Calling everyone to boycott Woolworths group for 2 weeks due to recent event of cancelling orders

easternculture on 21/06/2014 - 08:46
Last edited 22/06/2014 - 17:39

Hi all

Due to the recent events in this Deal, Im calling on everyone to Boycott the Woolworths Group for 2 weeks. I think that they should finally realise the power of consumers in the supermarket buisness.

Not only did they waste hours of each of our time placing orders, but sent out emails without an explanation claiming that we contacted them to cancel the orders.

Every week we boycott the Woolworths Group, they loose millions of dollars. Hopefully this will wake them up and show them the power of consumers

Lets support other buisnesses and show woolworths what we are made off.

Woolworths Group = Woolworths, Big W, Masters, etc

Poll Options

  • 73
    Hell Yeh, lets Boycott them
  • 11
    No,sorry but i cant live without them
  • 346
    Not interested
General Discussion

Related Stores

Woolworths
Woolworths

Comments

  • Natt on 21/06/2014 - 08:51
    +1

    Hell yeah! But then I do this anyway.

  • easternculture on 21/06/2014 - 09:01
    +13

    Im personally not going to buy from them anymore. My local supermarket prices are not too bad. I also buy my meat from local butcher and fruit/veges from my local grocer

    • Tuttorix on 21/06/2014 - 18:53
      +2

      People must really hate this comment…

      • nismo on 21/06/2014 - 19:41
        +3

        W employees?

        • AssociatedTal_Shiar @ Woolworths on 21/06/2014 - 22:12
          +1

          You say that like were dick smith employees :P

    • gimli on 21/06/2014 - 23:03
      +10

      Price >> principle

    • arcticmonkey on 24/06/2014 - 22:20
      +1

      Why did people neg this comment?

      Are these people benefiting from the misfortune of poker machine addicts in low income municipalities?

      Woolworths and Coles are far too big and they might be cheaper now but it will be us that pays in the long run when competition is completely gone:

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnQMOyGeP_I

      • gimli on 24/06/2014 - 22:52

        Negators attack

  • rambutann on 21/06/2014 - 09:17
    +11

    I rarely even shop at woolworths as is. From my experience they are much more expensive than Coles.

    Now in relation to the deal you posted above, the markup on their products would be so small that they would most likely lose money on a $50-$20=$30 transaction. I however did have my order of $30.04 honoured but I used click n collect. If my local butcher and bakery accepted card payments I would go there all the time but for now the convenience of Coles is too damn high for me to want to change to a substitute (I just don't like having cash on me, once I have it I tend to spend it a lot faster than if i were only using my card)

    • blackfrancis75 on 22/06/2014 - 10:54
      +7

      Rambutann I believe you have no idea what you're talking about regarding markups. The Duopoly enforced by Woolworths and Coles allows them to command mark ups in the range of 40%, which is way more (in most cases, double or more) than elsewhere in the Western world.

      • blackfrancis75 on 22/06/2014 - 12:13
        +10

        person who negged, care to comment?

      • Kriegersson on 23/06/2014 - 20:24
        +1

        That isn't true. Or at least, not entirely true. The margins for a supermarket, even in our duopoly/oligopoly market, are very low for many goods. Milk they sell at or below cost, for example. Usually fresh food will be sold at low margins while packaged and processed goods are at higher margins.

        • blackfrancis75 on 24/06/2014 - 10:32
          +3

          Milk in Australia is the perfect example of a loss-leader. Both Woolworths and Coles do this with milk to crush the little guy. What you've said only reinforces my point
          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loss_leader

        • ronnknee on 24/06/2014 - 11:19
          +1

          I find fruits and vegetables to be much cheaper at the markets than at the supermarkets. Therefore I would say they have a high margin.

        • Pacify on 24/06/2014 - 16:08

          Yes and no.

          Some fresh foods still have huge, huge mark ups. In particular fruit. Woolies buys apples at about $1 a kill, up to $1.5 depending on the season, availability etc.

          They charge $3-4 a kilo here normally.

