Coles Supermarkets Australia
reviews and complaints

On 9th february 2019 at approx 9.30 saturday evening, I sent my son down to coles woy woy to get some groceries for me. One of those items was a coles brand scorer. When he arrived home I proceeded to unpack and open the scorer packet to commence washing up. There was nothing except water in the kitchen sink. I put my hand in the water and grabbed the sponge only to be jabbed by a needle. As I took the scorer out I discovered a needed was in the middle part of the scorer sticking out.
The pain was unbearable.
My brother went straight down to the coles woy woy to inform them what had happened. He took the scourer and showed them photos of my finger. My hand swelled up immediately as it had gone in through the tip of my finger to just above my first joint.
The following day I went to my local doctor to receive treatment for this as I was feeling very anxious as to whether I have or will contract anything from this needle prick.

I went and spoke to the manager of coles woy woy, filled out an incident report and showed him my finger. He was at that stage quite understanding and said that he would immediately inform the relevant people.
I am yet to hear from anyone to follow up this dangerous situation. The scorers are still on the shelf. No one has rung to see how I am.
I have been a loyal customer of woy woy coles for the past 20 years. Spending at least $200 a week on groceries. I am so disappointed in how this has been handled.
I would be screaming from the rooftop if this was my younger son who had put his hand in the sink. Im not one bit happy about this. The public need to be made aware of this and if you don't inform them, I will.

Good Afternoon,

I am writing to complain to about the freezers in the Balaclava Coles. For the past three weeks, every time I come into coles (everyday) I have bought icecream which is melted to the point it is liquid. I have made several complaints in store to the workers and they said they would pass it onto the manager. I went in Monday after work and spoke to one of the members of staff, I asked him to get me some icecream from the back and he explained in a rude manner than the freezer were defrosting. I informed that infact they had been like this for a number of weeks, which could make someone seriously ill. He then blamed me and my friend when we opened the door to get some mozzarella dips as to why the freezer was defrosting. He was not only rude but actually did not listen to the fact someone could actually be ill from this.

In total, I have brought 3 ice creams and my housemate has brought 2. All which costing over $10 and all of which were melted to the point they were liquid including the ones bought to us by staff from the back fridge. Not only is this a waste of our money it is also a health hazard to the general public.

I hope you will take this very seriously because if this continues I will be reporting you to health and safety.

Closed checkouts. We are from Cloncurry 121ks from Mount Isa far west Qld. each fortnight we go to Mt Isa for my husbane to have chemp treatment and so we do our shopping before we drive home. 3 Times now we have had to wait. 2 check outs open. I had four customers in front of me and another 5 behind me. One of the ladies in front was from a cattle property and had 2 trollies. Then the girl on the other check out closed her station and told the other staff member she was going to lunch. We were all gob smacked. The only thing that stopped me leaving the trolly and walking off was the fact that by the time we got home to Cloncurry I wouldnt feel like shopping. I usually dont complain but I have had enough. The lady that served us was lovely and kept saying how sorry she was. You need more staff like her.
We have been is business (a small one). There are lots of young people (who want to work) out there looking for jobs so train them up. Thank you Lynette Williams [protected]

Was sideswiped on back of car when I was merging car in front slowed down to turn corner I was halfway across lanes when I slowed down and the light truck ran into me did not stop to see if everyone was ok just drove off I managed to catch up with him 4 Kim away when I got out of the car I taped on the drivers window which was wound up and he refused to give us his details when he opened the door I touched him on the sleeve and said come and look at what damage you done to my car he then closed the door I took photos of damage also of truck and him in drivers seat .he told the police that I grabbed him through the window tearing his shirt
No I'm up on assult I could not have done this first photos show window wound fully up second I cannot lift my arms above shoulder higts opp on right shoulder and 16 mm tear in left shoulder under physio two times a week ..the police are not charging with hit and run nor leaving the screen of a accident this person is a dangerous driver ..
His name is Brent haggerty
Rego 288 YDQ
Name on truck Francesca..
Accident was on goodwood road stoped him on dunks rd 4 Kim away ..
My name is Kelvin appoo
Ph [protected]
Tks Kelvin

Around a dozen checkouts but yet only two to three open, for customers to use! Long lines of people waiting to be served. Plenty of available staff, but hardly any checkouts open! Its been like this, for at least six months! Its ridiculous and very frustrating! Customers have to wait at least 10 to 20 mins or more, to go through the checkouts! Do something about it.

