‘Do better, Coles’: Outraged mum calls out supermarket after self-checkout incident
- Replies 11
Navigating supermarket aisles with a baby is no small feat.
It’s a juggling act that requires patience, skill, and help from others.
What happens when customers can’t find a helping hand, and the systems in place make you feel less like a valued customer?
One mum recounts her exasperating experience at a supermarket, leaving her feeling like a criminal.
Carissa, a mother juggling three tasks—shopping, taking care of her baby, and pushing a pram full of items—found herself in a predicament many might dread.
Upon arriving at the Coles check-out, she saw the manned check-outs were closed, forcing her to use the self-service option.
Her baby refused to stay in the fully loaded pram, so she struggled to scan her items.
To her dismay, a check-out operator watching from afar offered no assistance.
Only after Carissa scanned her items, paid, and attempted to leave did the check-out operator intervene—but not to help.
The boom gates refused to open, and the operator demanded to see her receipt, checking it before allowing her to leave.
‘I literally felt like a criminal because these boom gates were shut. I’m struggling,’ Carissa recounted.
I’m scanning everything—no one is offering to help.’
‘This is not okay. Whatever new system they have in place, it’s not working Coles. Do better than this. Don’t make your customers feel like thieves,’ she further added.
The incident sparked a conversation among social media users, with others also sharing their frustrating experiences with the supermarket.
‘I had a bottled water on my pram that I purchased from another shop and the gate literally closed on me,’ one comment read.
‘I had a Coles worker yell at me in front of everyone ‘scan ur big items first’ after I’d scanned a few small items,’ another customer said, pointing out that customers can scan their goods however they want.
‘I went to Coles today after I shopped at ALDI. They wanted to look through every single bag and she made me scan my nappies and toilet paper in front of her,’ one outraged customer commented.
‘F*** COLES.’
In response, a Coles spokesperson expressed disappointment at the customer’s experience.
They emphasised the company’s commitment to assisting those in need, including customers with prams, young children, and the elderly.
‘We are disappointed to hear that this hasn’t occurred in this customer’s experience and encourage our customers to come to us directly so we can address this with our team,’ the spokesperson said.
Sadly, this is not an isolated case.
One cancer patient felt ‘violated’ after Coles staff mistook his hernia for ‘stolen goods’, even asking him to lift his shirt in front of customers.
Despite the supermarket employing advanced technology for more convenient shopping, many consumers feel spied on, sparking debates about customer privacy and safety.
Supermarkets need to create an environment where all customers feel welcomed and assisted.
Always remember, if you’re ever in a difficult position while shopping, don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Have you had a similar experience at a self-serve check-out? How can supermarkets accommodate their shoppers better? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below.
It’s a juggling act that requires patience, skill, and help from others.
What happens when customers can’t find a helping hand, and the systems in place make you feel less like a valued customer?
One mum recounts her exasperating experience at a supermarket, leaving her feeling like a criminal.
Carissa, a mother juggling three tasks—shopping, taking care of her baby, and pushing a pram full of items—found herself in a predicament many might dread.
Upon arriving at the Coles check-out, she saw the manned check-outs were closed, forcing her to use the self-service option.
Her baby refused to stay in the fully loaded pram, so she struggled to scan her items.
To her dismay, a check-out operator watching from afar offered no assistance.
Only after Carissa scanned her items, paid, and attempted to leave did the check-out operator intervene—but not to help.
Shopping for essentials should be a stress-free experience. However, Carissa expressed their disappointment with the retail giant. Image Credit: TikTok/Carissa McHolme
The boom gates refused to open, and the operator demanded to see her receipt, checking it before allowing her to leave.
‘I literally felt like a criminal because these boom gates were shut. I’m struggling,’ Carissa recounted.
I’m scanning everything—no one is offering to help.’
‘This is not okay. Whatever new system they have in place, it’s not working Coles. Do better than this. Don’t make your customers feel like thieves,’ she further added.
The incident sparked a conversation among social media users, with others also sharing their frustrating experiences with the supermarket.
‘I had a bottled water on my pram that I purchased from another shop and the gate literally closed on me,’ one comment read.
‘I had a Coles worker yell at me in front of everyone ‘scan ur big items first’ after I’d scanned a few small items,’ another customer said, pointing out that customers can scan their goods however they want.
‘I went to Coles today after I shopped at ALDI. They wanted to look through every single bag and she made me scan my nappies and toilet paper in front of her,’ one outraged customer commented.
‘F*** COLES.’
In response, a Coles spokesperson expressed disappointment at the customer’s experience.
They emphasised the company’s commitment to assisting those in need, including customers with prams, young children, and the elderly.
‘We are disappointed to hear that this hasn’t occurred in this customer’s experience and encourage our customers to come to us directly so we can address this with our team,’ the spokesperson said.
Sadly, this is not an isolated case.
One cancer patient felt ‘violated’ after Coles staff mistook his hernia for ‘stolen goods’, even asking him to lift his shirt in front of customers.
Despite the supermarket employing advanced technology for more convenient shopping, many consumers feel spied on, sparking debates about customer privacy and safety.
Supermarkets need to create an environment where all customers feel welcomed and assisted.
Always remember, if you’re ever in a difficult position while shopping, don’t hesitate to ask for help.
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