          Thats 2-4x mark up, on a fruit that keeps very very well if properly stored, does not go bad easily and has constant demand

        • Utopian on 24/06/2014 - 20:25
          +1

          I'm sure they all voted in the boardroom "let's crush the little guy".

          Or… what will get most people in the door? We already offer cheap bread.

      • mini_wombat on 24/06/2014 - 00:12
        +3

        Absolutley correct … I personally can confirm the far higher prices (at least compared to Germany). I think its all around 30 to 50% more expensive in Australian Supermarkets.

        No wonder Aldi has such an success here (and they will still have a super high profit margin compared to Europe).

        (Milk is one product which is fairly cheap nowadays in Australia … but it doesn't match the high cheese prices or other dairy).

        • T1OOO on 24/06/2014 - 16:12
          +1

          when i used to work at woolies like 10 years ago, we used to only make bout a cent profit on each item. yes it adds up but its not much once you factor in the employees and junk you gota pay for, advertising, ect…

        • Punkboy on 24/06/2014 - 20:01
          +1

          Germany is probably a poor example. I believe that it is known to have the toughest retail market in the world and even big players such as Walmart have failed there.

        • tonka on 25/06/2014 - 00:54

          Just curious, is this 1 cent market on price paid to supplier or just warehouse consignment price.
          Most companies I worked for , in the end it's only the CFO who really knows what moneys being made.

          Profit would be what you make after employees, junk & stuff.

      • Freakycat on 27/06/2014 - 12:59

        I know their markup is way higher than other shops, so now I only buy fresh vegs from them when they are on discount, meat from local butchers, toiletries from Save on Brands or Priceline (occasionally) and get them delivered, appliances from Graysonline and junk food from Asian supermarkets. If I still need something from them, just wait for the promo code and free delivery.

  • retiredfeline on 21/06/2014 - 09:42
    +6

    I already ignore Woolies most of the time. The only recent time that I spent > $20 was when they gave $10 free for $30 spend. Bought a couple of road kill chooks. (Butterflied chickens. :))

    • [Deactivated] on 21/06/2014 - 10:25
      +1

      Hold on. You appear to be suggesting that we NOT burn the Woolies Witches at the stake?
      Can we at least cram a couple in some empty click-and-collect lockers??

      (Best description of 'butterflied chicken' that I've ever heard!)

  • p1 ama on 21/06/2014 - 10:05
    +75

    I disagree with this, that code was sent out via e-mail to a select number of users and was never designed to be spread and used the way it was. Even though we're all in the business of bargain hunting here, we have to remember to be fair. Woolworths and Coles both sell products with very low margins such that taking $20 off a $50 order will be putting that basket of goods below cost.

    Sure, they know this and it might have been a reward for those who are loyal to them, thus, were sent the code. But it was definitely not designed to be spread and used by everyone the way that it has.

    I say that it's fair enough orders were cancelled.

    • donga100 on 21/06/2014 - 10:10
      +17

      More likely a reward for those who are not loyal to them.

      • cloudy on 21/06/2014 - 10:18
        +15

        Whinge when we get it, Whinge when we don't.

      • [Deactivated] on 21/06/2014 - 11:59
        +16

        I agree. Everyday Rewards send out better offers to people who don't shop with them very often.

      • [Deactivated] on 21/06/2014 - 15:53
        +6

        More likely a reward for those who are not loyal to them.

        So true, man! I shop there several times a week. Each shop is usually greater than $50. They're my main supermarket, though I also shop at others (big and small).

        I only get the emails offering a measly $10 off a $100+ spend. lol What the hell.

        Then we come here and read that people who rarely shop there are getting the $10 off $40 or $50 spends. How does that work?! lol

        • timmypete on 21/06/2014 - 17:22
          +1

          My missus' offers come to my email as well as my very infrequently used card's offers.

          The difference is usually pretty large and it's worth occasionally heading to woolies when their come back bribe gets high enough.

