Coles Trolley Token Costs $2 as a Donation

LVanTurk on 16/10/2023 - 12:15

I was at my local Coles last night and didn't have a coin to unlock a trolley. Usually one of the attendants has a tool to unlock the trolley, however they told me to go to the Service Desk counter and obtain a token. When I got there, the attendant said it costs $2 and is a 'donation' but didn't specify where the money was going.

Anyone know if this is correct, or if it is just a donation to Coles? Even when I said, I don't want the token, I would just like a trolley so I can do my big grocery shop, they said I have to buy a token and refused to unlock it. I'm wondering if this is just what to expect as the norm now from Coles?

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Comments

      • ezekiel181 on 18/10/2023 - 21:32

        We have satellites leaving the solar system but I still need to carry chunks of metal around to trade for goods and services to not be a 'zombie'.

        • terrys on 19/10/2023 - 09:36
          +1

          You can always bring your own trolley if you don't like what others do with their property.

  • JIMB0 on 16/10/2023 - 14:35
    +8

    What's the point of having coin locks if they just unlock a trolley and let you take it? There's no incentive to return it.

    • Krankite on 17/10/2023 - 13:52
      +2

      I'm guessing that they have found not much overlap between people who politely ask for a trolley and people who fail to return them.

  • Cheaplikethebird on 16/10/2023 - 15:02
    +1

    Damn I always hit them up for tokens and have never been asked for a donation. Honestly I'd walk away, I refuse to donate through big businesses so they can claim it as a deduction.

    • AssociatedSpainKing @ Coles on 17/10/2023 - 11:50

      Surely a business cannot claim donations given by its customers to a charity they have a jar for as a deduction. It doesn't come out of their income and the money wasn't ever rightfully theirs. That feels wrong

      • Krankite on 17/10/2023 - 13:53
        +2

        They cannot claim it as a deduction unless the also claim it as income i.e. net zero. They can however use it as advertising and to deflect when asked about massive profits.

        • tomfool on 18/10/2023 - 10:14

          Coles profit margin is aground 2.6% hardly massive. For every $100 someone spends in their store after costs etc they make $2.60.

          So every cost adds up, like some loser going they make so much money they can afford to pay someone to fetch a trolley 2 blocks away, or they make so much money what does it matter if someone steals some food. All this adds to everyone paying more.

  • merriweather on 16/10/2023 - 15:35

    I think you can buy the tokens at woolies for 30 cents. I got a bunch and just leave them in the ashtray of my car etc because I'm never carrying coins. Often if you ask for a token they'll just give you one because they can't be bothered charging you for it.

  • pegaxs on 16/10/2023 - 16:35
    +5

    I dont know, is this supposed to be ironic? You need a $2 coin to open the lock, or you need $2 to buy the lock tool… If you had the $2, you wouldnt need the tool… It's a paradox.

    • terrys on 19/10/2023 - 09:37

      You can reuse the tool and it saves space in your pocket, whereas if you use a coi

      Never mind. Let's move on…

    • Loopholio on 17/10/2023 - 11:31
      +1

      Yeah, but why bother? The coin is given back when returning the trolley, unless you wheel it home like some bogan.

      • skillet on 18/10/2023 - 13:06
        +1

        Unless you were wheeled home like a bogan.

  • yessum on 16/10/2023 - 17:42

    They used to be free from the service desk according to this deal, I've never tried myself though. https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/729809

  • cookie2 on 16/10/2023 - 20:41
    +1

    I hope you didn't do it OP.
    Cashout for $2 and make it clear that it's for the trolley. They shouldn't have made the baskets giant, awkward and shitty(but importantly recycled) and no rolling baskets. Most of the time someone just gives me a key for a trolley, occasionally I get cash out but I'll never pay a 'donation' to store the goods while I walk around the store. I put stuff in my own reusable bag now as i walk around the supermarket. Prob look like a thief but if you've got issues with your wrists and arm strength then you'll know that big trolleys are difficult and the giant new style baskets need to be hand gripped.

    • try2bhelpful on 16/10/2023 - 21:47

      We have our own shopping cart and the Supermarket Baskets sits fine on top of it whilst we are wandering around. Then we can pack the cart to go home.

  • kraigg on 17/10/2023 - 08:01
    +1

    If it's a $2+, and it's really a donation as they've told you, you should be able to get a receipt and claim it during tax time?

