Coles Supermarkets Australia
reviews and complaints

I was checking out in coles in Hormsby Westfield and the employee at the check out was very rude, never came across anyone like her. I was paying with a gift card and the remaining amount through my mastercard. Maybe I put the wrong pin in the first time as it showed error then she grabbed the giftcard straight through my hand without asking and punched the numbers. I really felt very humiliated. I felt as if she was racist as I am from different nationality. Her name is Rebecca.
P.S. Working in a customer service area I dont think one should have a negative attitude towards customers.

I went to return an item and get a refund as I put my purchase on the wrong card. I asked to return my item but the man behind the counter refused to let me refund the item. I just wanted to return it and buy it again on the right card. This person has had an attitude while serving me in the past and spoke to me rudely. In the end I just gave up and promised myself to shop at Coles less often.

My husband and i shop weekly at your Pacific Epping store. For the last 6 weeks there has not been any of the Coles brand lemon pepper flavoured tuna on the shelf. We have asked on a number of occasions for someone to check out the back, only to be told they had none. We have even spoken to the grocery manager and he assured us that he would personally make a note that the item needs to be reordered. That was 2 weeks ago and still there is none in store. We know that there isnt any problem with supply because we have been able to purchase it at other Coles supermarkets, which has been very inconvenient to have to travel to another location just for that 1 item. This is both a time and costly problem. Especially since we have had to do it for 6 weeks. We have tried all the flavors and other brands and this is the only one that we like, so it has been very disappointing that we cant get any at our local store.

On Friday afternoon at around 12:30/1pm I witnessed what I am assuming to be upper management yelling and belittling another manager out the front of the supermarket where I shop.
I know the lady to be the store manager as this is my local supermarket and have met her on a couple of occasions, I found this confrontation absolutely appalling, being in retail over 20yrs myself have never seen anybody act in this appalling way towards another person, there were 2 gentlemen one with arms crossed in a Coles shirt, and another in a black business shirt, the store manager also had some one with her, the way these 2 gentlemen aggressively spoke to her in front of her store and her staff aswell as customers in the centre was absolutely disgusting, I didn't think this was the way Coles management treated their staff, I really think something needs to be done about this as it's a clear case of bullying and harassment

Coles started free container campaign for customers to collect 1 container credit for every $20 spent. In order to get the 600ml size container, we need to have 10 credits ($200 worth spent). OK... Since I've to do my groceries anyway, I've no complain. After many trips to Coles and finally have collected 10 container credits, I was told the 600ml containers were out of stock! When I asked if there's any other alternatives to that, "no" is the answer.
Coles should have prepared more than enough containers for their customers and not just a "no more stock and no other alternatives" as the answer. This is unacceptable!

Please see attached tax invoice shopping document relating to the most unpleasant experience I have ever had the misfortune to be part of at Coles Geraldton on the 5/7/2019 at 14.58

I had inadvertently had 19 items instead of the 12 max required for this checkout.
I was at fault but didn't realize I had this amount of items.

Kristy processed the order but then became engaged by the man immediately behind me who called me a [censored]ing idiot, loudly, about the number of items.
As you can see many of my items were small and when you are impulse shopping you can get the number wrong. My fault.
What is unforgivable ( I suggest you watch the footage) was that Kristy engaged the man complaining with smirks and smiles. I had trouble putting all items into my carrier bag; she stood and watched and at no stage when I was fumbling for my flybyes card and credit card did she reassure me, or help me pack, or have an appropraite toned voice that its ok, take your time and smile . No, it was a continuing charade of placating the man behind me. Smiling, laughing. I complained to the ladies in the cigerette counter next to her, only to receive the same sort of curt short punctuated indifferent response.

Where was her smile and understanding, ; no tenderness or skills in helping me and the insults from shopping at Coles.
I left so disgusted with these 2 staff. They need training in how to respond, using some resemblance of an Emotioanl Intelligence quota to what happened.
Both ladies need some skilling training. It was like witnessing erreant teenagers with attitude and smirking laughing demeanors.

