Ohh Woolworths, you shouldn't have!

[Sir Stinkalot]

We have just finished our shop at the local Woolworths. Recently they changed their loyalty program from Qantas Frequent Flyers to a Woolworths Dollar Scheme. It's been getting a bit of media coverage over the last week with one report I read mentioning it only applies to 400 of 440,000 lines carried by Wooworths.

Anyway today we spent $235. Woolworths were generous enough to deposit $1 into my Woolworths Dollar bank. When my balance reaches $10 I can get $10 off my next shop. Wow thanks Woolworths I can't wait!

[Toymaker Len]

Reminds me of when 'flybuys' decided to cut the value in half. Bastards. I put my 'flybuys' card in the bin.

[Bob38S]

This is why we do most of our shopping at Aldi. The only things we buy fro the "majors " is what we can't get from Aldi or anything we prefer the taste of.

Try it, you may be pleasantly surprised.

[MAPLEMAN]

$1 reward for over $200 purchase
Some sort of cruel joke i reckon :(...MM:2tsup:

[Sir Stinkalot]

Very familiar with Aldi. When living in Victoria we would go past Aldi first and then get the more specialist stuff at Coles. Aldi are just setting up now in SA and there will be one about 2km from the local Woolworths that should make it interesting.

Just by chance I managed to look at the used by date on some frozen blueberries we purchased yesterday. You would expect a fairly decent used by date on frozen blueberries - well it's next week!

Hurry up Aldi.

[doug3030]

Woolies rewards work by having a portion of the price of a few selected items allocated to your reward.

In practice, that means that you are oveircharged for theise items and the money locked up until you have $10.

Then you can have your own money back.

Generous of them, isnt it?

Cheers

Doug

[Enfield Guy]

In the mean time they have your personal details so they can send you great offers!! Wow!! Never been part of a "rewards" program of any kind, and not about to start either.

[A Duke]

Hi,
That,s only part of it, they know exactly what you buy, we had a recall notice for a product they knew we had bought recently. They also track you when you travel with "we hope you enjoyed your experience shopping in our (wherever you are holidaying) store."
Regards

[cava]

Hi,
That,s only part of it, they know exactly what you buy, we had a recall notice for a product they knew we had bought recently. They also track you when you travel with "we hope you enjoyed your experience shopping in our (wherever you are holidaying) store."
Regards

Additionally, the information garnered through loyalty cards, is supplied on request to various government departments INCLUDING local councils.

[Bob38S]

What possible use could local councils have to "need" that sort of info.

[doug3030]

What possible use could local councils have to "need" that sort of info.

Suppose they have had complaints about your unregistered dog you claim you do not have, then they can prove you are feeding one?

[ironik]

Hi,
That,s only part of it, they know exactly what you buy, we had a recall notice for a product they knew we had bought recently. They also track you when you travel with "we hope you enjoyed your experience shopping in our (wherever you are holidaying) store."
Regards

Precisely why I never bother with these things. The only tangible reward is for the organisation running the program who gets to collect a bunch of market data and sell you more things.

They need a 'do not track' option for this stuff. Your average shopper isn't going to know what they do with the data, but I'm pretty certain they would feel creeped out by it.

[cava]

Several months ago I was reading some Victorian road traffic legislation over another matter, and noticed that council employees, have the same power as police do to enter, search and issue fines over any property or vehicle in Victoria.

If I find the legislation, I will post it for those curious.

Further, I would also suggest that similar 'hidden' legislation is already in place in the other States of Australia.

[Enfield Guy]

I for one would be interested to see that legislation.

Council appointed security guards, for example, in Qld, have absolutely no power to detain or direct to move on. They can ask, they can threaten, but if they act, they face numerous risks. As an example, I was working in Townsville a few years ago. Staying in a nice cabin on the foreshore. Across the road, in a park, there were BBQ's where we would often cook our nightly meal. After a hard days work in a hot climate it is nice to have a cooling beverage while preparing a meal over a BBQ. It's true that we were breaking the law by drinking in a public place. But, we were not loud, we left the site in a far better state than when we arrived, picked up rubbish that pigs couldn't put in the bin, cleaned the BBQ before we left, etc. Basically minded our own business.

