Coles Supermarkets Australia
reviews and complaints

It was about 11am today at Coles Green Valley Nsw. I was shopping with my 2 year old son and brought some kerry care formula. Most store or companie would have a sign advising the limit per person. I was happy that this sign was not up as to my understanding i can purchase as many as i need. I got to the check out and lady said that i was only allowed 2 and i was fine with that. A few minutes later i went back in the purchase more as woolworths did not have anymore in stock. I did self check out and paid for my 3 tins of formula. The same lady by the name of Jenny, took my good off of me, raised her voice and said i just served you and told you only 2 per person. From my understanding it was 2 per transaction plus there was no sign to clarify this and Jenny did not mention only 2 per day. She then stomped over to the counter demand another employee by the name of Regina to process a refund. I was very upset as people in line were staring at the situation and jenny making me feel like i was some criminal and i have my baby screaming in the background. I was brought to tears as i dont understand why i treated that way for misunderstanding, especially when i have already paid for it. For all i know jenny shouldnt be grabbing it off me as its considered my property. Ive asked to speak with a supervisor and it took him less then a minute to approve this as he can see its for my baby. I understand that shes just doing her job but there is no need to be nasty and rude. I just believe this situation could of been dealt in a better manner especially in a customer service role. Description of Jenny: around her 50s blond hair 160 height round shape.

I bought some wafer thin original crackers from my Coles supermarket to go with some nice cheese. After eating a few that evening I was looking at the ingredients out of curiosity comparing them to some other original crackers I had been eating. I was shocked to see that the Coles wafer thin original crackers had cheese powder in it which contained rennet (from beef). I am a strict vegetarian (and have been for many years) and go out of my way to buy/eat products that do not contain any animal products. I always check the ingredients label as I am aware that animal rennet is often found in cheese products. I didn't think I needed to check the label for the wafer thin original crackers as they were original which I understood to mean not cheese flavoured. I have not come across any other original crackers which contained cheese powder so did not expect to find cheese powder in them, therefore not expecting animal rennet either. Cheese powder is the second ingredient on the list and with such a large part of the cracker containing cheese powder I would have assumed the cracker would be called cheese crackers, not original (or have cheese mentioned somewhere on the description at least)
Like I said I go out of my way to make sure I don't buy/eat animal products and was very angry and upset when I realised I had unknowingly been eating animal rennet. I really didn't like the feeling of having eaten it and psychologically it has left me quite unsettled. Obviously I won't be buying these again and will be even more diligent when it comes to checking ingredients but I do feel I was misled by the description of the cracker. I believe it is not a correct representation of the product seeing as cheese powder is the second biggest ingredient in it.

29th march 12pm lunchtime
Went into my local coles where I shop all the time. With $10 silver coins $40 gold coins and a $50 note. I brought $75 in groceries. I went to pay in coins only to be told our policy does not allow us to take that much in coins we are not a bank. She asked two other staff members what the amount was. The supervisor then came along and she asked them as well. I was quite embarrassed as I was not aware of this policy. I did not see it displayed on any wall that I could see. The checkout person was very apologetic to the customer standing in line behind me in front of my face as if I was an inconvenience when all I wanted to do was pay for my groceries, money is money isn't it. It was not busy at all so I couldn't see that I was a big deal to count the coins. Coming from a customer service background I was very disappointed and angry in the service I received as they made a big deal about it in front of everyone. Is there such a policy? And should it be displayed where shoppers can see it. I felt like telling coles to keep there groceries and go somewhere else.

I purchased your cupcake mix for my grandson on the packet it states that included is icing and sprinkles I thought what a great idea you can image my disappointment when I opened the box and there was no icing or sprinkles inside. This needs to be fixed straight away as my grandson was so disappointed because he had to have plain boring cupcakes. I have kept the box and would like this to be fixed straight away do not put a product on the shelf and sell it if its not going to contain what is stated on the box. I am very upset with Coles for misleading customers with their products.

Dear Sir/Madam,

Today around 6 pm at Tweed Heads South Coles Supermarket, 2 coles lady sale assistants raised their voice and verbally bullied me while I was on the self-check out. I do not know what motive behind this bullying. Their behaviour is against the ethics of Coles and violation of human rights. I am deeply disappointed. Could you please train the staff to behave properly. Except for these 2 lady officers, other staff was busy in their work.

Best regards
Ravi

I shopped in Moranbah and the fruit was mouldy the next day. I then shopped at Coles in Sydney Street in Mackay over two consecutive weekends and both times the fruit has been mouldy, fungus growing inside of a plum, white peaches rotting from the inside and from outside as well. Oranges mouldy the very next day. When I purchased pre packaged oranges they were brown at the stalk end. I also purchased 1 kg of pre packed green prawns tails off and de veined - instead of paying for 1kg of product, I have been charges for 1.232kg. So instead of paying $28.00, I paid $34.50. Is this legal? Extremely disappointed, have taken photos as evidence. Don't mind paying for fruit but when we cannot eat it, I am disgusted.
I recently completed a flybuys survey and was assured I would be contacted by someone from Coles to discuss my satisfaction (or lack thereof) - the contact never happened.

