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Woolworths
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Woolworths Complaints 1445

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10:27 am EDT

Woolworths card payment declined 3 times

I went into Woolworths in Jean avenue Centurion. Bought a few things like I always do. Went to the cashier, she scanned the items. I gave her my standard bank card. She swiped it 3 times and said it was declined. I said I would draw the money but for some odd reason none of the ATM’s worked, I guessed standard bank must be off line. So I drove to the next place, to see if I could draw money. Due to me not be able to buy it there I went to another store to buy the things I needed. To my surprise it went off from my account. So now what?

I was humiliated in front of a whole store, I didn’t took my items home as my card was declined 3 times according to the cashier, so I paid for what exactly?

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Zoran Panzich
US
Jan 10, 2020 12:33 am EST

WOOLWORTHS – Manjimup.
On Tuesday 7 January 2020 my credit card was declined. Luckily, I had some cash in the wallet. After paying for the items I went to Westpac, where the credit card was OK. Funny it did not work at Woolies in Manjimup.
Then today (10 January 2020) at about 9.45am Woolies in Manjimup declined a credit card and a handy card. I got a new Hany card on Wedes and so I tried it the Westpac outside machine and it worked fine but not at Woolies. Why.
After Woolies declined 2 of my cards, I went to Dunnings where the Hany card worked well and I got some fuel! After that I went to West[ac Manjimup where I told the cashier the story and what happened to me at Woolworths, Manjimup. According to trhe cashier maybe the Woolies terminals do not connect correctly.
My credit card has more than $10, 000 and Handy Card account has more than $7000 to draw from. So it seems strange that all the problems relate to Woolworths, Majimup. I was embarrassed to say the least when one card and then both cards were declined!

Zoran Panzich B.Ec. (Hon. Memb. AJA.)
1 Guilfoyle St. Manjimup. WA 6258.
Email – zoran@wn.com.au
MobPhone - [protected]

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10:12 am EDT
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Woolworths poor policy

I recently experienced the extremely poor customer return policy of Woolworths. I have always felt that when returning an item if it is being returned in the same condition in which it was bought and you have the slip to verify purchase, that the store should provide a full monetary refund and not a voucher Why should a consumer be held to ransom to purchase something at that store while they retain your money, earn interest and have the value of the returned product returned to their stock?

What makes this situation worse is that they are not upfront about this policy, they hide behind red tape. They say that they will refund a credit card payment with a credit card refund only to insist that the credit is applied to the same credit card number that the items was bought with. Only a cash purchase is refunded with a cash refund. The problem with this system is that it forces the consumer who did not buy the item to get a voucher. By forcing a voucher on to the customer, they are in essence coercing you into “a forced contract with them” where you can only spend that money at their store, while all this time having the money in their bank and the items back in their inventory. This leaves the customer with the risk of not finding the required item they need and having to spend additional money elsewhere while the value of your voucher gets reduced (inflation and no interest).

This means that if your credit card has expired before time of return of item you will not get a credit to your account. If you received the same items in a baby shower you will be unable to get the money back for the items you return.

In my case, my husband bought me a jersey and he specifically left the price attached and gave me the slip in order that I would have the option to get a refund or exchange the item. The jersey was not to my liking and I took it back to the store with the slip and price attached. The store refused to give me a cash refund or to refund my credit card (even though my husband and I have a joint account).

I find this practice extremely consumer unfriendly. It seems to be an excuse for Woolworths to insist on pushing their vouchers on to the consumer. They should be secure with their products and service to give a customer the choice of refund. As stipulated in the Consumer Protection Act, the customer is entitled to a choice and is entitled to not be forced into further commercial engagements or agreements with the vendor store.

It seems as if they insist on giving back the same R50 note that was given to them when the item was bought. They may refund with two R20 and a R10. By the same token I do not see how they have the right to insist on refunding the credit to the same credit card number that the item was purchased with. A credit is a credit! The credit card number is incidental for them to refuse a simple refund. I do understand that in the accounting system it may not marry up 100% of the time but why should the consumer be responsible for their accounting inadequacy?

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Wine Is Good
Wine Is Good
US
Jul 25, 2016 5:33 pm EDT

Most people can not read the date on a label. Did it say EXPIRE or did it say BEST BY or BOTTLE DATE? Or was there just a bunch of random numbers that you were assuming were the expiration dates? What are CC's?

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Reviewer94617
Mar 03, 2016 5:52 am EST

I am a regular customer of Woolworths and I have never had any complaints at all. Today when I done my weekly shopping, I got home and started unpacking my groceries and noticed that the Cc's that I purchased were out f date by 4 months. I didn't even think it was legal to sell out of date products. The worst part is that when I returned to the store to get a refund, the lady actually refused to give me a refund. So I was left with food that I am basically going to have to throw out. Very dissapointed in Woolworths Inverell.