        • scrimshaw on 21/06/2014 - 18:41
          +7

          Then we come here and read that people who rarely shop there are getting the $10 off $40 or $50 spends. How does that work?! lol

          It's the same thing with telecom companies. New internet and mobile phone subcribers get awesome offers, but the fine print says if you're already a customer, sorry, not eligible.

          Unless you threaten to switch, in which case they might throw you a bone and you continue to stick with them until you're no longer satisfied.

          Woolies however knows you shop at Woolworths often so they don't have to entice you with anything.

        • [Deactivated] on 21/06/2014 - 19:08
          +1

          I have an online account with Masters (Masters are owned by Woolworths) signed up for with a different email address to the supermarket one.

          Despite coinciding account name and street address, I continue to get very contrasting, unsolicited, offers to purchase online groceries for the 'first' time.

          Just the way it is + I.T. fail, combined.

      • [Deactivated] on 21/06/2014 - 23:12
        +1

        Of course - no need to assimilate those already part of the collective.

        • Gorodemon on 24/06/2014 - 09:41
          +3

          Damn, so Woolies is like The Borg? ”We are Woolies. Lower your defence and surrender your money. We will add your personal details and purchasing habits to our database. Your local shops will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile.”

    • tc4101 on 23/06/2014 - 07:24
      +5

      Woolworths markups from there purchase price is quite high, at least 30%…. before wages, rent, and other expenses.

      The overall 5% margin they make is after they pay all the fixed costs and gouging by the executives.

      So no they would not of lost much money in those deals if at all. Just depends what was bought.

      • elf888 on 24/06/2014 - 16:41

        I total agree with you and please forgive those don't know about accounting and numbers that has a false statement and get 70+ vote.

        • Utopian on 24/06/2014 - 20:34
          -2

          What's your cowardly post got to do with the +70 post?? If you're going to sledge the post & its voters… reply to it, and with actual substance.

  • cloudy on 21/06/2014 - 10:16
    +5

    EC, I dunno how you think every week you boycott a supermarket they will lose millions, but I'm sure if what you say is true you don't need any support from forums.

    I personally didn't even make a order coz the deal seemed too good to be true. On average, Woolies has a net profit of 5c for every dollar of revenue. Getting 40% off your shopping was always loss selling to win market share. I'd rather not expect anything than to chase marketing promos like this. I'll keep shopping my normal amounts at Woolies and everywhere else.

    • goosegog on 22/06/2014 - 20:23
      +5

      As a previous sales rep. who sold into both coles & woollies I can assure you that there is NO WAY they would lose out on giving promotional discounts to customers.They reap the profit from the suppliers who are screwed into the ground to beable to have their products in the stores & should they not sell a good amount after paying an extortionate amount( i.e. $50000 for a Gondola end for 1 week) to have them there or on the shelves their products are deleted from sale. These two major companies are pushing up consumer prices as the manufacturers have no choice but to put up their prices to cover the cost of them being on supermarket shelves.

      • cloudy on 23/06/2014 - 14:29
        +1

        You are right when you speak of the catalogue discounts, even up to 50%, it is the supplier that is offering the discount in the catalogue not to the retailer.

        But when it comes to giving $10 off a $50 spend, who is paying? how does the retailer reconcile what it was spent on, and who pays? the accounting is a nightmare, the IT systems would be a nightmare, and it is the retailer who is forking out the discount.

        Your claim there is NO WAY (your emphasises not mine) they are loss marketing, is INCORRECT (my emphasises).

        Retailers loss market more often than never.

  • ur2dads on 21/06/2014 - 10:45
    +26

    I don't know about this EC. Whilst you make a plausable argument, I can't help but feel that they are within their rights to cancel some of the orders here, as some OzBargainers have gone on record saying that they made well over 9 orders!

    It's one thing to seek a bargain, but it's another thing to rort a system to gain unfair advantage, even if it's against a multibillion dollar company.

    My 2C.