One night a council appointed security guard decided that he was a big, powerful man and having nothing better to do demanded that we empty our beer bottles, which were in coolers. I politely said no and that no such thing was about to happen. With greater resolve he reached for my bottle, which I reached before he did and told him if he has an issue he should call the police because it was my belief that he had no authority. The fool grabbed me and twisted my arm behind my back at which point one of the guys I was working with called the cops.

The bottom line was I was offered the opportunity to press assault charges against the individual. The cops chastised us for drinking in public but understood the story and were happy to turn a blind eye. I did not press charges, but we were left alone after that.

A whole lot of angst over stuff all. The cops confirmed the the security guard had not one iota of authority. Neither do councils in my view, but that is a whole other story.

Cheers
Bevan

[Poppa]

I like credit card "frequent flyer" type points schemes. Where you're not actually paying any more for items but accrue points for every dollar you spend. I use the points from my credit cards to get household appliances, power tools, gifts, and occasionally even to upgrade a flight or purchase a flight. Sure it takes ages to accrue points, but I figure it is something for nothing. The supermarket loyalty schemes on the other hand are a complete rip off. And Aldi is a much better place to shop!

[Twisted Tenon]

The same with the Woolies petrol. After filling up an $80.00 tank I don't get enough back to buy a small cup of coffee.

TT

[DonIncognito]

I like credit card "frequent flyer" type points schemes. Where you're not actually paying any more for items but accrue points for every dollar you spend. I use the points from my credit cards to get household appliances, power tools, gifts, and occasionally even to upgrade a flight or purchase a flight. Sure it takes ages to accrue points, but I figure it is something for nothing. The supermarket loyalty schemes on the other hand are a complete rip off. And Aldi is a much better place to shop!
It's not nothing though. Colesworth jack up the price of other products to cover the cost of these rewards scheme, and sell your data on.

[Fuzzie]

I also dislike organizations that survey your postcode at checkout. 0000 works well.

[doug3030]

I also dislike organizations that survey your postcode at checkout. 0000 works well.

I generally use my old Darwin postcode when they do that. 0000 tells them the information is false. 0812 is a valid postcode but it gets included in their statistics and skews the results. Far more satisfying, gives me a warm fuzzy feeling and a real sense of a job well done. :2tsup:

Cheers

Doug

[Chesand]

I use 4011 which was my son's postcode in Brisbane.

[Fuzzie]

If you want to screw up their marketing metrics, it's probably better to use a postcode within a 100km radius that doesn't have one of their stores. It will skew the decision making for where to open the next new store. An interstate postcode just says you're a tourist.

What I like about using 0000 in particular is at full service checkouts. The response is usually a conspiratorial smile from the operator. They don't seem to like asking for it either.

[kiwigeo]

I also dislike organizations that survey your postcode at checkout. 0000 works well.


You're not legally obliged to give the checkout operator the information....so don't. I doubt the checkout operator is going to make a big thing about it....

[Fuzzie]

You're not legally obliged to give the checkout operator the information....so don't. I doubt the checkout operator is going to make a big thing about it....

From memory, I don't think Masters' has a skip option on the self service terminal 'enter your postcode' screen. What are you going to do? Cancel the transaction and leave the store?

FWIW, I've also found 00000 works as a zip code for international credit cards at some USA gas stations that need a zip code for credit card verification.

[Sir Stinkalot]

Not wanting to get back on topic but I managed to get $10 off my last shop with thanks to Wollies reward scam. This weeks shop was around $200 again with $1 worth of Wollies rewards.

A bigger win was when they incorrectly scanned a discounted item (as they do in about 5% of the cases by scanning the regular code not the discount code) - this gets my goat up so I took back the receipt next time I was there and they provided a full refund of $8.60 - normally they only refund the difference. Then the Deli guy put some random code on a small scoop of olives which resulted in it being costed as over $6. It caught me eye as I was taking them out of the trolley at the register as I thought it was a little expensive. I told the checkout lady I still wanted the olives but not at that price - this was a little confusing for her so she called her manager over who just put them into my bag for nothing. So there you go - one shop, two Wollies staff stuff ups and I have already done better than the reward program.

