Still, she was persuaded to go back to the store and ask for the discount, and returned a few minutes later $18 better off.
“We got $18 out of the SuperGold discount,” she said with a smile and an armful of canned food. “So we’ve just bought … some extra bully beef, spaghetti, and … a bit of fruit salad.”
She said The Warehouse apologised, and this was followed up with a response to RNZ from the company’s head office.
“We really appreciate this being brought to our attention and we’re sorry the couple didn’t get the discount they were entitled to the first time around. It’s highlighted a gap in how we provide value to our customers – and we’re looking at how we can make our offers more visible,” a spokesperson said in a statement to RNZ.
One shopper was unaware she could get a SuperGold discount at the New World Supermarket at Point Chevalier. Photo / Marika Khabazi, RNZ
The promotion of the SuperGold Card concerned other shoppers.
A consumer outside the Point Chevalier Woolworths, Frances Marychurch, said there was a lack of awareness of the offers available.
Marychurch said she only used her SuperGold at Woolworths and was unaware it could also be used across the street at a New World supermarket.
“I find it’s very difficult to find ways to use your gold card. The ones that are supposed to do it, don’t ask you for it,” Marychurch said.
New World shopper Ross Horne said: “Personally, I think it is not actually publicised enough. Occasionally you’ll see a store with the sticker on the door, with the gold card.”
Mike Matthews, general manager of Communicare, which offers community support for seniors, said businesses should do more to promote SuperGold Card discounts, but superannuitants also had a role to play.
“I think that you could have some corporates take a real leading role in terms of stepping up to do this. But also equally, I think the superannuitant community … you know, use your feet, and that will encourage those who do support [discounts] and give them the benefit of additional business,” Matthews said.