A Woolworths customer has been left “mortified” after a staff member stepped in to help her out during a tough moment.
The Melbourne woman explained she was having technical issues while paying for her groceries during a recent trip to the supermarket.
At the same time, her newborn baby was “kicking off”, prompting a Woolworths worker to step in and pay for the woman’s groceries.
The customer took to Reddit to explain that while she was very “grateful”, she was also “mortified” over the experience – and wanted to see if there was a way she could thank the woman without getting her in trouble.
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“I just got back from Woolworths where I tried to pay with my phone on self-checkout,” she said.
“It wasn’t working so they printed me a barcode and took me to the service desk to pay, but my phone payment still didn’t work.
“After trying a few times and my newborn kicking off, the staff member said, ‘Don’t worry it’s on me.’
“I was really taken back and asked if I could transfer her the money.
“She said no and then said, seriously it’s on me. My baby was screaming the place down by this point. I was so grateful and also mortified.”
The encounter left the woman asking questions about the Woolies staff member was allowed to do this or if it was “dodgy”.
“I want to go back and give her something to say thank you, but don’t want to get her in trouble if she’s done something she’s not supposed to have done,” she said.
“Anyone work at Woolworths and can tell me what the deal is?”
People were quick to tell the woman to leave it and not draw attention to the worker’s actions.
“Maybe accept the kindness shown and pay it forward to someone else in need. In that way, you don’t risk getting the staff member in trouble,” one person said.
Another added: “What’s more likely? They risk being sacked or even arrested for a total stranger, or pays a few bucks to help out someone obviously trying their best but struggling.
“My partner works at a supermarket and has paid for people before. It feels good. Pay it forward.”
A third, who works at a different supermarket, said: “I’ve paid the difference for a few people that have come up short a couple of times and as far as I’m aware that is completely fine, even seen my boss do Item.
“Don’t know why it would be any different at Woolies. Sounds like excellent customer service to me.”
Another added: “I work at Woolworths, the company only cares if the products are paid for. She likely paid out of her own pocket for you, I’ve done it before.”
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