Yours sincerely
Jeffery T Kulen-Smith
[protected]@gmail.com
Flybyes member [protected]

Because of getting those free container credits before 2 July, 2019, we rushed to Kincumber & Green Point NSW store to spend $160 to get those credits on 1st Jul 2019, but when we asked the staff in Kincumber Store to claim for that, she gave give us a very bad looking, looks like we are asking for freebies, making clear is that we have to spend big amount of money to get those containers, I think we don't deserve this kind of manner. After that, the other day, we nearly went to all local store, the answer for us is we are not getting anymore in, also one of the staff told me that there may be some coming that night, so I rang the Erina Fair store to make sure that they are there, otherwise just wasting my time & petrol. the answer is not getting anymore in, different answer from staff of the same store.So really Coles should let store know that if they are sending store anymore stock instead of everybody don't know what's happening.Eventhough Coles customer service don't know anything, they just telling me that nothing they can do about my query.

Like others who are complaining about this, I am a regular Coles purchaser and participated in the recent container promotion. We purchased items over the course of some weeks and we accumulated points. Days before the promotion was to finish we could not redeem our points for containers as the stores were telling us they had no containers left. We visited and phoned several different stores with no luck, and feel very disappointed, because there were no containers available to redeem our points.

It is my expectation that Coles resupply containers so we can redeem our points
If Coles does not intend to restock any containers, it is my expectation that customers who have not been able to redeem points because of stock shortages are compensated in some way.

I am aware that this is a marketing ploy, and also of that phrase "while stocks last"... but some goodwill on the part of Coles is an expectation if they want the loyalty of customers, especially in the current climate of choice.

Coles must be aware of their capacity to lose customers quickly, much more quickly than they will gain them with clever marketing.

Please contact me regarding this issue at this email.
cc: Facebook Page

I recently purchased a pack of Intensity 8 Coffee Pods.

On the front of the pack it clearly says compatible with Nespresso machines (photo attached).

Unfortunately they do not work with our Nespresso machine (photo attached), whilst it works perfectly with Nespresso's own brand pods.

Not seeking a refund, but suggest you have a look at the advertising on the pack, which clearly is incorrect.

Kind regards,

Susan Brown

At your Picton NSW store Reg: 02 Recpt: 2251, 10:16am, 7 June 2019, I purchased a Dettol No-Touch Auto Hand Wash System (Stainless Steel) -$12. Since that date, I have been unable to purchase the refills for this item which you have carried for many years. Is this across all stores or just Picton? All other Dettol products are still carried. Do u think it fair to sell a product then not support its continues use? The stock details for both items have been removed from shelves so it's obviously not just a stock delay. Fair enough discontinue sale of the dispenser, but you need to support the product refills for all the dispensers sold to you loyal customers. I enjoy using this product & would like to see the refills returned to your selves as would many other customers I'm sure. Don't force us to shop at IGA or Woolworths. I look forward to your response. Regards, Jan Mbl: [protected]

I am a regular Coles purchaser and was very interested in the recent container promotion. My wife purchased a pump early to make sure we got one, and we accumulated points with a view of maximising the number of containers we could get on 2nd July.

We have just been to our nearest Coles store again today and we are very disappointed, because there were no containers available to redeem our points.
(Note, we are away from home on holiday)

My questions are;
1. what is Coles doing to resupply containers so we can redeem our points
2. If Coles does not intend to restock any containers, how does Coles propose to reward its customers who have not been able to redeem points because of stock shortages.
3. If Coles does not intend to restock container, please provide authorisation for refund of the "pump" which is no longer of use to us.

my FLYBUYS card number is [protected]
Russell Sharman
34 Tanager St
Albany Creek Q 4035
[protected]@optusnet.com.au

Hi this is the only email platform I could find on the website so I am hoping that it will be passed on the appropriate people.

My name is Kimberley Thompson and on the 16th of June 2019 I resigned my position with Coles after 12 and a half years. As I only had 13 hrs per week and I was not given any opportunity to increase those hours unless it was in a step up program I had to seek full time employment elsewhere.

