The holidays always seem to cause a few people to freak out at the grocery store. Don't worry! Your mother in law really doesn't care how that pie comes out.
If the store is out of Martinelli's, just get some apple juice and mix it with selzer water. You will not become an alcoholic if you can not have your Martinelli's!
The store is out of candy canes and egg nog because it is TEN PM ON CHRISTMAS EVE! You know this was coming! Christmas is every year on Dec. 25th. If you wanted Christmas stuff then you should have come in and bought it a few days ahead. We have been having Christmas in our store since before Halloween.
I, for one, am quite happy that Christmas is finally and really over. Now we have to get ready for Valentines day.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Saturday, October 17, 2009
How to shop
I am not sure why it can be so difficult to shop for groceries. It would seem to be a simple process, but some customers seem bent on making it more difficult or dramatic than it needs to be.
Here is how I usually think of shopping-
1. Make a list, either in your head or on paper, of items you might need to pick up at the store.
2. Drive, bike or walk to the store of your choosing.
3. Walk inside the store.
4. Get a cart or handbasket and start moving around the store.
5. Pick up items you need. If you can not find something, ask a helpful employee.
6. If the store does not carry something, shrugg your shoulders and get something else.
7. Move to the checkout lines.
8. Pick a line and get into it. When there is room on the belt unload your items onto it. They will eventually move down towards the checker.
9. Find out how much your groceries will cost and pay for them with cash, credit/debit, check or food stamps.
10. Take your groceries from the store in a cart or by hand and take them home.
Here is how to avoid problems and make your life simpler and less dramatic, at least while you are shopping for groceries-
1. The list- It is okay if you lost or forgot your list. Don't stress about it. Just buy some stuff and come back again if you have to. The store will still be here in an hour and also a few days from now.
2. Parking- Just pick a spot as soon as you see one. Even if you get one that is far from the door, it is not like you have to walk a mile or anything. Driving around in the parking lot waiting for a spot right by the door is only going to annoy you.
3. Walk inside, get a basket or cart. If you can't find one right away just ask an employee and they will get you one quickly. You don't have to get cranky and search the whole store for a basket.
4. Shop. Get what you want. Don't feel bad about getting cupcakes and beer. Buy a tomato and some carrots if you feel guilty. Have a good time. Talk to friends. Engage the meat guy in conversation. If you are too tired to shop just get a salad, a roasted chicken and some soda. And a candy bar for dessert.
5. Don't focus on all the things the store does not have. Simply change your meal plan and buy something else. If the store doesn't have a gallon of organic two percent milk, just get the regular kind this time. Try a different flavor of ice cream. Don't stress out. You can always get what you really wanted next time. The store is not "out of everything".
6. Find a checkout line. Be prepared to wait for a bit before it is your turn. If you get to just walk right up then good for you. While you wait, read the tabloids or talk to your neighbor. Check to see if you are in the express line with too many items. Sort your coupons. Get your check ready.
Relax for a few moments.
7. Say hello to your checker and ask for any help you might need. Ask for paper bags if you want them. Ask for help out if you want that. Your checker can make this part of your day a very smooth process. Take your time if you have any special requests, but do not spend time apologizing or telling long stories about how you forgot your shopping bags in the car or that all you have is a one hundred dollar bill. This will only slow things down and stress you out. Just deal with your situation and move on. We are there to help you.
8. Pay for your stuff. The checker can help you with this. Listen to their instructions and it will all be over soon.
9. The checker or bagger will load your groceries into your cart. You can help if you want to, but someone will take care of it unless you are at Winco or a similar store where you must bag your own.
10. Take your groceries outside and load your car, or you can have someone help you. Do not apologize for wanting help out. We do not mind.
11. Take your stuff home and enjoy.
Now wasn't that better? Try it next time and see if you don't enjoy grocery shopping at least 20 percent more!
Here is how I usually think of shopping-
1. Make a list, either in your head or on paper, of items you might need to pick up at the store.
2. Drive, bike or walk to the store of your choosing.
3. Walk inside the store.
4. Get a cart or handbasket and start moving around the store.
5. Pick up items you need. If you can not find something, ask a helpful employee.
6. If the store does not carry something, shrugg your shoulders and get something else.
7. Move to the checkout lines.
8. Pick a line and get into it. When there is room on the belt unload your items onto it. They will eventually move down towards the checker.
