Masters says sales almost doubled on the weekend. Credit:Wayne Taylor In a bid to clear an estimated $970 million stock by the time it stops trading on December 11, the failed Woolworths-owned hardware chain has promised up to 50 per cent off all prices in stores with no items less than 20 per cent off. On Sunday, it offered shoppers an extra 10 per cent discount, fuelling record sales and long lines in stores. Sam posted an image, which revealed a lower price hidden underneath a higher "sale" price. To confuse the issue, the price sign had been partly ripped obscuring the dollar sign - suggesting it could have been either $79 originally or $179. "This is how Masters are conducting their sale. Hiking up the price and then taking 40% off. $149 price at the front and $79 price at the back. Despite their sale tickets saying 40% off lowest ticketed price, they refused service. They're still ripping people off. I wonder how Consumer Affairs Victoria and ACCC Consumer Rights would feel about this," Sam said online.

Some customers have criticised Masters' fire sale. Credit:Twitter It is understood the store was extremely busy on Sunday as shoppers tried to take advantage of the extra discounts. Sam claims a price was increased and not cut in the Masters Improvement liquidation sale. Credit:Facebook The item is available online for around $163 though some sites list it for less. Masters apologised to Sam online, and asked for further information to investigate the mix-up at the Box Hill store in Victoria.

A spokesman for liquidation company GA Australia Michael Whitfort said any mistake had been human error. He said the company had taken the allegation very seriously and had since conducted an investigation. It found that the earlier price had been a brand promotion, and the lower ticketed price from that sale had not been removed. It was Masters' policy to honour this price and apply the discounts to this price as long as the correct SKU was attached. "The lowest ticketed price, with the right SKU on it, will be honoured, including further discounts," he said. "There is no way that would have taken place other than human error. "GA has been doing this for a long time, it is a huge established company, they don't play games, we are here to do the right thing by Woolworths and the customer."

Buyer Gerard Kiest claimed on Masters' Facebook page that he purchased two sets of chrome shelving for $35 each two weeks ago and discovered the prices had gone up since. They were now $67 each. "It is totally unethical that during a closing down sale Masters would increase prices," he wrote. Other buyers have complained on social media about smaller discounts than expected, provoking angry exchanges with Masters more loyal supporters. On every occasion, Masters has apologised and promised to investigate. Brad Meredith wrote: "I love how people come in when a store is closing down and just expect to come in and buy stuff for $10 or $20. Probably have never shopped there before and now they think that it is their right to buy things at a discounted price. People need to have some respect for the employees and their families who now have to go out and find other jobs." Loading

Masters has taken down all pricing information from its website and cut off its telephone lines to its stores. Customers calling the corporate helpline are told they must visit a store to check prices. Mr Whitfort said the company was offering consumers a genuine opportunity to get a bargain, and the public should realise that when the company quit the market there would be a monopoly by Bunnings.