Woolworths
Reviews and Complaints

I have been shopping with woolworths for many years now, but will admit that I am quite dissapointed at the moment. I recently brought cans of the Heinz Spaghetti and meatballs ( still well in date) went to open it this afteroon to find the top of the tin covered in mould chunks, yes chunks. Mould also around the rim of the can and throughout the whole can. To the point where the spaghetti sauce wasnt its normal colour.. It was dark green. Safe to say it turned me off having anything to eat after this, more upset at the fact that yous are charging more then $2 PER can, which might not seem alot to some, but when you only have one income and a budget to buy your fortnightly groceries on, to find your meals are mouldy. Quite turned off at the moment.

i have shopped with your store since you opened I have been a happy shopper until now. Since you have change the meat department the meat has been terrible, I got some mince meat it was so fatty and had a lot of gristle in it it was so disgusting to eat, the steak was so tough. The range of meat has fallen, I will not buy my meat from Woolworths again very so disappointed. The meat looks awful too, it's sad that the have stoop to this level not just in the quality of the meat but to put so many people off. I feel so sorry for the ones that have a mortgage or have a family, it's know wounded people commit suicide. As the saying goes the richer get richer and the poorer gets poorer its a very sad world we live in. Won't be buying my meat from your store again. Debbie

Woolworths advertising certain products to encourage customers to the store only to no have advertised products at any store as stores have not received stock (informed by friends that work at various stores). I will purchase my goods from Coles instead...

I was at Woolworths in Mission Beach when I saw a young male employee contaminating the vegetables. He sneezed all over them and wiped his hands on the lettuce (yeah, fresh food people). Despite this, I bought them as they were the only lettuces left (I thought washing them would be ok for consumption). I did not have my phone on me at the time, so I have no visual evidence for this disgraceful act. I got severe food poisoning and am currently in hospital. I will take legal action if I must.

Please stop playing the 'Woolworths' song in-store on the radio! It really is bordering on brainwashing and should be ILLEGAL! I have spoken to some Woolworths staff and they have commented that they mentally 'shut down' when the song comes on... As a result of this I have chosen to take my business to other retail outlets so as not to get the ad stuck in my head for hours post-shopping. Congrats to the Woolworths marketing team. Unfortunate for the rest of us!

Good day. I have purchased a pair of boots in 2014 at Woolworth's branch in Jacaranda Center, Pretoria. I have barely worn them and the soles of the boots already broken/cracked right. through. I am very unhappy with the quality of this product as it is unheard of that new shoes, barely worn, can not be worn anymore. I choose to shop at Woolworth's for a better quality product, but this product is not good quality at all. This is unacceptable. Please see the pictures attached of this product. Thank you. Regards
Ester Esterhuizen

Details:I am a petite lady confined to a wheelchair. I have a afficial assistance dog that helps me public access and pulls my manual wheelchair along picks up, carries item and much more.

I was going into upper Mt Gravatt crn creek and Logan rd Woolworths. On Monday this week, approx 8.15 in morning. As I approached the self service area a female woolworths worker manning that area pointed to my service dog giggling and said" isn't that funny, the dog is bigger than you" I think I was shocked at that comment I said "sorry" and she repeated giggling again the same thing. I angrily said "how rude and asked my service dog to pull. To get away from her.

After I got home I was still upset and called the manager " Nathan" but he seem unsimpertetic and said she would not have meant to insult you. Unhappy with that I googled woolworths customer complaints and spoke to a lady don't have her name, she was unhappy and shocked at what I said to her and asked if she can put me on hold while she called through to that store. She called Nathan and insisted he Perdue this matter with higher management. And gave him my name and phone number to have him call me back.

He called back on wed and said she was very sorry and empertetic and if I come back to the store he will offer me some flowers and chocolates. I'm not at all happy with this. I do not appreciate a uniformed customer service person pointing at my dog and comparing me to a dog, and the dog is NOT bigger than me and I resent that and much as I resent being compared to a dog.
I'm still very very upset but it is clear that this customer service person appears to have no accountability to her nasty insulting manner and words. This is not at all appropriate. no hello, just point laugh and say how funny the dogs bigger than you. How dare she. I am a human being despite my size or disability. I am a equaly to all humans in society.
I request $3000 (three thousand) companions for the humiliation, and upset and inbarrisment I experienced in front of others. Also I request that woolworths staff are trainings in customer service and approaiate behaviour and conduct towards people. I will not tolerate going through this again, I came to do my shopping and left crying. Even all I spoke to were jaw dropped as to your staffs words. They advise I go to the media, however I have sent a copy to the anti discrimation commission as its a legal breach of the law to treat anyone like this and I'm giving you the opportunity to resolve this before media intervention.

A copy of this has been sent to the dept of anti discrimination unit as well.

