Woolworths' new self-checkout rule triggers customer uproar—here's why!

Woolworths has stirred customers' rage in a recent incident, as shared by some shoppers, due to a controversial new measure.

An incident involving a particular produce has arisen due to the supermarket giant's most recent strategy to deter shoplifting at the self-service checkout.


It’s a scenario seemingly fit for the digital age: a customer slips a bag of mushrooms across a self-checkout scanner, only to be halted by an alert demanding a staff member’s inspection.

At Woolworths, it’s standard to offer brown paper bags for mushrooms to preserve their freshness. But now, these bags are the centre of customer grievances.

As reported by one shopper online, the self-checkout system paused their transaction and prompted a Woolworths staff member to verify the bag's contents.


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There were heated debates on social media after a customer had a bad experience at a Woolworths self-checkout counter. Image credit: TikTok


The measure seeks to clamp down on customers, possibly hiding pricier goods or more expensive mushroom types, thereby circumventing the rightful price tag.

‘Woolworths is looking inside the mushroom bags at the self-checkout,’ the shopper shared, announcing it as a ‘public service announcement’.

‘Not sure if it’s random, or if it’s triggered by a certain weight. However, if you purchase loose mushrooms, the self-checkout will pause and prompt the attendant to come over and look inside the mushroom bag.’


Another shopper shared a similar experience.

‘Happened to me,’ a shopper recalled. ‘I was f****** p*****, because the day before, I had bought their pre-packed mushrooms and after opening the fine-looking packaging, the mushrooms were slimy and beyond use. Totally ripped off.’

‘But the next day, when I chose them myself, they’re acting like I was the one trying to rip them off, “Sorry we need to look in the bag.”’

‘I’m sorry too, but yesterday, if I’d have opened that package of mushrooms to make sure you weren’t ripping me off, you’d have had a total fit.’


Other disgruntled voices weighed in, ranging from exasperation over the invasion of privacy to sarcasm regarding the financial impact of mushroom price variance.

‘I just—oh, this enrages me. I HATE self-checkouts,’ one customer said.

Another shopper replied, ‘It’s so people don’t try and put through the fancy portobello mushrooms at the plain old white mushroom price. Because that extra $2/kg is going to send them bankrupt.’

‘Don’t you just love being made to feel like a thief?’ one more shopper shared.

‘With the amount of times the attendant gets called over these days there’s no time benefit of self-checkout.’

‘I’m seriously thinking about just using regular checkouts ‘cos they seem faster.’

Key Takeaways
  • A Woolworths customer has expressed frustration over a new security measure at the self-serve checkouts involving mandatory bag checks by staff.
  • The measure is designed to prevent customers from hiding more expensive items in brown paper mushroom bags.
  • The incident has led to other shoppers reporting similar experiences and voicing their dissatisfaction with the heightened security.
  • Many customers feel inconvenienced and distrusted due to the new measure, with some considering returning to regular checkouts for efficiency.

Dear members, what's been your experience at self-checkouts? Do you find it more efficient than regular checkouts? We'd love to hear your stories. Share them below!
 
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Stealing is stealing. Whether it is mushrooms or cars. There is no need to steal as most places have charity groups that supply boxes of food at no or cheap cost.
 
This is terrible they don't trust us. Well l would the mushrooms in a clear bag and grab a paper bag and transfer after purchasing. At Coles large items have to be scanned by the staff.
 
I’d never use a self checkout. You aren’t employed by the company and you allow that company to get rid of employees. Give a person a job and demand check out staff be employed.
 
Personally, I do not like self serve check outs. It takes a job away from someone and I do not blame the Super markets from checking. There are a lot of dishonest people in the world.
 
There seems to be a culture of finding everything wrong with self serve, don't use it, go to another brand supermarket, stop being so self entitled by expecting everything catered to their liking. Use a manned checkout or order on line but imsure these people will have problems with that too.
 
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Reactions: Maurie7
There are some very dishonest people for sure and suspect that the supermarkets are fed up with it all.
I, personally always show my bag to the cashier and half the time, they say it's okay.
As for self - serve, be patient, use the cashier registers and one may enjoy the rest of the day!
 
What's the big deal? same practice with brown paper mushroom bags at the regular check-outs, some people prefer the brown paper bags to plastic ones, if you have nothing to hide why get annoyed? staff just doing their jobs.
 
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Reactions: Hel and Maurie7
Aahhh, Woollies, Woollies, Woollies, finally provided me with
"The straw that finally broke the camel's [my] back."
Shopping yesterday for fennel seeds. Woollies price, $4.50 for 30 grams.
Elsewhere, only 50 metres from Woolies,................$1.75 for 50 grams.
Talk about the big two monopoly and their prices !!
 
I’ve gone back to using staffed checkouts, then they can’t accuse me of stealing or not pressing the right buttons, they can check my trolley so the camera doesn’t think I haven’t put all my shopping thru , even tho I bought it elsewhere. I’m fed up with these new methods to stop stealing, just employ more staff to man the checkouts and you kill two birds with one stone as they say. Also it’s nice to chat to someone which is good for older sometimes lonely customers .
 
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Reactions: Veggiepatch
I use self checkouts when I've no other choice. Hate them.
1- they rob a human of a job
2- customers aren't paid to check out their purchases
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Maurie7
I don't like self serve checkouts,I am willing to wait to have my groceries put though the checkout by the sales lady,in the long run it is much quicker especially if I have a big shopping day.
 
I have multiple pain issues that can be exacerbated by bending up and down. Self check outs make it worse and besides, you can't fit a trolley full of groceries on the other side after scanning, yet your trolley is not empty enough to replace them in. Difficulty all around for me and I expect many elderly people.
Don't use the self checkout then.
 
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Reactions: Johnnie boy
I don’t use them as a matter of principle. I find it insulting to request to look in your personal handbags. I know a lot of people hand your bag to you to search for something in it. Surely videos should identify potential theives!! and not an invasion of your privacy.
 
I'm afraid they're doing their job. Get over it. Letting people steal just costs us more in the long run.
The onus should be on the Store not the customer to identify the shoplifters. The stores are making massive profits so customers should not bear the brunt of the cost of shoplifters. I get fed up with this comment.
 
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Reactions: Maurie7
Personally I don't use self checkouts and am always happy for the checkout person to check any bags in my shopping, so can't see the difference between self checkouts and manned checkouts. Really, nothing to hide? what's the problem???
 
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Reactions: Hel and Annemarie
I tend to avoid the self serve checkouts, I like to talk to people. They also check the brown paper bag for mushroom type. My bugbear is having someone wanting to see the docket after I have paid on the way out of the store. Bunnings & Kmart are the most painful for this BS.
It's a nuisance yes, but necessary given the amount of shoplifting that occurs. It never worries me and I always have my receipt in hand.
 
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Reactions: Hel and Chicky

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