Shoppers consider 10% discount at Masters fire sale a ‘big joke’

Besides having to contend with a Lowe's lawsuit, the Masters Home Improvement fire sale could turn into a real disaster because of shoppers’ dissatisfaction with the levels of discounts offered. From a promised average of 30 percent price cuts on Monday, early buyers were disappointed to find that most of the items on sale were discounted only by 10 percent.

Many shoppers consider the 10 percent price cut a big joke, reports News.com.au. It brought back similar memories of Dick Smith’s fire sale which also disappointed consumers.

Brian and Margaret Loader went to the Masters store in Northmead in western Sydney on Tuesday. Margaret says given the low discounts, they are definitely not returning, while Brian thinks Masters just brought back the prices to its regular level in comparison to rival Bunnings.

He says the fire sale did a great deal of damage to Woolworths and confirmed his assessment of the supermarket giant as aggressive and unscrupulous business. The couple’s observation was confirmed by a woman at the garden section who found items there – supposed to be on sale – more expensive than in Bunnings.

According to Sydney Morning Herald, in 61 Masters outlets, most items are only 10 percent off. But there is a 20 percent discount on tiles, curtains, blinds, shades and awnings. The only items with 30 percent price cut are timber mouldings, wooden boards, door and window mouldings, primed boards and all the nails, screws, head bolts and zinc hex nuts. But it believes prices will further go down as the Dec 11 deadline to shutter Woolworths’ hardware business fast approaches.

However, a Masters spokesman from the company’s Sydney headquarters says the low price offers drew customers towards purchasing BBQs, building materials, power tools, appliances, patio, garden and BBQ items.

VIDEO: Masters fire sale: ‘It’s a big joke’