Anna benakich
[protected]

Recently I required a carry bag from Woolworths Town Hall Store in Sydney and was Shocked that I was charged $2 for a Woolworths Branded Environmental Bag.
Is this business serious about the welfare of the environment or just into gouging?
Paying $2 for the bag is not the issue paying for an enviro bag emblazoned in Woolworths Branding is. Being gouged to market Woolworths as an environmental champion sickens me!
I intend returning the bag and demanding my money back!

Woolworths were promoting you received dominos with your purchase. For the past three weeks the Coolangatta store which I use. Everytime for the past three week they tell you they are out of them keep your docket and when they get some in we can collect them then. I went to the store sgsin today to find out they still don't have any and the promotion has finished. Now I am unable to obtain the last few of the set. If you are going to promote something you should make sure you can deliver. I wasn't the only disappointed customer this morning. I am absolutely discussed with Woolworths and will now be changing my supermarket to Coles. I am also letting our local news paper and A current Affair.

Woolworths Australia have run various marketing 'ploys' aimed at childrens collections. Every time we have taken part in these for our grandchildren they have run out of the items and people have been left stranded high and dry with unfinished sets.
In the latest one - Pixar Domino, which apparently has finished they are still putting the fact that dominos are available on the dockets but they are not able to supply the said dominos. To me this company is committing fraud. They are still trying to suck people into buying in their stores when they have no stock of the domino's left.
I will never shop in a Woolworths store again.
I hope other people come to realise that this company are trying to increase their market share with fraudulent practices.
I can understand running out once but this is happening with most of their so called free 'promotions'. Although the fact that I purchased two tins for my grandchildren (which will now contain unfinished collections) means that in effect this was not a 'free' promotion for me.
Do notice that the Jamie Oliver promotion seems to have left them stuck with excess stock - but then again they were overpriced even with the so called discount taken off.

Woolworths markets collectable kids merchandise such as the Disney Dominos in order for us to go shopping there. However, they fail to deliver the goods due to a lack of stock which ultimately disappoints us and the kids that are collecting the merchandise. Woolworths need to ensure that they have adequate sock available in ALL stores to satisfy customer demands. Woolworths Kalamunda have been out of stock of the dominos for 10 days now (that is how long I have been trying to get them) and apparently they don't expect to receive any more. Poor show Woolworths! Another reason why I choose Coles over Woolworths if I can.

Went to the deli department tonight to get some cold meats, I asked if it was possible to have some prosciutto as it needs to be sliced, the team member said no problem. As she got it out of the fridge she proceeded to turn around and walk towards the slicer but then stops and talks to a team member and then turns back and walks back to me and says "I can't do this one" and chucked it back in the fridge. I said what do u mean u can't do it, and the reply was " I can't do it". I just find it rude that u go to a supermarket to buy food and when that happens I find it rude, but worse then that as I requested some more things, it's as if I was being rushed away as if she couldn't be bothered to serve me. Extremely rude!

I came into wool worths today and took my items threw the fast lane
(8 items or less)
I was served by a girl who had a lovely pink turbin / hat (I think her name is
Alima or halima (I asked one of the staff and she told me her name)
Anyway
She was very rude and was very agressive when i asked her why she was
Being so rude. . . She answered. . . Im sick of u lot and if i didnt
Have to have money for my kids i wouldnt be hear.
When i said that i didnt appreciate the way she dpoke to me and if she didnt
Like her job she shouldn't be working in woolies. . .
She laughed you aussies have big mouths and if u where in my country
(Africa i think) you would have ur tongue cut out
I was so angry i left my items and left the centre
Woolworths what are you doing hiring rude arrogant and abbusive
People like this
I have sent this complaint further and hope u will look into this matter and repremand the staff member appropriately
Cara turner

We are a small farming family just out of Gatton and between my husband and two children we eat a lot of fruit. We usually shop at Gatton Coles but as my husband works in Toowoomba and on his way home he ducked into Woolworths at the top of the range to grab a few things. He was devastated at the state of the fruit section. He said he was standing their watching gym looking people walk away from the fruit empty handed. He tried his best to sort though what was there to bring home something eatable for lunches for the next day. The fruit was bruised and not presentable at all. My husband returned home disappointed with not only the fruit but the fruit he did purchase was priced a high rate and then tasted terrible (apples half rotten on the inside);. We dont mind spending money on fruit as we love fruit but we hate spending good money on terrible fruit. From this experience we will return to our shopping at Coles Gatton.

For the past two weeks the freezer section containing the ice creams, fish & chicken has been semi defrosted.
The freezer doors won't close properly as the ice has built up around the seals.
I've needed frozen goods twice from this section & have had to go to another supermarket as woolworths still haven't fixed their freezers.
I feel this is unacceptable for such a large chain.
If this situation isn't remedied by next week when I go shopping I'll be contacting the health department.
Regards Sandra Cook

Hi,

Very disappointed with team of moonee ponds team members.
I reached 23:58 outside the store and ask them to enter me and they straight away they said no I told them it's 23:58 and your trading hour is till 12am but they didn't listen to me and I clicked photo of your store watch from outside.i.e 23:58.