9. Find out how much your groceries will cost and pay for them with cash, credit/debit, check or food stamps.
10. Take your groceries from the store in a cart or by hand and take them home.
Here is how to avoid problems and make your life simpler and less dramatic, at least while you are shopping for groceries-
1. The list- It is okay if you lost or forgot your list. Don't stress about it. Just buy some stuff and come back again if you have to. The store will still be here in an hour and also a few days from now.
2. Parking- Just pick a spot as soon as you see one. Even if you get one that is far from the door, it is not like you have to walk a mile or anything. Driving around in the parking lot waiting for a spot right by the door is only going to annoy you.
3. Walk inside, get a basket or cart. If you can't find one right away just ask an employee and they will get you one quickly. You don't have to get cranky and search the whole store for a basket.
4. Shop. Get what you want. Don't feel bad about getting cupcakes and beer. Buy a tomato and some carrots if you feel guilty. Have a good time. Talk to friends. Engage the meat guy in conversation. If you are too tired to shop just get a salad, a roasted chicken and some soda. And a candy bar for dessert.
5. Don't focus on all the things the store does not have. Simply change your meal plan and buy something else. If the store doesn't have a gallon of organic two percent milk, just get the regular kind this time. Try a different flavor of ice cream. Don't stress out. You can always get what you really wanted next time. The store is not "out of everything".
6. Find a checkout line. Be prepared to wait for a bit before it is your turn. If you get to just walk right up then good for you. While you wait, read the tabloids or talk to your neighbor. Check to see if you are in the express line with too many items. Sort your coupons. Get your check ready.
Relax for a few moments.
7. Say hello to your checker and ask for any help you might need. Ask for paper bags if you want them. Ask for help out if you want that. Your checker can make this part of your day a very smooth process. Take your time if you have any special requests, but do not spend time apologizing or telling long stories about how you forgot your shopping bags in the car or that all you have is a one hundred dollar bill. This will only slow things down and stress you out. Just deal with your situation and move on. We are there to help you.
8. Pay for your stuff. The checker can help you with this. Listen to their instructions and it will all be over soon.
9. The checker or bagger will load your groceries into your cart. You can help if you want to, but someone will take care of it unless you are at Winco or a similar store where you must bag your own.
10. Take your groceries outside and load your car, or you can have someone help you. Do not apologize for wanting help out. We do not mind.
11. Take your stuff home and enjoy.
Now wasn't that better? Try it next time and see if you don't enjoy grocery shopping at least 20 percent more!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
More on germs
I had a customer ask me yesterday if we disinfect the pens on the debit card machines at the checkstands. I had to tell her no. She said she was afraid of the flu. I told her that while we do clean our checkstands frequently during the day, we can not clean and disinfect everything between each customer.
Think about how long that would take. Think of what is involved. Besides, there is a difference between cleaning and disinfecting. When I clean the checkstand I use spray cleaner and paper towels to wipe down the belt and counter areas so that they are free of meat juice, sticky ice cream, baby drool and mystery spills. I do this when I have a free moment between customers because everyone is in a hurry and will put stuff on the belt while I am wiping it off. Often I will tell customers that there is chicken juice all over the belt just so I can clean it completely before they put their stuff down. It is satisfying to watch them leap back with their groceries clutched in their arms.
I do disinfect the intercom phone quite frequently during the day because all the employees talk on it. That means wiping it with alcohol and actually killing germs. To disinfect that pen on the debit machine I would have to use alcohol after every single customer and this just won't happen. If you are worried about getting germs from that little pen, bring your own sanitizer. And then remember that you are touching a cart handle that no one is cleaning either. All the fruit in produce is handled frequently as well as just about every surface in the store and the items on the shelves.
Here is one big germy item no one thinks about. You would think it would be the cart seats or the belt or door handles. Nope.
