‘Rude’ checkout question sparks a heated debate among Woolworths Rewards members
- Replies 20
Rewards programs at supermarkets do help shoppers save money on their purchases. It’s set up as a way for these retailers to say thank you to their customers, and to entice consumers to keep supporting the store.
One major Aussie supermarket, Woolworths, offers a popular rewards program for its customers. Not only does it provide discounts and extra points that we can use towards future purchases, but it's also a great way to save money on groceries overall.
However, these programs also come with their fair share of dilemmas.
One curious rewards member asked in a Facebook group if it might be considered ‘rude’ to swipe your Rewards card on someone else’s grocery shop at the checkout, provided they gave permission.
But the members may have come to regret asking this question as a heated debate broke out under their post, revealing a surprisingly divisive comments section.
‘Would you find it rude if the customer in front of you doesn’t have a rewards card [and] you politely ask if you could scan your card [instead]?’ They said in their post.
It was revealed that her question came after she scored a free 852 points from another shopper who bought $160 worth of groceries and didn’t have a card of their own.
The original poster said that the other shopper was ‘more than happy’ to let them scan their card when they asked.
But other social media users suggested approaching these incidents with ‘caution’ because they argued it was ethically wrong to ‘claim benefits from groceries you didn’t pay for’.
Someone wrote: ‘You didn’t pay for the items nor did you earn them, the team members can actually refuse you scanning your card and can remove it from the system.’
Hundreds agreed that it was acceptable to take someone else’s points, provided that the other person offered first. But if not, then it wouldn’t be acceptable to ask to take them.
Another commented that when they worked at the checkout, customers would sometimes ask the person behind them if they wanted to scan their card on their groceries. ‘As for asking the person in front to use your card, I think this is rude,’ they added.
A third explained: ‘Asking if someone wants your points and asking someone if you can take them, are very different things.’
Others reported their experiences with more ‘covert’ shoppers.
‘I had the person behind me the other week scan their card after I’d already scanned mine,’ said one. The person went on to add that they managed to override the system with their card but nonetheless felt annoyed.
Some experienced other customers ‘shuffling up close’ to the scanner and attempting to scan their card first. One person said that they had one lady trying to do this before they finished paying for their items. ‘I gave her “the look” and she backed away,’ they continued.
Several Facebook users, however, felt that there was no harm in asking.
‘Nah, not rude at all! You asked. She said yes. End of,’ wrote one.
A spokesperson for Woolworths said that using the rewards points of others was ‘generally discouraged’ because it would affect what offers they received.
They explained: ‘To ensure our customers are getting the most value from the program, offers and boosters are tailored to each member, based on their shopping habits.’
What’s your take on this issue, folks? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!
One major Aussie supermarket, Woolworths, offers a popular rewards program for its customers. Not only does it provide discounts and extra points that we can use towards future purchases, but it's also a great way to save money on groceries overall.
However, these programs also come with their fair share of dilemmas.
One curious rewards member asked in a Facebook group if it might be considered ‘rude’ to swipe your Rewards card on someone else’s grocery shop at the checkout, provided they gave permission.
But the members may have come to regret asking this question as a heated debate broke out under their post, revealing a surprisingly divisive comments section.
If someone asked this, would you give them your permission? Credit: Woolworths
‘Would you find it rude if the customer in front of you doesn’t have a rewards card [and] you politely ask if you could scan your card [instead]?’ They said in their post.
It was revealed that her question came after she scored a free 852 points from another shopper who bought $160 worth of groceries and didn’t have a card of their own.
The original poster said that the other shopper was ‘more than happy’ to let them scan their card when they asked.
But other social media users suggested approaching these incidents with ‘caution’ because they argued it was ethically wrong to ‘claim benefits from groceries you didn’t pay for’.
Someone wrote: ‘You didn’t pay for the items nor did you earn them, the team members can actually refuse you scanning your card and can remove it from the system.’
Hundreds agreed that it was acceptable to take someone else’s points, provided that the other person offered first. But if not, then it wouldn’t be acceptable to ask to take them.
Hundreds argued in the comments section. Credit: Woolworths group
Another commented that when they worked at the checkout, customers would sometimes ask the person behind them if they wanted to scan their card on their groceries. ‘As for asking the person in front to use your card, I think this is rude,’ they added.
A third explained: ‘Asking if someone wants your points and asking someone if you can take them, are very different things.’
Others reported their experiences with more ‘covert’ shoppers.
‘I had the person behind me the other week scan their card after I’d already scanned mine,’ said one. The person went on to add that they managed to override the system with their card but nonetheless felt annoyed.
Some experienced other customers ‘shuffling up close’ to the scanner and attempting to scan their card first. One person said that they had one lady trying to do this before they finished paying for their items. ‘I gave her “the look” and she backed away,’ they continued.
Several Facebook users, however, felt that there was no harm in asking.
‘Nah, not rude at all! You asked. She said yes. End of,’ wrote one.
A spokesperson for Woolworths said that using the rewards points of others was ‘generally discouraged’ because it would affect what offers they received.
They explained: ‘To ensure our customers are getting the most value from the program, offers and boosters are tailored to each member, based on their shopping habits.’
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