Woolworths
reviews and complaints

I went shopping at Coburg Woolworth:
1- Staff greets customers but they keep talking with each others not giving attention to customers. One staff served me and she didn't have her name tag and the other one (Calvin) who keeps talking to her while serving made me very upset but didn't say a word out of respect. This Calvin has the same attitude toward customers and one time he served me without any greetings or attention. Please can you educate your staff to how to behave with customers?
2- Woolworth banned plastic bags and that was really a good things for the environment but you forgot to train your staff how to put things in the bag. After I provided my bags the staff who served me put all the heavy things together so I couldn't lift the bag. Sure she was chatting with Calvin and didn't pay any attention to put staff in a correct way. She put my fetta cheese in the bottom of the bag so when I arrived home I ate a smashed fetta cheese. Please please can you train your staff properly?

05/08/2018

We had a terrible check out service at Woolworths in Eastwood shopping center.
The check out table was very small, and not just we use our own bag, we also had to put all the products that we bought into our bag by ourselves.

The girl who served us seemed didn't care that we were forced to put everything into our bag quickly because she just scanned and piled things and knock things down on the little tiny table. She didn't say sorry or hi at the beginning or even gave a smile.

Even ALDI gave a better service than that. Service like that does not worth my money to shop there. we were very disappointed by Woolworths.

Hello.

I usually don't have much to complain about Woolworths as I am a loyal shopper and enjoy my shopping experience every few days at woolies.
However I found a dessert which my family and I love and bought it weekly. I used to buy 2 packs a week. But now for some reason woolies has decided to put it out of stock!😠I went to 3 different stores and none have it. The product is the Gold Belgian Chocolate Lava Cake 2 pack.
Why do you do.this? It is totally annoying and disappointin when you have a great product and just get rid of it. Only woolies stocked it too.!
My whole family loved it and it was a great dessert to serve when guests came as they taste homemade and the ingredients were very natural.
Please woolies when are these desserts returning to the freezer department.
I am upset and annoyed you took away a fantastic product.
Stop doing that!

There are signs in your stores stating that if I use my own bags I will receive 1 bonus point for every bay used. As this is the second time I asked and was told it dose happen no one has been able to provide evidence that points are received. Service desk and checkout operator have no idea how it happens.
Can you please advise me where this evidence might be, so I can rest easy.
Thank you Maic

4/08/2018
[protected]

Invoice No [protected]. Not for the first time, I have had my order delivered by a rude person. This man does not greet, he attempts to pass bags at the door and needs to be motioned through. He has no time for checking and this morning despite me asking questions and checking my order against the invoice which i had to find shoved into a bag, he was rushing me to sign his electronic pad by putting it close to my face. He walked out leaving doors open behind him and when I told him he was rude, he glared at me. This is the face of woolworths. Not only that, I have paid $3.50 for your crate to bench service twice now and this and the last delivery was made with plastic bags placed on my floor.

I ordered a case of Bulmers apple cider for a party tonight. Apparently the store was out of bulmers cases. I received 4 x 4packs of Bulmers cider, 4 x loose bottles of Bulmers cider and 4 x loose bottles of batlow cloudy cider. There are other issues and some from previous orders which I will let slide because there is no point.

I rang [protected] and spoke to Delaney who was quite apologetic, but could only offer 3 options. 1 - She could have the driver return to collect the items. There would be no replacement, but I could have a refund. I said I would prefer that the rude driver did not return to my house. 2 - I could return the items myself to Glenmore Park store. I said I would prefer not to as the entire reason for home delivery was to save me travelling, time, effort. Glenmore Park is not local to me. 3 - I could hold the items and have them picked up tomorrow. I asked to speak to a manager.

Jamie who would not give me a surname or an employee number, an address or even a telephone receipt number, offered no more solutions. He was quite adamant that I would get nothing for free and he could not authorise any monetary remedy. Not even the value of the 4 x Bulmer cider that i did not receive. He advised the Batlow brand was more expensive so i was getting better value! How is it better value if i do not prefer it?

What a shame your staff are not proud enough of your brand to want to remedy your errors. The arrogance of Woolworths as displayed by your staff from the picker who thought close enough was good enough to the Customer Service Manager who thinks his only job is to protect your profits and make sure nobody gets anything for nothing, should be an embarrassment to you.

