Makro’s big R55 sale fail
|Published
A technical glitch saw people purchasing items like laptops and coffee machines for a mere R55 from Makro. File Picture: Karen Sandison / Independent Newspapers
Consumers were having a bonanza on the Makro online platforms where everything went for just R55, including laptops.
However, their joy was short lived after Makro discovered a glitch on the Makro website and the Makro shopping app, and the company started cancelling all the R55 deals.
Disgruntled consumers took to social media to complain about their orders being cancelled.
The glitch resulted in items such as pricey coffee machines, cellphones and laptops all being priced at R55.
According to Massmart, who own Makro, a technical issue was identified on the evening of May 25 which was affecting pricing on their websites and shopping app.
“The pricing error was entirely unintentional and obvious. We have subsequently apologised most sincerely to affected customers, who have also been notified that the impacted portion of their orders will unfortunately not be fulfilled,” Massmart said.
On X, Makro informed customers of the R55 bonanza that they’d be refunded.
In a tweet, the company said: “Thank you for reaching out to us. As per our latest pricing error at R55, all orders will be cancelled and fully refunded as per CPA Section 23 (9).”
The company said that their decision is supported by Section 23(9) of the Consumer Protection Act which covers obvious and unintentional pricing errors.
“We are sincerely sorry that this situation has occurred and are working hard to identify and learn from the underlying causes to avoid similar future incidents,” Makro said.
One user on X said that he was not interested in the refund: “@Makro_SA i need my espresso machines,Acer laptops, Hp Laptops, kettles,toasters,Mac ,blenders,security camera. Im not interested in a refund. 👿”