Woolworths Newmarket — Attraction in Waitematā

Today Waitangi day, after having dinner at one of the restaurants at Westfield rooftop, my family decided to drop by this countdown to pick up a bag of onions and ice cream. There were few people as it was holiday and its almost 9 pm..My 2 kids saw the free fruit basket for kids and took a couple of loose fruit each, w/out me realizing that each of them took 2 bananas each and one midget pear to be carried home. At the cashier, i told the cashier the paper bags were for the free fruits the kids picked up. The cashier scrambling like im a crook ask me to have a look at the paper bag, which i happily showed her. She grabbed the bags and reacted as if we were stealing from the store and the first statement she said was "no! you can not go shopping (for free) here". Of course i was shocked. I told her that those are for the two kids, who at that time were jst getting back after looking at the confectionaires and candies. She replied "Yeah but ur supposed to eat it here but no take it away". I told her "ok fine you can take it all back, but just mind you im not shopping for free, and you dont have to say that, because its rude " (espcially coming from a woman, who herself could have kids). "The reason they didnt eat the fruit in store is they just came from dinner and are already full". And come to think of it does she expdct mh kids to eat pears,plums nectarine without washimg them home? After all the bacteria of people touching in selecting the fruits and transiting?! Ridiculous!!

I shop in this branch 3 to 4 times a week for hundreds of dollars and i see kids every mow amd then take a fruit or two before they leave and putting it on their bags). It was embarrasing as the manner she told me that you cant shop here (for free) was heard by the other shoppers. When my kids arrived with their mother. She Realize she made a mistake, she then insisted that i take one banana each for the kids and the midget pear even though i already refused. After her insistance, I just took the fruits so just we can pay our bills and just be done with it. Being rude and accusing for some loose free fruits for kids at almost 9 pm on a slow and sleepy evening holiday is quite dismal. If i wanted to steal i would have put the stuff straight to my tote bag. Train your staff to ask & inform store policy tactfuly and discreetly with out prejudice acting as if there was a crime commited. First she acts as if we stole the fruits after embarassing us she then insisted that we take the fruit even though we already inisted we dont really need it the and the only reason the kids took it its bec they are free and kids being kids..they love freebies.. but she still insist we take the fruit like were some desparate people. I bring my kids, and this shop give free fruit so the kids would look 4ward to shop at countdown, in the process my kids ask me to buy this and that and those... thats called marketing..and for a couple of loose fruit i get lectured and embarrased like im a crook or some under-aged shoplifter and then eventually later i was forced to take the fruit like im a desperate hungry man..Erratic.be savvy and have some class. Next time my kids see that free fruit basket, i will tell, stay away from it Above is my customer service experience. As for the store my feedback: Please keep your stocks balanced and maintained. The selection of ice cream & french fries are dizzying, but for something so basic like pepper, I had to go bck for two days not a single pepper corn or ground pepper still. The pastry section is old and tired and too few variety to choose from, jst loads of sweet cheap unhealty cookies and more cookies, too few fresh breads for lunch/supper, sad few variety of pastries for breakfast and tea/coffew break. Hot deli items are inconsistent sometimes they have, most of the the times they dont so people forget they actually offer it. so most of the times you find the items in cheap marked down price.Online says it has two brands of bleach, you come to the store, no bleach..This branch is below the standards...

Attention: Kiri Hannafin

Why do the checkout operators feel disgruntled when a customer asks them to pack their bags? Clearly showing their dislike for having to pack customers bags by literally throwing items into the bags not even stacked nicely. This is unacceptable!

I think the Managers at your Auckland stores need to be re-trained as they seem to think that we are still in COVID level 4. This is not only isolated to 277 Countdown.

Customers are not even asked if they have bags or would like to purchase bags and have them packed, instead your grocery items are slid down the checkout ramp and piled up and you are expected to pack it all yourself and should you ask them to pack there is little care taken in the packing along with unimpressed faces from the checkout operator.

If I wanted to pack my own bags I’d go to Pak N Save but am happy to pay higher prices at countdown for a full service experience. When one spends $400-$500 per week on groceries this is something you would not expect at Countdown. The last thing a customer wants is to stand there with grocery items being flung down the ramp at them piling up and now having to pack it all in bags whilst the checkout operator stands there waiting for you to clear it because the next customer is waiting on line. This is very uncomfortable and frustrating.

Some people are more than happy to bring bags and pack their own bags which is fine. But for those with a trolley load of goods and spending $1 per bag this is not on.

Excuse the anger and frustration in my review but I am tired of having to ask for some to pack my groceries away and being given bad looks. Now, I make it a point of telling them to pack my bags but I should not need to do this.

Please send a memo out to all store management and remind them what is expected from shoppers and the service which countdown used to offer.

Thanks...

Dear Woolworths Management,

You seem to have completely misunderstood the concept of a “discount.” A discount should apply to fresh, quality products — not to items that are already spoiled or close to expiring. This is a direct result of poor management and quality control, and it is unacceptable that you continue selling such products, putting your customers’ health at risk.

This is the second time I have purchased spoiled lamb from your store. The first time, the meat had a terrible smell and was completely inedible. This time, I consumed it and ended up seriously unwell, suffering from severe dizziness and requiring emergency ambulance assistance — all because I trusted your store and paid for what I believed would be safe food.

I have also noticed — and deliberately avoided purchasing — your fruit packs where one visibly rotten piece is hidden among otherwise decent fruit. This raises serious concerns: Do you not care about your customers’ health? Why would you take advantage of people’s trust like this?

When refrigeration is not at the correct temperature, or when meat has been stored too long, it should be discarded — not packaged and sold to unsuspecting customers who cannot tell from the outside that it is unsafe. Selling such products is not only unethical but also deeply disrespectful to the people who choose to spend their money in your store.

I am truly disappointed in the management of this organisation, and I hope you take urgent action to ensure no other customer suffers the same experience. With all my heart, I am deeply sorry to see such disregard for public safety in a brand I...