Woolworths angers shoppers with controversial new policy
Supermarket giant Woolworths has faced heavy criticism after one of it’s long-standing policies was met with change.
Last week, the retailer put in place a new rule which bans customers from asking for a refund if the items they purchased were taken home.
Previously, customers could receive full refunds on products if they had changed their mind - but that was up until September 1.
Woolworths went on to say that until further notice it would “not provide a refund where you have simply changed your mind about products purchased from Woolworths”.
“If you have purchased additional items, we encourage you to share those in need, in particular the elderly and most vulnerable,” an update to its policy read.
The decision was met with hostility from customers, with one woman, who accidentally bought a 30-pack of Coke cans instead of a 24-pack, taking to Facebook to voice her concerns.
After realising her error, she claims to have “went straight back in to be told ‘sorry’ they won’t do anything about it due to the ‘new policy’”.
“So I have ended up paying extra $21.10 for six cans. I wasn’t impressed at all, when times are as tough as they are to be told about a change in policy,” she wrote.
She later on revealed that she was offered a $20 voucher by the store manager.
Some shoppers weren’t phased by the change, as the told people to “get over it”.
“Bigger problems in the world! Good on you Woolies, stick to your guns! About time you had this in place,” one person wrote in a comment.
Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, a spokesperson for Woolworths said customers are entitled for an exchange.
“We have recently changed our refund policy and will no longer offer them for a change of mind,” they said in a statement.
“We still offer our customers the option to exchange products when they’ve had a change of mind or made a mistake, and we know this flexibility is important to them.
“This change brings us in line with broader supermarket industry practice on change of mind refunds. Of course, we’ll always refund or replace any products that are faulty.”