Aldi Special Buys: Back to school sale sparks ‘mayhem’

It was the Aldi sale parents had been waiting for – but many reported walking away empty-handed because of “crazy” behaviour in stores.

It was the Aldi Special Buys parents had been waiting for.

But those who braved the queues at stores around the country hoping to get their hands on discounted back to school items have complained the sale turned into a “shove fest” as people battled to get their chosen products.

Frustrated mums have taken to Facebook to complain of “crazy” behaviour in stores and are vowing never to shop during an Aldi Special Buys discount again.

Most in demand were $12 bento lunch boxes and leather school shoes which were priced from just $14.99.

“Today I experienced the nastiness that people speak of due to Special Buys for the first time ever,” one woman wrote in the Aldi Mums Facebook group.

Mums took to social media to show off their bargains – but not everyone was so lucky. Picture: Facebook/Aldi Mums.

“Grown women pushing children out of the way, people not caring who they run into with their trolleys as long as they get the school shoes they’re after.”

The mum said that while she understood that – like her – they probably just wanted a “good bargain”, she said “common courtesy goes a long way”.

“We ended up walking out with nothing after my little boy was pushed out of the way by a lady,” she claimed.

“Just a reminder that if you are shopping for a special buy, hurting people to get it is going a bit far.”

Other mums were quick to share their stories, with one claiming they had witnessed customers purposefully blocking others from deals.

While some scored big, others complained of shoving and long lines. Picture: Facebook/Aldi Mums.

“I’ve never seen anything like it, everyone was going crazy for the shoes. All I wanted was a lunch box,” one commented.

“Today was awful! I try and avoid special buys for this reason. A lady had her daughter holding her trolley up length ways against the shoes so she had over a metre free to herself to grab shoes,” another added.

“Helensvale was mental. I was trying for the school shoes and heard someone say (not to me!) ‘They’re only shoes, there is NO need to elbow,” one mum commented.

Others vowed they would never be going to Aldi on a Special Buys day again and called on the supermarket to have extra staff or a queuing system for in-demand goods.

“I have to pull my kids out of the trolleys’ way. It’s mayhem. Never going to shop on such specials again. Not worth the risks of injuries! People don’t care for little people,” one mum vented.

Those who braved the crowds were quick to show off their impressive haul. Picture: Facebook/Aldi Mums.

“Damn crazy a line mile long people pushing kids out of the way it was unbelievable and to think I went back later on and still got what I wanted,” another wrote.

“Honestly though, Aldi probably has a duty of care to ensure things don’t get as out of hand as they do. They should have had more staff on this morning and had people line up instead of it being a free for all,” said a frustrated mum.

“Then they could have calmly asked people ‘what size/style’ and handed them to them. that way it’s still first in first serve, but not quite so injury/fear inducing.”

An Aldi Australia spokesman told news.com.au that their customer service department had not received any complaints of anti-social behaviour due to yesterday’s special buys.

But the supermarket chain encouraged those who wish to report any “disrespectful behaviour” contact their store manager or customer service.

“We do not tolerate any form of abusive behaviour in our stores. We encourage our customers to respect each other and our employees,” the spokesman said.

“Throughout the year there may be highly sought after products that drive a lot of interest from our shoppers.

“It is never our intention to cause disappointment to our customers. We plan and allocate sufficient stock for the on sale period based on previous year’s sales and anticipated customer demand.”

Although many complained, a few said their stores had been “dead quiet” and took to Facebook and Instagram to show off the bargains they had managed to score.

One mum had a ‘very happy little girl’ after scoring all of this for under $100. Picture: Facebook/Aldi Mums.

“Ours was busy but everything so neat and tidy. Mums helping other mums finding sizes across the bins,” one mum wrote on Facebook.

“I’ve never seen what you’ve described for any Special Buys but then again we have 18 Aldis in a 10sq km area so we spoilt for choice.”

“Thanks Aldi my daughter is all set for school and for under $100. One very happy little girl,” another mum shared, posting a photo of her Aldi school haul on Facebook.

Others took to Instagram to share their purchases and were pleased as punch to have nabbed some of Aldi’s bargain school items.

It’s not the first time Aldi’s special buys have caused a frenzy.

Last December shoppers were left furious after $30 skin caviar gift sets were “cleared out” in minutes by “feral” shoppers.

Similar frenzies have occurred over Aldi’s $199 rocking chair, which has proved a hit with mums.

The back to school range is available at Aldi stores across the country, until sold out.