Woolworths South Africa
Reviews and Complaints

I had an unacceptable experience at Woolworths Constantia store on the 1 January 2024.

My wife and I ordered two take-away Cappuccinos at the Woolworths coffee kiosk. We swiped our Woolworth Card in order to obtain the Woolworth’s Card discount and proceeded to pay for the Cappuccinos with our credit card.

For some reason the credit card machine could not complete the transaction. So as not to hold up anybody behind us in the queue, we tendered cash in settlement of the purchase. To our dismay, the cashier revoked our Woolworth’s Card discount and wanted the pre-discounted price as settlement for the two Cappuccinos. We objected and were informed that this was the Woolworths policy.

I have a problem with this and consider this discriminatory behaviour making people pay more than what is due simply because they tender cash in settlement of a transaction. I point out that cash is legal tender and as such Woolworths, as a retail institution, has no right to conduct this discriminatory pricing behaviour.

Order #o1746880005 yesterday morning at 09h30 from Woolworth Dash Rustenburg with no delivery, phone store about 15h13 requested my status only to be informed that they had a power problem and will deliver late. We are now on 21 May 2025 at 08h55 and still no delivery. This is very, very unprofessional if you had a problem with Dash switch it off to take no online orders. I had to spend another R1000 to go and buy food for my family late yesterday afternoon of a no show. We as consumers do not have money to through around and are on a budget. You take my money but do not give me food or refund had to take money out of my account again which I do not have to support Family to get them fed. I request action to be taken and need feedback on hoe you will handle this unacceptable view of Woolworths which by the Way is supposed to be "THE" brand. Thanks Amanda

Good day, I am really struggling lately with Ladie's underwear. Its either there are no sizes at all, or way too bigger sizes and the sizes are always insufficient, I went from Woolworths Vaal Mall, Rustenburg mall, even Mooi Revier Mall in Potchefstroom which are all closest to me but I never find sizes and the quality of Bras that are there are no longer the quality we are used to, I have been a size 40B which is hardly available and now wants to migrate to a 42C which is also slightly bigger on the cup and avalilability of the 42c is also limited. I pride myself in your

I complained in joburg the middle of Feb about the seeded gluten free rolls that were hollow inside and hence no value for money
Actually, its sad because I had the very same problem with the bread product and the same rolls 12 months ago!
A lady phoned me and reluctantly offered a R60 compensation voucher after surely a few thousand Rands spent on this bread lover the last 5yrs.
To date, no voucher has been received
Talk about adding insult to injury, but of course what ...

The Woolworths in Ladysmith currently has a clothing retail only and we as the consumers desperately need a Woolworths food retail. We currently have to drive to Newcastle for the nearest woolies food which is 100km from Ladysmith. There are many people who need these service/goods. I have lived here for two years, and most people share the same sentiments and would love this facility as most professionals are not from this town and woolworths food has become a lifestyle for most people.

On the 12 of March 2025 I bought school shoes STdown lace up shoes and when I got home the shoes where fine and fitting my son.
my son went to school the next day wearing them but during the day he was complaining that the shoes are burning him, and his feet are swollen.
I tried to take the shoes back to Woolworths woodlands, but they refused to give me a refund, they said he has worn the shoes and who are they going to sell them to.
Am sitting at home with shoes that no one is wearing and i lost R500.
Please I can this issue be resolved ASAP.

On 9th March I purchased a salad bowl from Woolworths, Chilli Lane, Sunninghill. Last night I took it out of the fridge and was ready to have it at dinner time. It had cucumber, carrot, tomato etc. The lettuce looked like it had run a marathon... limp, tired and slimy. My daughter suggested that perhaps it was fished out of an expired bowl of salad and put into the one I bought (expiry date 13th March). I said naaaa... Woolworths would never do such a terrible thing. But the thought lingered as I decided to pass having the salad for dinner. I have photos of the extremely unappetizing subject with the expiry date shown. Disappointed. Abie

The dish containing the focaccia was bought sometime in December 2024 in Port Elizabeth.
I recently baked the bread as per your instructions. The focaccia itself was very delicious, but I am very disappointed in the dish after 1 bake, surely the dish is designed for multiple use. The dish is surely a health hazard.
I can only stress again that I am very disappointed with this purchase.
I have been shopping at Woolworths to a lifetime, and this is the first time I have a reason to complain.

