Coles insiders leak checkout secret after shopper’s ‘awkward and weird’ experience
- Replies 65
Have you ever been baffled by a seemingly strange request from a Coles employee at the self-serve checkout?
You're not alone.
A recent revelation from a Coles customer has shed light on a little-known rule that has left many shoppers scratching their heads.
In a video shared on social media, a Coles customer, known as @teya0466, recounted her unusual experience at the self-service checkout.
She was about to purchase a carton of mineral water when a Coles employee insisted on helping her, specifically requesting that she scan the heavy item first.
'I was using the self-service checkout, the one with the conveyor belt,' the shopper said.
‘I was going to purchase a carton of mineral water, and the lady that was overseeing the area was very insistent on helping me.’
‘And I was like, “No, it’s fine—I’m in the self-checkout. I’ll just do it myself.”’
‘She was like, “OK, but can you scan it first?”’
‘And I’m like, OK, that’s a bit weird. I don’t know why,’ she added.
‘But she was very adamant that I had to scan the carton first—I [didn’t] know I had to do that.’
The shopper's confusion led her to ask for advice on why Coles staff would insist on ‘having to scan your groceries in a certain order when you’re using the self-checkout service’.
The responses she received shed light on a confusing situation.
Many social media users, including former Coles employees, explained that heavy and bulk buys are often the most stolen items.
'As an ex-Coles service employee, it’s because bulk items are their highest stolen item. Even at the normal registers, they’ll ask you if you have any bulk items first. It’s hard on workers too,' one user said.
Another employee added, 'Because we who work at Coles have to, otherwise we get in trouble. I have been telling customers why, which helps.'
A third added, ‘My mother-in-law works there, and apparently, they have to do them first, and they are scored on it!’
The shopper who shared the video admitted she had no idea that bulky and heavy items were targeted by thieves.
'I just felt the experience was awkward and weird,' she responded.
‘But I hadn’t considered theft. Just never been told how to scan my groceries.'
You can watch the shopper's video below:
Credit: @teya0466 / TikTok
A Coles spokesperson confirmed that staff are always on hand to help customers with the checkout process.
'Coles is always looking for ways to improve how we serve our customers and provide exceptional customer service,' the spokesperson said.
'Our team members are always encouraged to help our customers where possible. Where a customer has certain items, this may include bulky or heavy items, our team will offer to assist them in scanning the items when checking out.'
‘This is all about providing great service to our customers and helping them get through the checkouts quickly and efficiently.’
However, not everyone seemed to understand this rule.
In a previous story, a shopper shared on social media that he had been scolded by a ‘power tripping’ Coles staff member while trying to use the self-serve checkout as the shopper had committed a similar mistake.
You can read more about the story here.
What are your thoughts on this rule, members? Have you experienced something similar at other supermarkets? Share your experiences in the comments below!
You're not alone.
A recent revelation from a Coles customer has shed light on a little-known rule that has left many shoppers scratching their heads.
In a video shared on social media, a Coles customer, known as @teya0466, recounted her unusual experience at the self-service checkout.
She was about to purchase a carton of mineral water when a Coles employee insisted on helping her, specifically requesting that she scan the heavy item first.
A shopper shared her experience at the Coles self-service checkout. Credit: Shutterstock
'I was using the self-service checkout, the one with the conveyor belt,' the shopper said.
‘I was going to purchase a carton of mineral water, and the lady that was overseeing the area was very insistent on helping me.’
‘And I was like, “No, it’s fine—I’m in the self-checkout. I’ll just do it myself.”’
‘She was like, “OK, but can you scan it first?”’
‘And I’m like, OK, that’s a bit weird. I don’t know why,’ she added.
‘But she was very adamant that I had to scan the carton first—I [didn’t] know I had to do that.’
The shopper's confusion led her to ask for advice on why Coles staff would insist on ‘having to scan your groceries in a certain order when you’re using the self-checkout service’.
The responses she received shed light on a confusing situation.
Many social media users, including former Coles employees, explained that heavy and bulk buys are often the most stolen items.
'As an ex-Coles service employee, it’s because bulk items are their highest stolen item. Even at the normal registers, they’ll ask you if you have any bulk items first. It’s hard on workers too,' one user said.
Another employee added, 'Because we who work at Coles have to, otherwise we get in trouble. I have been telling customers why, which helps.'
A third added, ‘My mother-in-law works there, and apparently, they have to do them first, and they are scored on it!’
The shopper who shared the video admitted she had no idea that bulky and heavy items were targeted by thieves.
'I just felt the experience was awkward and weird,' she responded.
‘But I hadn’t considered theft. Just never been told how to scan my groceries.'
You can watch the shopper's video below:
Credit: @teya0466 / TikTok
A Coles spokesperson confirmed that staff are always on hand to help customers with the checkout process.
'Coles is always looking for ways to improve how we serve our customers and provide exceptional customer service,' the spokesperson said.
'Our team members are always encouraged to help our customers where possible. Where a customer has certain items, this may include bulky or heavy items, our team will offer to assist them in scanning the items when checking out.'
‘This is all about providing great service to our customers and helping them get through the checkouts quickly and efficiently.’
However, not everyone seemed to understand this rule.
In a previous story, a shopper shared on social media that he had been scolded by a ‘power tripping’ Coles staff member while trying to use the self-serve checkout as the shopper had committed a similar mistake.
You can read more about the story here.
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