I have never smelt anything so horrific in my life. Despite saying that the sell by date was 22/03/16 (2 weeks away) the egg was beyond off. After cracking it open I was violently ill! The thought of an egg makes me feel sick. Very disappointed.

Went to Coles Fairfield . I bought what I went there for and then saw Powerade Powder on special for $2.00 so I went to purchase 2. When I got to the checkout rhe first one went thru as on special but for $9.00. I told the lady that it was wrong and it was $2.00. She told me there must have been a mix up as $9.was the right price. She got another lady to look at the shelf to see what the ticket was stating. We went together and I showed her where it was. She stated that more than likely another customer had put it in the wrong place. I said no way possible as there was a whole box been placed there and a customer would maybe place 1 or 2 in the wrong place but not the whole box all neatly packed in 2 rows on the shelf and that a staff member would have been the one who did it. I also stated that if staff couldn't do the job right that it was not my fault and that I wanted them at the price the shelf was advertising them for. All I got was an argument. As I only had taken so much money with me I put one back and bought one for $9.00. I think this is wrong. As I myself do Nightfill as a job at Woolworths I know that if we do our job wrong and put things in the wrong place and a customer buys something that is ticketed with the wrong price we have to give it to them at that price. And we are certainly not allowed to argue with customers. Then on top of that when I went back to the register the lady was serving someone else, as I would of expected but this customer had a fully packed trolley that would take it least 8/10 mins to put thru compared to my 1 more item. The lady rold me I would have to wait. I told her no that she could save that persons transaction do me and then go back to them but of course she had to argue and tell me it couldn't be done even thou thats whats she had with mine. I pointed this out to her and also told her that I worked at Woolworths filling and also on the register and if she had forgotten how to do it in the last few minutes I would be glad to show /reminder how. To say the least she was not very nice. During all of this I was calm, respectful, quiet and even toned to which I wish I could say the same about her but I can't. I just hope you take this seriously. My end result would be to get back the $7.00 I was ovet charged and to get a raincheck / cashnote so as I can go back and buy the one I had to leave for $2.00 just like the ticket said. If I can I will send thru the photo of this that I took. The checkout lady 's name is Wendy - 351. Thanking you. Debbi Pont
Im not sure on this page where I put my details so I'll put them here.
Debbi Pont [protected] 14/2-8 Bowler Ave Fairfield 2165.

I first submitted my Application for a casualpart-time position at Coles, Covehill Shopping Centre, Bridgewater 7030 in July 2015. Approximately 6 weeks I updated my details via the "on-line careers" and have today received an email from the "on-line careers" stating that it has been 6 weeks since last checking - see below for exact wording:-

Dear Tracey,
We haven't seen you in a while. Did you know that you last logged in to your account at colescareers.com.au more than 6 weeks ago? Time flies!
Due to this we are assuming that you are no longer interested in joining the team and your account has become inactive.
You will no longer receive alerts for team member roles within our stores when positions become available. Even though we are sad to see you go we will leave you in peace.
If you are still interested in an opportunity at Coles (and why wouldn't you be?) please complete the following steps to reactive your account so that we can send you alerts:
1. Login through http://col.es/careers-login
2. Enter your email address & password
3. Locate your "Expression of interest for part-time and casual positions" application
4. Select 'Update your application' - Now is a good time to review your responses to each question and update any information that may have changed since you originally applied.
*Tip: you can add up to 10 store locations - this increases your chances of a vacancy becoming available.
5. You must click 'submit' to reactivate your application even if you haven't made any changes.

If you no longer wish to receive notifications please follow the first 3 steps then select 'withdraw'.
We hope to see you pop back up as 'active' again soon! Have a great day.

I fail to see how I am not interested in a position with Coles after first submitting my application last year (I believe some time in July) and never hearing from Coles regarding any position - until today advising me of the above - and all because I updated my application 6 weeks ago.

So we just forget about my original application which was submitted last year?

I shop regularly at Covehilll Coles and consistently hear the Staff commenting about being short staffed "yet again", or people working full 12 hour shifts because of them being short staffed. Yet not once have I received an interview from Coles or even an expression of interest.

I am beginning to wonder whether your online careers website is a complete and utter waste of time and whether applications ever get anywhere.

I have tried handing my resume directly to Staff at Coles and have been told, do it "online".

So I fail to see where I indicated at all that I was no longer interested in a casualpart time position with Coles. It seems that Coles is no longer interested in Applicants.

I just opened the nuts we bought, and pored it into our container and out fell this skin colored plastic thing..I am so disgusted and dissapointed. I trusted coles. But You guys seriously need to do some drastic changes. First the frozen blueberries, then the samonella spinish/sallads, and now this. I have never witness so many products go so wrong, , and now even finding something like this!? I am pregnant, and need to very careful with what I eat. What if I have eaten this? What about all your other products? You need to start to think about humans health rather than just company profit..cause obviously is not working.

