Cyclone Alfred: Allegations convenience store increased price of bottled water refuted

Allegations that a store increased the price of water as residents prepared for Cyclone Alfred are incorrect, according to the store’s head office.

Allegations circulating on social media about a local chain store allegedly pushing up the price of bottled water as people prepare for Tropical Cyclone Alfred has been refuted by the store’s head office.

A photo taken Tuesday night and posted to several community Facebook groups late Tuesday and Wednesday morning showed 12 packs of 750ml bottles of Cool Ridge raspberry flavoured bottled water being sold for $59 at a Night Owl Convenience Store in Karawatha, about 8km south of Brisbane.

“Absolutely disgusting”, one man wrote in the photograph’s caption.

“Surely has to be a misprint??? $5.90 I’d get but $59!! Bigger rip off then the government (sic)” another person wrote.

“Cheaper to buy beer” another person surmised.

While many residents called for a boycott of the store, some reminded others that products often cost more at convenience stores and petrol stations.

“But wait, isn’t that like normal price they sell these for like $5 a bottle anyway?” one woman asked.

Several social media users also pointed out that reusable bottles could be filled with tap water before the cyclone’s anticipated landfall overnight Thursday.

Allegations of bottled water price gouging at a Brisbane Night Owl convenience store circulating on social media Wednesday have been refuted. A Night Owl spokeswoman said the franchisee had actually lowered the price of the drinks. Picture: Supplied

“Please remember our water is fine to drink. Don’t be paying stupid prices,” one lady wrote.

Another person eventually posted a second photo of the entire shelf that included 20 packs of the regular bottled water placed below the 12 packs.

“They had raspberry and spring water but $59 either way was not happening for us,” the woman wrote.

Though another local pointed out that, if the price was for 20 bottles, the price was fine.

“If it’s for 20 bottles and from a Night Owl, which are usually more expensive than Woollies, $2.95 a bottle isn’t too bad,” the man wrote.

Wayne Gunning, 45, of Browns Plains, said there were none of the water bottles were still on the shelf when he stopped into the Night Owl about 2.45pm Thursday.

“It enraged me that they were taking advantage of the situation when so many are already struggling,” he said.

The phone line to the Night Owl franchise appeared to be disconnected late Wednesday.

But Glenys Tristram, Night Owl’s National Marketing Manager, said the store was actually selling the bottled water for less than usual.

“This product typically sells as an individual 750ml bottle for $5.20 in most Night Owl stores, when not on promotion,” she said.

Allegations circulating on social media that a local Night Owl had allegedly pushed up the price of bottled water were false, according to a Night Owl spokeswoman. Picture: Facebook

“Karawatha sells it for $5, so is one of the stores selling it slightly cheaper than the rest of the network.”

Ms Tristram said the only thing unusual, in this case, was that the brand of water bottles were not usually sold in bulk packs.

“The franchisee has chosen to do so to be convenient for his customers wishing to purchase water in bulk at this time,” she said.

“The 20 pack is a price of $2.95 per bottle, a substantial price drop from the usual $5 per bottle.

“Customers are actually getting a bargain purchasing the 20 pack over buying the individual bottles of the same from the fridge.”

Ms Tristram said the Cool Ridge brand was also considered a “higher end” option.

“However, Night Owl sells its own brand of water called Cool Water, and this is available in a variety of ways,” she said.

Prices for bulk packs of the store brand ranged in price from $12 to $15.50, she said.

Thousands of southeast Queensland residents have been stocking up on water and other supplies in preparation for the region’s first cyclone in decades.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to hit between the Sunshine and Gold Coasts as a category two storm in the early hours of Friday morning.