It will be a very long time before I order from Woolworths again.

We got a home delivery today, with four loaves of bread, my complaint is the taste of it, it tastes like it has nutmeg in it? and smells like a fruit loaf this is not the first time we have had the bread taste like this and to be honest it's not very nice to eat as a regular sandwich. Has the recipe changed? There is nothing on the ingredient list that would, as far as i can see, make it taste like this and i hope not all the loaves are the same as it really does effect the taste of sandwiches in not a nice way. A refund or perhaps a replacement would be good but it can't guaranteed that the replacement wont be better or the same quality so all i can do is put in this complaint.

I had ordered online for delivery today to my workplace for use at my workplace. We do this every week.
The driver that was on the run today in our area was very rude to 3 staff members. He would not follow instructions as to where the items were to be taken to and he WIPED his nose on one of the UHT milk boxes. He also threw the packages around so goodness knows what condition the biscuits are in! When he decided he couldn't be bothered to deliver the order as instructed he has left the premises. He REFUSED to complete the delivery.
We are totally disgusted at this man's behaviour. I have spoken to 3 customer service reps (one was a supervisor) all 3 of these people were of little help as they said "it's a contractor!" . The man returned after I spoke to the business customer service person but one of our staff sent him away as he was so rude previously and she felt unsafe with such a bad tempered person in her departmental area. You really need to screen your contractors! I have had this order cancelled and refunded and to see if this happens again, reordered. If it does reoccur I will be making further complaints with fair trading and the health authorities as your drivers obviously have not concept of hygiene.
Woolworths I really thought you were better than this! Obviously not!

Hello,
I have been doing online shopping at your store for over 2yrs now and last weeks shopping we purchased the home brand select biscuits from your range.

To our shock our almost 3yr old boy started coughing and when we pulled the biscuit out of his mouth with horror we found PLASTIC like twine fused inside the arrowroot biscuit...

So we looked thru the whole packet and to our disgust we found another biscuit with the same thing.

I would like to know what or where I have to go next to rectify this problem as it has now made up rethink our shopping experience with woolworths.

Below is 2 pictures showing what I am explaining.

Thank you and looking forward to hearing back to you with a solution

Thanks brooke

I purchased three packs of these Macro chicken breasts for a dinner party. I purchased them on July 22nd from Woolworths Secret Harbour WA. Two packets of the chicken breasts I stuffed, wrapped in bacon and roasted and they were so tough that two dinner guests were unable to eat their meal. The third packet I slow cooked to see if that helped but the chicken was still stringy and coarse in texture. The breast pieces were very large which did make me a bit concerned about their texture which is why I took extra care in roasting them.
I only shop at Woolworths but this is the second time in two weeks I have been very disappointed in a purchase. Earlier in the week I purchased two individual pieces of MSA grade scotch fillet which was $31 per kg and it was extremely tough and tasteless. I usually purchase my meat from Gavin at the meat counter in Miami store but due to illness have had to shop at Greenfields for the past few weeks. I have never had a problem with meat purchased from Gavin but the meat at Greenfields does not appear to be of the same quality.
I no longer have the receipt for the steak but the barcode receipt number for the chicken is [protected].

I would appreciate a refund for the chicken at least ($10.68, $10.93, $10.40 Total $32).

Thanks
Wendy Faulkner

So as I predicted via digital postings last month, yes many many australian shoppers (the silent majority) are angry that some retailers now led by woolworths have simply dismissed actual customers/shoppers needs.
Coles has announced they will continue to supply bags for customers to place good in.. Bravo for a brave customer driven move by this grocery retailer!
Woolworths, sure you provided 'free bags' for finite period now gone... But have given no alternative bag option to your customers, including me!
Not too long ago retailers provided strong paper bags - why can't you?
Plastics have developed. There are biodegradable options - why don't you supply such bags?
At present the consumer, the shopper is copping all the liability, you wow are taking no responsibility - this is not fair.
I am a loyal shopper at woolworths and a stockholder. I am pro-environment as well. However let's get realistic... You sell products, you need to supply shoppers with a safe service option to take purchased products from your store.