The ellenbrook deli is always appearing to close quite early in comparison to the rest of the shop. The older female staff member working today (7/2/19 8pm) has quite a negative attitude and on the occasions I have been served by her I have felt of great inconvenience and a massive hindrance, despite the supermarket not closing for over an hour. She comes across very unprofessional and rude creating an unpleasant shopping experience.

I went into my local coles supermarket store in mitcham to purchase some catfood. The advertised special on the dine catfood varieties was 5 for $4.50. So I thought I would take advantage of this special by taking x2 85g multipacks containing x7 and x1 packet 85g extra to make up a total of 15 85g packets all together. I went up to the register person willy who was on register duty at 21:56pm and told her there was 15 packets there. I thought she would price up the packets accordingly for the special which I worked out after I payed for the items. The price I should have been charged was $13.50 but I was charged $15.40 for all 15 packets. I told willy that the offer for the products was 5 for $4.50 and I was overcharged. She immediately dismissed my claim that I was overcharged stating that there is a difference in the price of multipacks to individual packets. Now I work in retail and this special does not make sense to me. I thought that if I bought a product in bulk I would be offered a discount as the special clearly stated. But I left the store feeling disappointed with the service I recieved and the value for money I purchased the products for. Very, very disappointed. Every single dollar counts to my family and I know its only $1.90 ive paid more than I should have paid. However I would expect the service person willy to have checked with someone else for clarification or just given me the products for what I expected the special to be. It felt so misleading in terms of marketing for a product and the service was very poor.

Date 04/02/2019 my son bought mobile voucher from coles at Broadmeadows 3047 and when he try to charge his mobile by enter ten digits in the voucher, he couldn't because it tolled incorrect digits. The day after my husband went to the same coles and told them the problem and ask them for refund they ask him to bring mobile and they try by them selves with contact Optus company to solve the problem. So my husband had to pick my daughter from the school so he advised my son to go and my son did what his father asked, but the seller refused to refund or to replace the voucher. My son 17 years old in year 12 and he pay $20 for this voucher for 30 days only and at that time he needed to call. at last I try to charge my phone and other mobile using this voucher, we said may be the problem with my son's mobile but still not working and we received message incorrect digits. My question is why you soled such this voucher? receipt number is 7368 Date 04/01/2019 Time:15:13

Regards,
Name: Leeza Odeesho
[protected]
[protected]@gmail.com

I am totally angry at the moment with coles online. I paid $200 for groceries to be delivered to my address this morning. I even had a text message at 9:16 am to let me know they would be here in 30 minutes. Now I get a phone call saying the truck has broken down and I won't get my delivery till whenever. This is disgusting and I should have answers to these problems but you speak to people on the phone who can not speak English very well. I am really angry at the fact as well that it takes 3 - 5 business days to get my money back. I should not have to wait it was not my fault. I feel that I should get my groceries for nothing considering it has interfered with my life.I have cancer and this is suppose to be easy for me and my family. Get back to me asap.

I emailed three days ago and called several times but no answer. Haven't been in store as yet. Had no reply so.
I'm hoping g this could be rectified soon
I went through register 004. Girl's name was Amber.
She was trainee. She forgot to give me change if $31.70
I bought $68.30 approx and gave her $50x2 and should have got $31.70 approx. It was in afternoon on 1/2/19 at 4.20pm
The lady training her was showing g her how to add old receipts to flybuys. She began showing g her before she got a chance to give me change and when she'd finished she forgot.
I did have a $20 in my hand as I planned to go straight to smoke counter afterwards. I didn't realise til I got home.
It's been three days and no reply. I'd like my money back and hoped I'd had it back sooner. I can't get I to store at this time but could go to collect if they could have it waiting.
Thankyou and ease Rey soon
Yours sincerely Gemma
[protected]@gmail.com

