Masters sells sale items BEFORE date advertised in catalogue #mastersisuseless

snook on 21/04/2016 - 12:00
Last edited 21/04/2016 - 14:24

So this really annoyed me.

I wanted to buy the
Dewalt 14.4v XR Li-Ion Drill Driver & Impact Driver Combo Kit $149 (Normally $289) @ Masters

I set my alarm so I remember that it starts on the 21st as per their catalogue here
http://www.lasoo.com.au/catalogue/masters-home-improvement/5…

Go to the Northmead store this morning before work and 3 of them are standing around the tool counter having a chat, store is empty. I can't see anything so I just stand there. Eventually one of them asks if they can help me.

I ask about the Dewalt kit and they say 'oh, they all sold yesterday'. How can they all be sold, the sale only started today? They tell me that as soon as they get the ticket to drop the price, they drop the price and they sell. They shrug their shoulders, not their problem. I complain that the catalogue is dated today and that is not right but they don't care. They say more will be coming in but they do not offer to take my name and hold one for me. They shrug their shoulders some more and go back to the conversation they were busy with before I interrupted them.

So now, when you see an item in a Masters catalogue you can know that it is nothing more than a lottery of when and where they get the ticket to sell and they will be sold. The date on their catalogue is completely meaningless.

I am really p'ed off about this because they totally wasted my time. I will never look at Masters catalogue again and unless I'm desperate, I'm not shopping there again.

Home & Garden

Related Stores

Masters Home Improvement
Masters Home Improvement

Comments

  • Diji1 on 21/04/2016 - 12:32

    Coles has done the same thing to me … only apparently the first they're aware of specials is when they look up the catalogue when I ask where the hell is such and such lel.

    • blitz on 21/04/2016 - 14:05
      +3

      lel

      Laughed Extremely Loudly?

  • pjetson on 21/04/2016 - 12:36
    +1

    I am really p'ed off about this because they totally wasted my time. I will never look at Masters catalogue again and unless I'm desperate, I'm not shopping there again.

    That'll teach them. Oh wait, they're closing down anyway :-)

    Why don't you lodge a complaint with them? You could ring them, or chat to them on their web page, or maybe even try Facebook.

    • snook on 21/04/2016 - 12:59

      Have lodged a complaint. Hardly ever see anything I really want and can actually get to in time! I used to like going in there and having a wander around in air conditioned comfort. They often have different minor stock to Bunnings, so I would buy things … but now I will avoid out of principle.

      This was a vent and a warning to others :-)

        • snook on 21/04/2016 - 13:54
          -3

          It's just a drill. I've missed better deals before.

          The trading practice is dirty and I've not encountered IT before.

          From the ACCC website:
          Bait advertising can be a legitimate form of advertising. However, it is illegal to engage in this conduct where goods or services are advertised for sale at a discounted price, and they are not available in reasonable quantities and for a reasonable period at that price.

          Legislation: Australian Consumer Law section 35 (link is external)

          You must state clearly if the good is in short supply or on sale for a limited time. For example, if your advertisement makes it very clear that goods are available at the discount price for ‘today only’, this will limit your obligations to that day.

          If there is not a reasonable chance the offer will be available at the advertised price, you may be in breach of the ACL unless you promptly offer a 'rain check', an acceptable substitute product or take other corrective action.

          It was 10am. They offered me nothing but shrugs.

  • memphisraynz on 21/04/2016 - 12:43
    +2

    I randomly checked the Master website last night and it was on sale already. I was lucky and placed a pickup order.
    I went it to pick it up at 12pm and there was only 1 on the shelf, down from roughly 15 on the weekend.
    Feel sorry for you man.

    • bleugh on 24/04/2016 - 07:22

      Ditto! Research, don't whine you missed out!

  • BigTed on 21/04/2016 - 13:35

    Pretty sure that the ACL requires them to have a reasonable quantity of the stock advertised unless otherwise specified.
    Complain to the ACCC?

    • snook on 21/04/2016 - 13:56

      I'll wait to see what they say and I did complain to them about that too -

      They advertised something they didn't technically have on the day because they sold their minimal stock the day before.

      This is actually a perfect example of something you could complain to the ACCC about. This morning they told me that they were all sold YESTERDAY.

  • Nutrino on 21/04/2016 - 14:07

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/243744 This deal posted on the 17/04/2016?.

    • snook on 21/04/2016 - 14:18

      Yeah, that one. The sale was for today, 21/04

      • Nutrino on 21/04/2016 - 14:24

        Did you try another store?, chullora?.

        • snook on 21/04/2016 - 14:27

          I had to go to work. When I got here, I looked online for availability - sold out everywhere.

        • snook on 21/04/2016 - 17:37

          Edit: Correction - I did find 1 in Penrith and by the looks of it, there is still something in St Marys but that's it for Sydney

        • Ash-Say on 21/04/2016 - 17:49
          +11

          @snook: Don`t be sad mate. There is good news - I just bought one for you.

          Pm me for pick address with original receipt :)

        • snook on 21/04/2016 - 23:13

          @Tipu: lol, you're a champ Tipu :)

          I wasted another 2 hours of my life and enjoyed a nice drive to Penrith. Woman couldn't believe I went that far for a click and collect …

          She also said that Masters aren't allowed to sell before the day. She said sure, you can reserve online after 8pm, but no selling in store. Northmead sold in store.

        • Ash-Say on 22/04/2016 - 05:41

          @snook: Have you already bought it?

          If yes， I would return mine today.

        • blitz on 22/04/2016 - 12:06
          +1

          @Tipu:

          Don`t be sad mate. There is good news - I just bought one for you.

          This OzBargainer deserves an OzBargain medal for being a great OzBargainer!

        • snook on 26/04/2016 - 14:31

          @Tipu: ahh Tipu, have accidently had an ozbargain free weekend! Yes, I bought one from Penrith store last thursday night. You're a great Ozbargainer & I definitely would have taken you up on it.

          All of Sydney is out of stock now I see.

  • PJC on 21/04/2016 - 17:30

    Originally I hoped Masters would be a direct rival and viable alternative to Bunnings. Nowadays, only Dick Smith staff care less than Masters staff. I don't see why any corporation would buy the Masters chain. Perhaps Costco or Ikea will want some of their locations.

      • goodcopbadcop on 23/04/2016 - 03:25
        +2

        Sick of having to accept poor service from people who choose to work in retail or hospitality or anywhere that isn't self serve. Just because you offer cheap products - doesn't mean that those people who work there have to totally ignore the public who come in to buy the products. They are cheap because the labour to manufacture them costs less than 25 cents an hour and the materials used in producing the product is bought in bulk, suppliers have been screwed down to the very last cent and no doubt substandard quality. Australian staff earn the same hourly rate whether they are selling cheap shit or designer labels. Why do we all put up with crap service in establishments that sell cheap goods and yet in those expensive retail outlets, it goes without saying, "That I expect good service in here". I'm really after good service when I go anywhere actually. It is only because customers come through the door and buy stuff that any of those places exist and that their staff can get paid. If you have no idea what good service is and you work in retail or hospitality - then you either shouldn't be working there or you need to go out and experience it for yourself. I'm sure you'll be surprised at how good it makes you feel.

  • jjno41 on 25/04/2016 - 23:57

    one of those swings and roundabouts situations, you just got the raw end this time. If you went in store and saw it on sale earlier than the advertised date would you have still complained? What about the people who didn't know about the deal and went to buy a drill set, they might of ended up paying more than they needed ?

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join