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kanye31
AU
Nov 06, 2011 11:44 am EST

What cant you buy from woolworths though? Spend the money on your groceries for gods sake.. what do you so desperately need cash for?

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5:01 pm EDT
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Woolworths wrongly itc listed

I paid my Woolworths loan and card up in full in September 2010.Woolworths wrongly allocated my payments and said I owe them money. After explaining everything to them and sending proof of payments they admitted the fault was by them. They said they will correct everything and I will not be ITC listed(December 2010). Today I found out my ITC is bad because it shows that I owe Woolworths 6 months payments. I phoned them and they said they will send me a letter stating I do not owe them anything - still waiting for the letter. I feel they should take me off ITC as soon as possible.

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5:42 am EDT
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Woolworths poor service

i have shopped twice at the moe woolworths now and not been given my reward points. the first time the girl forgot to ask and before i could get the card from my purse she had completed the sale and told me opps sorry. the second time the girl had not been paying attention and got the card details from the customer before me, he put his credit card into the eftpos machince an she continued to swipe my grocheries and then when we told her the mistake as she had not yet scanned his 3 boxes of soft drink (which she advised him to leave in his trolley) she said ill finish scanning yours. i then paid asked to swipe my reward card and the girl told me sorry but the points are on that mans card, all because she was not doing her job correctly.
this is unacceptable and the girls at the reg seem to not care that you dont get your points..

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Dodge James
Glenorchy, AU
Aug 14, 2014 5:01 pm EDT

Kanye31. You are a dropkick. It would appear from your comment that you consider yourself to be superior to the person you are attempting to belittle. Go look in the mirror idiot, the incompetent from Woolworths will be standing right beside you. The MOE, VICTORIA store has long had a reputation for poor service and customer care as do most Woolworths stores. Did you bother to check that? I doubt it. Or do you just shoot your mouth off to attempt to feel superior? It aint workin'. DROPKICK

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kanye31
AU
Nov 06, 2011 11:46 am EST

If it means so much to you, present it to them STRAIGHT AWAY. Have it in your hot little hands ready to go. Okay?

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3:19 pm EST
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Woolworths account query

My email address [protected]@webmail.co.za CC Claasen Id No. [protected]. My ref no.[protected]. I have a problem with the woolworths/munnik basson da gama team. Last month a consultant from your office phoned me and told me that i must make a last payment of R260 to settle my woolworths acc, which i paid. Just 4 fun i went and pay an extra R50 afterwards 2 see if my credit will show and it did show the credit available. Today 10.03.2011 i went in to woolworths store and made a payment of R50 just to see if the account was stil showing the credit available and it only showed the R50 that i paid. And if the account has been settle why dont you give me a clearance letter, so tel me what happens now. Do i stil owe you people. Let me know, cause im on the verge of contacting the ombudsman if im not satisfied with your response

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Corlein
ZA
May 20, 2013 2:38 am EDT

I am one extremely unhappy customer, as lots of the Woolies customers are. I am a 52year old woman of 65kg and about between 5 and 7kg overweight. I bought your opaque anklehighs (44 decitex) lots of them, different colours, 2 pairs per pack. The packaging says "One-size-fits-all" How the hell can one size everyone fits? I am not even big-built and my legs are now scarred for life and will surely never be able to wear a dress above or on the knee again, nevermind knee-length pants or shorts. As I can see from your facebook page, Woolworths does not even try to respond and/or reply to any complaints they receive. I would really like to know how Woolworths is gonna compensate me being scarred-for-life. I was just wondering. Your facebook page, is it just there to compliment Woolies, not to log complaints?

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5:12 pm EST

Woolworths poor quality of food products

My husband bought woolworths chocolate mousse pudding (R44) on Saturday - just in time for Mothers day -- found large lumpy gelatin like substance in the pudding - totally unedible, totally disappointed as this used to be my favourite pudding. Also bought the Organic vanilla flavoured large tub of yoghurt at a price I may add - the quality has dropped drastically - it's now like milk - not at all creamy and thick like it used to be. Even the sticky toffee pudding's quality has gone down - the sponge seems to be rather dry - which it never used to be. I sent a complaint to their customer services - i haven't heard anything from them - not a word. It's sad to see that Woolworths doesn't engage with their customers.

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AndersonAnne
US
Jul 14, 2016 9:22 am EDT
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Purchased this product today; the rice was not cooked properly and had hard chalky middle; this was for the whole dish. Unpleasant to eat but had to as that was all I had at work!

