Coles Supermarkets Australia
Reviews and Complaints

While lining up at the one counter in service at the cigarette counter several customers over a period of five or so minutes approached the second counter, which was not being attended to at the time and attracted the attention of a check out lady on the adjacent counter and were promptly served. After serving over them over different time periods I was totally ignored and the lady resumed her duty at her grocery checkout.
When I pointed this out to the lady on my counter I was met with the curt reply "as you can see, we're busy today" while the other lady lifted her eyes to heaven. I told her it wasn't a case of being busy but of totally ignoring a customer while continuing to serve others.
Now surely staff training would have taught them basic customer service, a simple "who is next" would have avoided this, instead I came away feeling invisible.

Regards Terence Munro. Aged pensioner.

I shop at several Coles stores in Melbourne, south Morang, Epping north, craigeburn, Epping, and at times Resovoir
It doesn't matter when I go, the bread products are appalling .
Why should I be expected to pay full price for something that looks like no attempt was made to perfect that product.
Rolls in diff sizes, some dry, some doughy, some too white or at times even burnt
Also applies to other baked goods
I don't understand how a business that uses machines to do the work for them can't achieve near perfection
Like others I prefer to shop in one place so yes I will buy these things but it would be nice if customer satisfaction was at the top of Coles priorities.
Employ people who know what they're doing and get some standards otherwise act as a seller who deals in not quite right products and discount them

I purchased a pendo pad at coles mount barker. It started up but then turned of and when and hours later it had a cracked screen. So i took it back with recipt and box and asked for a refund as this is considered ELF ( early life failier). I was told point blank told it needs to be returned to pendo, which is wrong under consumer law it is with in the first 14 day considers elf. Your manger was rude and would not even listen. If you wish to sell electronic you must know and understand ccomsumer law. Or management needs to have training as his (matt) manger need to have customer service skill as he does not know the law and he is rude. I will be taking this matter up with the ACCC

So I got a packet of biscuits and when I opened them there was enough room for at least 2 more biscuits in there, which was disappointing.
also last week sometime my mother bought a zucchini and there was a little green worm in it and I found that gross to be honest. Please get back to me as soon as possible🙂 Thank you sincerely holly, have a good day🙂

Dear Coles,

I am still in shock about what happened to me this morning at your Acland Court store in St Kilda.
An employee (I know her name but do not want to state it for her privacy but will definitely let Coles know personally so they can follow it up) was opening the store; she let customers in just before 7am (the store opens at 7).
I went in to buy some milk, after collecting my item I went to the self-serve cash register but that hadn’t opened yet so I looked around to see if there were any cashiers working yet, as it was still early I did not expect there to be yet. The employee saw me as she was putting out newspapers and said she would just be a moment, I said “oh it’s ok” in a calm not fussed way, I did not want to inconvenience anyone and felt awkward that she saw me looking.
I waited patiently by the cash registers; I was not sure which one she would be working at so I continued to hold my bottle of milk while organizing which card to use.
She then finished with the papers and went over to the main cash register, my bottle of milk was very cold so I put it down at the far end of the belt at the cash register she was standing at. I did not say anything to her, or make any noise or indicate in anyway that I was annoyed by this situation. I was in no great rush and was happy to wait.
This is when the unprovoked abuse began. The employee began to yell at me, I do not remember her exact words but this is what I understood:
She said I was rushing her and forcing her to do things that she was not ready to do, she said the store was not open yet and I was lucky she let me in and that other customers were waiting outside (I was unaware I was not allowed in yet as there were other customers in the store and half of the entrance was open, if she had informed me before I entered that they weren’t open yet I would have happily waited outside as I had been earlier)
In complete shock and horror to this unprovoked assault, I said “what the hell I didn’t say anything”.
She continued to yell at me for no apparent reason, as she was opening the store, I tried to tell her I just put the milk down because it was cold and that I didn’t understand why she was yelling at me. I tried to get another customers opinion, as I wanted to know if in fact I had done something wrong.
Another employee walked passed me and empathized with me about the situation.
When she realized she had no leg to stand on she said I swore at her and to get out of her store because she would not be serving me. In complete confusion, trying to stay calm and hold back tears I said “I did not swear at you?” she proceeded to tell me that hell was a swear word. I informed her that to me hell isn’t a swear word and I apologized for saying it. By this stage other customers had finished their morning shop and were also ready to pay.
When she was ready to start serving people she refused to serve me, I told her I would not be moving and she could get a manager if she liked. She was very angry by this request and did not get a manager, just continued to tell me to leave the store.
The employee who empathized with me told the cashier to serve me.
By this stage the other customers were getting restless so I moved to the side, as there was no point inconveniencing them as well because this employee was having a bad day.
The other customers who witnessed the interaction could see I had done nothing wrong and let her know about it when they purchased their items, one even asked if they could purchase my milk, she refused this option saying that she knew what he was trying to do, so he went to the milk section and bought me a different bottle.
The only positive that came out of this interaction was seeing that most people are good, the fact that the other customers and the other employee could see the injustice and tried to help me and even going as far to spend money on a complete stranger.
I left Coles this morning with my milk, completely shocked by the whole interaction, I can’t believe an employee felt the need to abuse an innocent customer. Next time I walk to the supermarket I will be sure to turn left and go to Woolworths instead as I do not feel safe going back to my local Coles.