Little kids standing in line like to pick up packages of gum and smell them. They stick them right up their nose all the time. Babies grab candy and gum and try to chew on the package and their moms take it away and stick it back on the shelf. No one ever even thinks about it, but I see it all day.
See ya.
Think about how long that would take. Think of what is involved. Besides, there is a difference between cleaning and disinfecting. When I clean the checkstand I use spray cleaner and paper towels to wipe down the belt and counter areas so that they are free of meat juice, sticky ice cream, baby drool and mystery spills. I do this when I have a free moment between customers because everyone is in a hurry and will put stuff on the belt while I am wiping it off. Often I will tell customers that there is chicken juice all over the belt just so I can clean it completely before they put their stuff down. It is satisfying to watch them leap back with their groceries clutched in their arms.
I do disinfect the intercom phone quite frequently during the day because all the employees talk on it. That means wiping it with alcohol and actually killing germs. To disinfect that pen on the debit machine I would have to use alcohol after every single customer and this just won't happen. If you are worried about getting germs from that little pen, bring your own sanitizer. And then remember that you are touching a cart handle that no one is cleaning either. All the fruit in produce is handled frequently as well as just about every surface in the store and the items on the shelves.
Here is one big germy item no one thinks about. You would think it would be the cart seats or the belt or door handles. Nope.
Little kids standing in line like to pick up packages of gum and smell them. They stick them right up their nose all the time. Babies grab candy and gum and try to chew on the package and their moms take it away and stick it back on the shelf. No one ever even thinks about it, but I see it all day.
See ya.
What we sell.
This is a fairly small upscale grocery store in the year 2009. We have produce, canned goods, a bakery, a deli, candy, frozen food, beer, wine, pop, a pharmacy aisle, baby products, etc. Some customers get very upset when they come to the store at 11PM and are unable to find that special item that they made a special trip to our store to find. Here are some tips for you-
We do not carry paint. Sorry, no paint. Not even spray paint. Try a PAINT STORE.
We do not have mothballs. Remember, it is the year 2009. We do not have bluing for your hair, either. Or something called "Washing Soda", whatever that is, we don't have it.
We do not carry hardware. The closest you will get is staples and thumbtacks. We are a grocery store.
We do carry movies, but not a selection that you would find in, say, a MOVIE STORE.
We have two kinds of motor oil. No tire chains, windshield wipers, seat covers or anything else you might find at an AUTO SUPPLY STORE.
We do not carry sheets, blankets, pillows or shower curtains. Try SEARS.
We used to get requests all the time for ping pong balls. Now we carry ping pong balls, but not paddles or nets.
So, if you come into the store some evening and can't find oil filters, patio furniture or a socket wrench, take a look around. Maybe you would like some nice apples, cereal, cat food or milk. Our store does not have everything, but we have most of what a GROCERY STORE needs to supply.
We do not carry paint. Sorry, no paint. Not even spray paint. Try a PAINT STORE.
We do not have mothballs. Remember, it is the year 2009. We do not have bluing for your hair, either. Or something called "Washing Soda", whatever that is, we don't have it.
We do not carry hardware. The closest you will get is staples and thumbtacks. We are a grocery store.
We do carry movies, but not a selection that you would find in, say, a MOVIE STORE.
We have two kinds of motor oil. No tire chains, windshield wipers, seat covers or anything else you might find at an AUTO SUPPLY STORE.
We do not carry sheets, blankets, pillows or shower curtains. Try SEARS.
We used to get requests all the time for ping pong balls. Now we carry ping pong balls, but not paddles or nets.
So, if you come into the store some evening and can't find oil filters, patio furniture or a socket wrench, take a look around. Maybe you would like some nice apples, cereal, cat food or milk. Our store does not have everything, but we have most of what a GROCERY STORE needs to supply.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
That is not a coupon, it is an ad.
You come up to my line with two boxes of cereal. You hand me a piece of paper cut or torn from the advertising section of the Sunday paper. The piece of paper shows a picture of two boxes of cereal and the large words, BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE!
Okay, this in an ad. It has a picture of the product, which may or may not be featured at my store. It has words on it. What it lacks is a bar code.
