'I'm not surprised': Dad shares disappointment over Coles' click-and-collect products

Navigating supermarket aisles can be a daunting task.

Yet for those preoccupied with multiple tasks, they resort to shopping for their needs online or through click-and-collect services.

One Coles shopper shared his recent experience with the store's online shopping service, leaving him frustrated.


Mandurah local and father Chris Evans has been juggling the demands of work and family life.

With a newborn at home, Chris and his wife found Coles' click-and-collect service convenient for their weekly needs.

However, their latest order left them with a bad taste in their mouths—literally and figuratively.

Upon unpacking his grocery delivery, Chris was dismayed after finding that the two porterhouse steaks he purchased for $7.50 each were not the lean cuts he anticipated.


compressed-steaks.jpeg
The steak shown on Coles' online store (left) looked different compared to the ones Chris got (right). Image Credits: Coles, Chris Evans


Instead, the steaks had approximately one-third fat—a far cry from the lightly marbled steaks advertised on the store's website.

'I'm shocked they packaged that, but I'm not surprised because the only way they could get rid of those steaks would be click-and-collect,' Chris shared.

'We'll probably eat it because Coles has not responded to the complaint,' he added.


Chris's experience raised questions about the training of personal shoppers who select items for online orders.

A Coles spokesperson assured that Chris's predicament was an isolated incident.

'We always strive to meet our customers' expectations, and the quality of our meat is very important,' the spokesperson stated.

'This pack of meat is not to our high-quality standards and should have been identified and graded out at production.'

Coles also encouraged dissatisfied customers to return the unsatisfactory items for a full refund or replacement.

This is a reassuring policy in light of the recent scrutiny major supermarkets faced over record profits amidst the cost-of-living crisis.


The Federal Government's recent acceptance of 11 recommendations from a review of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct was a step towards protecting consumers and suppliers better.

The recommendations included strengthening dispute resolutions and improving outcomes for fresh produce suppliers, which could lead to better product quality control.

For those who rely on online grocery shopping, Chris's story is a reminder to check your orders and not settle for less than what you paid for.

If you encounter a similar issue, reach out to the supermarket's customer service so they can offer assistance or refunds.
Key Takeaways

  • Mandurah resident Chris Evans relied on click-and-collect orders as he juggled work and fatherly responsibilities.
  • He recently shared his disappointment over the poor quality of the porterhouse steaks received.
  • A Coles spokesperson said the incident was isolated and the meat did not meet their high-quality standards, and encouraged customers to return any unsatisfactory items for a refund or replacement.
  • Coles, along with Woolworths, faced public scrutiny over record profits amidst a cost-of-living squeeze.
Have you had similar experiences with your online grocery orders? How did the store handle your complaint? Share your stories in the comments below, and let's discuss the highs and lows of online shopping.
 
Sponsored
I wouldn’t order online for that exact same reason. I preferred to shop for my own food so that I know what I’m actually getting. I have often seen the packers grabbed the first item they need. They don’t even appear to look at it to check the quality or the date. I suppose though that Coles has the packers on a very tight schedule for each customers order.
 
Supermarkets count on people being too busy to return unsatisfactory items, especially costly meat or fish which needs to be returned immediately & would often cost more in time lost or the running of your car to return it.
It’s happened to me on several occasions, twice fish was slimey & smelling off, I phoned & was told to return it, but when I suggested they send someone to pick it up, I was refused. They delivered off produce, they should pick it up.
 
Well for a start take it back to the store! Secondly you are entitled to a refund you claim Coles is doing nothing about it...Have you taken it back???....you have the proof right in YOUR HANDS...USE IT! TAKE IT BACK, stop whinging and you will be either refunded or replaced...
 
