Woolworths South Africa review: Clothing department

Woolworths Clearwater Mall

Customer Service Department

Date: 12 January 2025

Dear Sir/Madam,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to express my deep disappointment and frustration regarding the service I received at the Woolworths Clearwater Mall clothing section on Saturday, 11 January 2025, at approximately 15:10.
I entered the store intending to purchase a pair of shorts from the clothing department. I went to the nearest fitting room and asked the attendant behind the counter if I could try on the pants. He informed me that I was not permitted to use the fitting room I was at and directed me to one on the far side of the store. When I asked for an explanation, he claimed that he could not take responsibility for the pants. I found this response confusing and unprofessional.
I then inquired if he could ring up the sale at his till, to which he responded that he could, but it was his "choice" not to do so. I was shocked by his arrogance and unwillingness to assist me. It felt as though I was unwelcome and being treated with disdain, which was not only frustrating but also hurtful.
When my wife arrived and asked what was happening, I explained the situation to her, and she went to find the store manager. The manager, whose name I later learned was Dennis Mtenmu, approached us to understand what had transpired. I explained the situation to Dennis, and he confronted the cashier. The cashier's response was that he would not take responsibility for the shorts I wanted to try on, which seemed completely unreasonable.
I also asked Dennis why I couldn’t complete my purchase at the cashier’s till, to which he replied that I could. Despite this clarification, the cashier again refused to process the sale. At this point, I asked the young cashier for his contact details, but he refused to provide them. Dennis then wrote down the details on my behalf. I expressed my frustration and told the cashier that this was not how you treat customers, and that his attitude would prevent him from ever becoming a manager. His response was that he would be "even better than Dennis." At this point, Dennis instructed him to remain quiet.
The cashier's name was given to me as Khayeuhle Reus, although he was uncooperative in spelling it correctly for Dennis.
As frequent and loyal customers of Woolworths, my wife and I were appalled by the treatment we received. We felt discriminated against, unwelcome, and as if we were somehow trespassing in your store. This experience has left us deeply disheartened, and we are seriously reconsidering where we choose to shop in the future.
Woolworths is a well-respected brand, and it is incredibly disappointing to have been subjected to such unprofessional, discriminatory, and dismissive behavior. Individuals who behave in this manner should not be allowed to represent your company or interact with customers. We hope that you will take the necessary actions to address this situation, as it could potentially harm your business.
Please feel free to contact me if you require any further information. I can be reached via email or at my phone number: [protected].
Sincerely,
Johnny Loots
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