St Ali cafe ‘sorry’ over rapid antigen test offer

St Ali Coffee Roasters in South Melbourne sent subscribers a message on Monday, saying it had secured a limited number of the tests for staff, families and friends.

“As a special VIP customer, we’d like to extend these to you too,” the message said.

“We’ll gift you a free 2pk rapid antigen test and ship it free in Australia. Stay safe, stay calm, stay caffeinated.

“Minimum spend of $159.99 applies. One per person, online only.”

But the offer was quick to draw online backlash, with some saying it was “gross” to exploit people’s desperation to find tests and they’d boycott the venue.

Hours later, the store apologised, saying it was “very sorry”.

“We believed this was a way of supporting our customers whom purchase from us regularly, but the message has been lost,” St Ali owner Salvatore Malatesta said in an Instagram message.

“We can see in hindsight it was inappropriate. We are very sorry.”

The store said once it received further tests, it would donate the equivalent amount to charity.

They also said subscribers who wanted a refunded or to talk more to contact them.

Australia is in the grips of an antigen rapid test shortage with many of those that are available being sold at a premium.

Some tests are now being distributed for free at selected testing centres, with more expected to come online when supply becomes available, but the government is under pressure to quickly source more.

Australia’s consumer watchdog has slammed the “outrageous” price gouging, which has appeared to have continued despite harsh new rules imposed by the government.

Its initial findings into the price gouging of the tests found kits purchased wholesale for between $4 and $12 are being sold at $20-$30, and at up to $70.

Originally published as Melbourne’s St Ali cafe apologises over ‘inappropriate’ RAT offer