Adrian Portelli’s $150,000 Coles grocery giveaway turns sour after Aussies who lined up for hours in the sweltering heat miss out
Hundreds of Australians braved the heat outside Coles stores in western Sydney for a chance to score a shopping voucher from billionaire Adrian Portelli – but not everyone walked away happy.
Portelli, also known as ‘Mr Lambo’, announced on social media that he would distribute $150,000 worth of Coles vouchers to 1,000 families and shared the locations where they would be handed out on Tuesday morning.
Shoppers queued for hours at the Coles stores in Penrith and Fairfield West, enduring the sweltering 33C heat as they awaited the billionaire’s arrival, and the chance to secure a voucher worth $100 or $200.
One woman, who waited four hours to reach the front of the line at the Fairfield West store, expressed her joy after receiving an envelope containing the $200 Coles gift card.
‘This is wonderful. I’ve been waiting for this since 8 o’clock,’ she said.
As the day went on, more hopeful Aussies joined the queue, which eventually stretched around the block.
While many were thrilled to receive a $200 voucher, others left feeling disappointed after walking away empty-handed.
One woman said she spent hours in line only to be turned away when staff announced the queue had reached its 500-person limit.
Hundreds of people turned out in Penrith and West Fairfield as billionaire Adrian Portelli (centre) handed out $150,000 worth of Coles vouches to 1,000 families
One shopper, Lubna Habssh, told Daily Mail Australia she was ‘angry’ after she was turned away because the queue had reached its 500-people limit
Above is a group of women who missed out on the groceries giveaway despite lining up in 33C heat
‘I’m angry – they told us to go away, and now two hours are lost,’ one shopper, Lubna Habash, told Daily Mail Australia.
Others complained about the heat as they waited for hours in the slow-moving line, while some tried to find relief from the sun by using umbrellas for shade.
A Fairfield West local told Daily Mail Australia he was hopeful for the free groceries but said it was ‘really hot’ waiting in line as temperatures soared to 33C.
Portelli handed out the first dozen gift cards before passing the job on to Coles staff.
‘It’s great to be able to offer some assistance to families before Christmas. Why not? I’m able to assist with people, so I may as well spend the money,’ Portelli said.
The billionaire claimed the reaction to his voucher giveaway just showed how ‘desperate people are in these times’.
It comes as Australians across the country struggle amid a national cost-of-living crisis.
A survey earlier in the year found one in five Australians have a second job to make ends meet, with a further 18 per cent are doing more overtime so they can afford the basics.
The shoppers waited for hours in the 33C heat
An Aussie family claim their Coles voucher courtesy of Adrian Portelli
Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank’s 13 interest rate increases in 2022 and 2023 were the most dramatic since the late 1980s to combat a post-Covid inflation surge.
Borrowers are now paying 64 per cent more on their monthly repayments than they were two-and-a-half years ago.
That’s almost $19,000 a year extra on an average $600,000 home loan. However, in some outer suburban areas of Sydney, mortgage holders would conservatively be paying $23,000 more.
Adding to their frustration, the Reserve Bank kept the cash rate untouched at a 12-year high of 4.35 per cent on November 5.
Others were more lucky, walking away with $100 or $200 vouchers after lining up for hours
Pictured, Lee-Arnna Austin-Fasham 25, (right) with husband Christopher Hodges 32, (centre) and his mother Jenni Harrison 53, (left) all scored a $200 voucher
Portelli is the founder of the LCMT+ online company that frequently gives away huge cash prizes and luxury cars and provides its members discounted products with retailers.
LMCT+ makes money by charging a subscription fee to users, who gain access to exclusive competitions, with prizes including homes, bikes, cars and boats.
It has about 100,000 customers who pay a monthly subscription.
Subscribers also get exclusive offers from over 1,000 partners such as Beaurepaires, Patriot Campers and Prestige Autoworks.
Portelli’s net worth has been valued at over $1billion by the AFR, taking into account his collection of properties and luxury cars as well as the paper value of his company LMCT+
Scores of shoppers hoping to get their hands on a $100 or $200 Coles voucher
Portelli is also a regular fixture on The Block, appearing on the show each year during auctions and frequently snapping up homes – although he has called time on the Channel Nine reality TV show after buying all five houses during this year’s competition.
Portelli’s net worth has been valued at over $1billion by the Australian Financial Review, taking into account his collection of properties and luxury cars as well as the paper value of LMCT+.
The entrepreneur was seventh on the Financial Review Young Rich List this year.
The car enthusiast made international headlines when he had a rare $3million McLaren craned up to his $39million Melbourne penthouse in May last year.
Portelli has also announced plans to build a private hospital in Penrith.