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Reviewer69389
Jan 14, 2016 12:49 pm EST

Worst wine ever. Im all for tannins. But this is ridicilous. I can send photos. Disgusting! To say the least

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Reviewer60955
Jan 13, 2016 1:18 am EST

Bought Rump Steak on Saturday at Midland Woolworths Centrepoint and went to use it on Monday and discovered it was off. Use by date was the 17th January. Absolutely digusting. What a waste of money. Fresh food people NOT.

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Leesh Lew
Rockingham, AU
Nov 13, 2013 5:50 am EST

I went to the waikiki woolworths store this afternoon and purchased my usual weekly shopping and when I got home and unpacked my celery I noticed it was all withered and half of it was rotten in the middle.

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9:53 am EST
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Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

I was at the Adderley street branch and was shocked to hear a manager (sheila) shouting and actually swearing at staff on the floor and me as a customer walked past and heard this.This is just rude and unproffesional and you don't talk to staff like that.I was even more shocked when i asked the staff member about the managers attitude and she said it'...

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7:30 pm EST

Woolworths woolworths food can afford to ignore customers

I'm not one to complain, but this is one 'bridge' to far. I have always spent up to 5 minutes waiting at the hot food counter to get served and today was no different but this time there was someone behind the chicken rotisserie filling it with chicken. There is a glass font through which this person could see that there were two people waiting for her. There was no acknowledgement of our presence nor any movement on her part to assist her CUSTOMERS.

Now i'm quite sure chicken would not go off in the time it takes to help two people on their way with their hot food. Eventually another of the floor staff, emerging from the back, called her repeatedly to come out but she continued with her back room functions. It took this second person at least a full minute to get her outside. By that time I was angry and walked away.

I'm happy that Woolworths can afford to lose out on a sale of about R100.00, and I'm sure it's shareholders would commend their staff in ignoring their customers to complete mundane tasks. I also returned to the counter two minutes later and again there was no-one manning it. I received a shrug when I confronted WW on their service.

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4:31 pm EST

Woolworths no reason for declining store card application

I applied for a Woolworths store card, TWICE and was declined - no reason was given. I then checked with ITC and I was credit clear, empirical score is 1, no defaults whatsoever. I then applied for an Edgars storecard and they accepted my application within 2 weeks.

Now what's Woolworth's problem? The mere fact that I'm 24 with no bad debt should serve as an indicator that I'm not a reckless consumer...so what's the point of offering a service like this, but you get declined..on what grounds?

I finally get a reply after a long time, which explains that I do not have a credit record...I was absolutely gobsmacked- Why are you offering a financial service if you're not willing to give credit to a guy who has no bad debt?!...The reason I'm applying is to cover myself incase I run over my budget and need an outlet maybe for the last week of the month or a few days before payday...I'm not going to use the **** card for my monthly grocery shopping!

Are there perhaps other companiesorganizations that would possibly grant me access to a storecard for perishable goods and willing to take on another stakeholder? because WOOLWORTHS ARE TOO 'exclusive' for me.

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Leila Andrews
US
Mar 09, 2022 11:03 am EST

This very thing happened to me and they say that you only need to be older than 18, earn more than R2000 and have an SA ID to qualify. I have all those things but they still declined. Please explain?

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8:05 pm EST

Woolworths inappropriate underwear for girls

I was shocked to see that Woolworths carry a range of padded bras for very young girls. The row I saw them on was for girls aged 9-10, maybe they have them for younger girls too. Why not read articles about Primark, the high street retailer in UK, which, after severe pressure, discontined their padded bras for 7 year old after much public and government outcry about the premature sexualisation of young girls. One newspaper even labelled it as 'high street paedophilia', I agree. Let young gils be young girls, don't encourage them to be adults before their time. Come on Woolworths, if you are serious about 'adding quality to life' stop the sale of these gaments and be a responsible retailer as opposed to following certain overseas trends for the sake of making profit. Be ethical. No wonder young children have identity problems when retailers and marketers influence them into being something they are not and are not ready for.

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FDL_HOU
Houston, US
Feb 09, 2011 2:37 am EST
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Get a life, you prude.

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YouWontLikeMeWhenIAmAngry
washington, US
Feb 08, 2011 8:19 pm EST

Just because a product is made does not mean it has to be made for you or someone you know.

Just because they sell a padded bra for younger users does not mean that your child should buy and wear it. It is not the responsibility of the seller to determine age appropriateness. The only people who can determine age appropriateness are the guardians and the law makers. If you have a problem with the product you should petition your government to change the laws to have people's age checked before purchasing a bra and if they are under X age then they can not make the purchase.