They are very selective on what they deem reward worthy. We typically purchase the 3L milk at $3. This week they gave 20c worth of Wollies dollar rewards if you purchased the 2L milk for $2, but nothing on the 3L!

[doug3030]

From memory, I don't think Masters' has a skip option on the self service terminal 'enter your postcode' screen. What are you going to do? Cancel the transaction and leave the store?

Well I would be inclined to ask the staff to override it. If they can't, I would put in my old Darwin postcode and go home with the item.

Another day when I do not have anything better to do, I would go back and fill a big trolley with the most expensive small items I can from all over the store and then when the system asks for my postcode, I would ask the staff to override it again. Then on being told they can't I would announce that I am off to Bunnings and leave the lot there for them to restock.

[Kuffy]

Lmao, this thread is so funny. If u guys are so hellbent on messing with woolies. It would be a good idea to walk into the store, have a look around and then walk out without buying anything. Their foot traffic vs sales will skew negatively, suggesting they are selling the wrong products or the right products too expensively.

[Sir Stinkalot]

Now your thinking - perhaps the next forum BBQ can include a walk through of the local store!

[kiwigeo]

From memory, I don't think Masters' has a skip option on the self service terminal 'enter your postcode' screen. What are you going to do? Cancel the transaction and leave the store?

FWIW, I've also found 00000 works as a zip code for international credit cards at some USA gas stations that need a zip code for credit card verification.

I don't quite get what the big deal is with typing in your postcode at a Masters store. You probably share more information about yourself with the world everytime to you go on Google or Facebook.

I should mention that I hold Woolworths shares........and I'm making notes on all users in this thread who say anything negative about the company :D

[Ruddy]

Kiwigeo
Quick, go get a very big notebook...you are going to need it!

[doug3030]

Lmao, this thread is so funny. If u guys are so hellbent on messing with woolies. It would be a good idea to walk into the store, have a look around and then walk out without buying anything. Their foot traffic vs sales will skew negatively, suggesting they are selling the wrong products or the right products too expensively.

I frequently go into woolies and not buy anything. I go to the chemist, newsagent and fruiterer in the same shopping centre as the local woolies. If I am there I usually go into woollies and check out the meat specials/markdowns. If nothing appeals, which is probably 90% of the time I go straight out through the bottleshop without buying anything. I had not really considered what it does to the store's statistics.

CHeers

Doug

[Grumpy John]

Well I would be inclined to ask the staff to override it. If they can't, I would put in my old Darwin postcode and go home with the item.

Another day when I do not have anything better to do, I would go back and fill a big trolley with the most expensive small items I can from all over the store and then when the system asks for my postcode, I would ask the staff to override it again. Then on being told they can't I would announce that I am off to Bunnings and leave the lot there for them to restock.

It's not the team members fault, why give them grief. I'm sure you wouldn't like someone giving you grief at work over a management decision that was out of your control.
Having been a Bunnies lackey for over 7 years I'm getting fed up with being a whipping boy for angry people, that's why I've transferred to night fill.

[Bob38S]

Agree, don't shoot the messenger.

On occasions in the past when I have had the time and inclination, I have made it very clear to the "messenger", that I was not having a go at them but, on the condition of anonymity, to give me the name and email of the boss and then have made my feelings clear to someone who should be in a position to do something about it. The bloke at the bottom of the pile is not in a position to effect change, higher up the food chain is another story.

[doug3030]

It's not the team members fault, why give them grief. I'm sure you wouldn't like someone giving you grief at work over a management decision that was out of your control.
Having been a Bunnies lackey for over 7 years I'm getting fed up with being a whipping boy for angry people, that's why I've transferred to night fill.

Oh, I would not give the staff member grief personally. One of them would get an easy couple of hours wandering around restocking small expensive items, while store management are having to justify why they are having to pay someone to do this because of poor company policies.