I recently attended Coles Ingle Farm to purchase some shopping, having lost my job I had only $90 to buy food on Friday 1st February 2019, for my family for the weekend. Somehow (no explaination has been given from Coles) my card transaction caused the register to freeze and the checkout operator claimed that we would have to scan card again as it didn't work. I proceeded to login to my bank to check and sure enough Coles had debited my account for the amount of $90. I showed the checkout operator and she still insisted it didn't work. I asked for the store manager who briefly looked at my receipt and said " don't worry the bank will credit it back into your account", I had recently lost my job which meant Coles had now taken my last $90 and would not allow me to take the shopping unless I paid "again" for it. I had no more money so with my head hung in embarrassment I unloaded the shopping so I could retrieve my shopping bags and totally humiliated left the store with no money or food for my family. Today Tues 5th February, I see that Coles have infact put the transaction through (stole my money) & now I have to wait 45days for my bank to lodge a dispute with Coles just to get my money back. I Haven't even received an apology from Coles, infact, although I have left my details with the store nobody has bothered to contact me. Customer care were rude, showed no compassion and pretty much took no responsibility, told me to take it up with my bank. I am Disgusted with Coles after 20yrs shopping at the same shop I will take my business to Aldi (if I ever get my money back). How can a wealthy company like Coles let a family starve with no conscience. Corporate Greed!, uncaring managers! Don't ever walk out without your shopping if this happens to you, they don't care if your children have no food as long as they have their money. —-Just a reminder to Coles, it's because of your loyal customers that Coles continues to stay in business,

Your supermarkets seem to be increasing rather than decreasing the amount of plastic packaging on fruit and vegetables, while the rest of us as individuals are trying to do our best to avoid plastic. Even if the packaging is recyclable, you are still unnecessarily increasing the amount of plastic on our fragile planet. Today (3 Feb 2019) I wished to purchase 4 red long chillies at the Green Point Coles store (NSW 2251). There were no loose ones and a member of staff told me that they could no longer order them loose. The only ones available (Red Cayenne Chillies) were 50 gm of chillies in a stiff plastic box. I was not sure whether that was a permanent change or only temporary, but if it is the former, it seems completely unnecessary. I do not need to buy chillies pre-packaged and I can't see that it is necessary for reasons of distribution - indeed it must increase distribution costs, which the customer will be paying for. The cost is the next issue I have with the pre-packaged chillies. From memory, I think the loose ones are usually a bit under $30 per kg. The Birdseye chillies which were available in loose form (though not, I understand, once that stock runs out) were $28 per kg which would be a similar price to the cayenne chillies. The pre-packaged variety of cayenne chillies cost $3 for a 50gm pack. This translates to $60 per kg. That seems to me an outrageous mark up. If I hadn't wanted the chillies today, I would have waited until I could buy them from a proper greengrocer without the packaging. I will not be buying any from you in future. Indeed I try my best not to buy any fruit and vegetables from Coles that is packaged. Please stop ruining the planet!

Dear Coles Complaints Board,

Hope you are doing well today.

I have opted to send a complaint and ask for your attention on my request for refund as this has long been unattended.

I was almost a victim of a scam from people who claimed to be from ATO last November 28 2018. They've asked me to purchase Google Play Gift Cards and bought those from Coles situated in Kaleen Shops, ACT for a total of $600.
Asked assistance from your customer service and wanted for a refund as those Google Play cards are still intact, asked me to email a pdf copy of all the unused Google Play gift cards, receipts and police report as well. Said request has a case # of C103192600.
I have emailed and called customer service numerous times, asking their help if they can hasten up their action towards my request as I badly need the money but did not have any positive response/update with regards to my request. The $600 refund is just a small amount for a gigantic Coles supermarket, but it means a lot to a lowly person like me. I need it to get my ends meet and to help out my father who has just been diagnosed with throat cancer and undergoes a series of radiation.
Your quick response is highly appreciated.
You may contact me through my mobile # [protected] or through my email address rowena.[protected]@gmail.com.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Rowena Fabriga