Consumerism is a simple concept. Your currency acts as a "vote" in favor of a product. if you don't like a product you don't give them a unit of money and thus do nto give them a vote. Everytime you purchase a item you are "voting" to keep that item on the market. In the Primark issue it was not taken off the market because of any reason then it failed the vote. The company created an item and not enough people voted to keep it so they removed it. There doesn't need to be an underlying statement.

People didn't vote for crystal Pepsi and thus it was removed.

There are only 2 reasons product are discontinued.
1) They don't get enough votes
2) A law prohibits the sale

There was no law to prohibit the sale which means it failed to get enough votes, Period.

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4:31 pm EST

Woolworths exploding, fizzing lemon curd yogurts

It appears as if Woolworths has a problem with some of their yoghurts. We often buy The Ayshire Lemon Curd yoghurts. On at least 5 occassions now the yoghurts have either exploded open or started fizzing from under the lid. I mentioned it to my father. He is an expert in milk and milk products and has worked in well known dairies for at least 30 years. He said that for a yoghurt to do this, it is contaminated with bacteria THAT SHOULD NOT BE IN THE YOGHURT. He went on to say that these contaminating bacteria could indeed be harmful such as e.coli, salmonella etc... All these yoghurts start fermenting at least 34 days before the expiry date. My father says regardless of the expiry date, the yoghurts should not be exploding and fizzing. This is a huge annoyance as we are constantly having to clean the fridge. My greater concern however is what are these yoghurts contaminated with? I have friend in the food industry who is willing to plate the yoghurts and find out. Just imagine if they were to find something potentially harmful. BEST WOOLWORTHS LOOK INTO IT QUICKLY. We have taken the said youghurts back to Greenstone Woolworths each time it happens, we get our money back.

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1:53 pm EDT

Woolworths total lack of respect and client service

After I have tried getting through on the Woolworths Financial Call Centre for a couple of days, I eventually put my phone on speaker while holding and went on with my work. After 1, 5 hours of holding, I gave up as I had to leave for a meeting. This is totally unacceptable that they do not answer their phone. And as mentioned, this did not just happen on one occasion - every time when I phone, this is an issue.

I eventually got through to them, via the head office number, but they could not assist me to the level of comfort that I needed in terms of paying money over to them. I also logged two complaints on their website and till today I have not received any feedback from them - 4 days later.

I eventually phoned head office again and asked to speak directly to Customer Services and after I explained my complaint and that I want to speak to someone who would be able to assist me, they took my number and said that someone will come back to me. Again, it is now more than 48 hours later, and they are also just ignoring this issue.
This is just total disrespect from their side. I would appreciate it if someone would get back to me.

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11:50 am EDT

Woolworths payment don't get allocated

Made a payment on my Woolworhts Visa Credit card on 6 Oct that would place my account payments in advance. Today is 5 November and the payment still don't reflect. After sending the proof of payments through a number of times, faxing my bank statements ect. Nothing!. My name has been list at the credit bereau as a bad payer and my limit reduced. Other than the numerous calls I made to the Customer Service department I received five phone calls form their credit department asking for payment. I explain to them what's happend, they make a note and then two days later you received another call. The customer service is always apologetic, specially the supervisors but yet no one return phone calls as promised and nothing gets done. Each time I phone in to the [protected] number I perservere through 20min of holding on and sometimes they just end a call. Basically don't try and phone the customer service, try are not interested in your complains and are letting you hold on in hope you would give up hope before they need to listen to your wining.

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Jioss
US
Jun 03, 2016 8:23 am EDT

This issue has been ongoing since October 2009 when I purchased a pair of shoes from Woolworths SA. At the time I used a UK debit card which was 'rejected' by the store twice. I ultimately had to pay the 980 Rand with a UK credit card. I was assured no payment would be taken from my debit cards. When I checked my accounts, I had been charged 3 times for the pair of shoes.

Ever since that time I have been trying to get resolution. First the store denied responsibility and it was then escalated to head office. Someone there has been trying to deal with this case, but it took 3 months for a resolution to be found (and a lot of chasing). The said resolution is not entirely satisfactory - I will get vouchers for the value owed as opposed to a straight refund.

In addition, I have now tried to redeem the voucher 4 times in the last week which was supposed to be a very easy process supported in all the stores - unfortunately each time i try there seems to be a new issue from systems are down to my ID is not South African. I am still waiting. I have been told by Woolworths the issue with foreign debit cards has been resolved, but i would not trust this claim.

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11:24 am EDT

Woolworths I would like to inform you how disappointed I am in your service

I would like to inform you how disappointed I am in your service. I know that You (Woolworths financial Services) moved to Absa from Mercantile Bank. But what I am really and truly disappointed about is the fact that you or ABSA blocked your customers credit cards due to FiCA, without informing your customers about it (Believe me, it gets more intense).

