Why are Woolworths shoppers livid over this controversial checkout photo?
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Every dollar counts, especially for people who are often on fixed incomes and are particularly attuned to getting the most value out of their shopping trips.
But the simple act of grocery shopping turned into a heated debate when a Woolworths customer shared a photo of a checkout screen online.
The image, taken at the Woolworths Macarthur Metro store in Brisbane, sparked outrage among shoppers, but the supermarket giant has since provided a simple explanation.
The customer's checkout screen displayed a total of $17.90, but the customer had calculated that his shopping haul should have only cost $15.90.
The discrepancy led to confusion and frustration, prompting the customer to share the image on social media, where it quickly gained traction.
The customer's post read: 'Was annoyed that the amount due on my Woolies purchase did not equate to the individual items I purchased.'
'Hoping that you all don't get taken advantage of by “colesworth” further amidst all the already inflated prices,' he said.
The customer, who admitted he doesn't usually tally up his shopping totals, decided to do so this time due to the small number of items he had purchased.
Since the total seemed suspicious, the customer questioned the staff about the discrepancy. After double-checking his calculations, the staff agreed with his total and removed the cost of the mangoes from his bill, effectively giving them to him for free.
'I ended up paying $14.10 (on checking my bank records just now), which I just paid and didn’t think further,' he wrote.
However, a Woolworths spokesperson later clarified that the checkout total of $17.90 was, in fact, correct. The confusion arose due to a technical glitch that displayed the incorrect price for the mangoes on the screen.
'The mango price of 80 cents each that appeared on the screen was incorrect due to a technical error—they were on clearance for $1.90 each,' the spokesperson explained.
'Our team resolved this with the customer in-store, providing the mangoes free of charge,' the Woolworths spokesman said.
The spokesperson also reassured that this was an isolated incident involving the clearance price of a batch of Calypso Mangoes at the Macarthur Metro store.
Understanding Your Rights as a Consumer
While this incident was resolved amicably, it raises questions about pricing errors and what rights consumers have when they occur.
In Australia, businesses are legally required to display the correct price for all goods and services they offer.
If a pricing error occurs, the business must honour the displayed price if it is lower than the correct price.
It's important for consumers to be aware of their rights and to always double-check their receipts, especially when purchasing a large number of items.
If you think you’ve been a victim of false advertising, you may seek help and report consumer issues here.
While technology has made shopping more convenient, glitches can occur, and being vigilant can help ensure you're not paying more than you should.
Have you ever experienced a similar situation? How did you handle it? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.
But the simple act of grocery shopping turned into a heated debate when a Woolworths customer shared a photo of a checkout screen online.
The image, taken at the Woolworths Macarthur Metro store in Brisbane, sparked outrage among shoppers, but the supermarket giant has since provided a simple explanation.
The customer's checkout screen displayed a total of $17.90, but the customer had calculated that his shopping haul should have only cost $15.90.
The discrepancy led to confusion and frustration, prompting the customer to share the image on social media, where it quickly gained traction.
The customer's post read: 'Was annoyed that the amount due on my Woolies purchase did not equate to the individual items I purchased.'
'Hoping that you all don't get taken advantage of by “colesworth” further amidst all the already inflated prices,' he said.
The customer, who admitted he doesn't usually tally up his shopping totals, decided to do so this time due to the small number of items he had purchased.
Since the total seemed suspicious, the customer questioned the staff about the discrepancy. After double-checking his calculations, the staff agreed with his total and removed the cost of the mangoes from his bill, effectively giving them to him for free.
'I ended up paying $14.10 (on checking my bank records just now), which I just paid and didn’t think further,' he wrote.
However, a Woolworths spokesperson later clarified that the checkout total of $17.90 was, in fact, correct. The confusion arose due to a technical glitch that displayed the incorrect price for the mangoes on the screen.
'The mango price of 80 cents each that appeared on the screen was incorrect due to a technical error—they were on clearance for $1.90 each,' the spokesperson explained.
'Our team resolved this with the customer in-store, providing the mangoes free of charge,' the Woolworths spokesman said.
The spokesperson also reassured that this was an isolated incident involving the clearance price of a batch of Calypso Mangoes at the Macarthur Metro store.
Understanding Your Rights as a Consumer
While this incident was resolved amicably, it raises questions about pricing errors and what rights consumers have when they occur.
In Australia, businesses are legally required to display the correct price for all goods and services they offer.
If a pricing error occurs, the business must honour the displayed price if it is lower than the correct price.
It's important for consumers to be aware of their rights and to always double-check their receipts, especially when purchasing a large number of items.
If you think you’ve been a victim of false advertising, you may seek help and report consumer issues here.
While technology has made shopping more convenient, glitches can occur, and being vigilant can help ensure you're not paying more than you should.
Key Takeaways
- A Woolworths shopper expressed his confusion on social media after a checkout screen at the Woolworths Macarthur Metro store in Brisbane displayed an incorrect total for his purchase.
- The screen showed a total of $17.90, whereas the customer calculated the items should only total $15.90, suggesting an overcharge.
- Woolworths explained that the displayed price of 80 cents each for mangoes was due to a technical error as they were actually on clearance for $1.90 each.
- The store resolved the issue with the customer by providing the mangoes free of charge, and Woolworths apologised for the confusion caused by the technical glitch.
Have you ever experienced a similar situation? How did you handle it? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.