Are you overpaying at checkout? Learn about this Woolies pricing error that has Aussies on high alert!

Navigating the aisles of your local Woolworths can be a pleasant experience, with the promise of fresh produce and all your pantry staples in one place.

But what happens when the price at the checkout doesn't match the one on the shelf?

One Woolworths customer's recent experience is a stark reminder to all of us to keep our eyes peeled when we're scanning our items, especially for those of us who may not be as familiar with the self-serve checkouts.


A Woolworths shopper has advised Australians to double-check their grocery prices after nearly overpaying for a popular item.

The incident in question involved a bag of pitted prunes that scanned at a whopping $7.50, a significant leap from the $4.90 price tag displayed on the shelf.

This discrepancy not only caused confusion but also highlighted an important, yet often overlooked, Woolworths policy that could benefit shoppers.


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A Woolworths customer nearly overpaid when a bag of pitted prunes scanned at a higher price than marked. Credit: Reddit / r/Australian


The vigilant customer took to social media to share their story.

‘Ended up getting them for free after staff ran around and didn’t believe me,’ the customer wrote.

‘They said the price had gone up, but someone hadn’t changed the tag.’


According to Woolworths' policy, if an item scans at a higher price than the one advertised on the shelf, the customer is entitled to receive that item for free.

This policy is part of Woolworths' commitment to customer satisfaction, ensuring that shoppers are not disadvantaged by pricing errors.

It's a policy that many customers may not be aware of, but one that can save you money if you're attentive at the checkout.


Social media users chimed in with their own experiences, with some claiming they had also benefited from similar pricing errors.

‘Yeah, I've had a few items free when they've scanned the wrong price,’ one user shared.

‘Most people probably wouldn't notice, although I'm sure there would have been some that slipped past me.’

‘If you have the dockets on your phone, go to the online chat, tell them what happened, and you should get the full refund, and the store will be informed that they didn't follow policy,’ another advised.

‘Apparently, even if things are named wrong (and therefore different pricing), you get it for free,’ a third added.

‘I got a free bunch of flowers because they were labelled with a different type of flower!’


However, the conversation quickly turned to the broader issue of rising prices, with many commenters expressing shock at the significant price increase for the prunes.

‘The price of prunes, of all things, should be regular,’ one shopper commented.

‘The worst part of this post is knowing that a 500g pack of pitted prunes went up by $2.60,’ another pointed out.

‘50 per cent price rise is f*****,’ a third chimed.

Woolworths has yet to comment about the incident.


It's important to note that while Woolworths' policy can work in the customer's favour in the event of a pricing error, it also serves as a reminder to always check your receipts and question any discrepancies.

With the convenience of digital dockets and online customer service chats, it's easier than ever to follow up on any issues with your shopping.

For our members at the Seniors Discount Club, we recommend taking a moment to review your receipt before leaving the store or shortly after your shop.

If you spot a mistake, don't hesitate to approach the customer service desk or use the online chat feature to report the error.

Not only could you receive a refund or the item for free, but you'll also be helping to ensure that the pricing is corrected for future shoppers.

In a time when every penny counts, staying vigilant at the checkout is more important than ever.

So next time you're at Woolworths—or any supermarket, for that matter—keep an eye on those prices as you scan. It could just be the difference between overpaying and snagging a little unexpected bonus.


The recent incident where a Woolworths customer almost overpaid for a popular product serves as a reminder of the importance of double-checking grocery prices.

This isn't the first time such an issue has arisen; earlier this year, another case of Woolworths overcharging customers prompted widespread concern and warnings to always scrutinise receipts.