Which basically means, like in my case I went to a store swiped my card and guess what, it DECLINED. How embarrassing isn’t that. Not only that, I then go to the ABSA bank to check my balance and GUESS WHAT, ABSA could not even give me a balance, it gave me an ERROR MESSAGE.

Me, suppose to be a valued customer (I am so sick and tired of hearing that woman’s voice on your phone while I am holding)immediately goes home and I then tried to call you at 9am Saturday morning (31 October 2009) and for some strange arb reason I was holding for almost 3 hours (on and off) so by now it is almost 12pm on Saturday afternoon. I then decided that there must be a reasonable explanation for this and I then take my car and drive all the way to a Woolworths store(Kenilworth Centre) to call from there, THERE ISN'T ENOUGH SPACE HERE..

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fightforwhite
ZA
Sep 05, 2012 8:29 am EDT

As a white person I am extremely distressed about Woolworth's policy of not employing White people. I believe Solidarity has taken up the issue with Woolworths. Please know that not I or any of my family or friends will be supporting Woolworths any more. We believe in fairness and that a person should qualify for a job on skill and not colour. We will all be forwarding the Solidarity letter to Woolworths to the rest of the White Folk in South Africa. Strange though, we all know that Woolworths made its fortune on the money of White people.

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Sesi Ramaboa
ZA
Feb 16, 2012 7:53 am EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I visited the woolworths store yesterday 15/02/2012 at krugersdorp keywest mall. I was so disapointed with the service i received they were unhelpful, rude, unwillingness to listen. I bought an item for my baby and i was not satisfied because the colour was coming out when washing i then took it to the store of which i was assisted by the supervisor peggy and i was told to go and wash the item again and if the problem persist i must then bring it back again to the store. I contacted the customers complaints line and they referred me back to the store and i must request the store manager of which she failed to solve my problem she also told me the same thing because you could see that she was sticking to what her colleague has already told me but my issue is how was i to proof to them that the colour coming off and why didnt they take it for quality assurance if they noy sure about my problem other than sending me back because i even asked the manager to put it in water in the store so that im not inconvenienced but she refused. pls contact me at [protected]/[protected] Sramaboa@sars.gov.za

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4:12 pm EDT

Woolworths they had a bad attitude and did not have any sympathy with my situation

On Saturday morning 10 October 2009 I visited Woolworths Delmas to report my card lost. The staff at Woolwoths told me that they can not use the company land lines to phone head office to cancel my card as they could no phone out because the lines had been locked due to excessive phone bills.(misuse by employees)

They had a bad attitude and did not have any sympathy with my situation. I told them I will inform head office of the bad service and they just shrugged their shoulders.

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Pontao
Auburn, AU
May 04, 2011 10:42 am EDT
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Woolworth Auburn NSW Australia services desk is most of cheating customer, becaused most of customer are none speaking english back ground.
normaly other Woolworth if the price charged wrong they will give the good for free and refund full money for the first item.
But Auburn Woolworth if they make any thing wrong they will say human error, only the computer error it will give first item for free.
It happen to me afew time, last month they charged me wrong price they just refund me the defent money back, I ask them i shoud get item for free, they say NO.
In that day have one lady she is Woolworth worker stand behind me she ask me what's wrong, I told her about price is wrong, normoly I should have the item for free, then she talk to Woolworth workers, after that they gaven me free item and refund full of the price.
These workers at Auburn always CHEATING customers .
From Auburn Boy

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11:49 am EDT

Woolworths when the bag was opened the potatoes were green

I purchased a bag of potatoes from Woolworths, at a price of R50 for a 7kg bag expecting quality merchandise. When the bag was opened the potatoes were green. I contacted the Contact Centre, where my complaint was recorded and I was informed that I would receive a letter from Woolworths. I then purchased a second bag of potatoes, green again! I am surprised at the quality of the goods on sale and that a company such as woolworths would allow this. Please take care when purchasing as these potatoes are not cheap and in this economic climate it is a disgrace!

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7:12 am EDT

Woolworths what happened to good old woollies

Woollies used to be the place where anyone could shop for good quality clothing at affordable prices - it was never the trendy shop, that's what Truworths is for, but rather a shop where you could buy timeless classics for the whole family, from baby to great-grandma and not have to break the bank. It was always the reliable and service-friendly store, where staff would actually help you in the change-rooms, give you advice if needed, and bring you a different size if you picked up the wrong one. Now Woollies has become like any other clothing store where it is trying to compete for the trendiest clothing line. The prices have hiked up accordingly, and, naturally, the quality has suffered too. I had to pay in extra (and not just a few rands) for a bigger size shirt which I had to get in exchange for a shirt which my husband received as a birthday gift, but which was too small. Even your Food quality is suffering - I have had a few rotten items from your stores, as have other people I know. My store card is starting to collect dust and I am considering closing my account.

