Woolworths shopper shares concerns about the supermarket's discount scheme
- Replies 10
Navigating the aisles of your local Woolworths or scrolling through their online store should be a straightforward affair.
However, the hunt for discounts and savings turned into a perplexing puzzle, leaving shoppers scratching their heads in bewilderment.
A shopper named Tina meticulously planned her shopping list with a budget in mind.
Yet, she had to swap her online order for an in-store dash and saw an unpleasant surprise that made her go over her budget.
When Tina grabbed one of her pantry staples, Arnott's Shapes, they were listed at $2 online but were two for $6 in-store.
'How is it more expensive to go in and do it myself than to order it and have it delivered? It makes no sense,' she lamented.
In a time when every penny counts for budget-conscious shoppers, such inconsistencies could be a cause for concern.
Woolworths addressed the situation and explained that their 'Online Only Specials' could differ from in-store prices.
While this may seem like a modern-day problem, the tactic has been increasingly common in the digital age.
The supermarket giant assured shoppers that their website and mobile app typically reflect the same retail prices as their physical stores.
However, these 'Online Only Specials' are short-term offers exclusive to their digital stores, identifiable by an 'Online Only' sticker next to the item.
Woolworths encouraged their customers to compare prices both online and in-store to ensure they're getting the best value for their dollar.
Some shoppers expressed irritation over the extra legwork needed to secure the best prices.
On the other hand, some shoppers appreciate the opportunity to save a few bucks, regardless of the platform.
'It's tit for tat with online versus in-store. You get specials online that you don't get in-store, and vice versa. Pick what suits you on the weekly,' one shopper commented.
'I am pleased about the online-only specials. Their strategy is to save money, and they do that by cutting employees and costs associated with it, which actually saves them a lot of time and money,' a second wrote.
However, the issue of confusing pricing tactics is not exclusive to Woolworths.
A recent study by consumer advocacy group CHOICE revealed that Aussie shoppers are getting confused over 'specials' and discount labels across Coles, Woolworths, and ALDI.
CHOICE's Senior Policy and Campaigns Advisor, Beatrice Sherwood, highlighted the challenge consumers face in discerning genuine discounts amidst promotional phrases like 'while stocks last', 'prices dropped', 'down down', and 'super saver'.
In a survey among 1,000 consumers, one in four people needed help to identify if specific supermarket labels represented an actual discount.
This confusion is particularly concerning as Australians try to stretch their dollars further in the face of the current cost of living crisis.
Watch Tina’s video here:
Source: @mummamadeit/TikTok
What can you do to ensure these perplexing pricing practices do not catch you out?
Here are a few tips:
1. Always check both online and in-store prices.
2. Look out for 'Online Only' labels when shopping online to take advantage of those exclusive deals.
3. Join supermarket loyalty programs that offer additional discounts and specials to members.
4. Keep an eye on the unit price—not just the promotional price—to compare the true cost of products.
5. Reach out to customer service if you're unsure about a price or a promotion.
Have you encountered similar pricing puzzles on your shopping trips? Share your experiences and shopping tips in the comments below.
However, the hunt for discounts and savings turned into a perplexing puzzle, leaving shoppers scratching their heads in bewilderment.
A shopper named Tina meticulously planned her shopping list with a budget in mind.
Yet, she had to swap her online order for an in-store dash and saw an unpleasant surprise that made her go over her budget.
When Tina grabbed one of her pantry staples, Arnott's Shapes, they were listed at $2 online but were two for $6 in-store.
'How is it more expensive to go in and do it myself than to order it and have it delivered? It makes no sense,' she lamented.
Tina shared her concern about Woolworths' pricing schemes with their 'Online Only Specials' on social media. Image Credit: TikTok/Mumma Made It
In a time when every penny counts for budget-conscious shoppers, such inconsistencies could be a cause for concern.
Woolworths addressed the situation and explained that their 'Online Only Specials' could differ from in-store prices.
While this may seem like a modern-day problem, the tactic has been increasingly common in the digital age.
The supermarket giant assured shoppers that their website and mobile app typically reflect the same retail prices as their physical stores.
However, these 'Online Only Specials' are short-term offers exclusive to their digital stores, identifiable by an 'Online Only' sticker next to the item.
Woolworths encouraged their customers to compare prices both online and in-store to ensure they're getting the best value for their dollar.
Some shoppers expressed irritation over the extra legwork needed to secure the best prices.
On the other hand, some shoppers appreciate the opportunity to save a few bucks, regardless of the platform.
'It's tit for tat with online versus in-store. You get specials online that you don't get in-store, and vice versa. Pick what suits you on the weekly,' one shopper commented.
'I am pleased about the online-only specials. Their strategy is to save money, and they do that by cutting employees and costs associated with it, which actually saves them a lot of time and money,' a second wrote.
However, the issue of confusing pricing tactics is not exclusive to Woolworths.
A recent study by consumer advocacy group CHOICE revealed that Aussie shoppers are getting confused over 'specials' and discount labels across Coles, Woolworths, and ALDI.
CHOICE's Senior Policy and Campaigns Advisor, Beatrice Sherwood, highlighted the challenge consumers face in discerning genuine discounts amidst promotional phrases like 'while stocks last', 'prices dropped', 'down down', and 'super saver'.
In a survey among 1,000 consumers, one in four people needed help to identify if specific supermarket labels represented an actual discount.
This confusion is particularly concerning as Australians try to stretch their dollars further in the face of the current cost of living crisis.
Watch Tina’s video here:
Source: @mummamadeit/TikTok
What can you do to ensure these perplexing pricing practices do not catch you out?
Here are a few tips:
1. Always check both online and in-store prices.
2. Look out for 'Online Only' labels when shopping online to take advantage of those exclusive deals.
3. Join supermarket loyalty programs that offer additional discounts and specials to members.
4. Keep an eye on the unit price—not just the promotional price—to compare the true cost of products.
5. Reach out to customer service if you're unsure about a price or a promotion.
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