Opting for the self-serve checkout, especially when you are in a rush, can offer convenience. However, one shopper’s recent experience tells the opposite.
The shopper reportedly noticed a glitch while using the supermarket chain’s self-serve checkout. Sharing her story on social media, she warned fellow shoppers to double-check their receipts before heading out of the store.
She was reportedly purchasing a Gabby’s Dollhouse colouring book priced at $6, but to her astonishment, the self-serve checkout registered it as eight separate books, totalling $48.
‘We scanned one and it scans up as eight,’ she explained in a video she posted online recently.
Her experience was reportedly not an isolated one. Seeing her post, others chimed in and shared similar incidents.
One person who claimed to work at Woolworths said, ‘The exact thing happened to me on a big register with that exact item and it came up with eight.’
‘I scanned the barcode on my pack of eggs the other week and it scanned on the system as 15 packs of eggs! Instead of almost $6, it was nearly $90,’ shared someone else.
Other shoppers also shared their experiences in using the self-serve checkout at other supermarkets such as Coles, Big W, and ALDI.
‘I had this happen at Coles. I scanned a can of Monster energy drink [and it] scanned as a pack of four for $15.50. It was meant to be $3.25. When I looked through, I realised three out of the six cans scanned like that,’ shared one commenter.
‘It happened to me at Big W. An $18 item scanned at $168…’ wrote another.
Meanwhile, an ALDI shopper had a different experience.
‘I got the opposite at ALDI the other day. [I] scanned a 1/4 watermelon (It had a barcode.) and went to put it on the scale to weigh. It said it only weighed 111g and was $0.28. [I] didn’t question it,’ they shared.
As of writing, a Woolworths spokesperson had already addressed the colouring book incident, labelling it an ‘isolated incident’ related to the item’s barcode.
‘The scanning error on this barcode has since been corrected to ensure it does not happen again. We are glad to see that our team was able to quickly rectify this issue in-store and the customer was only charged for the correct quantity,’ the spokesperson told news.com.au.
At YourLifeChoices, we understand that every dollar counts. In light of this Woolworths shopper’s experience, here are a few tips to help you:
1. Monitor the screen. As you scan each item, keep an eye on the screen to ensure the price and quantity are correct.
2. Know the prices. Have a rough idea of how much your items should cost. If something seems off, it probably is.
3. Check the receipt. Before you leave the checkout area, review your receipt for any discrepancies.
4. Speak up. If you find an error, bring it to the attention of store staff immediately. They are there to help and often can rectify the situation on the spot.
By staying vigilant and knowing your rights as a consumer, you can protect yourself from overpaying due to a simple glitch.
Have you ever encountered a self-serve checkout error? How was it resolved? Share your experiences in the comments below and help your fellow shoppers stay informed and prepared!
Also read: Woolworths receipt from 15 years ago reveals startling price changes
