably over the years, but still handy if you need underwear quickly. No judgement.
Indulgence: Bertocchi Pork Hocks, $10/kg. Winter is soup season and hocks make the best soup. My take, put a hock into a stock pot, add a cup of pearl barley, cover it with plenty of water, and add a bunch of chopped-up vegies, including a leek. Remove the hock when it has boiled, pick off the meat and return to the pot. Presto, bingo, ham and vegie soup in less than 20 minutes.
See the catalogue here.
Aldi
Sensible: Penguin biscuits, $2.99. Not really sensible, but this biscuit is supposed to be the inspiration for the Tim Tam, so worth trying for that alone.
Indulgence: American food week, priced from $1.25. Nothing healthy here, but plenty of taste sensations including Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in four different forms, Hershey’s Kisses, hot sauces, barbecue sauces and weird chip flavours including buffalo wings. And don’t forget your mega marshmallows for your mega case of diabetes.
See the catalogue here.
IGA
Sensible: Herbert Adams Gourmet Pies, two-pack, $8.25. One of the best supermarket pies and great for a hot lunch on a cold day.
Indulgence: Allen’s Fantales or Freckles bags, $4.40, save $1.05. Get your Fantales while you can with this special. I suspect this will ‘sale’ out like only a discontinued favourite can.
See the catalogue here.
Have you ever heard of the Supermarket Code of Practice? Will you be checking prices from now on? Why not share your opinion in the comments section below?
Also read: End of financial year to-do list
This is incorrect I had a situation last week at coles Hastings they did not honor what your saying and even though I took a photo of the error they denied it . I didn’t buy the product. I wrote a complaint to coles and have not had a reply.
I’ve taken incorrectly marked items to the counter in both Coles and Woolies, and both claim there is no such agreement, but usually offer the item at half price, but never free. I suspect staff are not trained in this and when they argue with you, there is nothing you can do other than walk out! But then you need to go back sooner or later, so it’s not worth it.
@OzJames70 – Strange, I’ve taken numerous items to get them free, have never had a problem at both Coles and Woolies. They have stickers up all around the checkout areas and brochures explaining the system. Just ask for the manager and don’t let the kids fob you off.