I have a few queries that I would like answers on.

1. I would like to know why it has now been 16 days since my resignation (after giving 2 weeks notice) and I am yet to receive my entitlements ( LSL payout and Annual leave payout both accrued and pro rata). I have been in touch with Fairwork ombudsman and have been informed that it all should have been paid to me within 7 days of my last shift. Instead I ring my store after 2 payrolls have been done only to find that the payroll lady doesn't work Wednesdays so then I rang head office payroll and was today that it had to be done on an off cycle and was due to be processed on Friday 28th June ( 12 days after finishing ) and would be in my acco9unt no later than Saturday morning. Its still not there (tuesday 2nd July ). In the meantime I received a txt message from my store stating that because I finished on a Sunday my paperwork did not make it into the first payroll round. I do not understand this as I finished on a Sunday every week and my pay was always on time.
2. This is about my Long Service Leave. As yet no one has been able to answer this for me.
in Feb 2018 I received my Long Service Leave entitlement. I have since used most of it but I have been told that I am not entitled to the service pack that comes with it ( the name badge, card folder for team mates to sign and the $100 giftcard ) until August 2019. No one can explain to me why I am not entitled to the service pack for 18mths after I have received my long service leave . Now I realized that I am no longer an employee of Coles but Im not sure why I should miss out on what I am entitled to.
and lastly
3. I am not sure if it is the practice of Coles to not let Team Members leave at the end of their last shift before handing over their discount card . In my 12 and half years with Coles and seeing many team members leave not once were any of them made to hand over their discount cards. If this is your policy I found it very humiliating especially after providing so many years of loyal service.

I am hoping that this email will find the correct person and that I can be provided with answers to all my queries.

Thanking you.
Kimberley Thompson
[protected]@gmail.com
[protected]

I patiently await a response.

Order number
a68131625
Hi there
Last week I had the worst experience with Coles online shopping.
So it all started with me ordering $235 worth of shopping that was meant to be delivered the next day between 2-4pm.i texted them at 7am that day to ask if I could click and collect instead because I ended having the day off work because I was sick so I wanted to see if I could grab it earlier they messaged me saying no worries it will be ready by 12pm to pick up.so at 12pm I drove to my local Coles only to find out the Coles lady telling me my order wasn't at that shop it was at a shop 25km from where I live.as she was talking to customer service depot they told me to go home and wait for it to be delivered between 2-4pm for your food.(please keep in mind I had NO FOOD in my cupboards for me and my family)so I got home and kept checking for updates on my delivery then it said UNABLE TO DELIVER.so I rung customer service his name was Mark he informed me that there was a crack in one of my products it had to be taken off the truck.he then said there's a 90% we can put it on the other van for delivery and that he'll call me back.WELL HE NEVER CALLED ME BACK so I messaged them about my order then they said 2 options you can come and get it or we will cancel the delivery for the next day.so by this time my partner has already gone to work for the car.I was on my last nappie for my son also stressing out because we had no dinner.so I had to UBER to get my shopping which cost me $48 for a return trip.I am absolutely disgusted in how my situation was handled I was actually crying on my way to pick my food up.the guy that gave me my food was not remorseful or sympathetic as he must not have known what I went through that day but there was just no communication at all .The customer service could have been better.And the quality of my food was not good.i bought $12 worth of chicken thighs and the chicken was not pink it was a purple off colour.so I had to throw it away.there was also a crack in my body washes and 2 eggs were broken.where do I go from here?

Hi for three days I visited my local coles (Miranda Westfield)store to shop and get the containers but always saying sorry .I have 26credit and the offer will ends tomorrow, so I feel I collected these credit for nothing . The front disk asked me to contact the customer service, I'm trying to call phone but it takes long time waiting.So I hope to give more time for the containers points to at least 2weeks because I believe many shoppers have the same issue. Thank you.

