A Woolworths staff member who has worked at the supermarket for two decades has called out a recent change to the retail giant’s cash policy.
On Facebook this week, Darren Morfoot pointed out that Woolworths used to allow small cash withdrawals by asking at the service counter, but this now requires prior purchase.
‘Since when did Woolworths introduce that you have to buy something to be able to withdraw cash? “I only found out today,” Mr Morfoot said.
Mr Morfoot, from Bondi in Sydney, said he has worked at the company “for 20 years and just found out about this”.
The change is among recent changes around cash handling, which the supermarket says is becoming less common as customers opt to pay electronically by swiping or tap-and-go.
Woolworths no longer offers cash withdrawal without purchase in its stores
In September last year, Woolworths reduced the maximum amount of cash that could be withdrawn from $500 to $200 and said it would introduce the purchase requirement the following month.
A Woolworths spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday the change was due to “a lack of cash usage, with most customers opting for card-only transactions”.
‘We understand that cash remains an important payment option for some customers.
“That’s why we will continue to offer the possibility of withdrawing cash.”
It is understood that no minimum purchase amount is required at this stage to withdraw cash.
Morfoot said that in recent years, it was obvious that supermarkets had stopped handling cash and preferred to let customers scan their own items and pay by card.
“We have 12 self-service checkouts, and only two accept cash, which are hidden by a pole,” he said.
‘With checkouts, when the store manager goes home, it’s basically self-service or nothing.
In October, shoppers were told they will only be able to get $200 at Woolworths.
Australians said it was becoming increasingly difficult to find places to withdraw cash.
“This was my preferred way to withdraw cash as all the banks were closing or reducing their hours,” one person said.
“Especially since the banks removed their ATMs and put in private ones that charge additional fees to withdraw your money,” said another.
“They (Woolworths) always asked you if you wanted to take money out when you shopped and they don’t do that anymore,” said a third.
“It’s okay if you have a bank in your area, the closest one is a 40 minute drive away,” said another.
“For months I felt like I was doing something wrong every time I went to a bank to get my money and they came running to push you into an ATM,” said a fifth.
According to the Global Payments Report, cash will account for just 2 percent of point-of-sale transactions by 2025 and digital wallets will replace cards as the preferred form of electronic payment.
Numerous concerns have been raised about a shift to a cashless society, including the increased risk of attacks and scams, access to funds drying up when electricity or internet coverage is interrupted, and the amount of fees deducted electronically.