Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I press the credit button with my Visa Debit card at Woolworths?
Woolworths has made this decision.
Woolworths is forcing you to use the EFTPOS network, by pressing ‘cheque’ or ‘savings’, rather than the Visa network because every time you use the EFTPOS network Woolworths is paid a few cents on top of your shopping bill.
When you use the Visa network by pressing the credit button, Woolworths has to pay a few cents. That’s why they have taken this action. Woolworths cares more about those few cents than your right to choose how you pay at the checkout.
Woolworths’ decision affects millions of Visa Debit and MasterCard Debit cardholders across Australia.
Can I press the credit button with my Visa Debit card at other shops?
Yes.
To date, as far as we are aware, it is only the Woolworths group that has taken this action.
The Woolworths group includes 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 and ALH bottleshops.
How can Woolworths get away with doing this?
The Reserve Bank regulates the payments system and the Reserve Bank has changed the rules to give big retailers like Woolworths more power over Visa and MasterCard and more power to decide how customers pay at the checkout.
Woolworths is taking advantage of these rule changes to try to collect a few more cents each time a customer pays at the checkout.
If you have any further questions regarding this change please contact QConnect on 1800 753 377.