Incident happened around 17:05 on 20/9/2017 at Coles Supermarket, Woodgrove Shopping Centre, Western Fwy and Coburns Rd., Melton 3337.
I walked to Coles after work to buy vegetables for dinner. After walking in, I remembered that I still had some at home, changed my mind and walked out of the store.
On my way out I was stopped by Coles female employee ordering to open my bags and conducting a search. I have never been treated this way. I was humiliated and distressed. The same employee refused to explain on what grounds I was stopped and searched. It bothered me so much, that I stopped at Coles today, 21/9, around 10am, and requested to speak with the store manager. I was told that manager is not available by support manager named Simon - he refused to give me his full name. He was rude and asked me if I am aware of how many people are getting searched per day. I answered that it's not my question. All I wanted to know is on what grounds I was selected to be searched, and why I didn't receive an apology from personnel for humiliation I experienced. I also asked where is a sign informing consumers that they can be searched by store employees, as required by law. Mr Simon raised his voice and said that they never had, and don't need, such sign, and they search customers all the time. I asked him not to rise his voice. Mr Simon said that he is just trying to make me understand what he is saying. He informed me that store doesn't have any complaint procedures in place, and suggested to write my details on the back of a cashier's receipt when I insisted that I want to discuss this incident with someone in senior position. Mr Simon said he is the only person I can speak to, and still didn't offer any explanation or apology. I am deeply disturbed by the entire incident and seek explanation and legal advice.

My husband came home from renovating our new house for 12 hours to find me crying and scrubbing our 6 month old sons high chair and toys. I had recently purchased Coles Brand 5 Multipurpose cellulose sponges and had just opened the pack and removed the blue coloured sponge. I then started wiping down my sons toys for the day which I do every single night, which include a music spinner, a book, an elephant, a teether fish, a ring teether, a teether wood thing, and a blue jelly teether (yes a lot of teethers as the poor little guy is teething!). These toys cost maybe around $150 in total. After I wiped his toys, I then wiped down his highchair and then I saw it... the blue sponge had left blue ink all over the toys and the highchair! I immediately stopped and got out the cleaning spray and started scrubbing everything with a different sponge, but nothing was getting the blue off.. Not only were the toys now POISONED with blue ink, his high chair was too and it is also ruined. My son often bends over and sucks on the side of the high chair and that section is now blue.. I am extremely upset and angry and disappointed in this coles branded sponge - that something so small and simple could cause so much damage so quickly. So not only did I have to THROW away all the toys because of the fear of them with poison ink in them, his (pretty brand new) high chair is also ruined now... so there goes a further $25 down the drain. I am currently unemployed caring for our 6 month old son and unfortunately my husband is also unemployed as his previous boss was bullying him at work and he had to take time off to look after his mental health. So, we do not have any income apart from the $334 centrelink gives me every fortnight. That money mostly pays for our groceries (which you can see we spend close to $200 a week at coles...) and buying baby things and paying for bills and our mortgage etc... we have had to borrow money from our parents on numerous occasions recently just to be able to afford nappies and basic things for our son... I am soooo upset his favourite toys have now been ruined and I simply cannot afford to replace them. What is my son supposed to play with tomorrow? I'm going to have to give him some basic household items to play with and I know he'll be upset as he loves playing with the same toys he has been playing with daily for months. I'm too embarrassed to ask my parents for more money to pay for toys as toys are seen as a luxury. I am going to seriously reconsider ever buying coles branded items again and shopping at coles. The only reason we do is to gain flybuys points as we spend so much that we get money off our shop. I am just so upset and it is 10pm and instead of going to bed after a long long day of looking after my son and surviving of maybe a total of 4 hours sleep last night, I am here crying and writing this complaint.