In December 2024, I have bought 3 of the same type of dresses from Woolworths for my mother and two of them already has ripped on the arms on the same place, I don’t know if the material is a bad quality, but I really did not expect this from Woolworths, is there something I can do to send the dressed to you so it can be fixed, because se loves the dressed and I don’t find other in the stores nearby.

I RECENTLY submitted a serious complaint about the extremely poor service levels offered by WFS.
I requested that your Mr John Hartley contact me so that I can share all the details of the extremely poor services levels offered by his financial department
Needless to say that I am still waiting for some sort of response!
I have the feeling that although we as your loyal customers and that do have problems with WW, and that take time to bring these issues to your attention, NOBODY seems to read our complaints!

I am so disaatisfied with your customer service, I recently bought school shoes from Woolworths Sandton City initial sizing was a size four from the tag and the hanger, only for my child to wear the shoes and was uncomfortable in the other shoe, only to find out that the uncomfortable shoe was a size 3 mismarked I have never seen my child so uncomfortable and crying on his first day of school I had to fetch him from school and go exchange the shoe I do not know exactly what your policies are but when I went to Woolworths Jabulani mall found a lady there who wanted to compensate with R100 from Petty Cash box, eventually advised that the R100 in a gift voucher is all they can offer me after all expenses and inconvenience incurred, am a regular Woolworths customer but really after this despite the quality that I love so much will be reconsidering in purchasing anything after this.
I am in disbelief that a store that I favor so much could be so inconsiderate about the difficulties I faced in purchasing what I thought was the right size only to find out it was sized incorrectly.

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
_

I had my Woolworths order #01469586799 delivered to my house 10:10 as per my online shopping.
I had 5 missed calls from a number that only showed the number and not a name or company. Not knowing at all it was the courier company looking for me. I was in a meeting, replied via text message to the number after the second or third call "I am in a meeting cannot talk". Still kept phoning me. Still my phone kept ringing a car started to hoot extremely loud from the one side of the street to the other side, ON THE HOOTER THE WHOLE TIME!

I thought there was big trouble outside, so I excused me from my meeting saying I need to go and see, here is big trouble. Rushed outside to see where/ what is the problem only finding a car in the street hooting and speeding in the street. No branding, no identification that it is a courier company. As I come rushed out of my house, they stopped in the street took out a parcel.
I was in such a shock that I really even did not want anything from them. Realising that the parcel is for me. Now my neighbours are complaining to me about all the noise.

Delivery car registration number: KDY 442 NW

It was so unprofessional by them. The whole experience was just terrible and very frustrating! I also wrote it on the paper I needed to sign and in capital letters: TERRIBLE SERVICE

I did write a complaint on www.complaints.com, spoke to a consultant online then only to say that I need to PAY to speak to an 'Expert". Also asking for a reference number to take it further. But no reply or space in the conversation bracket to ask again for a reference number.

Why is Woolworths using such unprofessional courier companies?
I do not want to shop with Woolworths online anymore because who is the next courier company that is going to misbehave or be unprofessional?What must I expect next?!

I am a medium size and I bought medium panty size to my surprise when I get home it was small, panty cannot be returned the hanger was written Medium so I'm stuck with them at home.

Yesterday again I went to Mall of the South Gauteng. I made a lay buy my mom took X-large as it was on the hanger I went to pay, I re-checked as I was a victim of clearing small sizes opps the size was XX-large on the tag but hanger X-large and my mom was going to be a victim of clearing bigger sizes .

Woolworths stop doing what you are doing its robbery, knowing very well that panties cannot be returned due to hygienic rule.

I am a tenant in a block of flats in oxford street durbanville for 24 years.
I understand and except progress as I am in construction myself.
This residence existed long before "the village square" was developed
Next to us.
Currently for the past few months I had little or no sleep 24/7 seven nights a week due to after hours construction taking place. On numerous occasions did i
Contact law enforcement in the middle of the night. During the calls I was told
That village management need a permit from the local authorities to proceed
With construction after hours. Every time I visited the sites no one but no one
Could produce such a permit. All said that village management gave permission! Workers were on site and the bosses fast asleep somewhere far away from
Durbanville (very nice and comfortable). What about us? I cannot even get
Up for church on a sunday! Too damn tired. Can you limit the hours to
12h00 midnight so that I perhaps can get some sleep?