I have placed an online order yesterday 1/2/19. Collection are supposed to happen at Coles Express Hectorville today 2/2/19. However, at 15.01 Sat 2 Feb, I received a text message saying that "due to Technical issues with Hectorville locker, I need to collect my order at Greenacres store today - Collection will be available until 8pm. At 15.32 I received another text message saying my order is ready to be pick up at Coles Express Hectorville with the Pin number. Thinking that they might have sort out the locker issues I went to the Coles Express Hectorville to collect my order. However, after I key in the pin number, the locker doors open - but with NOTHING inside. At 6.45pm I drove to the Greenacres store, which is 20 minutes drive from my home. When I reached there, i realised the store is already close - store close at 5pm on Saturday. I then called up the coles online customer service hotline at 1800 455 400 and speak to one of the customer service agent. I explained the situation to him, which he can also see on the record and where the error has occurred. He then tried to called the coles greenacres to check whether anyone is available to help me there. After approximately 5 minutes being put on hold, i was told that the store is close and no one is able to help me. He then asked to collect at the Greenacres store again tomorrow at 12pm. I then asked whether he can arrange for my order to be send to Coles Express Hectorville as it should have been. I was told that he could not guarantee that can happen. I will have to check with them again tomorrow. I explained to him, it took me 20 minutes to get to the Greenacres stores and another 20 minutes back home. I am not going to waste another 40 minutes tomorrow for your technical issues. I requested that he cancel my order immediately as I was not offered any other solution. There 2 other coles store 5 minutes away from my home in Rostrevor.

I am very upset with the poor customer service handling and online orders being handled with all the wrong information. Online order is supposed to help me manage my time better and not make my life more difficult. I have to drive twice to 2 different locations and at the end i came home empty handed. Is this how you treat your customer? What a disappointing experience.

Soo San Chew

I ordered our 2 weekly shop online as its getting difficult to shop instore with young kids! I had gift vouchers with woolies so used them to order last fortnight and it was amazing service! This time around with coles was not and i am appalled that nothing could be done to help, i recieved an email saying my order would arrive approx 7.50pm-8.50pm and receieved a sms at 8.12pm saying my order will be approx 30mins away. I waited until 10pm and still no order. When ringing customer service my order could not be tracked and ths truck when back to the store some time today! So why was i not notified them? I was told i can get it delivered tomorrow at the same time from 2pm until 10pm... and they still cannot guarantee it will arrive, not good customer service and a refund takes 3-5 working days... feels like your being backed into a corner! How will i feed these kids if my order doesnt arrive? And we can't afford another $200 while we wait for a refund! ... i am not happy and will not be shopping with your stores again.

Today I bought one of your 15 cent red and white plastic bags. The bag smelt so toxic it gave me an instant headache. What am I breathing in? The lady at the checkout said she understood as she has to handle them and be around them all day.i would love to know what they are made of and what chemicals are in them. Surely it can't be good for your health

This is a fairly urgent and serious issue. My wife recently purchased an oven mitt from Coles as part of a gift for our youngest daughter (who is madly into baking). The first time we used it was last night while making home made pizzas. My wife used it to remove the hot pizza trays from the oven, but the oven mitt did not provide any protection and as a result she burnt all her finger tips THROUGH the mitt. We have another oven mitt which works perfectly (not from Coles) but the Coles brand mitt does NOTHING in terms of protection! This could have been a lot worse if our daughter had been the first to use it - this requires urgent attention and removal from shelves if required.

I recently moved to Ringwood my most accessible supermarket is coles store 7782. I am normally a Woolworths customer but I have been to your store sadly to find it is a very small store with very limited range and items. No disabled parks left today. I needed strawberries today for a cake for my elderly mother. The only strawberries there were Aus Berry Farmers. Every punnet had bruised fruit and they were 50c more than Woolworths! I will only use your store for emergencies and will continue to shop at Woolworths Eastland even though it is not as accessible. You just lost a potential customer.

This is the first time I shopped in Springvale coles.
The problem is I always recycle my bag when I shopping.
I was put things in shopping cart but when I have to check out I always changed to my bag and register with machines not with cashiers.
One of the staff was looks like supervisor being really rude to me.
She didn't let me to do in machines. She just keep telling me to go to cashier.
Shout at me not to put things on the bag.
I always did in woolworth. There is no problem about saving my time.

Once again Dundebar road Wanneroo 6065 Perth WA looks like a mess again with all the Coles Trolly's littering the street.
There are at least 9 of them on both sides of the road by the Council Offices why can't the trolly collection team collect them every couple of days instead of leaving them for sometimes at least a couple of weeks.
Could you please inform the Wanneroo store as it is their responsibility to make sure our suburbs do not look like a tip.
I understand that some of the human race are lazy and Coles cannot do anything about that but they have spent money in the store so the least Coles can do is relieve us non lazy people of the unsightly mess they leave on our streets.