The huge basket checkout mistake you’ve been making at Woolworths Australia

Shoppers who use a basket at the supermarket are likely making one huge mistake every time, employees say.

According to the team at Woolworths most shoppers make the very same error when it comes to putting the basket away at the end of their trip.

While most people leave it on the counter or on the self-serve checkout there are actually two designated spots for them.

The first is a basket holder and can be found at the exit, the second is under the shelf of the self-serve checkout. 

One of the company’s most recognisable faces, staff member Liam, made a quick  video to help people get the job done right.

‘Hi, I am here at Woolworths to show you what to do with your basket when you come to the cash register,’ he said, straight faced.

His first demonstration was at a staffed checkout.

He placed his shopping, a bottle of engine oil, on the conveyor belt then put the basket down at the end of the aisle.

‘When you put the basket down there a team member will collect it and place it in a basket holder at the front of the store,’ he said happily.

‘So the fun can be shared with another customer.’

 The video proved popular with customers admitting they typically send the basket down the conveyor belt for staff to deal with.

Others asked what the protocol was for self-serve checkouts prompting Liam to create another vide.

He said the baskets need to go under the shelf to the right of the self service register or under the conveyor belt on a staffed checkout 

The youngster used the same oil as a prop for his second video.

He scanned the oil, popped it in the bagging area, and the placed the basket on the floor underneath the shelf to the right of the machine.

‘Another place you can put the basket in the self-serve area is in the basket holder which is located here,’ he said showing off the storage unit which typically sits at the entry and exit of each store. 

 The video prompted a collective ‘ah-ha’ moment for shoppers.

‘I would never have thought that’s where they go – that is so cool,’ one man said.

Some staff were thrilled to see the video go viral.

‘As someone who used to work at Woolworths, please just put in that little bit of effort and put it in the basket holder,’ one woman pleaded.

He added that customers could also place them back on the basket racks for staff

‘Ugh I am so sick of people leaving it on the machine or shoving it at me to put away,’ one worker said.

But many disagreed with the ‘official word’.

‘Just leave it on the self-serve machine, bending over to get them constantly is a pain,’ one woman complained.

‘This isn’t the correct way, hand it to me or leave it in the holder. Some people have bad backs and bending over is hard,’ said another. 

Some shoppers didn’t appear to be keen to change their habits.

‘Just come and grab it when I am done, do the job you are being paid to do,’ one man said.

‘I don’t work there, I shop there. Any mistakes I make are on Woolies,’ said another. 

Others said there’s no need at their store.

‘They always come and grab it right after I scan my last item,’ one woman said.

‘Love that for you,’ the retailer’s social media team replied.