I made a purchase of Woolworths hand cooked chips this morning at a Woolworths express, at the engen garage on Atterbury road.

I had the crisps upon arriving to work, while I was eating I realised they have a different than usual taste.

Upon inspection of the packet I realised the snacks were expired.

This heartbreaking and we cannot accept this from such a well respected enterprise. I recently just got over a food poisoning incident this is very traumatic for me, I only fear what the consequences will be to my health

I am very disappointed with Woolworths as a brand, on Tuesday 10th of September 2024 at around 18h00pm, I went to Engen Garage Witpootjie Roodepoort at 628 Corlett Ave to buy fresh chicken for my family so we can cook for dinner. I found one last pack of chicken which was on the last day of expiry and purchased it then immediately when I got into the house as I was about to cook, chicken had a very bad smell & rotten. I immediately went back to the Engen garage to report the matter and refund was provided to me. my issue is that how do i trust Woolworths going forward because i only eat chicken (no red meat) and i am loyal customer for Woolworths. I buy my chicken from Woolworths only.

I bought two pairs of walkmates sneakers for my daughter on 25 July 2024. My daughter wore each pair once and the shoes are damaged. I took the shoes to woolworths adderely street Cape Town where I bought them. I was informed that I have to wait for three weeks as the shoes need to be sent to some department to be checked. I don't understand why should I be the one who should suffer in this situation. I gave them the receipt to prove when I bought the shoes and now as a client I must wait for their department because of their faulty quality. I want my money back.

Good day, I would like to express how unhappy I am with the service my partner and I received at the Woolworths store in Cape Gate mall on Sunday the 21|07|24.

My partners store card was blocked for some reason, and I say "some reason" because it was never explained to us. We were left in the dark, clueless and humiliated. Somebody came to assist, I think she was the manager on duty, her name is Kanisha, not sure about the spelling but I remember she is light skinned with a facial piercing and she was very dismissive, I did not appreciate that.

When I asked her "can you explain to us what happened", she could barely look me in my face and just practically wanted to get away. My partner and I felt so uncomfortable and humiliated, it felt as if we were being treated like criminals, even after my partner showed them her ID card. They still seemed doubtful about the fact that she was the card holder.

It was very clear that we were being racially profiled. If we weren't people of color, we would be treated so much differently. I am writing this with so much sadness because I feel that each and everyone should be treated as equals. Your staff should do better, they should KNOW better.

Kind regards.

Woolworths Clearwater Mall Clarins cosmetics counter,

Before purchasing the Everlasting foundation, I informed the sales associate that I have very dry skin and suffer from eczema. She offered to do my makeup using a foundation she recommended. She removed my makeup, moisturized my skin, and applied the Everlasting foundation. I was very impressed with the result and decided to purchase the foundation. Upon returning home, I discarded the foundation box.

The next morning, I applied my moisturizer and then the foundation, only to find that it was very difficult to spread and felt dry on my skin—completely different from how it looked when applied in-store. I returned to the store to request a return, but the associate informed me that I could only do so with the original packaging, which I no longer have.

My concern is that the associate did not listen to my needs. Why would she recommend a matte foundation for someone with dry and eczema-prone skin? This is unacceptable. I insist on a refund or a product more suitable for my skin condition. Furthermore, I believe this associate is not suitable for working in the cosmetics section.

I bought a witchery dress for R2299 at Woolies cresta on 4 June 2024. I realised a week later at home that the dress had a tag detector and a factory fault in button area. I called the shop three times, each time I was transferred to an unanswered number. I called the shop again the following day, it was not answered. I then sent an email to Woolworths customer care. A respond was that I take the dress to the nearest Woolies because cresta was far.

I went to Key west mall but unfortunately the shop is not selling the brand and they could only give me the gift card, when I still wanted the dress. We then called customer care who told me I have to go to the shop where I bought the dress.

My challenge: cresta centre is too far and costly for me. I only went to the shop because I could not get the dress size online. I was inconvenienced because of the shop fault and Woolworths doesn’t seem to care at all of the bad experience I encountered because of them. I would only be told they understand but no solution.