Bitter taste of Woolworths "The Difference" experience!!!!

I currently work close to a Woolworths and recently relocated to Greenstone Hill where I not live across the mall from Woolworths, for years I have been supporting the Checkers. On the 9th of January I opened an account at Woolworths seeing that they are so close to me so shopping should be a convenience. The 10th of January I called Woolworths and they confirmed my account has been approved and that I should go and collect an embossed card at Woolworths at Greenstone Hill Mall. After work I went to collect the card, took my ID and proof of residence with me. I then went to the counter for card collection. This is where my utmost disgust starts with Woolworths. At the counter was one attendant waiting on the phone for assistance from head office to assist the one customer in front. After 30 minutes on the phone the attendant placed the call on loudspeaker so that he could assist another customer cumming to collect their credit card. The manager of the branch (uncertain of his name) came to the counter and spoke to the attendee in their home language. I then approached the counter and friendly asked the manager is this the only place where one could collect a new store card. The manager looked me in the eye and said yes the attendee will be with you just now. I have now in total waited 50 minutes in the line just for a simple store card. Could the manager of the store not just issue me with the cards???

After waiting 1 hour I got to the front of the counter where the attendee was still busy on the call trying to get assistance from head office. The attendee called me closer and assisted me. The whole issuing of the card did not even take 5 minutes. WOW.. For standing in a que waiting one hour??? (Pathetic customer service, strike one!!)

So after I got my card approved I asked the attendee could I now purchase on my account. The attendee nodded his head yes and I walked away. I then went back to my car to put my ID and proof of residence back in the car so enjoy my shopping. After shopping I approached the pay point. I didn't have my Discovery Food Rewards Card with me so I friendly asked the cashier is there a way that one would still redeem the rewards without having to present the card? She said no, there is no way of redeeming the points so there is nothing she could do if I don't have my card with me as I forgot it in the car. I then disgustedly said OK. After she rang the items she asked me for my ID again. I said to her what this is a brand new card which I opened just now. The attendee then called the floor manager, in the meanwhile I had a photo of my ID on my cell phone and presented it to the cashier. The manager said that he needs the real ID document. I told him that I opened an account just now is it really necessary for ID again? He just said yes. Now at that stage there is only 3 cashiers at the food section and there is a tremendous long que. Now that burst my bubble and I left everything as is and went to the car to fetch my ID book AGAIN and my Discovery Food Rewards Card. I then when back in to the store and presented my ID as well as my Rewards Card. The cashier bluntly said she won't be able to swipe the Rewards Card now as she already rang the goods. I was shocked as to how we just had the conversation as to the points on the goods. I said well then you have to void the goods and start all over again because I would like to obtain the points.

The cashier engaged then in a conversation with me that did I link my Discovery Food Rewards Card with my Woolworths card. I told her YES hence I asked her regarding the rewards. The cashier bluntly continued to say that if I purchase cash the points will be awarded but this is a new account. I told her please just void the sale and ring the items again so that I could obtain the points. The cashier looked at me like I am talking French. The que has now gotten even longer and the cashier just rang the till alarm for the manager. I was beyond embarrassed at the way the cashier was waving my cards in the air and making a scene with the till alarm waiting for the manager that I told her please just leave everything. I then took my cards and walked away. I was utterly disgusted with the way I was treated at Woolworths Greenstone Hill Mall. I'm not blaming this on Greenstone Hill Mall but at Woolworths for the disgrace they call "The Difference" you treat new clients like ****!

I will close my account today still and will never ever direct anyone at a store again. This has left a bitter taste in my mouth!

Sis on you Woolworths! Disgraceful!!!!!