comparing that to shopping is unfair as retailers already mark...

comparing that to shopping is unfair as retailers already mark up the price to cover the costs of the "free" component.

as for issue of shares at 2.0c with free options which are now selling at 1.4c
essentially, they got the placement shares for 0.6c. so either you have to accept that they are free options or accept that the placement is infact at a lower price than the issue price due to the "cost less" options being included in the deal.

There is interests to bring the price above 5c but not as clean cut as you put it.