    • Kevan2 on 22/06/2014 - 02:05
      +1

      over use by some spoil it for everyone. eg at my work tool of trade car was available for use 100% of time until some pricks drove around Australia in their holidays, blowing up the engine, when repaired wrote off the 4wd. Was a good deal if every one kept under the radar. Another drove to Tassie and back to Brissy shortly after the 4wd issue which with profit watch put the final nail in the tires of tool of trade cars use whilst on lsl, and leave. Return to car pool.

  • mitcheo on 21/06/2014 - 10:46
    +2

    I managed to get $70 worth of alchohol for $50 via click and collect

    • [Deactivated] on 23/06/2014 - 02:27
      +1

      should've gone for $100s worth for $60 there, surely?

  • itajac on 21/06/2014 - 11:00

    Have any of the people that had their order cancelled tried ringing customer service, to see if they might retribute you by offering a discount on next shop? There was a person who did and received this bonus. Might be worth a try?

  • ilostnemo on 21/06/2014 - 11:15
    +35

    Are we boycotting them, for not fulfilling an exploit?

    Perlease!!!!!

    • Consumer Sheep on 21/06/2014 - 18:36
      +2

      I boycotted WW, Big W etc because they were using HSBC for their credit cards and HSBC had been found guilty of laundering money for drug cartels, terrorist organisations etc. Plenty of articles an easy Google search away. I think Macquarie owns the credit cards now, but I'm not sure how much of an improvement that is?

      • cloudy on 21/06/2014 - 21:01
        +6

        Plenty of banks have been found guilty of plenty of wrong doings. It's hardly ever the banks sole fault, more so the individuals involved that does it for their own benefit.

        Think CBA financial planner scandals, the banks don't do it on purpose. It just occurs due to poor design.

        Do you boycott your friends that bank with the cba? Guilt by association is silly.

      • p1 ama on 21/06/2014 - 23:20
        +3

        That's ridiculous, just because they have been found guilty of laundering money for drug cartels…etc. doesn't necessarily make them "bad". For example, if a terrorist organisation used Optus SIMs to organise their acts, does that instantly mean everyone should boycott Optus? No. It's not even relevant.

        • McFly on 23/06/2014 - 10:58

          That's ridiculous

          What's ridiculous is your comparison of hundreds of millions of dollars laundered through HSBC by it's own admitted (lack of) action over many years to a few (almost impossible to trace) SIMs.

        • p1 ama on 23/06/2014 - 12:45

          So? That doesn't make them "bad".

        • McFly on 23/06/2014 - 13:59

          I agree, and I also don't believe they shouldn be boycotted over their mistake either.

  • sleet on 21/06/2014 - 11:16
    +5

    Don't take this the wrong way but those coupon codes were targeted? - only, their system did not know how to function that way properly. So I'm sure half of the people who put orders weren't really 'entitled' to it anyway.

    Also, I some people taking advantage of the situation, ordering many times. So I'll leave it at that.

    • [Deactivated] on 21/06/2014 - 12:58
      +1

      half of the people

      More likely 90% of the people. Didn't someone say they made 9 separate orders ?

  • scrimshaw on 21/06/2014 - 11:40
    +10

    We abused the system. It's fairly obvious it would get Ozbargained and some people will miss out.

    I got my goods delivered just now, but the stuff I bought were niche health items people don't usually buy.

    • EnALup on 23/06/2014 - 13:17
      +1

      Same here. My single order was delivered without any problems. It was $50 only. Their system did warn that two coupons are not allowed. So if they cancelled my order I wont make a huge hue and cry.
      I suspect users having multiple orders just to abuse the coupon got their orders cancelled.

  • juventino on 21/06/2014 - 12:09
    +34

    I think it is the other way around, Woolworths are boycotting those who abused the system :)

    • Baysew on 21/06/2014 - 17:24
      +2

      Today Tonight in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane was axed in February 2014.

  • hellno on 21/06/2014 - 13:50
    +3

    I made 3 orders and they all arrived this morning

    • [Deactivated] on 21/06/2014 - 14:40

      That's a worry.

