Morrisons hit by tech glitch leaving loyal customers paying MORE at tills
MORRISONS has been hit by tech issues leaving customers paying more at the till and facing delays to both click-and-collect and home deliveries.
Its online website is also completely down with a message reading “502 Bad Gateway” when customers try to visit the page.
The blow comes just two days before Christmas, with many shoppers rushing to stores to do their festive food shop.
Today is also one of the last full trading days before the holiday as many grocers shut early on Christmas Eve to give staff a break.
Angry shoppers have now taken to social media to complain after discovering their Morecards – which give discounts on products – do not work.
One disgruntled shopper said they ended up paying 69p for carrots instead of 10p because of issues with the service.
Like many other supermarkets, Morrisons slashed its veg prices to just a few pennies as a promotional deal in a run-up to the festivities.
Another said they had lost out on about £25 worth of discounts, while a third said they were around £20 “out of pocket” because of the issue.
While a fourth said they paid £10 more for a Turkey.
“Not good at this time of the year,” they added.
Reports on Downdetector also show over 300 customers have flagged an issue with their Morecard.
X, formally known as Twitter, is also filled with complaints from shoppers.
The majority have reported issues with the Morrisons More App, which gives customers digital access to their loyalty cards.
People have also said they cannot pick up their click-and-collect orders because of tech issues in-store.
One shopper said: ” I’ve got a 9am click/collect slot, been booked for weeks. Just got an email 30 mins before, to say WiFi is down so cannot go and collect yet.”
Morrisons told The Sun customers can get a 10% discount on their entire shop, if More Card prices are not registering.
They also said some customers may have their home delivery shop arrive late today – but they are communicating with those impacted directly.
A spokesperson said: “This morning we are experiencing some system issues which are principally impacting some More Card discounts and Click and Collect orders.”
“For More Card customers who have Morrisons Fivers to redeem, these will be done manually in store by colleagues.”
They added: “For Click and Collect orders, we are asking customers to wait for an email to inform them that their order is ready for collection before heading to store.”
“Some home delivery orders may be arriving late today – and we will be communicating directly with those customers affected. ”
Loyalty schemes are designed to reward regular customers with the best prices and exclusive deals.
Most UK supermarkets have loyalty schemes so customers can build up points and save money while they shop.
The service has become increasingly popular, especially during a period of higher-than-average inflation.
But they can come with issues particularly when supermarkets face tech issues – as it means customers end up paying more than they intended.
It has also been feared that elderly or vulnerable people are missing out simply because they do not use the required technology.
Martyn James, a consumer rights expert, previously told The Sun many loyalty schemes are now “app-based or require online registration.
“This shuts out vast numbers of people who don’t use smartphones or may be older, neurodiverse or simply struggle with technology.
“Loyalty schemes can save people thousands of pounds each year.
“It’s a cruel irony that some of the most loyal customers are the ones being locked out of savings.”
TECH TROUBLE AT MORRISONS
It follows news that Morrison software provider Blue Yonder was the victim of a hack, that impacted the number of fresh products it could stock in stores.
The ransomware attack saw the supermarket suffering from a lack of fresh stock including fruit and veg.
However, it was understood dried and frozen goods were unaffected with stock levels as per normal.
A Morrisons spokesperson said at the time: “We are currently operating satisfactorily on our back up systems and we’re working very hard to deliver for our customers across the country.”
Supermarket loyalty schemes - which has one?
MOST UK supermarkets have loyalty schemes so customers can build up points and save money while they shop.
Here we round up what saving programmes you’ll find at the big brands.
- Iceland: Unlike other stores, you don’t collect points with the Iceland Bonus Card. Instead, you load it up with money and Iceland will give you £1 for every £20 you save.
- Lidl Plus: Lidl customers don’t collect points when they shop, and are instead rewarded with personalised vouchers that gives them money off at the till.
- Morrisons: The My Morrisons: Make Good Things Happen replaces the More Card and rewards customers with personalised money off vouchers via the app.
- Sainsbury’s: While Sainsbury’s doesn’t have a personal scheme, it does own the Nectar card which can also be used in Argos, eBay and other shops. You need 200 Nectar points to save up £1 to spend on your card. You need to spend at least £1 to get one Nectar point.
- Tesco: Tesco Clubcard has over 17million members in the UK alone. You use it each time you shop and build up points that can be turned into vouchers – 150 points gets you a £1.50 voucher. Here you need to spend £1 in Tesco to get one point.
- Waitrose: myWaitrose also doesn’t allow you to collect points but instead you’ll get access to free hot drinks, and discounts off certain brands in store.