Believe it or not, most coupons have a thing on it called a bar code. You may have seen them. They are on most of the products you normally purchase at the grocery store. If you ever look closely at store coupons they also have a bar code on them. This is how the computer figures out how to take off a discount when you present everything to the checker.
Here are some things to remember when you are planning to use coupons at the grocery store-
1. Make sure it is a coupon. Sometimes stores print pictures on their advertisements with special store prices. A picture plus a price do not automatically equal a coupon. Check for the bar code!
2. Make sure that the coupon is for a product you are actually purchasing. Duh!
3. There are two kinds of coupons- STORE COUPONS and MANUFACTURERS COUPONS.
Store coupons give you additional savings at the store which is having the sale and printed these coupons with their store name on them. Make sure that you are using store coupons at the correct store. Again- Duh!
Manufacturers coupons can be used for discounts on the product at any store. They say MANUFACTURERS COUPON on the top of them.
4. This is one for all the people waiting in line behind you- HAVE YOUR COUPONS READY. At least have them in your purse or in your hand. If you don't have it and think you lost it somewhere in the store or you want to search all your pockets because you know you have it, please, please, please just step aside and let other customers come through while you look for it.
I know, it was a big 55 cents off on corn or something, but if you made it all the way up to where you are paying for the stuff, you should have had time to get it ready.
Or just pay for your groceries and find the coupon later. Your checker will be happy to give you the savings later as long as you HANG ON TO YOUR RECEIPT. Especially if you come in a day or two later and expect someone to hand over free money for something that you bought a week ago.
Hey, that gives me an idea for a future rant.
Anyway, keep clipping those coupons and I will see you in line!
Peace.
Okay, this in an ad. It has a picture of the product, which may or may not be featured at my store. It has words on it. What it lacks is a bar code.
Believe it or not, most coupons have a thing on it called a bar code. You may have seen them. They are on most of the products you normally purchase at the grocery store. If you ever look closely at store coupons they also have a bar code on them. This is how the computer figures out how to take off a discount when you present everything to the checker.
Here are some things to remember when you are planning to use coupons at the grocery store-
1. Make sure it is a coupon. Sometimes stores print pictures on their advertisements with special store prices. A picture plus a price do not automatically equal a coupon. Check for the bar code!
2. Make sure that the coupon is for a product you are actually purchasing. Duh!
3. There are two kinds of coupons- STORE COUPONS and MANUFACTURERS COUPONS.
Store coupons give you additional savings at the store which is having the sale and printed these coupons with their store name on them. Make sure that you are using store coupons at the correct store. Again- Duh!
Manufacturers coupons can be used for discounts on the product at any store. They say MANUFACTURERS COUPON on the top of them.
4. This is one for all the people waiting in line behind you- HAVE YOUR COUPONS READY. At least have them in your purse or in your hand. If you don't have it and think you lost it somewhere in the store or you want to search all your pockets because you know you have it, please, please, please just step aside and let other customers come through while you look for it.
I know, it was a big 55 cents off on corn or something, but if you made it all the way up to where you are paying for the stuff, you should have had time to get it ready.
Or just pay for your groceries and find the coupon later. Your checker will be happy to give you the savings later as long as you HANG ON TO YOUR RECEIPT. Especially if you come in a day or two later and expect someone to hand over free money for something that you bought a week ago.
Hey, that gives me an idea for a future rant.
Anyway, keep clipping those coupons and I will see you in line!
Peace.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Donations
Several times a year my store manager instructs every checker to ask customers for donations for various causes. They are very good causes and the money our company collects goes to help many people. If your checker asks for a donation it is perfectly okay to respond in one of two ways-
1. "Why, yes. I would like to make a donation today."
2. "No, thank you. Not today."
These are some ways you do NOT need to respond to the request for a donation-
1. "You guys are always asking for money."
2. "Every time I come here you guys are asking for money."
3. "I wish you wouldn't always ask me for donations."
4. "I am so tired of you asking me for a donation."
I know it may be hard to believe, but we are not always asking for donations. We have fundraisers 4 times a year and it is a requirement of our job that we ask every customer if they would like to donate. A REQUIREMENT OF OUR JOB.