Both instances highlight the need for vigilance to avoid being overcharged at the checkout.
Key Takeaways

  • A Woolworths customer discovered that a bag of pitted prunes scanned at a higher price than marked at the checkout, almost leading to an overcharge.
  • The shopper received the prunes for free under Woolworths' policy that if an item scans at a higher price than ticketed, the customer is entitled to receive it at no cost.
  • Social media users shared their experiences of receiving free items due to pricing errors and discussed the importance of checking receipts and holding supermarkets accountable for their policies.
  • There was a significant price increase noted for the prunes, prompting concerns and discussions among commenters about the rising cost of groceries. Woolworths has been contacted for comment regarding this matter.
We'd love to hear from you, our readers. Have you ever encountered a pricing error during your grocery shop? Did you know about Woolworths' policy on mispriced items? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below, and let's help each other stay savvy at the checkout!
 
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As far as I know it’s not just Woolies policy. It applied to all supermarkets when I worked in one 25 years ago and as far as I know it continues today. First item wrongly priced is free and any others bought at the same time are charged at the lower price.
 
I wonder how many of us with mobility issues who find it easier to do the click and collect, are disadvantaged by this practice and end up paying way more than we should without ever knowing, just because we can’t walk the aisles.
 
Just to point out that the first item is free but the subsequent (same) items should be at he lower price.
This didn’t happen at my local Aldi though. The assistant manager told me that they did not have that policy. I later found out that Aldi had signed the same agreement as Cole’s and Woolies.
 
Last Friday, I shopped at the Willeton Woolworths in Perth. They had a special on Steggles whole chickens for an unbelievable $2.80 a kilo. Upon further inspection, the price tags on the chooks was $3.90 a kilo so off to the checkout to enquire about the discrepancy.

I explained that the display had the chooks clearly marked at $2.80 with their yellow specials tag. When scanned, the chook was priced at $7.30 and not $10.27 on the chook. I was going to purchase it but....

The chook only had one drumstick! Back to the display to get a two legged one!
 
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Reactions: deni67 and magpie1
That has been the case for many years. I quite often get items for free and I have for years. If I notice, which I do, that the checkout price is higher than what it shows on the shelf, I won’t tell them until after I’ve paid. If I’m doing their job for them by letting them know that the price is incorrect I want my free item. Sometimes they will try and tell you that an old ticket was left on and should have been removed and the item is no longer on special. I stand my ground because as far as I’m concerned that is their problem. They can’t put it back on the purchaser so they have to give it to you for free.
 
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Reactions: deni67 and Phyll
The fact the customer got their money back went right over my head after reading the product had gone up by 50%. How can that be justified? What a disgrace!
 
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I often use Olive, Woolies online bot to tell them of discrepancies in my delivery, bugger doing it over the phone, it's usually cakes or chocolate that are missing, I often wonder if the delivery drivers half inch them for themselves.
Olive always gives me a refund on the spot, as i'm talking to her it's gone back into my bank instantly.
Maybe the supermarkets should start stapling their bags at the top like food delivery places do.
 
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Reactions: Littleboy8
I often use Olive, Woolies online bot to tell them of discrepancies in my delivery, bugger doing it over the phone, it's usually cakes or chocolate that are missing, I often wonder if the delivery drivers half inch them for themselves.
Olive always gives me a refund on the spot, as i'm talking to her it's gone back into my bank instantly.
Maybe the supermarkets should start stapling their bags at the top like food delivery places do.
Problem is they’ll probably charge us for the staples as well 😳
 
Recently I was shopping at Coles and I bought some pink lady apples.
There was a display of them near the front of the store for $4.50 per kg.
Then I walked to the next fruit aisle and the same apples were $3.50 kg.
so of course I took my apples from that section. But, I did take a photo
on my phone of the apples in the lower priced tub. When they went through
the check-out they came through at the higher price. I complained at the
Customers enquiry counter and they sent a grocery person to check.
I ended up getting the apples for free because that was a special price for
Friday and the tag had not been removed on Saturday morning, when I shopped.
I think I will be using my phone camera a lot more in future.
 
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Reactions: Littleboy8
If you see it as the groceries are still going through the checkout they will change the price
. No free product!
 

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