Veteran Woolworths employee reveals shocking cash rule
- Replies 20
The world of retail is constantly evolving, and even long-standing employees can be taken aback by sudden changes.
This was the case for Darren Morfoot, a dedicated Woolworths employee of 20 years, who recently discovered a significant shift in the supermarket's cash policy.
Woolworths has been a convenient place for some customers to withdraw cash.
However, Mr Morfoot recently discovered that the retail giant no longer allows cash withdrawals without a purchase.
'Since when did Woolworths introduce that you have to buy something in order to just withdraw cash? Only found that out today,' Mr Morfoot shared on social media.
This change is just one of many recent adjustments to Woolworths' cash handling policies.
In September last year, the supermarket reduced the maximum cash withdrawal limit from $500 to $200.
The following month, it introduced the requirement for a purchase to be made before cash could be withdrawn.
A spokesperson for Woolworths explained that these changes were in response to the decreasing use of cash, with the majority of customers now opting for card-only transactions.
'We understand cash remains an important payment option for some customers. That's why we'll continue to offer the ability to withdraw cash,' the spokesperson said.
However, it's important to note that there is currently no minimum purchase amount required to withdraw cash.
Mr Morfoot, who works at a Woolworths store in Bondi, Sydney, has noticed a clear shift towards card payments and self-service checkouts in recent years.
'We have 12 self-serve checkouts, and only two take cash, which [is] hidden by a pole,' he shared.
'With the checkouts, when the store manager goes home, it's basically self-serve or nothing,’ he added.
Across Australia, and the world, businesses are increasingly favouring electronic payments over cash.
According to the Global Payments Report, cash is predicted to account for just 2 per cent of point-of-sale transactions by 2025.
However, this trend is not without its drawbacks. Many Australians have expressed concerns about the increasing difficulty of finding places to withdraw cash, especially with banks closing or reducing their hours.
'This was my preferred way to get cash out with all the banks closing or reducing hours,' one person said.
Another stated: ‘They (Woolworths) used to always ask you if you would like to get money out when you did [the] shopping and they don't do that anymore.’
Others have raised concerns about the additional fees charged by privately-owned ATMs, the risk of hacks and scams, and the potential for access to funds to be disrupted when electricity or internet coverage is unavailable.
Member @darrellh said of the new policy: ‘I never use an ATM as I don't consider them safe from other people who can rob you, but getting money out at the supermarkets when you shop is much safer.’
‘Let's hope they don't stop it altogether, but I do understand they are not a bank… when banks do not give you cash, it does make life difficult for some!’
Although some customers are not in favour, others don't have any issues with it.
Member @Liz wrote: ‘I agree with having to purchase something to get cash out. Just buy something small like a banana and ask for cash out. It is convenient when no ATM's around and no bank in the shopping centre.’
‘I don't see anything wrong with having to make a purchase if you want [to] cash out. This is a service offered to customers, if you're not purchasing anything then you're not a customer,’ member @mylittletibbies added.
What are your thoughts on this new policy, members? Have you been affected by it? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below.
This was the case for Darren Morfoot, a dedicated Woolworths employee of 20 years, who recently discovered a significant shift in the supermarket's cash policy.
Woolworths has been a convenient place for some customers to withdraw cash.
However, Mr Morfoot recently discovered that the retail giant no longer allows cash withdrawals without a purchase.
Woolworths doesn’t allow customers to withdraw cash from the store without making a purchase first. Image source: Shutterstock
'Since when did Woolworths introduce that you have to buy something in order to just withdraw cash? Only found that out today,' Mr Morfoot shared on social media.
This change is just one of many recent adjustments to Woolworths' cash handling policies.
In September last year, the supermarket reduced the maximum cash withdrawal limit from $500 to $200.
The following month, it introduced the requirement for a purchase to be made before cash could be withdrawn.
A spokesperson for Woolworths explained that these changes were in response to the decreasing use of cash, with the majority of customers now opting for card-only transactions.
'We understand cash remains an important payment option for some customers. That's why we'll continue to offer the ability to withdraw cash,' the spokesperson said.
However, it's important to note that there is currently no minimum purchase amount required to withdraw cash.
Mr Morfoot, who works at a Woolworths store in Bondi, Sydney, has noticed a clear shift towards card payments and self-service checkouts in recent years.
'We have 12 self-serve checkouts, and only two take cash, which [is] hidden by a pole,' he shared.
'With the checkouts, when the store manager goes home, it's basically self-serve or nothing,’ he added.
Across Australia, and the world, businesses are increasingly favouring electronic payments over cash.
According to the Global Payments Report, cash is predicted to account for just 2 per cent of point-of-sale transactions by 2025.
However, this trend is not without its drawbacks. Many Australians have expressed concerns about the increasing difficulty of finding places to withdraw cash, especially with banks closing or reducing their hours.
'This was my preferred way to get cash out with all the banks closing or reducing hours,' one person said.
Another stated: ‘They (Woolworths) used to always ask you if you would like to get money out when you did [the] shopping and they don't do that anymore.’
Others have raised concerns about the additional fees charged by privately-owned ATMs, the risk of hacks and scams, and the potential for access to funds to be disrupted when electricity or internet coverage is unavailable.
Member @darrellh said of the new policy: ‘I never use an ATM as I don't consider them safe from other people who can rob you, but getting money out at the supermarkets when you shop is much safer.’
‘Let's hope they don't stop it altogether, but I do understand they are not a bank… when banks do not give you cash, it does make life difficult for some!’
Although some customers are not in favour, others don't have any issues with it.
Member @Liz wrote: ‘I agree with having to purchase something to get cash out. Just buy something small like a banana and ask for cash out. It is convenient when no ATM's around and no bank in the shopping centre.’
‘I don't see anything wrong with having to make a purchase if you want [to] cash out. This is a service offered to customers, if you're not purchasing anything then you're not a customer,’ member @mylittletibbies added.
What are your thoughts on this new policy, members? Have you been affected by it? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below.
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