  • bbinc on 17/10/2023 - 09:21
    +1

    Aldi. Good. Different. 99c for a token that attaches to your key ring via a clip, use it, retrieve it from the trolley and clip it back on your keys. Simples. Just ignore the message “intended for Aldi trolleys only” - as if. Never had a trolley token problem since. YMMV.

    • try2bhelpful on 17/10/2023 - 10:35
      +1

      Or you could carry a $1 coin with you. We hit some of these tokens when Woollies gave them away for free. The clip seems to break after a while.

  • pencilhead on 17/10/2023 - 10:08
    +1

    Buy trolley keys from ebay. - Or print your own if you have a 3d printer.
    I bought 15 for about $7.50.
    They make great presents as well.

  • BendBridge on 17/10/2023 - 10:30
    +3

    I just print the trolley unlocker on my 3D printer. Actually you can buy a bunch of [these] (https://www.amazon.com.au/Removable-Shopping-Trolley-Unlocke…) and share among friends. The unlocker is convenient as it isn't attched to the trolley.

  • Munki on 17/10/2023 - 11:44
    +10

    You've all got it wrong. You're meant to take the trolley home. That $2 purchase is for one whole trolley. Pick a good one!

    • smartazz104 on 17/10/2023 - 20:09
      +1

      Pick a good one!

      No such thing.

      • terrys on 19/10/2023 - 09:41

        They steer well if you pull them.

  • capslock janitor on 17/10/2023 - 12:43

    did you get receipt to confirm charity/tax purposes?>

    • VanTurk on 17/10/2023 - 14:31

      No, no receipt, but this has me thinking. Remember when Coles was found to be using charity donations as it's own tax deduction? This could be why it's not just selling these tokens and instead getting a 2 for 1 deal by taking $2 and using it against it's reportable profits to make a further 30%… I'm really hating the state of the supermarket duopoly.

      • tomfool on 19/10/2023 - 12:10

        Not sure how they would do this, the $2 would have to be declared as income, and then if it was donated net 0 monetary benefit to them, $2 in $2 out no tax saving at all. The only benefit is social as in being seen to be donating money.

  • greencomet on 17/10/2023 - 15:44
    +1

    Just go in and grab the key from a tin of corned beef on the shelf. They work great to unlock trolleys, been using one for years.

    https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Nsbuaffm7xU?feature=share

  • SpicyStew on 17/10/2023 - 16:16

    i wouldn't know I 3D print trolly tokens for me & friends

  • Chris Topher on 17/10/2023 - 18:33
    +1

    CR2032 batteries work well dead or alive, use instead of a coin or token. Bonus is you won't spend it.

  • 2esc on 17/10/2023 - 19:11

    There are a few businesses out there asking for donations for charities they support when your paying for your items.

    Personally it irritates me.

    Yes there is need everywhere but we have several charities we support as a family already that are closer to our heart.

    Money is tight these days.

  • Davo1111 on 18/10/2023 - 02:21
    +2

    Usually one of the attendants has a tool to unlock the trolley, however

    So they "recognised" you as one of those people who doesn't want to bring a coin.

    Bring a coin next time

    • mungas on 18/10/2023 - 09:34
      -2

      You dont wear the ribbon? Aren't you against AIDS? Hey Cedric, Bob, this guy wont wear a ribbon.

      Cedric Bob: WHO? WHO DOESNT WANT TO WEAR A RIBBON?

  • try2bhelpful on 18/10/2023 - 11:58

    Carry a coin with you and you get it back at the end of the shop. What sort of preparation do some people have before they leave their homes?

    • Davo1111 on 18/10/2023 - 13:53
      +3

      OP is pretty entitled, just expects people to bypass the coin mechanism.

      Quite amusing it took a trolley collector to call them out on their bs.

      • tonka on 22/10/2023 - 19:47

        I'm with the OP, customer service is customer service. Coles is a for profit (much profit organisation) and there is an expectation to assist customers when reasonable. That doesn't mean charging $2 for a 1cent piece of plastic if they are short on change.

        • Davo1111 on 22/10/2023 - 20:53

          OP isnt short on change. they deliberatly didnt bring a coin again and again - they just "expected" the trolley collector to unlock it.

  • skillet on 18/10/2023 - 13:06

    Is this $2 tax deductible?

  • RedDevil860 on 18/10/2023 - 13:21
    +1

    There is a reason they ask for coins. For some people worlds needs to revolve around them.

  • JimmyF on 18/10/2023 - 21:49
    +1

    I'm wondering if this is just what to expect as the norm now from Coles?

