Woolworths backflips - QF points are coming back

[Dr Ralph]

Which EDR already had.

A well placed comma may have helped your comment to be understood.

 

[whatmeworry]

Strange. The WWR$ I've go translated directly to A$. We could debate whether we're being taken back down the banana republic pathway, but the A$ is a pretty good currency still.

As previously mentioned, this is what happens when you earn WW dollars.

 

[snabbu]

Had time to kill at woollies this afternoon so looked very carefully for these elusive orange stickers.

Walked the first 8 aisles, not a single one to be seen.

Then a few in the baby section, along with a couple around the cake mix area. Must admit I didn't look through the frozen section.

In the entire store I'd guess there were 20 orange sticker items that I saw, in only a couple of sections.

Well done WW, not.

 

[straitman]

Well for me (sample size 1) the EDR offers did effectively stop. So I started taking my spend elsewhere with an occasional WW spend to try to trigger an offer.

I can't see the current spate of offers continuing for very long.

Mine stopped too, as did many others I know.. I am sure it was discussed here as well

Us as well so that makes four.

 

[nlagalle]

Strange. The WWR$ I've go translated directly to A$. We could debate whether we're being taken back down the banana republic pathway, but the A$ is a pretty good currency still. Oh and did I mention the instantaneous bit for the targeted discounts. No waiting.

Yes the pesos translate "directly" to A$, but you forgot the important part that how much $AUD you need to earn $1 WW peso.. And as you well know it isn't 1:1.

 

[basso]

I don't know whether to laugh or cry at your statement. If you really think the scheme is so good, why did WW bring in a half baked FF solution? You really think the program is that good? c'mon who are you kidding here....

I don't think we will ever get the full story of what happened, but let us not forget that Qantas were pretty desperate to keep Woolworths as a partner. The comms were coming from Qantas that the discussions were still going on. Woolworths had a framework for a program (which you have made pretty clear you don't like), and Qantas had to find a way of working within that framework. My view is that there was more desperation on the Qantas side than the Woolworths side. But as I say, we may never know.....

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

I don't think we will ever get the full story of what happened, but let us not forget that Qantas were pretty desperate to keep Woolworths as a partner. The comms were coming from Qantas that the discussions were still going on. Woolworths had a framework for a program (which you have made pretty clear you don't like), and Qantas had to find a way of working within that framework. My view is that there was more desperation on the Qantas side than the Woolworths side. But as I say, we may never know.....

If memory serves me correctly it was Woolworths that did the monumental backflip with its loyalty program not Qantas.

Woolworths wins the gong as Australia's marketing failure for 2015 with a host of marketing failures including the cringe worthy " Cheap, Cheap" campaign that resulted in the head of supermarket marketing resigning, a grossly thought through ANZAC day campaign on Facebook, and the "on again, off again, on again " stance on Qantas Points.

Let's hope Woolies have a better year in 2016 than the previous year.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Thanks Snabbu.
They (WW) haven't learnt much it seems.

 

[Flymeanywhere]

Here it is, Day 3 of the New Year and not a single news item on the reformatting of QFF reimbursement from Woolies. As of 31st December, I am loathe to enter a Woolie store. I think it's easier to get point AND save money on groceries elsewhere.

 

[rainbowgirl]

Here it is, Day 3 of the New Year and not a single news item on the reformatting of QFF reimbursement from Woolies. As of 31st December, I am loathe to enter a Woolie store. I think it's easier to get point AND save money on groceries elsewhere.

It might be the 3rd day of the year but tomorrow is probably the first business day for the team who are going to implement the changes on various levels.

 

[ozflier]

Nice to see some clarity SOON!

 

[basso]

If memory serves me correctly it was Woolworths that did the monumental backflip with its loyalty program not Qantas.

That is the public viewpoint, no doubt. But remember that when Woolworths dumped the points, it was Qantas that were at pains to state that they were still talking to Woolworths. So talk of Woolworths going cap in hand back to Qantas is nonsense, in my view. Qantas were desperate to do a deal. Between them, they came up with something that worked in the new framework.

 

[prozac]

... it was Qantas that were at pains to state that they were still talking to Woolworths. So talk of Woolworths going cap in hand back to Qantas is nonsense, in my view. Qantas were desperate to do a deal. ...

That is not to say the Woolworths did not need to resurrect talks that were at an impasse and perhaps it was Qantas who were businesslike enough to publicly state what was going on.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

That is the public viewpoint, no doubt. But remember that when Woolworths dumped the points, it was Qantas that were at pains to state that they were still talking to Woolworths. So talk of Woolworths going cap in hand back to Qantas is nonsense, in my view. Qantas were desperate to do a deal. Between them, they came up with something that worked in the new framework.

The only nonsense comes from Woolworths and their desperate attempt to try and win back customers 2 weeks out from Christmas 2015 by announcing the desire to backflip and offer QFF points once again.
No doubt they have seen a backlash in those all important like for like sales.

 

[drron]

So why did we get emails from QFF before that assuring us they were working with WW to ensure a continuing relationship.
I'm with Basso the backflip was due to QFF not wanting to risk the most profitable part of their business.

 

[Himeno]

It might be the 3rd day of the year but tomorrow is probably the first business day for the team who are going to implement the changes on various levels.

Yep, they are back at work tomorrow. There has been almost no one at Norwest for most of the last 2 weeks.

 

[prozac]

So why did we get emails from QFF before that assuring us they were working with WW to ensure a continuing relationship.
I'm with Basso the backflip was due to QFF not wanting to risk the most profitable part of their business.

It's called business transparency. Transparent behaviour works well in business.

 

[Punky]

It's called business transparency. Transparent behaviour works well in business.

I call it spin. Qantas are champions of spin. And in this case, people have fallen for it hook, line and sinker.

 

[exceladdict]

I call it spin. Qantas are champions of spin. And in this case, people have fallen for it hook, line and sinker.

When you spent a year as the only profitable business unit, and have had years of significant growth, you can hire pretty good PR consultants.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So why did we get emails from QFF before that assuring us they were working with WW to ensure a continuing relationship.
I'm with Basso the backflip was due to QFF not wanting to risk the most profitable part of their business.

I agree too. QF came out first on this.

It's called business transparency. Transparent behaviour works well in business.

Agree - but if only that was true for Qantas in its relationship with passengers and FF members! Unfortunately for Qantas this would be the first and just about only case I can think of where they would have been 'transparent', which makes me think they didn't do so for our benefit.