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5:51 am EDT

Woolworths i'm extremely irritated and upset with woolworths financial services

I’m extremely irritated and upset with Woolworths Financial Services. My payment records are as follows: [protected] – R1000; [protected] – R1500; [protected] – R1000; [protected] – R500; [protected] – R1000. About an hour ago a very rude woman calls me to tell me that my account is in arrears as I’ve failed to make a payment. I’ve just paid another R1400 a few minutes ago. I’ve never skipped a month. How can my account be in arrears? Am I being penalised for being punctual with my payment last month? I really take exception to a rude person basically telling me that I’m an irresponsible person who doesn't pay his accounts, when I know for a fact that I’ve been paying my account every month. I need a proper explanation and an apology.

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Kat Thomson
US
Aug 01, 2015 6:08 am EDT

I went to purchase a $9 touch phone and it seemstey dont even stock that phone. Very angry as i was purchasing several.

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12:57 pm EDT

Woolworths their service is a joke

A few months ago I signed with Woolworths Insurance as i was not getting great service from my previous broker. I was promised the earth and altough the amount was pretty much the same I thought well let me go with them as they are reputable. To my amazement on the 8th September 2009 I had a vehilce collission. Needless to say the service was appauling and totally dissatisfactory. They decided to collect my vehilce two days after the collission, fortunately it was parked at a customer of mine. in the end the conclusion i have drawn is that Woolworths should stick to stores and not insurance as they clearly have no cooking clue about customer service, focus and feedback. I will be moving on to a more reputable company Woolworths, in the end of the day I have sorted out my own vehilce and the other party from my own pocket so why do I need you and pay just under 1k a month for a 05 toyota RunX. Your service is a joke.

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Jeanne Watt
ZA
Jun 09, 2011 3:47 am EDT

PLEASE TRAIN YOUR STAFF PROPERLY IN THE SAVANNA STORE. THEY NEED TO REALISE THAT THEY ARE THERE FOR THE CUSTOMERS AND THAT THE CUSTOMERS SHOULD BE TREATED WITH RESPECT AND FRIENDLINESS.

On Monday the 6th of June 2011 at about 4.30 pm I went to customer care to exchange a pair of pyjamas that I bought for my husband about 10 days before. I had unfortunately bought a medium in stead of a large. On the same evening that I bought the pyjamas, my husband had his bath (and I suppose he put on his deodorant as he always does) and put his new pyjamas on. He then called me to show me how tight and short it looked on him and we had a laugh about it as it was totally too small for him . He took it off and I immediately put it back in it’s packet.
When I entered customer care on that day, there was only one other customer - a lady- in front and I realised that there was dissonance between her and the employees of Woolworths . I was not sure what the problem was, but she was adamant (though very polite) that she wanted to return her clothes. The one assistance was quite rude to her and told her to stand aside while she helped me, who was the next customer. I then greeted friendly and handed the medium pyjamas in for an exchange on a large. I did not have my till slip with me as I knew that it was not necessary for an exchange. The item was bought on account. The lady took the pyjamas out of the package and this is where the interrogation started with me being the criminal and they being the jury. The assistance called the lady in charge0 and both started to inspect the pyjamas. All the seams, the inside, the outside, the seams at the bottom was inspected for about five minutes. Then the lady in charge literally shoved the clothes against her nose and direclty accused me that the pyjamas smelled of ‘BRUT’ deodorant. I explained exactly what happened but the clothes was inspected from scratch again with me being treated like the criminal. Then they asked me why I didn’t have the slip with me. I told them that I had bought it on my account and they could check it if they wanted to. But it was too much trouble for them. I was very upset and told them that if I were to try on clothes in their store at any time, the clothes would also smell of perfume and deodorant as would most other clothes because most people wear deodorant and (or) perfume. They then very reluctantly exchanged the pyjamas.
This is the second time in a few months I have been treated like this by the Savanna staff. The previous time I took back towels that I had bought and I was accused that it smelled damp. When I told the lady (who ran after me after it had been exchanged to accuse me in front of other people (which was very embarrasing) that it was impossible as I had never even taken it out of the packets, she told me that I should not leave the items in the packets and that I should take it out as the rainy weather might be the cause of the damp smell. For shouting out loud…
I have been rated by your store as a valued customer and have a large credit limit. I get calls from your store to invite me to buy more and letters to entice me to your sales. But yet I am treated as a criminal. And the lady in front of me was treated the same. How is it possible that a country (or is it worldwide?) store such as Woolworths do not train their staff to treat their customers well? It is quite, quite unacceptable and I have told the lady that I do not wish to enter that store again.
My story is not the only one of this type. I hear of so many complaints especially at the ‘customer care’ centre. As for me: I feel that the heading should be changed to : ‘customer interrogation centre’ as the attitudes of almost all the staff (with the exception of a few) at the Savanna store is pathetic.
I have in the past wanted to complain at head office many times but in the end just decided to leave it. This time however, things went too far. Being treated like a criminal while I am an old and valued customer (please check my account record – it is impeccable) is not acceptable at all.
I am eagerly awaiting your feedback on this issue as you are now dealing with a customer who is contemplating never to return to that store again. The fact that Savanna is running dry with all the other shopping centres in
the vicinity should in fact motivate your staff to be more client focussed. But I suppose at 4pm in the afternoon
they do not feel like doing nitty gritty work like exchanging clothes, as I, and the lndian lady before me
experienced.