I was so disappointed because I finished my work and I generally prefer Coles but I thought this time I should go to to Woolworth and need flowers for valentine day.

I very well know the meaning of trading hours as I am also from same industry.

Tell me the solution of this thing which happens with me on my special day.

On 22/01/15 I 'bought midnight beauty seedless grapes' from Woolworths store in Croydon (store Id 3216). There was no price tag at the shelf where we picked up the grapes... At the self-scan counter I was surprised to find that the grapes were priced $8.98/kg. I walked back to the shelf to check the price again, when I found that the price was not displayed at the shelf, I asked the attendant if the price was correct.. She assured me that the grapes were indeed $8.98/kg. by this time my husband had finished scanning all the items and we didn't bother about returning the extravagantly expensive grapes (we paid $9.74 for 1.085 kg grapes).
Next day my husband happened to go to the same store again to buy something else. He was shocked to find that the same 'midnight beauty seedless grapes' has a display stating 'was $2.89 now selling @ $1.89/kg '. He called me immediately to find out if I still had the receipt from previous night's purchase. Fortunately I still had the receipt in my wallet. When we questioned the staff at the customer service about the price difference, she said it was the fault of the scanning machine and refunded the extra money charged for the purchase (it was a refund of about $8.00).
My question is how does such a thing happen and customer is overcharged 8 times? Does the Woolworths store know how many customers bought those overpriced grapes that day and never realised they paid 8 times the correct price? How often does this happen at Woolworths? It is impossible to check the correct price of every item from the grocery trolley . Woolworths should track all the sales for those overpriced grapes and refund the money to the customers.
Very annoyed about this lapse from such a reputed retail giant..!

I have complained multiple times to local and area management as well as on the company website - to no avail.
The Deli department are the main offenders in the lack of customer service, closely followed by the cigarette counter at the Wallan Vic store.
Management always concede that the ticketing system was an expensive purchase and was installed for more efficient customer service. They insist that the Deli staff are supposed to use it but I feel that someone has forgotten to inform the Deli staff of this.
Today, one man who was in the queue of 5 (some had tickets and some didn't but this didn't matter because they weren't being used), became so angry at the delay and that the second staff member totally ignored the customers and continued to stick labels on the bagged chickens, that he became abusive. This could easily have turned into something dangerous and I can't understand why management isn't enforcing better customer service practices.
Some helpful suggestions;
Unless your staff possess ESP and can predict the flow of customers accurately, insist they use the ticketing machine at ALL times, Put a sign up that says customers (who never know what mood the staff are in so whether to take a ticket or not) with a ticket will be served first regardless of time of arrival.
Insist that your staff stop back end tasks and serve customers when they arrive. If these tasks are time critical (like getting hot chicken labelled and onto the warmer) then ensure they inform customers of what they are doing (instead of just ignoring them and avoiding eye contact) and then enlist the assistance of another member of staff to serve the rush.
Make people purchasing cigarettes come into the store and queue with everyone else to make purchases. It is completely unacceptable that someone who is just purchasing cigarettes should get preferential treatment and 'jump' the, often very long queue by going to the front of the store.
Your managers and staff clearly do not have the ability, or interest, in addressing these simple issues given the number of times I have complained.
Given that your staff feel so secure in their jobs, and the company so confident of their continued place in the market that they don't feel it necessary to act on valid customer complaints, it may be time to vote with my feet and shop elsewhere. Yes, it will be a minor inconvenience but I am sick to death of the laziness and incompetence I, and many other shoppers in the Wallan area, have to endure.

Despite the existence of a ticketing device and frequent confrontations/complaints to the managers, delicatessan staff rarely bother to utilize it AND will freely give every excuse (usually demontrably false or nonsensical) to justify their laziness.

More often than not those, to whom I complain, demonstrate more interest in defendong their staff and lowering customer expectstions than effecting reasonable change. Evidently "management" is not committed enough to customer satisfaction.

Regarding a Media anouncement in referrence to selling Hot cross Buns just after Christmas and New year?
I wished the Cheif Executive of Woolworths would get to know about complainst such as this.
I He or She even cares is another thing. But! Selling Easter Season Hot cross Buns nearing end of December entering January is obsurd.
Whos' bright spark silly idea was this!? Guess there are no names to this question.
I hate these people who try to re invent the Wheel without any balance to though or commonse sens values. Heck! I have abetter idea! Why not sell Christmas Trees and lights all year round and forget seasonal sales alltogether? That way you be making more Money all year through. But i guess that would be too obvious and too hot of a debaote and backlash, so Woolworths tries to start small and then bend the boundaries later even more. Nothing would surprise me. A newer generation Executives without moral values. well" Not the kind that is common. Can't even log this complaint on their site as it send one around the loop. Propably so no complaints are received.