Joseli munive

The seafood section is very poorly organised
I have spoken to the manager who effectively told me he thought that the operation was fine
At 9.30am today the 1st of August
There were only five products displayed, all in the fresh prawn, octopus etc section.
No price tags no fish, no cooked prawns just ice.
I alerted the manager that it is difficult to choose food that is no displayed or with a price he has ignored my complaint and if anything the section has deteriorated over the few weeks since I spoke to him.
No good enough.

I was short on bags and the staff just stacked my veg in one pile on bag spinner then another pile. 3 piles all together just left in heaps. I said don't you still give out bags until end of July she said no. I told her in the beginning do not overload my bags. Then she put my chips next to my milk and tried to tell me she put them on top. I told her I want chips not crumbs. She didn't ask me if I wanted to buy 15c bags. I was left in an embarrassing situation. I find just because the bags are bigger the staff are overloading them eg 3 x 3lt milk to one bag. People like myself have arthritis in my hands and can't lift bags of that weight without being in pain. Shame on you for not continuing your free bags till end of July. Also staff need to be educated in not overloading bags

I was at woolworth highpoint this morning (store was not busy at all) with my infant in baby carrier when i took a small trolley to shop. As i continued to shop i realised i needed a big trolley instead so i approached a staff at the selfcheckouts asking for help to take a big trolley out as i did not have another coin. The staff (a young girl) pointed to the trolley pushing guy(African appearance) saying that he can help you.
As i approached the trolley guy and explained him that i needed to swap the trolley but i had no.more gold coin to unlock tbe big trolley so if he could help me. He instead of helping said that i could put all my shopping in the basket and then put away the small trolley get the coin out and get a big trolley and then reload the trolley(despite of looking thati was carrying a baby).
Looking at the ignorant and helpless behaviour of the staff as i started unloading my trolley a fellow lady customer walked in and willingly helped me to sort the trolley.

But in all it is so disappointing to see such ignorant behaviour of the staff towards the customers despite of asking for help.

My 16 year old daughter and I decided to have some quality time tonight - to cook Spaghetti Bolognese together. We went to the Woolworth on Centre Road in Bentleigh and bought all the required ingredients, having a good time and enjoying our shopping experience. The only thing that was left on our ingredients list was 250g of red cooking wine.
We stepped in the BWS shop linked to the Woolworth at about 6 - 6.15pm knowing that they usually sell small packages of cooking wine (approx 250ml). We saw one of those packages with white wine on the counter, my daughter picked it up to check if the package contained the right amount of ml for the recipe and put it back. I asked the shop assistant (Brodie Machlin) if he had the same size package with red cooking wine. He said they didn't have it and he also said that he won't serve me anyway unless my daughter would show him her ID. My daughter said she is not 18 and she willingly stepped outside of the shop thinking that the cashier didn't feel comfortable that she was in the shop while under age. I was very surprised and confused why she needs to show him her ID if I am as an adult buying cooking wine. He continued taking about secondary purchases and that my daughter selected the wine I wanted to buy. I tried to explain to him that she didn't select the wine, she picked it up to see if it was the right amount of ml for our recipe and she put it back straight away. I found a tiny bottle of red wine (under 200ml) which I wanted to buy but the shop assistant refused to serve me. I offered him to see my ID, I showed him the ingredients we bought so he could see we were planning to cook Spaghetti Bolognese - he continued saying that I am buying alcohol for my daughter as a secondary purchase - which was insulting to both myself and my daughter.
I asked to talk to the store manager, the shop assistant called for him 4 times, I waited at the counter for 15 minutes to wait for the manager to turn up. When the manager (Jabah, he didn't tell me his surname) finally arrived, the shop assistant tried to twist the story to make it as my daughter selected alcohol and asked me to buy it for her. I tried to explain him the situation but Jabah didn't try to understand what happened, straight away he refused to serve me as well and said that there is nothing he could do for the same reason. My daughter eventually spoke up since she felt personally attacked by the accusations and tried to explain to the manager that she simply tried to assists her mother in finding the correct ingredient and was in no way "selecting" alcohol. He didn't listen to her as well and completely dismissed our words.