On recent visits to all my local Coles stores - My favourite sugar replacement
Splenda Sachets seem to have been deleted from the shelf.
Im very disappointed at this and would like you to put them back on your shelves.
I DON'T like any other brand of sachet only this one - I'm am quite upset and will have to go and shop at the opposition from now on.
Remember, I'm talking SACHETS not spoon for spoon or liquid
Please re-instate them again in your shop
Regards
Ms Campbell

Was shouted at by checkout operator Regina when trying to help her. No customer service. Regina obviously need some communication training as all I was trying to do was help and she turned the situation into a huge problem. Was not a nice experience

This store was so messy and untidy today at 1030 that I doubt I will return.
Shelves were untidy lack of items on shelves, cold foods were untidy chesses and margarines all over the place, toilet rolls had fallen off the shelves and onto the floor making it impossible to weave trolley around. I had to help one gentleman find his yogurt as this area was also messy.

What has happened here... is there new management? It just looked unkept untidy and unclean.. what a disappointment.

The lady who served was very bright and happy her name is Athena 303.
She has good PR skills and at least I felt better after she served me.

I received by Coles Flybys notification today regarding extra rewards for buying petrol at a shell/coles express station. When leaving home I noticed I needed petrol and being a loyal shell/coles customer and wanting the extra reward points, I proceeded to the Shell/Coles Express station at the corner of Adderton Street and Pennant Hills Road, Carlingford. I knew that a few days earlier I had seen petrol at around $1.00/litre and approaching the station I noticed the price had gone up to $1.29. So I thought I missed out by not buying earlier. Anyway I filled up and the attendant casually mentioned that the price had just gone up without my even asking.
Driving to the shops at Carlingford after that, I noticed that the station at the corner of Pennant Hills and Jenkins Road had petrol at 98 cents and the Caltex station further up also had it at 98 cents.
I guess it is easy to say I should have shopped around but the price difference tonight was more like "huge".
I think I was duped and the extra reward point certainly was not worth it.

exceptionally rude, and arrogant, in dealing with both the public and his employees. Backed a family member into a corner where they felt they had no choice but to resign the position they had for years. 8 weeks later still no separation certificate as a result family member cannot make a claim for newstart from centrelink to enable them to go on to University, when contacted about the separation cetificate the manager was non chalant about it. This is the same bloke who has the "I do not chase I replace" attitude to employees, Maybe Coles need to replace this particular store manager for " forgetting" to fullfill his duty in ensuring Proper Proceedure is followed. Where family member has to chase up something that should be been sent out weeks ago

On saturday 6th february
I went into your rutherford store between the hours of 5pm-7pm looking for a bbq chicken, only to find there was none. Upon inquiry was told this was not unusual and none were being cooked and the ovens had been cleaned, I was also told that this matter would be brought to the store managers attention. Then on the next two weekends I was in same store roughly between the same times as it is on my way home from work, only to find no chickens and bain marie oven already cleaned. So am I to conclude that some incompetent person on the service desk does not relay messages to the store manager, or that he disregards your company's policy which guarantees bbq chickens between the hours of 5pm-9pm

I bought 7 cartons of Weis’ Sorbet (3 different flavors), at Close West Ryde on 17 February. The products are on special $3.49 each. I was charged $3.99 for 6 cartons (2 different flavors), only one carton was correctly charged.
I went to Coles West Ryde last Saturday 20/02/16, asking for refund. The store manager denied the wrong price, and refuse to refund the difference they over charged.

As always, I have bought the Coles tasty cheddar for years. I purchased 1kg block today and had it with spaghetti bolognese. To my disappointment the texture leans more towards colby cheese now? Normally it blended through nicely but now it sits on top in one clump. When I tried to mix it through it doesn't. I checked the expiry just in case but everything was fine. The taste wasn't the best either. There have definitely been changes made to this blend of cheese and I'm not a fan :(

Today a worker in the self service area (Gawler SA) was extremely rude and out of line with her remarks towards me.
telling me "we don't want your kind here" when i informed her i would be making a complaint about her behavior.
and shoving a mislabeled product (which was the cause of her rudeness) into my face and asking if i "understand"
when i said "there is no need to be rude" she claimed i was the one being rude. (because i needed assistance with an item that your store was selling? that is her JOB)
in what form is referring to me as "your kind" acceptable?

I was doing a quick shop at the Yeppoon Central Queensland store for some extra school supplies required for a meeting. The exact time was 11.36 on Wednesday the 10/2/16. I proceeded to the self service terminal (card only), finished the transaction and realised I only had cash with me.
I relayed the situation, with an apology, to the woman assisting the self service area.

Well ! She huffed and literally pushed me aside, rang off the transaction without saying a word, snatched the bag of items moved to another machine and threw the items through at the speed of light .

I was so flustered and embarrassed I left the store, returned to the school to deliver the stationary only to find I was over charged for two items.

This woman does not belong near customers, Coles was my preferred store, however after this incident I will not be taking any future business to Coles

Kym
Reg: 111
Served by: Assisted Checkout
Store: 8731
Store Manager: Dale
Receipt: 6067
Time:11.36
Store : Yeppoon