Fierce Ooshie backlash divides Aussies
Опубликованно 26.09.2020 12:45
The supermarket giant revealed yesterday the Ooshie stock would be depleted by the end of the week due to an “unprecedented demand”, forcing the promotion to finish well before the initial October 20 end date.
Ooshies are plastic collectibles available at Woolworths for every $30 spent in store.
The latest collection was created with Disney+ and included a range of popular Marvel, Star Wars, Disney and Pixar characters including Darth Vader, Elsa, Buzz Lightyear, Thor, Ariel, Yoda, Black Panther, Moana and others.
RELATED: Woolies responds to Ooshies outcry
News that the Ooshies promotion would end this week did not go down well. Picture: Dallas Kilponen/Woolworths
The promotion was initially meant to end on October 20. Picture: Dallas Kilponen/Woolworths
“Availability of Disney Ooshies in store varies from store-to-store in each state and territory, however online redemption of Ooshies will cease everywhere other than Victoria from later today,” Woolworths said in a media release.
Victoria is the only state not impacted by the low stock levels as it was given a separate allocation of the collectables due to Stage 4 lockdown delaying the launch of the campaign.
Reaction to the end of the promo has been widespread, with some shoppers lashing out at Woolworths, while others were more shocked at how upset people were getting.
‘THIS IS DISGRACEFUL’
Woolworths’ Facebook page has been overrun by furious shoppers, with many demanding to know if they will receive their Ooshies and others so upset they have vowed never to shop at the store again.
“You owe me 8 Ooshies, I purchased extra branded products to achieve this and suddenly its all gone! Seriously you make the kids want this stuff and cannot figure out how to service your clients, you keep all the promo stuff up in the store etc, this is disgraceful,” one woman wrote on Facebook.
@disneyplus Bet you are glad you paired up with @woolworths? As a customer of both, with two disappointed kids who can’t get their #Ooshies, I’m annoyed. More important things in the world, but not to two kids who love collecting.— Jonathan Northall (@jnorthall) September 21, 2020
Many shoppers have questioned why stores are still actively promoting the Disney Ooshies when customers are being turned away when they go to redeem the items.
Other shoppers have branded the move “deceptive” and “wrong”, with many claiming their children were incredibly upset at not being able to collect a full set of the plastic items.
Many shoppers pointed out that Woolworths should have been prepared for the high demand due to the popularity of the previous Ooshie promotions.
“What was the point in doing Ooshies when you don't have enough? You should have known it would be HUGE after Lion King,” one upset customer wrote to the supermarket.
“You have left 100’s of young kids upset. and their parents too. I will NEVER EVER shop in your store again. COLES ALL THE WAY!”
Some shoppers vowed not to return to Woolworths if they couldn’t get their hands on the plastic collectables. Picture: Dallas Kilponen/Woolworths
One customer claimed they spent more than $680 on groceries only to be told they couldn’t redeem the Ooshies they had earned.
“I have receipts totalling $681.99 with 24 earned Ooshies. Was told to hold onto receipts and bring in with me on next visit to collect when new stock arrives. Now I’m guessing this stock won’t be arriving, so I’m left empty-handed?” they wrote.
“Guessing I can’t return some of my shopping for refund? This is disappointing! Will think twice on future promos from now on.”
A spokesperson for the supermarket chain said the quantity of Ooshies produced is based on the popularity of past campaigns.
“To our customers, we thank you for your excitement and engagement with the Disney+ Ooshies and apologise for any frustration or disappointment caused by running out of stock,” the Woolworths spokesperson said.
“For those who are still looking to finish their sets, we recommend safely swapping extras or duplicates with family and friends who have also been collecting.”
‘BUILD A BRIDGE AND GET OVER IT’
Just as some shoppers are furious at the promotion ending, other Aussies are equally as furious at the people complaining.
The backlash to Woolworths’ announcement has been labelled “pathetic”, with many struggling to understand why people are so upset over a collectable toy.
One Facebook user pointed out that the supermarket always stated the length of the promotion would depend on the how quickly the stock was depleted.
“People should just build a bridge and get over it. Promotions like this always state ‘While Stocks Last’,” they wrote.
Another wrote: “How pathetic getting furious over something that is free and will be landfill in 2.2 weeks anyway.”
One person suggested anyone who was angry at the Ooshies promotion ending needed to “re-evaluate their life choices”.
Others pointed out the world was still in the middle of a pandemic and that people should be thankful Woolworths was even open.
“Wow! People are dying and your biggest concern is an Ooshie? Unbelievable what humans have become,” a social media user wrote.
Poor girl that works at my local woolies was in tears after copping a verbal beating from some knob because they were out of ooshies! #woolworths #Ooshies— Maria Bervanakis (@bervanews) September 21, 2020
Imagine if your biggest worry right now was that Woolies has ran out of Ooshies and you think its "unfair". I WISH that was my biggest problem. I could totally work with that.— Major Sam -
Категория: Финансы
Fierce Ooshie backlash divides Aussies