Also, we see hundreds of customers a day and we don't remember if we asked you already, so just suck it up and prepare to be asked again. Simply answer yes or no.
Nothing personal, okay.
And thanks for your donation today! :)
1. "Why, yes. I would like to make a donation today."
2. "No, thank you. Not today."
These are some ways you do NOT need to respond to the request for a donation-
1. "You guys are always asking for money."
2. "Every time I come here you guys are asking for money."
3. "I wish you wouldn't always ask me for donations."
4. "I am so tired of you asking me for a donation."
I know it may be hard to believe, but we are not always asking for donations. We have fundraisers 4 times a year and it is a requirement of our job that we ask every customer if they would like to donate. A REQUIREMENT OF OUR JOB.
Also, we see hundreds of customers a day and we don't remember if we asked you already, so just suck it up and prepare to be asked again. Simply answer yes or no.
Nothing personal, okay.
And thanks for your donation today! :)
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
About your kid...
You have just brought 30 or so items into the EXPRESS checkstand, including 15 fruit roll-ups and 10 Lunchables. You are now digging for your debit card as 5 people stand behind you sighing loudly. You don't take the hint.
As you find your debit card, your kid asks for gum. You say no. Your kid asks for gum. You say no. Your kid asks for gum. You say no. Your kid asks for gum. You say, "Fine. Pick out a pack of sugarless."
"Umm.." Your kid starts looking at the gum. The 7 people in line start shifting and looking at their watches.
"Hurry up!"
"Umm..."
You start to run your debit card. Your kid screams "I want to put in the numbers!"
"Okay. Get your gum."
"Umm...this one!"
"That's not sugarless."
"Umm..."
You start to put in your debit card again.
"I want to do it!"
"Well hurry up!"
Your slide your debit card. The kids screams, "I WANTED TO DO IT!"
"That's it, no gum."
"AAAAAAGH!"
"Get off the floor!"
"AAAAGH!"
"Come here, I'll let you put the numbers in."
"Okay." The kid holds one finger over the pin pad.
You: Five.
Kid: Five.
You: Six.
Kid: Six.
You: Three.
Kid: Threeeeee... Where's three?
You: Right here. "Beep!"
Kid: I WANTED TO DO IT!!!!!!
You: Here, you do the last number.
Kid: I WANTED TO DO ALL OF THEM!!!
You: Nine.
Kid: Nine.
Me: I'm sorry. It says that you put in the wrong pin number.
You: Oh, that's right. That was my old one. Let me do it again.
Kid: I WANT TO DO IT!!!
And so on...
And now I have forgotten the point I was going to make. I think this scenario speaks for itself.
As you find your debit card, your kid asks for gum. You say no. Your kid asks for gum. You say no. Your kid asks for gum. You say no. Your kid asks for gum. You say, "Fine. Pick out a pack of sugarless."
"Umm.." Your kid starts looking at the gum. The 7 people in line start shifting and looking at their watches.
"Hurry up!"
"Umm..."
You start to run your debit card. Your kid screams "I want to put in the numbers!"
"Okay. Get your gum."
"Umm...this one!"
"That's not sugarless."
"Umm..."
You start to put in your debit card again.
"I want to do it!"
"Well hurry up!"
Your slide your debit card. The kids screams, "I WANTED TO DO IT!"
"That's it, no gum."
"AAAAAAGH!"
"Get off the floor!"
"AAAAGH!"
"Come here, I'll let you put the numbers in."
"Okay." The kid holds one finger over the pin pad.
You: Five.
Kid: Five.
You: Six.
Kid: Six.
You: Three.
Kid: Threeeeee... Where's three?
You: Right here. "Beep!"
Kid: I WANTED TO DO IT!!!!!!
You: Here, you do the last number.
Kid: I WANTED TO DO ALL OF THEM!!!
You: Nine.
Kid: Nine.
Me: I'm sorry. It says that you put in the wrong pin number.
You: Oh, that's right. That was my old one. Let me do it again.
Kid: I WANT TO DO IT!!!
And so on...
And now I have forgotten the point I was going to make. I think this scenario speaks for itself.
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