Coles, Woolworths charge flat fee for home delivery bags

Shoppers at Coles and Woolies have been left frustrated over a flat fee in regards to home delivery that would cost less if they were charged per item.

Supermarket shoppers have been left outraged by the fact they are paying a flat fee for bags on home delivery.

Coles charges $1.50 for bags on home delivery, while Woolworths asks customers for a total of $2 when it comes to having items packed for home delivery.

But, customers who are only ordering enough items for two or three bags are being left frustrated as their bag needs would cost less if they were being charged per bag rather than a flat fee.

Currently, in store, Woolworths has three options for bags – the 15 cent reusable bag, which is being phased out nationally, 25 cent paper bags and the 99 cent classic tote.

Coles is also ditching the 15 cent bags, with recycled bags costing 25 cents and reusable and chiller bags having price tags of $1 and $2.50.

Shoppers began calling out the two major supermarkets earlier this month, with many becoming furious after receiving less than $1.50’s worth of bags.

“Why is there a flat rate of $1.50 for my online home delivery order. I shop weekly and average three bags,” one Coles shopper said, adding that it wasn’t like this with the plastic bags.

Coles slammed by customers for delivery fee. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

“You are ripping off all those who have smaller shops, usually singles or elderly. I am not happy to be charged more for less. Go back to charging per bag!”

One said the supermarkets “managed to find a new way to profit of us all” with the flat fees.

Another customer said: “Why is there a $1.50 charge for paper bags on online orders?”

Meanwhile, Woolworths customers were equally displeased about the flat fee on the cost of home delivery bags.

“Why are paper bags now charged at $2 per order? If I leave my own bags out is the delivery driver going to pack them for me or leave my items loose on the front porch,” one customer said.

One social media user described it as “rubbish” that the supermarket had a flat fee on the shopping bags.

Woolworths explained that Delivery Unlimited no longer included the price of the bags in the subscription price.

“Our Delivery Unlimited offering continues to be very popular with customers and with an unlimited number of deliveries for $15 per month or $119 for an annual subscription it provides great value and convenience to customers,” a spokesperson told news.com.au.

“With rising fuel prices and other costs it’s required us to review the offer, while we are increasing the minimum spend for orders from $50 to $75, the price of our monthly and annual subscriptions remains the same.

Woolworths has a $2 flat fee on bags for delivery. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

“Bag fees will no longer be included in the subscription price and there will be a $1 fee for reusable bags or $2 for paper bags.”

Meanwhile, Coles said the supermarket recently made the decision to provide customers with 100 per cent recycled paper bags as an alternative to soft plastic bags.

“For a flat fee of $1.50 customers will get their groceries delivered to their home or boot regardless of how many bags they require,” the spokesperson said.

“Our transition to paper bags by the end of June in-store and online shows our commitment to reduce problematic packaging at the checkout, and will remove 230 million plastic bags from circulation in one year. The 100 per cent recycled paper bags can be recycled kerbside and hold up to 6 kilos of groceries.

In order to reduce the use of plastic bags Coles is also trialling a new initiative called Swap-a-box in selected states that allows customers to use a reusable box when making Click&Collect orders.

There is a bag-free option for Click&Collect customers where a team member packs the items directly into the customer’s boot.”

Originally published as Coles, Woolworths charge flat fee for home delivery bags