Aldi has come under fire over allegations advertising for their ‘Special Buy’ products is in breach of consumer law.
The weekly deals, which range from musical instruments to ski gear and shoes, are given plenty of space in Aldi’s leaflet advertising.
However, in reality the stores are rarely carrying a large supply of the product, causing mayhem in stores.
ABC’s consumer watchdog show The Checkout has claimed Aldi’s Special Buy advertising could be in breach of Australian Consumer Law
In December, crowds descended on the supermarket, hoping to get a bargain on a Dyson vacuum.
Chaotic scenes ensued in store, and within seconds the vacuums were sold out.
‘I went to the Bondi Junction store and there was no crowd control or ticket system, people were running and pushing each other… they only had 20 (vacuums) and the crowd was about 200,’ one woman said at the time, vowing never to return to the store.
ABC’s The Checkout alleges the company’s advertisements for their special buys are in breach of Australian consumer law.
One mother told the program she had received a flyer for Aldi’s Back to School themed Special Buys, which included leather school shoes.
The weekly Special Buy deals often sell out of stores in just moments to customers determined to get a bargain
Crowds are known to line up outside the stores before opening (pictured) to nab the weekly deal
However, failing to clearly and visibly state stocks are very limited is a breach of section 35 of the law
Her daughter was starting school that year, and the pair decided to purchase her shoes from the store.
Marie and her daughter went to seven separate Aldi stores in one morning, only to find all of them were sold out of the shoe.
Later, she says she was told each store only had one size of each shoe in stock – something that was not noted in the advertisement.
Under section 35 of Australian Consumer Law, it is illegal to advertise goods or services at a discount where they are ‘not available in reasonable quantities and for a reasonable period at that price’.
In fine print on the brochure, the Special Buys ad reads: ‘While stocks last. Please note stocks are limited and will vary between stores’.
‘Despite our careful planning we apologise if selected stocks may sell out on the first day, due to unexpectedly high demand.’
Customers were outraged to find only one of these ride on cars (pictured) were available in their local stores
Last month, an Aldi Special Buys armchair sold out in one minute, and some customers have previously vowed never to return after being unable to get their hands on a deal
Last month, an Aldi Special Buys armchair sold out in one minute, with women seen arguing in the car park over who should have the last one.
Earlier last year, when children’s ride-on tractors and cars were on sale, customers were outraged to see there was only one of each in each store.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission advises any information clarifying the true nature of an ad – for example if stocks are very limited – needs to be ‘clear and prominent’.
Aldi have refuted the claims, and told The Checkout stock in mother Marie’s area of Casey was ‘not allocated in an optimal manner’.
‘We failed to match demand of size and colour variants in a small selection of stores.
‘We do feel we complied with Section 35 of Australian Consumer Law.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Aldi for further comment
The Checkout will air Tuesday February 20 at 8pm on ABC and iView.
Aldi have refuted the claims and say they do not believe they are in breach of any laws in the way they advertise