      It looks like Monday's WW online deal is going to be limited time online half price specials. I was planning to place an online order on that day using one of the codes that was sent to me. I hope they've sorted things out by then and will be able to tell that the EDR number used in the order was eligible for the promotion.

    • [Deactivated] on 21/06/2014 - 15:57

      Did you insist on forwarding them proof that you received the offer personally? Bit shit if they still refuse to accept proof.

    • tonka on 21/06/2014 - 16:31
      +9

      Yeah, received a genuine code as well but my order cancelled. Admittedly I added the extra code but this is the way of marketing these days, you have to do a discount search first or you get ripped off. So many retailers have multiple price points woolworths included.
      I am very sick of woolworths online last minute cancellations though, whether because they have messed up or because of stock. What is the point of delivery if I have to go to coles anyway for the stuff they cancelled. Plus sometimes there is an order you need on schedule ie entertaining and they really cant be relied on for that.
      last point for one of the biggest companies in aust they need to get their act together , having someone physically run around with a basket to gather your order is ridiculous, no up to date stock count at point of order, they accept payment with absolutely no idea if they have the product the are committing to sell you, this is not a good way to engage in a contract of sale.

  • bargainofoz on 21/06/2014 - 15:05
    +18

    Boycotting Woolies Group would cause them to lose millions? LOL… Mate, we make up a very small proportion of their revenue.

    • cloudy on 21/06/2014 - 17:05
      +1

      Maybe EC made a few thousand orders? That's why he is so peeved off.

  • stevednj48 on 21/06/2014 - 16:36

    i had two orders delivered today using both coupons twice one for me one for my wife

  • tonka on 21/06/2014 - 17:20
    +7

    Just a point to those who feel Woolworths have the high ground.

    Current supermarket marketing is deliberately deceptive with multiple layers of price points and gimmicks.

    It is designed to provide zero transparency to customers and it's sole objective is to trick us into buying more.

    This type of behavior is the reason Ozbargain is here
    .
    I say they set the rules and playing field for this game.
    Is it not then just a point to us if we win a round?

    If Woolworths has over-engineered it's system to the point it has backfired on them, it's just poetic justice.

    • [Deactivated] on 21/06/2014 - 19:11
      +3

      Interesting way of looking at it. +1.

      • tonka on 22/06/2014 - 16:47
        +4

        Since finding this site I've considered bargain hunting as a sport. Big corporate retailers on one side and ozbargain on the other. With an active tug of war over price point

  • Stevecro on 21/06/2014 - 18:12
    +23

    Let's boycott Ozbargain whingers! Gee there are some real babies on here…

    • tonka on 21/06/2014 - 18:25
      +2

      If you just stopped on someones thread to insult them, I'm sure your promised boycott would be welcome.

  • MasterNoob on 21/06/2014 - 18:22
    +4

    Yeah I'm not interested.

  • mrluke on 21/06/2014 - 19:33
    +1

    I'm pretty rapt, paid $80 for $200 loot. Maybe if you boycott, they will do another 20% promotion to boost sales and you will miss out again…

  • victimized on 21/06/2014 - 19:42
    -3

    how about you learn how to spell first before boycotting anything

    • bargainofoz on 21/06/2014 - 20:11
      +5

      You did receive the intended message of this thread, did you not?

      If so, the spelling errors made are irrelevant.

  • ihbh on 21/06/2014 - 21:20
    +4

    There's a fourth option: use Woolworths more

    Which I intend to do.

    I live between Woolworths in Gordon and Coles in Chatswood. I tend to go to Chatswood to do my shopping and the big Coles has been great value, especially when they first opened.

    I've been getting great deals from Woolworths recently, such as the one you had cancelled, and will start considering heading the other way for my shopping.

  • whirlpool_guy on 21/06/2014 - 21:32
    +1

    I received all of my orders. Happy customer here :)

    • ferguscan on 21/06/2014 - 23:42
      +6

      Why pay at all? Just smuggle the items out, and pay $0.

      • lisss on 22/06/2014 - 00:03
        +9

        Exactly, it's the same as stealing anyway. People like that just drive up the prices for the rest of us.

