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The heartwarming way Woolworths Bricks are helping kids: 'Fantastic'

A Woolworths customer has highlighted a heartwarming new use for the popular Woolworths Bricks collectables.

Chrissy Cole, who runs Chrissy’s Care Services, addressed a post to the Woolworths Facebook page on Thursday, detailing the value of the Bricks to her clients.

“I’m a support worker, working with children with disabilities - mainly non verbal autism - and your brick promotion is fantastic,” she wrote.

Photo of Aiden playing with Woolworths Bricks. Source: Facebook/Chrissy Cole
Ms Cole said that her student Aiden loves using the Woolworths Bricks to learn and create. Source: Facebook/Chrissy Cole

Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, Ms Cole said the Woolworths Bricks promotion, along with other supermarket collectables, have enabled her clients to "keep their minds active".

“Young people with autism mainly love to be creative, and sometimes it’s the only way they can express themselves,” she said.

“Building with the bricks, especially the Woolworths ones, as they know the logo as being familiar, is fantastic.

“They are especially good for sensory play as it keeps their mind active and in concentration mode."

Ms Cole said other supermarket collectables had also been especially useful in the past.

“Seeing something being built before their eyes brings great pleasure and in some cases there is great enjoyment in the finished project," she said.

“I have taught kids with the Woolworths Dominos and the Woolworths Seed Pods were another hit with my clients who loved to watch them grow.

Coles mini shop was also great because we were able to make shopping games with money to teach life skills.”

The Woolworths Bricks promotion began on September 8, with a view to continue until October 19 while stocks last.

Woolworths solves Bricks dilemma

Ms Cole ended her initial Facebook post by asking Woolworths if there was any way to obtain the popular Woolworths Bricks delivery truck, semi truck or forklifts, which have sold out due to soaring demand.

A spokesperson from Woolworths previously confirmed with Yahoo News Australia many Bricks products were sold out.

Woolworths Bricks. Source: Woolworths Group
The bricks were an instant hit with Woolworths customers. Source: Woolworths Group

"We apologise for any disappointment caused if customers find that any of the Woolworths Bricks delivery trucks have already sold out in their store or online, and thank customers for their patience if some stores are waiting to receive additional stock of Woolworths Bricks," they said.

However, luckily for Ms Cole to retail giant has offered to send her a truck for her kids in response to her request.

Resourceful Woolworths customers also had some clever suggestions about how Ms Cole could solve her problem, which they shared in the comments on her original Facebook post.

“If that fails, people have used the Bunnings truck with some Woolies stickers,” one person wrote, referring to a Facebook post showing the hack in action.

Bunnings truck with Woolworths Bricks set. Source: Facebook
Customers have noticed that the Bunnings truck is compatible with the Woolworths Bricks range. Source: Facebook

“Not quite the same but better than nothing!” the original poster wrote.

However, it seems that many others have been using the alternative solution as Ms Cole found her local Bunnings store had also sold out of trucks.

“My mother in law is going to have a look at her local Bunnings for me, but at mine they were all sold out,” she said.

Sold-out Bricks worth ‘a mint’ online

As Woolworths customers scramble to get their hands on highly popular Woolworths Bricks trucks, a Facebook Marketplace advertisement has surfaced, charging a whopping $120 for the items, which had initially cost $10 for the smaller delivery truck and $15 for the larger electric delivery truck.

Ms Cole said she condemned this behaviour as the uses of the Bricks collection go beyond pure collecting.

“People trying to sell them online for a mint is just pure greed,” she said.

“People are trying to collect them for their children and kids with disabilities; parents just love to see them be happy and creative and people are capitalising on this.”

Woolworths Bricks terms and conditions state that resale of the items is prohibited: “Woolworths Bricks may not, without the prior consent of Woolworths, be resold or offered for resale.”

Boxes of Woolworths Bricks trucks for sale for $120. Source: Facebook

Woolworths responds to promotion's popularity

A Woolworths spokesperson said the retailer was pleased to see how popular the promotion had been.

"We’re pleased to see families across Australia building their own mini Woolworths supermarket," the spokesperson said.

“Woolworths Bricks is a fun and hands on way to learn about sustainability through play and spark conversations about how materials like plastic or refrigerators can be given a second life, or how solar panels and electric car chargers are making great a positive impact on the environment at their local Woolies.

“We do not encourage resale of these items and are hopeful families who take part and collect Woolworths Bricks can enjoy them for years to come.“

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