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Woolworths customer hits out at 'disappointing' Ooshies 'rip off'

Following the announcement Woolworths would be ending their Disney+ Ooshies promotion abruptly, some customers have expressed their dismay for missing out on completing their collection.

On Monday, the supermarket said their Ooshies promotion would be wrapping up, due to the unprecedented demand for the collectables, with stocks expected to be cleared out by this weekend all across Australia with the exception of Victoria.

The promotion was meant to last until October, or until stocks last.

One Woolworths customer told Yahoo News Australia she and her husband were particularly disappointed when they were told the store they had purchased their groceries from were out of Ooshies on Sunday, prior to the announcement.

The customer explained they should have received a total of 31 Ooshies after purchasing certain items which would allow for customers to redeem bonus Ooshies.

The customer said it was disappointing and felt as though they had been “ripped off” and when they went back to the Woolworths store in their regional NSW town, the promotional posters were still advertising the Ooshies, despite the company announcing the end of the promotion.

Customers are disappointed the Woolworths Ooshies promotion wrapping up earlier than expected. Source: Woolworths
Customers are disappointed the Woolworths Ooshies promotion wrapping up earlier than expected. Source: Woolworths

“There were people still shopping on Monday, well after the announcement, where the primary stuff was up, and they were still announcing it over the speaker,” the customer told Yahoo News Australia, concerned the advertising would ‘mislead’ people.

Fortunately, this customer was able to nab a few Ooshies missing from her children’s collection online, as Woolworths won’t be able to hold swap meets due to COVID restrictions.

“If they don't get it [the Ooshies ordered online], it’s not the end of the world,” she said.

“But what was frustrating was the fact that, you know, fine, they didn't expect the demand, but at least try to make every attempt to not continue to make it look like the promo was still going.”

The customer who spoke to Yahoo News Australia wasn’t the only one who was upset about the promotion ending abruptly.

“Very, very, very disappointed with Woolworths running out of the Ooshies so soon,” a customer wrote on the Woolworths Facebook page.

“I have some very upset little ones now.”

“If you are going to come up with a marketing plan then maybe you should provide your stores with enough supplies for the marketing campaign,” another woman said online.

“Otherwise you are misleading your customers and they may not jump to the next gimmick you come up with, no matter how appealing it is to their children.”

In a statement to Yahoo News Australia, Woolworths apologised to customer for the lack of stock and reiterated the promotion was planned months in advance and stock quantity based off previous campaigns.

Woolworths based the Disney+ Ooshies promotion off previous campaigns. Source: AAP
Woolworths based the Disney+ Ooshies promotion off previous campaigns. Source: AAP

“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.

“These collectibles take more than 12 months to plan and the quantity produced is based on our experience of running many collectible campaigns that we’ve previously offered.”

The spokesperson suggested customers hoping to complete their collection could “safely” swap Ooshies with friends and family.

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