In an effort to tame the wandering trolley, Woolworths on Buderim has implemented a new system, whereby you must wedge a dollar coin into the trolley to release it from the bay. The dollar is retrieved when you return the trolley to the bay. alternatively you have to locate another trolley and jam it into that one in order to retrieve the coin.
This system is not unique to Buderim but is certainly causing a great deal of consternation to shoppers. Those most vocal and distraught are the elderly members of the community, but the nuiscance value is not exclusive to that particular age group. What happens if you do not have a dollar or two dollar coin? Well you have to stand like a goose at the front counter till you can attract the attention of an assisstant to change a note. If you (like me) do not carry money and rely on cards, then you are a shot duck!
Here is an email which is typical of those received at the Buderim Web Site from people voicing their displeasure.
textarea: I want to register our strong displeasure and objection to (Buderim) Woolworths new system of requiring a monetary deposit on the use of their trolleys. We find this a ridiculous imposition and are determined to use stores that do not require this. As Woolworths was one of our main reasons for shopping at Buderim, this in effect, means that we will be doing ALL our shopping elsewhere
(name and phone number supplied)
What do Buderim woolworths hope to achieve?
Clearly they want to reduce the number of trolleys which are carted up to the caravan park or left abandoned at the curb by thoughtless shoppers who just don't want to organise a better way of taking their groceries home. Plus reduce the operating costs by laying off staff where they can.
Will this be the answer to peope removing trolleys form the carpark?
At the risk of giving ignorant people a clue, all they have to do is spend a dollar and take a trolley home, then they can start their own collection (which is what they must be doing anyway) which can be dumped at their leisure!
Alternatively, the more clever of them may design and make a device to simulate the removal key and get the money out anyway. They could even make one from an old trolley!
Will this be helpful for the shoppers?
Hardly! If there is no trolley in the carpark, they have to push it back to the shop for a refund. If you do not carry cash you greatly inconvenienced.
So what will be the net results from this social experiment?
It does not take a Nostradamus to see the most likely outcomes.
At this stage the shoppers are irate, the trolley boys are out of a job, the small number of trolleys taken away will probably still be taken away by the diehards, the mischief removals may be reduced - but may be increased by kids wanting to try and rip out the coins.
I can't help but to wonder if a smarter way of dealing with this would be to factor a two tenths of a cent levy on a staple such as milk, which nobody would even notice . . . which could be used to fund a trolley boy's wage or something more friendly for the customer.
I am sure they would argue "We are trying to reduce costs . . . " Well here's a clue guys! Shopping is not just about the price!
This is a heartless dehumanisation of the Woolworths on Buderim Shopping Experience and quite frankly will only result in a denegration of the attitude and morale of both employees and the people of Buderim. Let's hope they wake up sooner rather than later.
Sadly, they didn't listen to the people of Buderim when they set up that traffic congesting, eyesore of a shopping centre, obscuring some of the best Coastal views in the Buderim Village . . . why would they bother now?
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6 comments:
Just do what people of Maleny do - refuse to shop there!
Make sure you have that $100 note ready at the service desk so they can change it for your coin.
Buderim people - get with the times!! As a recent visitor to Buderim Woolworths, we found it wonderful to not have stray trolleys running into parked cars, occupying an empty car space or left by some lazy or inconsiderate person who could not find the right place to put it. Most noticeable was the absence of errant trolleys around the streets making Buderim a really pleasant place to visit - not like other towns we visited with trolleys in canals or holding up fences. Many places have this system. The solution is to have a dollar coin in you purse used soley for the trolley use. After all, it does not cost you - you get the dollar back!! Also be thankful you don't have to pay for the parking space like some places down south. Signed - a traveller.
Get with the times eh "Traveller"?
Keep moving on is what i say to you!
Wake up Buderim. Woolworths here is just joining the rest of the world. Coin release trolleys arrived in other countries before they arrived here. Plus Woolworths have made it easy for folks by supplying, free of charge, a plastic disc that could be attached to your green bag.
Fair dinkum, they put a coin restrictor in place and supply you with a free plastic disc (if you ask - and they haven't run out) so you don't need a coin right? . . . . what was the reason for doing this again?
How can you justify this stupid ignorant behaviour. They don't do this in Sippy Downs or Maleny, so you wake up and get with the program.
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