    The expected 'norm' is for you to bring a $1 or $2 coin or a token……Not to get special treatment to have a trolley unlocked for you because you don't want to follow the rules that everyone else can follow plus are normally not set out by the store, but the council.

    Our local Costco was up in arms over having to have these coin unlock devices on trolleys when it opened, but it was a council requirement.

    • tonka on 22/10/2023 - 19:44

      Rules? It's a commercial shop, not a government organization. Thus all is up to personal choice and or negotiation. Rules? FFS

      • JimmyF on 22/10/2023 - 19:53

        Rules?

        Yeah the rules of the trolley bay…. which are, If you want a trolley, pop a coin into the slot, and you get that coin back when you return the trolley. Pretty complex I know, but it is easy enough.

        Thus all is up to personal choice and or negotiation. Rules? FFS

        Sure, OP made a personal choice by not bringing a coin, then tried to negotiate with the store and that failed.

        You don't always win. So yeah, FFS indeed, just follow the rules of the trolley bay and your life would be so much easier!

        • tonka on 22/10/2023 - 20:41

          Still not rules mate. At most an offer to take up or not. Not rules. You're reminding me a bit of a Telstra employee who once told me their internal policies were the law.

          • JimmyF on 22/10/2023 - 22:04

            @tonka:

            Still not rules mate

            But it is the rules, the trolleys are locked up. If you want to unlock them, pop a coin in the trolley. It is as simple as that.

            But I see you're from Brisbane, so that explains a few things….. Down south its pretty common for trolleys to need a coin to release them from the bay. But guess what!? You GASP get that coin back when you return the trolley. I know it is hard to understand, but the system works, trolleys are returned and not left laying around.

            You're reminding me a bit of a Telstra employee who once told me their internal policies were the law.

            But it is a law in some councils. Our council has a law that all trolleys need to be coin release so they are not left laying around the place. Everyone in this area seems to be able to handle it. Why can't you?

            But I get the feeling you seem to struggle with rules and policies.

            • tonka on 22/10/2023 - 22:33

              @JimmyF: From Sydney…are you? But you are funny accepting Coles as your lord and ruler so easy. But no Coles doesn't create the rules I live by. So weird to think they should.

              • JimmyF on 22/10/2023 - 22:36

                @tonka:

                From Sydney

                and yet your profile says you're from Brisbane…..

                But you are funny accepting Coles as your lord and ruler so easy.

                LOL you think its $2 each time you want a trolley. LOL Too funny mate too funny.

                I've never paid Coles for a trolley, I bring my own coin, but those $2 plastic tokens have been around for decades.

                And yes you get the coin/token back when you return the trolley.

                But no Coles doesn't create the rules I live by. So weird to think they should.

                So I was right, you struggle with rules. Amazing to think you're fighting the system by not getting a trolley.

                But then I'm getting the feeling you have never used the coin trolley system as you really seem to not understand how it works.

                • tonka on 22/10/2023 - 22:58
                  -1

                  @JimmyF: Moving on mate. Not interested in the misery you want to peddle.

                  • JimmyF on 23/10/2023 - 09:40

                    @tonka:

                    Not interested in the misery you want to peddle.

                    LOL You mean the misery of your profile saying Brisbane, but you then claiming Sydney?

                    Or the one that you think its $2 donation each time to get a trolley?

                    Or your claim if you had $2 you would have given it to Coles to get a trolley, but then claimed otherwise?

                    Or the one that you claim to beat the system by getting a 'free' trolley?

                    You're going to have to be a bit clearer, as you have peddled lots of misery here, so it is hard to understand which one you don't want to talk about!

  • [Deactivated] on 18/10/2023 - 21:59
    +4

    Are you new to shopping instore?

  • GaryQ on 19/10/2023 - 18:41

    Any trolley I pay for, is coming home in the back of the station wagon with me

  • tonka on 22/10/2023 - 19:43

    I had some child at the service desk try that scam on me, literal extrortion. I told them if I had $2 it wouldn't be a problem and I wasn't doing an EFT transfer. They gave it up. Consider also that donation would be made under Coles name and they would get a tax deduction, so profit for Coles. Was that at Casula? Main reason I was annoyed is the trolley lock was a new system and they had been handing out tokens free all week.

    • JimmyF on 22/10/2023 - 19:55

      and I wasn't doing an EFT transfer

      LOL if you didn't have $2 already on the card ready to go, how had you been expecting to pay for your shop?

      • tonka on 22/10/2023 - 20:45

        I didn't have $2 I was going to GIFT to Coles because they put chains on their trolleys overnight. Chains that were removed a few weeks later btw. What is wrong with you?