Good morning, recently I have received some sms'`s to my mobile saying I have won a coles gift card. They then leave me a hot mail address to claim the prize. When trying these hotmail addresses they are invalid.Over the last month I would have to say I have had half a dozan or so, when trying to reply straight to the sms there is no return number it just says coles. Is this some sort
of scam or dose coles do this? below are two of the hot mail addresses
http://Coles.smsgfc.com and http://go.ingtello.com/ts456-sms-coles-bb-au

The fresh basil in sleeves and punnets, have been moved in our local Coles Supermarket (Bairnsdale) next to the tomatoes. The cost of all fresh herbs is 2 for $ 5.00, however the basil is $ 3.00 each with no option of the 2 for $ 5.00 special. The sign at the herbs section does not indicate excluding basil; my question is basil not a fresh herb and why does it not be part of this special offer?

Hi,
I just wanted to comment on the weight function in the bagging area or the self service at Coles Revesby. Since opening it has been easy and quick to use.
Today however 17-09. I had to take product out put product back in, and put full bags back on even after green light said ok to move. The store officer had to come over 3 times to void the weight thing so that I could pay and move on.
I realise that this is to eliminate theft or something, but it leaves your legitimate shopping customers also feeling like they are being watched, and a frustrating experience. This is not a nice feeling for someone who spends close to $200 per week at this store.
Please think about this for other frequent flyers i n the self service queue

I was shopping at coles goonellabah nsw. I put my shopping through self service which i was closely watched by the attendant. After scanning and paying i walked outside and sat down waiting for my taxi home. I was then approched by the lady at the self service checkouts asking did i pay for a drink. I produced my recipt and showed her that i had indeed payed. This is not the first or im sure the last time she will do this but ive had enough. 9 years shopping at the same store and to be treated like a thief every time i go. Not happy. And she wasnt discreet about it she spoke very loudly for all to hear and see. I have complained to management but they seem to not care.

Recently Coles does not provide Dick Smith's peanut butter range. As an Australian product, I am disappointed that Coles has removed this product.
What I have found instead are peanut butter products that not only have Australian food, but also international food in them as well.
We grow very fine peanuts in Australia, but you are supporting products that include overseas food. WHY?

PLEASE bring back Dick Smith's food lines.

I am a regular customer of the new Coles Express at Vasse, WA 6280 for fuel and other foodstuff.

I want to complain about the customer service of the ladies at the cash counter. Rude and lack of interest in providing information and answering queries are not the traits we would expect from Coles employees, especially since I am used to the wonderful customer service we receive from Coles in Dunsborough and Busselton in WA.

Simple thing. I asked one the other day about the ATM machine and if other cards are charged a service fee on withdrawals. The lady at that time said yes there is a charge. When I asked what the charge was, the rude answer was "I dont know". If she is aware there is a charge why does she not know the charge? Also she could have said she could find out instead of just saying "i dont know"

Just today I went for milk and there was no milk on the shelf. I asked the lady if the milk would be coming in today and her rude reply was "I dont know"

If this is the level of training the staff at Coles Express Vasse, WA 6280 have received, I would rather go to another express outlet for my needs.

Being a new store it is vital that there are well trained staff who are able to entice customers to shop with them and not elsewhere. But if this goes on, customers would prefer going to the stores they are used to, and Coles would lose business, just because of the poor attitude of their staff.

Since I am a member of the Vasse community I would like to make this complaint so that service standards hopefully improve quickly

Thank you

While making a juice with my nutribulet this morning i added the prepack pinapple into the nutribullet and blended everything whilst consuming the juice half way through i noticed little white chunks and i figured out latter that day that the fork went into the blender and got blended and i drank the juice after noticing what had happened i emptyed to content. I do not think it is wise to pack a fork into a inclosed package of food. The fork i believe was under a layer or two of pineapple this should nor have happened fork should be packed outside of package.