Cheers

Doug

[Handyjack]

Two experiences with Woolworths self serve registers.
First experience - the machine gave me the wrong change - short 20c. Complained and eventually I got my 20c but the staff member kept the receipt. If a human had short changed me, how would the supervisor reacted?
More recently at Masters I was paying for a rare purchase that was about $20.20. I put in a twenty cent coin. No problems I owe $20. Put in a twenty dollar note, watch it being swallowed and now the screen shows that I owe $20 still. You have got to be joking. Took about ten minutes for the staff to sort out. If it was a human who took the money and did not acknowledge, how would supervisor react?

[Bob38S]

I refuse to use the self serve checkouts under any circumstances, and have told management so and given my reasoning.

Just as I buy Australian made when I can, [I see it as buying my kid and yours a job], I refuse to do someone out of a job by using a machine which means that the company increases profits by employing less people. I have been told that this would contribute to cheaper prices and quicker "service" and I use that term loosely.

If you believe the cheaper prices and faster service bit, then I'm prepared to sell you that big bridge in Sydney as it is being sold for scrap, not interested, then there is a big rock in central Australia which I can let you have really cheap and could be used for road base.

[Sir Stinkalot]

Its amazing how often people are queuing up to use the self checkout when you can get through the staffed express register in seconds. I too prefer to use a person as I do fear that more registers / jobs will be lost to the self checkout with no benefit to the customer.

There have certainly been plenty of reports of people taking advantage of the self registers by incorrectly entering codes or not scanning correctly. I guess the stores with self checkouts run the calculations of stolen goods vs employing checkout staff .... if the self checkouts are still around they must be saving more in staff costs than they are loosing.

[rwbuild]

I play dumb at the self serve and ask the assistant to show me every time, it's quicker than the staffed registers

[Grumpy John]

Oh, I would not give the staff member grief personally. One of them would get an easy couple of hours wandering around restocking small expensive items, while store management are having to justify why they are having to pay someone to do this because of poor company policies.

Cheers

Doug

No one gets an easy couple of hours at Bunnies, the items would be sorted into department and the team member responsible for that department would have to restock the shelf. Meanwhile they are not able to service customers and incur the wrath of angry customers. And all the while management couldn't give a rats.
Fine, you don't want to give your postcode, fair enough, but don't make someone's job harder than it already is.

[doug3030]

No one gets an easy couple of hours at Bunnies, the items would be sorted into department and the team member responsible for that department would have to restock the shelf. Meanwhile they are not able to service customers and incur the wrath of angry customers.

I thought we were talking about Masters, not Bunnings.

On the occasions that I have gone to Masters the staff outnumber the customers by at least 3 to 1 so they would still have more than enough of them to make sure the customers are being looked after.

Cheers

Doug

[Bushmiller]

I thought we were talking about Masters, not Bunnings.

On the occasions that I have gone to Masters the staff outnumber the customers by at least 3 to 1 so they would still have more than enough of them to make sure the customers are being looked after.

Cheers

Doug

Doug

I think distinct lack of customers is the reason Masters is in dire straights and is nothing to do with customer service.

Just on Bunnings, I have generally been more than satisfied with the company as a "wharehouse" as distinct from a "store." My impression is that the staff levels have decreased over the years and certainly in the evening it can be very difficult to find somebody to give assistance. The Toowoomba store is one of the best I have frequented (that makes it sound like I hide out in it's dark corners) and also possibly the biggest.

I have no complaints there and look forward to Grumpy John retiring (semi-retiring) to this neck of the woods. :)

[Chesand]

I am very much with Bob on this even though there are Woolworths and Wesfarmers shares in my Super fund.


I refuse to use the self serve checkouts under any circumstances, and have told management so and given my reasoning.

Just as I buy Australian made when I can, [I see it as buying my kid and yours a job], I refuse to do someone out of a job by using a machine which means that the company increases profits by employing less people. I have been told that this would contribute to cheaper prices and quicker "service" and I use that term loosely.

If you believe the cheaper prices and faster service bit, then I'm prepared to sell you that big bridge in Sydney as it is being sold for scrap, not interested, then there is a big rock in central Australia which I can let you have really cheap and could be used for road base.

[Chris Parks]

A look at the new Woolies loyalty scheme Don't like: Woolworths Rewards card fails the social media test (http://www.smh.com.au/business/retail/dont-like-woolworths-rewards-card-fails-the-social-media-test-20151208-gliy95.html)