    • windrc on 22/06/2014 - 08:44
      +1

      So you had no qualms getting your old housemate do the grocery shopping at Woolworths for you knowing he had no qualms about putting everything through the self-serve by weighing it as something else instead?

      • Doey21 on 22/06/2014 - 11:58
        +2

        Yeah cause his housemate is the one who gets caught for stealing not him haha

        • arcticmonkey on 24/06/2014 - 22:27

          Course it's not the execs getting a fatter paycheck is it?

    • [Deactivated] on 22/06/2014 - 11:58

      Ah, so that's why the price of things keeps creeping up and up for the rest of us :P

    • Mad-Season on 23/06/2014 - 03:31
      +6

      Mistook this for the OzCrook forum, sorry.

  • Iwantthatbargain on 22/06/2014 - 12:18

    Though there is no woolies at Chatswood, so I don't shop with them. Secondly I found them more expensive. In my opinion all ozbargain patrons shop their if tye have coupon, so they will not lose anything from boycott

  • Baysew on 22/06/2014 - 14:25
    +5

    I'm going to boycott any OzBargain poll that doesn't have bikies as an option.

    • JediJan on 22/06/2014 - 21:58
      +2

      Or bikkies.

  • Lucky13 on 22/06/2014 - 15:01

    Shop at Coles its cheaper anyway

    • hahaboy on 22/06/2014 - 17:33
      +4

      Aldi ftw!

      • JediJan on 22/06/2014 - 21:58

        For the pizzas and lasagne anyway *

  • spychiatrist on 22/06/2014 - 15:33
    +4

    Why boycott? Just be happy for those who managed to get their orders honored.

    Traces of TGG Games Sale: "Boycott! Boycott! " then rushed on TGG eBay page when TGG had the 30% off. Geesh! Grow up!

    • mls82 on 23/06/2014 - 00:36
      +2

      People were boycotting TGG after that? I had a $10-20 order cancelled (out of stock) but they sent me a $40 voucher to make up for it. I ended up getting a mini bluetooth speaker for free out of that sale.

  • Mikaela on 22/06/2014 - 19:52
    +3

    I placed one order with the $20.00 discount and after most people's orders were being cancelled I knew mine would have the same fate. So I rung Woolworths online and explained the situation and they gave me a $20.00 goodwill coupon. They didn't have to and I didn't ask for any compensation. So in all likelihood I will use my 20.00 goodwill coupon and continue to give them my business. Yes it sucks that the orders were cancelled but their system was abused by Ozbargainers. I don't think that warrants boycotting them.

  • jason101 on 22/06/2014 - 20:53
    +8

    I realised Coles and Woolworths were ripping me off a while ago, I now own Westfarmers and Wow shares, I don't mind the rip offs so much now.

  • Valiant on 22/06/2014 - 21:06
    +1

    They can't pay for their own fault. That's hilarious

  • JediJan on 22/06/2014 - 21:54

    My order came through okay, complete and within the (3 hour) time frame specified. I have never bought my shopping online although a relatively regular customer of Woolworths-Safeways though. I was fortunate to (only) receive a $10 discount, but I didn't mind the free delivery ($11 otherwise) as I have not been well (and busy with the free data downloads from Vodafone), so I can hardly complain. Apparently the first three deliveries are free of charge for all new online orders.

    Actually though, I would think it a good customer service exercise if they offered a similar discount (like this - first 3 deliveries free of charge) to all their regular customers. I don't know how they would ascertain if you are a regular shopper or not though (I float between 3 different supermarkets so I don't know if I could be classified a "regular"). I wouldn't think it worthwhile of a boycott though; just my 2c worth.

  • MikeKulls on 22/06/2014 - 22:01
    +3

    I will continue to not shop there and get most of my stuff from Aldi at half the woolworths/coles price

    • Mikaela on 22/06/2014 - 22:18

      I do this as well, except sometimes I am forced to shop at Woolworths / Coles in order to get items that Aldi don't sell

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join