Hi i have been going to murrumba downs qld coles 4503 and found a few staff there are always rude. 1 was a red headed guy who wouldn't give me a change for $10 coins and he also refused to hand over my sons money to him after he had asked politely that it was his he accidentally dropped it i had to intervene. Another time was a young woman with tatts always at the customer service desk I approached her to return a bread that was off and i showed her it was cleary off and had a debate over me about it and stop as soon as i said i would make a complaint against her about customer service rights. These two staff I find are quite rude and seen them rude to others customer when they are not in the mood and have put people off instead they use self serve like myself now.

I went to Coles in Fremantle and bought Pink Lady apples loose. They cost $3.00per kg. I liked them so much I went back the next day to buy more, and the cost have INCREASED to $5.50 per kg. If I bought bagged pink lady they would charge $3.
WHY SHOULD THE SAME FRUIT COST MORE the NEXT DAY? I'M NOT IMPRESSED. I complained to Robin, who said these things happen.
Woolworths don't do that nor does ALDI! Why do you allow this COLES?
Linda f/buys 6008 XXXX XXXX 9419

On fathers day at around 10:00am I had reversed out of my car park in coles oldbar, I was just about to put the car into drive when a lady reversed into me damaging my rear right bumper and smashing my rear right taillight. I had asked coles manager to please check footage from the security cameras for evidence for insurance, only to be informed they had no cameras in the carpark. Coles oldbar also said they couldn't afford to get a camera for the carpark. If you know oldbar coles carpark, it's very tight and little room to manoeuvre. There have been numerous incidents in this carpark, there is no "park at your own risk" signs nor cameras for this carpark. One day there will be a major incident in this carpark due to the amount of people living at oldbar with no security footage or caution signs. For the public safety of our elderly residents or for anyone please put in a camera and signage in this carpark before someone gets seriously hurt and liability is an issue. Terry paterson

I decided to go to Coles and visit the deli for some meat so I can make some sandwiches for work at 10:30pm and all the saws were already cleaned and packed up, but that wasn't the problem if there was a lot of pre sliced meat out on the tray. Majority of what I wanted had no more pre sliced in the trays so therefore I needed the staff to go and get some sliced for me but the staff would not go and slice anymore meat for me and keep saying that the slicer are all packed and I quote he said "the machines are too dangerous to be operated at this time" this is not the first time that this has happened. This is very disappointing!

I paid for my groceries today (automatic checkout) and was chased through Bondi Junction afterwards by a Coles worker whose name is Mandy Mo at bondi junction (Sydney store). She accused me of not scanning button mushrooms or kirks 10 pack soft drink, I told her I had scanned both these (and all!) other items. She led me back to a checkout and told the operator I had not scanned the two items (even after I told her I had scanned them). The other checkout operator checked my receipt and both items that I had been accused of not scanning (and all other items) were shown as scanned and paid for on my receipt.

She was a young person with a limited personal manner. She did not listen to me as a customer. She was accusatory (falsely) and I felt extremely violated and embarrassed. This incident was handled poorly and unfairly. Although Mandy Mo apologised, she did so with a smile on her face. She was insincere and it was apparent she was not trained to handle this role.

I am an educated teacher. I too, worked as a checkout operator throughout school/Uni over 20 years ago and would never behave so carelessly with a customer.

I am deeply offended at the manner in which I was treated today. There was no evidence that I had done anything wrong to begin with and I feel she was just thinking I looked a certain way-which led her to think I was a common thief (I had sunglasses on as I cannot see well without prescriptions and had left my reading glasses at home).

If Coles are going to put security personnel on the floor, they should be experienced and trained staff-not a young untrained person with no experience in this field-her manner made it obvious that she needed clear customer service training.

An insincere apology from someone with a smile on their face does not resolve this matter in my books!

A nice day of shopping turned completely sour due to the way in which this incident was handled, the sheer disrespect shown and importantly-for accusing a customer of theft for no reason!

I am outraged

Stephanie
kate.[protected]@gmail.com

I purchase your product from Coles Stanhope Gardens NSW
I made 1 ltr bottle placed in the fridge. The next day after consuming some drink I noticed a difference taste. When I looked at the bottle I noticed black buildup on the inside wall. I have attached several photos.
This is the second time this has happened the first time I thought the new bottle I purchased had not been cleaned after the manufacturer of the bottle. And yes I rinsed both bottles prior use. Not happy.

Ron Emslie