Rant

I am upset with Woolworths Limited.

Stupid Woolworths shops no longer accept credit as an option with Visa debit cards.   They now only give the choice of savings or chequing.  Of course, by using savings or chequing options I am charged a fee by my bank to process the transaction, whereas the credit transactions are fee free.

It is tantamount to usury.

As I understand it Woolworths wants to maximize their profits and therefore does not want to pay the merchant fees for credit purchases when they can force you to choose the only options whereby the customer must pay the fees.

I have had my Visa debit card since I came to Australia 12 years ago.  It was the only credit card offered by my financial institution at the time.  I was a little taken aback by the idea of a  debit credit card as I had previously only know the traditional type of credit cards.

But I have come to love my Visa Debit Card.  It is so much easier to budget with it.  I am never stuck with a high bill that I struggle to pay.  I never have to worry about interest fees.  I’ve never had a problem using it as a credit card overseas.

So Woolworths, be warned.   Whenever possible I will no longer shop at your shops.  I will use your competitors.

Here is the list of shops that are under the Woolworths umbrella that no longer allow visa debit credit purchases:

BIG W

Woolworths Supermarkets

Safeway Supermarkets

Woolworths Liquor

Safeway Liquor

BWS, Dan Murphy’s

Dick Smith

Tandy

Woolworths Petrol

Safeway Petrol

Caltex Woolworths petrol outlets

Thomas Dux

ALH bottle shops