‘It had plenty’: Woolies customer’s rage after he was denied a $500 cash out

As the need for cash debate continues, a Woolworths shopper has shared his anger after he was allegedly refused a big cash out.

A row has erupted after Woolworths allegedly refused to grant a shopper’s $500 cash out request.

The frustrated customer took to Facebook page Call Out Cashless Business to vent following his visit to an unnamed Woolies store.

He claims he approached a staffed register in hope of receiving a few $100 notes but became disappointed when he found out the staff member couldn’t give him $500 in cash.

The shopper was disappointed when he was unable to get a cash out from a Woolies store. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

“I went to Woolworths and tried to get $500 cash out, they said that they had very little cash and we could withdraw $100 as everyone was withdrawing cash,” the shopper claimed in his Facebook post, according to 7 News.

“(But) when she opened the cash draw it had plenty of money in it. They are full of sh*t.”

News.com.au contacted Woolworths for comment, however it’s understood the cash out limit varies depending on the store, with Metro stores only allowed to give their customers up to a $200 cash out.

Despite the man’s frustration, several people thought he was overreacting and sided with the supermarket.

“$500 is a lot to expect to withdraw from a supermarket. It‘s not a bank,” one person said.

“It’s a safety issue they aren’t allowed that amount in the till,” another comment read.

The customer’s complaint left many feeling divided, with some saying the customer wanted too much money from the supermarket. Picture: iStock

Meanwhile some current and former supermarket workers explained why they weren’t allowed to keep that much cash on hand.

“I used to work at a supermarket. We have to have over a set amount in our tills at all times. And $500 is a lot and the cashiers can’t always do that,” one ex-cashier explained.

“The worst I’ve had is when people come up to me 15 minutes after we open, ask for $200 cash out and I say I don’t have enough and then they throw a hissy fit at me.”

A Coles employee added: “If it‘s not in the draw, it’s not in the draw! I’ll check another (register) but if we don’t have it then I can’t do anything about it sorry.”

Others empathised with the male customer and said they too have had the same problem at other supermarkets.

“I‘ve had this problem at Coles for the last couple of months.....same excuse. They’ve also got an ATM in there which they always direct me to but I refuse because they charge you for withdrawals,” one comment read.

“Cash is still a currency here in Australia, maybe these stores need to be reminded,” a second person said.

A third shopper said: “You can get cash out at the self service. l do it all the time before l get my groceries, it’s so easy.”

Woolworths Metro has a cash out limit of $200. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Cash has become a hot topic among Australians as credit card surcharges become more common across the nation.

One woman wrote a letter to Melbourne newspaper The Age in mid-June complaining about the need to keep physical cash, as some people still prefer banknotes and coins.

The Melbourne woman, named Julie Christensen, titled the letter ‘Note the logic’ and said: “If some people want to rely solely on digital financial transactions, let them. But don’t take away cash for the rest of us.”

“My $50 note can’t be hacked. If I’m robbed, I lose $50, not my entire life savings. If my $50 note is accidentally immersed in water, it still works.”

Her letter then took aim at the faults or perceived impracticalities of digital banking by phone.

“My $50 note doesn’t need batteries, it can’t be “out of range”, and it won’t break if it’s dropped. If the system is down, I can still use my note,” Ms Christensen continued.

“My $50 note can be put into a charity box or given to a homeless person.

“Sure I use a card sometimes for large purchases, but for everything else, please leave me the option of cash. It simplifies life.”

Cash has become a hot topic as the fear grows Australia will become a cashless society. Picture: iStock

“Pay Cash Only” flyers have been shared on Twitter and Facebook by locals in far north Queensland’s Cassowary Coast region after a council’s cashless policy was introduced on July 1.

Under the policy, cash isn’t accepted at all for council facilities including the library and in-person payments at the council office.

Physical money has been refused for residents who attend council-organised events, the swimming pool – set to reopen after winter – and every council-backed operation.

The community rallied together – and invited others to join them – by going cold turkey on card payments.

Organisers hope the event will raise awareness about why Australians still need access to cash, and will prompt the council to backflip on its cashless policy. The campaign will finish on July 10.