Coles and Woolworths shoppers confused over trolley rules

Coles and Woolworths shoppers have been left confused as each supermarket has its own rules over a trolley feature not every customer gets.

A photo of a set of trolleys at Coles has left Aussies confused.

The image, posted on Twitter, showed a row of trolleys locked together, with shoppers needing a coin to take one and use it.

“If you live in Melbourne or other Australian cities, can you use a shopping trolley at Coles/Woolies without having to put in a coin deposit in your suburb,” Twitter user @Tito_Ambyo asked.

“Just wondering if this varies across suburbs.”

Social media users are confused about how the trolleys requiring coins are divided. Picture: Twitter/@Tito_Ambyo

The user added the photo was taken in Thomastown, a suburb in Melbourne.

Several people shared their own experiences and theories.

“I always ask the staff and they give me a token to access the trolley at my local Central West,” one person said.

Another added there were no locks at Coburg North.

“I found that the stand alone ones usually aren’t locked, my locals are Preston and Reservoir,” one person said.

Several people shared their own experiences and theories. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Roy VanDerVegt

One Sydneysider said that the Woolworths closest to him didn’t need a coin but the Coles did. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

“The ones inside a shopping centre – like Northland, Doncaster – you’d need a coin.”

One Sydneysider said that the Woolworths closest to him didn’t need a coin but the Coles did.

Meanwhile a woman in Canberra said the locks had been on at every grocery store she went to.

After all the responses, the original poster describe it as “messy”.

News.com.au understands that Woolworths install coin locks on trolleys for a variety of reasons, such as council requirements.

However, each is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

A Coles spokeswoman told news.com.au a similar explaination.

“Coles provides trolleys to its customers for their convenience and spends a significant amount on maintaining them each year, some of which is the cost of collecting trolleys that have been removed from our premises,” the spokeswoman said.

“Abandoned trolleys are a nuisance to local communities and we are actively working to make this better across the nation, including regular collections of abandoned trolleys with vehicles on the road daily and installing wheel lock systems where suitable.

“Electronic wheel lock systems are not suitable for all store sites. In most cases, Coles must seek approval from the local council, store landlord or Centre Manager, and they may not agree to the installation. The layout of a site can also mean that installation is not technically or operationally feasible.”

People are advised to report abandoned trolleys on the Coles app or by calling 1800 876 553.