PLEASE TRAIN YOUR STAFF PROPERLY IN THE SAVANNA STORE. THEY NEED TO REALISE THAT THEY ARE
THERE FOR THE CUSTOMERS AND NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. THEY SHOULD BE TRAINED THAT THE
CUSTOMERS SHOULD BE TREATED WITH UTMOST RESPECT AND FRIENDLINESS.

PLEASE CHECK MY RECORD AT YOUR STORE AND GIVE ME FEEDBACK ON THE HORRIFYING EXPERIENCE
THE OTHER LADY AS WELL AS MYSELF HAD. DO WE DESERVE IT? DO I DESERVE IT WITH MY IMPECCABLE
RECORD?DO I DESERVE IT EVEN IF I DID NOT HAVE AN IMPECCABLE RECORD?

Regards,

Jeanne Watt( account no.[protected])

J
J
Jeanne Watt
ZA
Jun 09, 2011 3:39 am EDT

PLEASE TRAIN YOUR STAFF PROPERLY IN THE SAVANNA STORE, POLOKWANE SOUTH AFRICA. THEY NEED TO REALISE THAT THEY ARE THERE FOR THE CUSTOMERS AND THAT THE CUSTOMERS SHOULD BE TREATED WITH RESPECT AND FRIENDLINESS.
On Monday the 6th of June 2011 at about 4.30 pm I went to customer care to exchange a pair of pyjamas that I bought for my husband about 10 days before. I had unfortunately bought a medium in stead of a large. On the same evening that I bought the pyjamas, my husband had his bath (and I suppose he put on his deodorant as he always does) and put his new pyjamas on. He then called me to show me how tight and short it looked on him and we had a laugh about it as it was totally too small for him . He took it off and I immediately put it back in it’s packet.
When I entered customer care on that day, there was only one other customer - a lady- in front and I realised that there was dissonance between her and the employees of Woolworths . I was not sure what the problem was, but she was adamant (though very polite) that she wanted to return her clothes. The one assistance was quite rude to her and told her to stand aside while she helped me, who was the next customer. I then greeted friendly and handed the medium pyjamas in for an exchange on a large. I did not have my till slip with me as I knew that it was not necessary for an exchange. The item was bought on account. The lady took the pyjamas out of the package and this is where the interrogation started with me being the criminal and they being the jury. The assistance called the other lady and both started to inspect the pyjamas. All the seams, the inside, the outside, the seams at the bottom was inspected for about five minutes. Then the lady in charge literally shoved the clothes against her nose and direclty accused me that the pyjamas smelled of ‘BRUT’ deodorant. I explained exactly what happened but the clothes was inspected from scratch again with me being treated like the criminal. Then they asked me why I didn’t have the slip with me. I told them that I had bought it on my account and they could check it if they wanted to. But it was too much trouble for them. I was very upset and told them that if I were to try on clothes in their store at any time, the clothes would also smell of perfume and deodorant as would most other clothes because most people wear deodorant and (or) perfume. They then very reluctantly exchanged the pyjamas.
This is the second time in a few months I have been treated like this by the Savanna staff. The previous time I took back towels that I had bought and I was accused that it smelled damp. When I told the lady (who ran after me after it had been exchanged to accuse me in front of other people (which was very embarrasing) that it was impossible as I had never even taken it out of the packets, she told me that I should not leave the items in the packets and that I should take it out as the rainy weather might be the cause of the damp smell. For shouting out loud!
I have been rated by your store as a valued customer and have a large credit limit. I get calls from your store to invite me to buy more and letters to entice me to your sales. But yet I am treated as a criminal. And the lady in front of me was treated the same. How is it possible that a worldwide store such as Woolworths do not train their staff to treat their customers well? It is quite, quite unacceptable and I have told the lady that I do not wish to enter that store again.
My story is not the only one of this type. I hear of so many complaints especially at the ‘customer care’ centre. As for me: I feel that the heading should be changed to : ‘customer interrogation centre’ as the attitudes of almost all the staff (with the exception of a few) at the Savanna store is pathetic.
I have in the past wanted to complain at head office many times but in the end just decided to leave it. This time however, things went too far. Being treated like a criminal while I am an old and valued customer (please check my account record – it is impeccable) is not acceptable at all.
I am eagerly awaiting your feedback on this issue as you are now dealing with a customer who is contemplating never to return to that store again. The fact that Savanna is running dry with all the other shopping centres in the vicinity should in fact motivate your staff to be more client focussed. But I suppose at 4pm in the afternoon they do not feel like doing nitty gritty work like exchanging clothes, as I, and the lndian lady before me experienced.
PLEASE TRAIN YOUR STAFF PROPERLY IN THE SAVANNA STORE. THEY NEED TO REALISE THAT THEY ARE THERE FOR THE CUSTOMERS AND NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. THEY SHOULD BE TRAINED THAT THE CUSTOMERS SHOULD BE TREATED WITH UTMOST RESPECT AND FRIENDLINESS.