I have been a loyal Woolworth customer for many years, regularly doing shopping at Centre Road and South Rd stores. I have to say that my experience at BWS shop tonight was the most frustrating and humiliating experience I have ever had in any shops in my life. I am a responsible adult who came to the shop to buy cooking ingredients with my daughter and was refused service, both my daughter and I were humiliated in front of other customers as some sort of criminals smuggling alcohol. Instead of having a quality time together with my daughter shopping and cooking, I left the store very upset, our mood was completely destroyed. I am asking you to address my complaint with the relevant staff who were involved in the incident and am expecting an apology for such a poor customer service. Never again I'll buy anything from the BWS shop, you completely lost me as a customer.

On your delivery bags it stays to clean with disinfectant. Thus the smell will taint any soft goods butter cheese meats milks etc also if one delivery bag has been used for smelly detergents or washing powders this will also taint and could cause stomach problems with foods. Years ago we were told not to pack these items in same bag due to contamination. And what is happening now. All in together this fine weather. Home delivery orders should have new bags each delivery. When I do go out I have always taken my own bags that is not a problem. I think the issue here is mainly cross contamination. And if I get sick woollies will be sued not only me but hundreds of others too. I think this health matter of fresh bags should be taken to the board meeting for further discussion. Yes bags are a good idea but let's be reasonable think of us oldies who can be effected and younger ones also. Hope you will consider my concerns. I would love to hear from you as to your decision. Thnx for your consideration in advance. Kind regards Noeleen

I shopped at the Woolworths store in the Q.V. building, Melbourne on Saturday 28th July. I used one of the serviced check outs rather than self-service checkouts. I placed my basket of gods up on the counter next to the checkout. The operator asked me to remove 5he goods and place them on the counter next to her and put the basket on the piles of baskets behind me. I moved the basket closer to her, thinking that was the problem. She simply repeated her request, telling me that she is not allowed to take anything out of baskets because it is the customer's responsibility to do so. I am left wondering what service Woolworths actually provides to their customers when their checkout operators are not allowed to remove anything from a customers basket in order to scan it. I have never been in a shop where the customer provides a service to the person selling the goods! If Woolworths wants to move towards Aldi like minimum levels of check out service, the store will need to reduce its pricing accordingly.

I bought the Baxters Puppy Biscuits and the cans of Baxters Puppy Wet Food, i fed it to my Great Dane Puppy and my Chihuahua 10 Months old. Within hours of feeding baxters my puppy had diarrhea, my Chihuahua has become depressed, loss of appetite, upset stomach. This food is disgusting and it shouldnt be sold. Since switching to a different brand the diarrhea has reduced in my great dane puppy and im still working on getting my Chihuahua back to health. Both my dogs were active healthy happy dogs until feeding them Baxters!

Dear Woolwoths

My family and myself a regular customers to Woolworths for food and tobacco as well.

As usual I went to Woolworths in Australia Fair Southport QLD about 9.15pm today 27/07/2018 to buy tobacco, the staff number services the tobacco section was talking to a lady. The conversation took long time and I can hear clearly the conversation about the lady personal life. The staff number name on his tag (Cameron) did not pay attention to me or look at me or even did not want to ask someone else to help me. I looked at him and smiled hopping he we look at me at least but he did not even look. I got very upset and walked away to next shop to get what I want and I found very welcoming there.

If you like to check camera around that time I will be the guy wearing the red jacket.

I am a bit shocked and wounder if this a normal and Woolworths policy to leave customers waiting until personal conversation finish!?

Ahmed

On the evening of 25th July I purchased two packets of Macro chicken wings from the refrigerated chicken section of the supermarket. Upon returning home I was shocked to discover that these chicken wings were rock hard and icy. Now that's not a problem in itself, however when I looked at the useby date it was 1/8/2018. I have been trained in food safety and work in food services and so am aware that once defrosted chicken of all things should be consumed within two days. This raises two issues. How long before these wings are frozen and why when placed in the refrigerated section are they being given a lifespan of another seven days. This needs to be brought to your attention before someone gets very sick. These were purchased at 4pm on the 25th July 2018 at the Newmarket plaza store Racecourse road Flemington .

I purchased RSPCA chicken thighs from the Delicatessen counter at Woolworth Sorell, Tasmania.

I found that four (4) chicken thighs totalling 0.742 grams contained 0.181 grams of fat.
This means that I paid for over 20% of pure fat. I will agree that chicken thighs contain fat; but, not this much.

This is disgraceful and I will no longer purchase meat from you; but go to Coles, where I found thighs to be of better quality.

NO Stars