Like many, I visited my local Coles (Bathurst, NSW) store three times last week only to be told each time that the promotion stand with the reusable containers was not there due to it being re-stocked. I have an email saying that the promotion ends tomorrow (2nd July) and the points can be redeemed for containers until the 16th of July.

The cashier, when asked when more stock will be in simply replied "sorry we are out". Therefore, am I to expect that my current 31 points will be all for nothing?

Have been a long time shopper at Coles and Liquorland. Trust me, you will never see another cent of my money as this is the worst case of false advertising I have seen in a long time.

I will take my $20K + annual spend to either Woolworths (which we have two of) IGA, Aldi or Foodworks for now on.

Twice in one week I have been ignored by staff- on both occasions I was waiting to be served- the first Occassion I had already been waiting for nearly 15 minutes- another customer came up next to me and was served before me- I put items back on shelf and left - I was waiting to be served at the deli- 2 staff completely ignored me on this Occassion.
2nd Occassion was today - I was waiting at checkout to be served- the store was busy- lady on checkout asked another staff member to open checkout 5- the checkout that I was waiting at the checkout lady was serving another customer before me- she then instructed the lady behind me to be served at checkout 5- so once again another customer served before me after I had been waiting.I spend up to $450 a fortnight at Coles in groceries- no more I am taking my business else where- that was plain rudeness on both occasions- good staff ethics.

Shopped in Belmont Store Weds 26/6/19 - I approached he meat section and you will see from the photos below (first photo is from face on so you can see how impossible it is to see this hazard- the second photo highlights the hazard in yellow circle & third is taken from the side where you can see the sign) this hard plastic card sign was affixed to the shelves to market something but it is just not visible when face on and presents a real hazard to shoppers. I bent down to pick a product from one of the lower shelves & was immediately poked in the eye by this hard sign.It is not a soft paper version but a hard plastic with sharp edges - when this is at eye height & not visible, it is an extreme hazard & should be removed immediately to avoid a potential serious injury. Placing it face on so that everyone can at least see them would be a safer practice. I haven't noticed this style of marketing before so presume this is new, also not sure if just limited to one store or more wide spread but is VERY DANGEROUS! I'm just so glad that I haven't sustained a permanent injury to my eye but it was definitely most uncomfortable all of last night afterwards - my eye was sore, watery & bloodshot after this impact. I would appreciate someone following this matter up for me & an apology would also be very welcome.

So i just redeemed my container credits for 2 containers & was charged for them? Isnt this false advertising? Its says *free* but 1 was $12 & I received $11.40 off that price & the other was $16 & I received $15.20 off that price? I know its only a small amount- but i still feel this is wrong & false advertising... considering how much money i spend at coles this is really disappointing

Drove about 24kms to shop at Coles today & was very disappointed when told your container promotional containers were gone even though it was still being broadcast over the stores PA, & I especially needed the Pump& they were all gone too. therefore it renders my containers useless for the purpose I needed them for.I like Coles but it, s a long way to drive just so I can shop with you & I really made the effort today to drive there to collect another container + the pump as the promotion wasn, t due to finish until tomorrow?DISAPPOINTED"

On holidays... I was in Cairns

Today at around 10:30am I walked out of your store dissatisfied.

At Centrals plaza at 10:00am in Cairns I got my period, so I went to Coles that is in the plaza to get pads and tampons. I went to the express lane, there was one lady serving. I was not servied but yet everyone at the cigarettes counter were served even though I was standing and waiting. I was obviously standing and waiting and yes the lady did see me. This would be around 10:20/30am.

I did not want to use self serve, I do mot come to Coles to serve myself. 

I wanted to get my tampons and pads so I could go and use them as I just got my period. 

I was coming back to do groceries.

To top it off your staff people skills where appalling. 

So I walked out empty handed and took my business elsewhere. 

I have never been to a more poor service Coles in my life. 

This is NOT GOOD enough.

The coles where I live in Nambour is ran 100% better. 

I well have no problem sharing my story with family and friends of my experience in Cairns at your store.