Regards,

Jeanne Watt( account no.[protected])
PLEASE CHECK MY RECORD AT YOUR STORE AND GIVE ME FEEDBACK ON THE HORRIFYING EXPERIENCE THE OTHER LADY AS WELL AS MYSELF HAD. DO WE DESERVE IT? DO I DESERVE IT WITH MY IMPECCABLE RECORD?DO I DESERVE IT EVEN IF I DID NOT HAVE AN IMPECCABLE RECORD?

ComplaintsBoard
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12:08 pm EDT

Woolworths problems with milk and yogurt

I love shopping at Woolworth's food because I feel their food is of superior quality. However this is not the case with their milk nor their kiddies youghurt. I have a 2 year old and she loves yoghurt so I buy only Woolworths ayshire yoghurt which comes in Winnie the pooh containers for the kids. Over the last 6 months at least, buying the youghurt has been like russian roulette. You dont know when its going to be a good batch or a bad one. Many times I have had to take back youghurt because it was off long before the expiration date. The same has been happening with the milk, both full cream and long life. On the 30th of August I returned all the milk I had bought as every single Litre was off and yet it was only due to expire late October. It was a terrible inconvenience as my daughter still drinks milk and she had to go without because I couldnt find a fresh litre during the night! I have now resorted to buying milk and yoghurt elsewhere because I seroiusly do not have the time to keep returning the same products. Its a waste of petrol and time and its just completely inconvenient. I do hope that Woolworth's fixes this problem as their yoghurt is the healthiest for kids.

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About Woolworths

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Woolworths South Africa is a retail chain offering a variety of products including clothing, food, beauty items, and homeware. Known for its focus on quality and sustainability, the store provides fresh produce, grocery items, and a range of apparel for men, women, and children. Services include online shopping and in-store returns.
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Overview of Woolworths complaint handling

Woolworths reviews first appeared on Complaints Board on Aug 23, 2010. The latest review Vegetables combo was posted on Jun 17, 2024. The latest complaint staff corruption was resolved on May 26, 2019. Woolworths has an average consumer rating of 1 stars from 1447 reviews. Woolworths has resolved 24 complaints.
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  1. Woolworths Contacts

  2. Woolworths phone numbers
    1800 000 610
    1800 000 610
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    7%
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    Woolworths Online
    1300 767 969
    1300 767 969
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    13%
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    Woolworths Supermarkets
    1300 655 055
    1300 655 055
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    Woolworths Petrol
    1300 101 234
    1300 101 234
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    50%
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    Rewards, Insurance & Credit Cards
    1800 641 497
    1800 641 497
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    Trolley Tracker
    1300 665 386
    1300 665 386
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    Business
    +61 288 850 000
    +61 288 850 000
    Click up if you have successfully reached Woolworths by calling +61 288 850 000 phone number 8 8 users reported that they have successfully reached Woolworths by calling +61 288 850 000 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Woolworths by calling +61 288 850 000 phone number 5 5 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Woolworths by calling +61 288 850 000 phone number
    23%
    Confidence score
    Woolworths Group
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  3. Woolworths emails
  4. Woolworths address
    1 Woolworths Way, Bella Vista, New South Wales, 2153, Australia
  5. Woolworths social media
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    Jul 22, 2024
Woolworths Category
Woolworths is ranked 102 among 124 companies in the Retail Stores category

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