Woolworths customer exposes disturbing truth behind direct-to-boot service
- Replies 10
Nowadays, convenience often trumps all; the rise of services like Woolworths' 'direct to boot' has been a godsend for many, particularly for those who may find the weekly grocery run a bit more taxing.
However, a recent incident has cast a shadow over the reliability of such services, prompting a serious discussion about the quality control measures in place when it comes to selecting items for customers.
A Woolworths shopper from Redlynch, Queensland, was left stunned when she discovered that the Mountain Bread Rice wraps she had ordered online were not only unfit for consumption but were 'saturated' in mould.
The discovery was made the day after collection when a 'puff of mould' was released as she placed them on her kitchen counter.
‘I don’t want to have a go at the staff in store, but something of that quality shouldn’t be on the shelf,’ she said.
The visual alone is enough to make one's stomach turn, but for this Aussie mum, who suffers from a chronic health condition, the health implications were even more concerning.
She discarded the item before checking the use-by date but claimed that the product looked ‘months old’.
‘I was more concerned about my health. Mould is really bad for me,’ she added.
The mum in question did what many of us would do: she contacted Woolworths to report the issue. While she received a store credit for the $4.90 item, her concerns went beyond just a single wrap.
‘We take a risk when we get someone else to do our shopping, it is a luxury. But they should be doing better for their customers,’ she expressed.
‘We’re paying a fortune for groceries. Their CEO earns $8 million a year, but we can’t even get decent bread.’
She said she rarely uses the direct-to-boot service offered by the supermarket because she prefers to select her fruits and vegetables herself. However, after the incident, she said that Woolies should do better for its online shoppers.
‘People that actually need that service on a regular basis should be getting better quality items,’ she said.
In response, Woolworths stated that while their teams aim to provide great service for their customers, they said: ‘We don't always get it right.’
A company spokesperson shared: ‘We have a dedicated team of personal shoppers who work hard to handpick thousands of online orders to the highest standard every day.’
‘We investigated the manner with the store team, and the issue has since been resolved with the customer,’ they explained.
For our members who use 'Direct to Boot' or similar services, it's crucial to remember that you have rights as a consumer.
If you receive products that are not up to standard, don't hesitate to reach out to the supermarket's customer service. Woolworths encourages customers to return unsatisfactory products either in-store or via their virtual online assistant, Olive.
This incident comes at a time when Woolworths has faced scrutiny over its pricing tactics during a cost of living crisis, with some shoppers resorting to extreme measures to cope with rising prices.
The supermarket's profit of $1.7 billion last year, juxtaposed with the CEO's hefty salary, only adds fuel to the fire of the ongoing debate about corporate responsibility and the ethical treatment of consumers.
Last month, Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci was threatened with jail and a fine for not answering questions at a Senate inquiry regarding the company's profits.
Have you had a similar experience with online grocery services? Share your stories in the comments below.
However, a recent incident has cast a shadow over the reliability of such services, prompting a serious discussion about the quality control measures in place when it comes to selecting items for customers.
A Woolworths shopper from Redlynch, Queensland, was left stunned when she discovered that the Mountain Bread Rice wraps she had ordered online were not only unfit for consumption but were 'saturated' in mould.
The discovery was made the day after collection when a 'puff of mould' was released as she placed them on her kitchen counter.
A Woolworths shopper received a mouldy item from Woolworths. Image source: Woolworths, TikTok
‘I don’t want to have a go at the staff in store, but something of that quality shouldn’t be on the shelf,’ she said.
The visual alone is enough to make one's stomach turn, but for this Aussie mum, who suffers from a chronic health condition, the health implications were even more concerning.
She discarded the item before checking the use-by date but claimed that the product looked ‘months old’.
‘I was more concerned about my health. Mould is really bad for me,’ she added.
The mum in question did what many of us would do: she contacted Woolworths to report the issue. While she received a store credit for the $4.90 item, her concerns went beyond just a single wrap.
‘We take a risk when we get someone else to do our shopping, it is a luxury. But they should be doing better for their customers,’ she expressed.
‘We’re paying a fortune for groceries. Their CEO earns $8 million a year, but we can’t even get decent bread.’
She said she rarely uses the direct-to-boot service offered by the supermarket because she prefers to select her fruits and vegetables herself. However, after the incident, she said that Woolies should do better for its online shoppers.
‘People that actually need that service on a regular basis should be getting better quality items,’ she said.
In response, Woolworths stated that while their teams aim to provide great service for their customers, they said: ‘We don't always get it right.’
A company spokesperson shared: ‘We have a dedicated team of personal shoppers who work hard to handpick thousands of online orders to the highest standard every day.’
‘We investigated the manner with the store team, and the issue has since been resolved with the customer,’ they explained.
For our members who use 'Direct to Boot' or similar services, it's crucial to remember that you have rights as a consumer.
If you receive products that are not up to standard, don't hesitate to reach out to the supermarket's customer service. Woolworths encourages customers to return unsatisfactory products either in-store or via their virtual online assistant, Olive.
This incident comes at a time when Woolworths has faced scrutiny over its pricing tactics during a cost of living crisis, with some shoppers resorting to extreme measures to cope with rising prices.
The supermarket's profit of $1.7 billion last year, juxtaposed with the CEO's hefty salary, only adds fuel to the fire of the ongoing debate about corporate responsibility and the ethical treatment of consumers.
Last month, Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci was threatened with jail and a fine for not answering questions at a Senate inquiry regarding the company's profits.
.png){kind=icon}