        • JimmyF on 22/10/2023 - 22:01

          I didn't have $2 I was going to GIFT to Coles

          LOL That isn't what you said, cough cough remember saying

          I told them if I had $2 it wouldn't be a problem and I wasn't doing an EFT transfer

          So that brings me to this

          What is wrong with you?

          Nothing, I'm capable of reading, you seem to struggle to remember what you wrote only hours ago.

          So… as I said, if you didn't have $2 already on the card ready to go, how had you been expecting to pay for your shop?

          • tonka on 22/10/2023 - 22:29

            @JimmyF: Why are you expecting me to gift Coles $2. You understand if they take $2 at the service desk you don't get it back like a normal trolley return?

            • JimmyF on 22/10/2023 - 22:34

              @tonka:

              Why are you expecting me to gift Coles $2

              I wasn't, but you yourself said you would have done it if you had $2. Do I need to quote the bit again?

              You understand if they take $2 at the service desk you don't get it back like a normal trolley return?

              I do…. That is why you put the $1 or $2 coin or token into the trolley instead as you get it back…. You do understand it's not a $2 fee each and every time you want a trolley right…..right!?

              What the service desk was going to do, was take your $2 and give you a token to use in the trolley. Its a plastic coin, you get to keep it forever and use it over and over.

              I know its very complex, but lots of people manage it every day.

              • tonka on 22/10/2023 - 22:48

                @JimmyF: IF I had $2 I would put in trolley and then get it back on return. It's temporary.
                The $2 they asked me for and asked the OP for is permanent, a fee the customer service agent is trying to charge to provide the assistance they have the means to provide. In my case they had been unlocking trolleys all day free as part of the transition but the person I saw decided to fundraise.

                • JimmyF on 22/10/2023 - 22:51

                  @tonka:

                  The $2 they asked me for and asked the OP for is permanent, a fee the customer service agent is trying to charge to provide the assistance they have the means to provide. In my case they had been unlocking trolleys all day free as part of the transition but the person I saw decided to fundraise.

                  The $2 they asked for was in exchange for a token to keep and use for the trolleys as long as you want.

                  It wasn't for them to unlock one for you.

                • Davo1111 on 23/10/2023 - 15:41
                  +1

                  @tonka:

                  IF I had $2 I would put in trolley and then get it back on return

                  Then bring $2!!! You make it sound like you were held at gun point. You could have also got a basket, or not shopped in the store. It's not a human right to enter Coles or be provided with a trolley.

                  Coles can't win either way. If they had decided to just say "you're on your own" from day 1, you would have complained about that. The fact they gave you a weeks grace is something they didn't have to do.

                  the person I saw decided to fundraise.

                  The worker recognised you as a repeat offender.

                  I don't understand why you think you're in the right over this. You continually tried to bypass the system, then got shitty at a kid trying to do their job. They have no legal or moral obligation to provide you with a trolley, or unlock it for you.

    • Davo1111 on 22/10/2023 - 20:54
      +1

      literal extrortion

      Iol

      nobody is forcing you to shop there

      • tonka on 22/10/2023 - 21:48

        Yes, exactly the point I made. To which they immediately changed their mind.

        • Davo1111 on 22/10/2023 - 22:26

          They don't want to get punched over $2.

          This whole thing seems really petty, just bring $2.

          • tonka on 22/10/2023 - 22:30

            @Davo1111: Sure Mr perfect. Next time I'll carry $2 always in case my local supermarket suddenly, with no warning puts locks on.

            • Davo1111 on 22/10/2023 - 22:38

              @tonka: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:29821

              I have one of these on all my house and car keys. They are a few grams… my house key is heavier. I printed them for all my friends and their families.

              • tonka on 22/10/2023 - 22:42

                @Davo1111: OK, but I don't understand why you tried to bust me over it when you're hacking their lock yourself.

                • JimmyF on 22/10/2023 - 22:55
                  +1

                  @tonka: Because you are claiming extrortion by Coles thinking its some scam to get $2 out of you every time you want a trolley, its not. Bring your own coin/token/unlocker and there is no issue, you get the coin/token back.

                • Davo1111 on 23/10/2023 - 15:44
                  +1

                  @tonka: I think you're entitled as you "expected" them to unlock it for you. You tried it on several times and eventually got called out.

                  If my "hack" doesn't work, then I don't get a trolley. It's my problem, not the supermarkets problem.

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