Well for a start take it back to the store! Secondly you are entitled to a refund you claim Coles is doing nothing about it...Have you taken it back???....you have the proof right in YOUR HANDS...USE IT! TAKE IT BACK, stop whinging and you will be either refunded or replaced...
They were doing click and collect for a reason because they were extra busy with a newborn. Layoff and be nice and cut them some slack please
 
I have seen the people who do the online and click and collect orders while I have been shopping at my local Coles, they look bored and l have noticed they pick up the first item at the front don't look at it just put it in the black crate boxes. I have said to my husband some items may only a days shelf life left and l have said they don't check the meat for example the extra fat we are not paying for the fat we all expect a good cut of meat.
It's a shame the staff are not trained better.
Kind regards to all Vicki
 
Well for a start take it back to the store! Secondly you are entitled to a refund you claim Coles is doing nothing about it...Have you taken it back???....you have the proof right in YOUR HANDS...USE IT! TAKE IT BACK, stop whinging and you will be either refunded or replaced...
I use click and collect because of my disabilities I can’t get to a store. I don’t consider myself to be a whinger.
 
I think if I had received food I was not happy with on click and collect I would have a quick check before I left with my order. A bit different if you are getting a home delivery, but so far I’ve been pretty lucky with what I have received. I don’t get substituted items now as I received some pretty strange substitutes when I first started getting home deliveries lol
 
They were doing click and collect for a reason because they were extra busy with a newborn. Layoff and be nice and cut them some slack please
We didn't have click and collect when we had babies. No online shopping either. We had to go to the shop with our newborns to get our shopping. We had cloth nappies we washed most of the time by hand. No washing machines. Younger generation have got a bit lazy
 
I’m very lucky with my click & collect orders in Launceston from both Coles & Woolworths. Their personal shoppers are very diligent when they pack my orders and I don’t accept substitutions. I’ve never had to return anything to Coles but Woolworths chatbot, Olive, is very good if ever anything is not right, stuff is refunded immediately. We buy our meat from our local IGA as they have an amazing source of Scottsdale produce & my husband walks down every day to choose what we want.
 
I would eat that in a heart beat it is more likely be more tender then the one you would have liked. I was always told that by butchers I have worked with and alway gone for steaks like that.
It’s one thing to be “marbled”, but the two steaks still in the packs each had a very large slab of fat.
 
It’s one thing to be “marbled”, but the two steaks still in the packs each had a very large slab of fat.
I get online orders from Coles because I can't get to the shops. Pay$2 for delivery. Got 1 online delivery from Safeway,cost $15 for delivery. Never had a problem with food picked out at Coles. They have been good
 
Well for a start take it back to the store! Secondly you are entitled to a refund you claim Coles is doing nothing about it...Have you taken it back???....you have the proof right in YOUR HANDS...USE IT! TAKE IT BACK, stop whinging and you will be either refunded or replaced...
I had the same issue a few months back. Steak is a costly item. the fat was hidden by the label. I called the help line a full credit was added to my account, took photos to back it up. I also received some mince that was to be used by that day! I found Coles very supportive to their online shoppers.
 
Refund or replacement???
I tried to return a loaf of white bread (I can’t eat white bread) when I ordered multigrain and was told they couldn’t refund or replace because the order didn’t come from that store.
It may have only been a loaf of bread (nearly $5) but I still had to drive to store when I had had both hips replaced and still didn’t get the right bread. I finished up giving it away so as not to waste it.
Never again. I now do my own shopping and make sure I have correct products.
 

Join the conversation

News, deals, games, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.

Seniors Discount Club

The SDC searches for the best deals, discounts, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.
  1. New members
  2. Jokes & fun
  3. Photography
  4. Nostalgia / Yesterday's Australia
  5. Food and Lifestyle
  6. Money Saving Hacks
  7. Offtopic / Everything else

Latest Articles

  • We believe that retirement should be a time to relax and enjoy life, not worry about money. That's why we're here to help our members make the most of their retirement years. If you're over 60 and looking for ways to save money, connect with others, and have a laugh, we’d love to have you aboard.
  • Advertise with us

User Menu

Enjoyed Reading our Story?

  • Share this forum to your loved ones.
Change Weather Postcode×
Change Petrol Postcode×