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!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
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.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Cell Phones at the store
Unless you are waiting for a new kidney, there is no reason to be talking on your cell while I am checking out your groceries.
You look really pretentious.
You sound very self centered.
No one wants to hear what you think about that skank who is dating your girlfriend's former boyfriend, but now we all know how you would have done if that b**** had tried it with your boyfriend.
While you were on your phone the checker may have forgotten to ask if you had your savings card and just possibly added a fifty cent donation to Easter Seals to your bill.
You are being very rude.
You think you look busy and important. You actually look like a tool. Really. Everyone in the line thinks you are a giant tool for talking on your cell phone in the grocery line. At least hang up while you are being checked out.
Don't bother with mouthing "Thank you" to your checker as you leave, phone still clamped tightly to your ear. I have already moved on to the next customer, who will most likely say "Hello" to me. I will give them extra good service, too.
Also don't bother telling the person on the line, " I am being so rude to my checker right now by talking on the phone." People try that line all the time, but they never hang up. Now you sound like a hypocritical tool.
Come on! It is maybe 4 minutes out of your life that you are not yakking about your life on the phone. No one is that interested in you. Hang up! Unless it is the hospital calling about that kidney. In which case- Congratulations! Now get your butt to the doctor!
You look really pretentious.
You sound very self centered.
No one wants to hear what you think about that skank who is dating your girlfriend's former boyfriend, but now we all know how you would have done if that b**** had tried it with your boyfriend.
While you were on your phone the checker may have forgotten to ask if you had your savings card and just possibly added a fifty cent donation to Easter Seals to your bill.
You are being very rude.
You think you look busy and important. You actually look like a tool. Really. Everyone in the line thinks you are a giant tool for talking on your cell phone in the grocery line. At least hang up while you are being checked out.
Don't bother with mouthing "Thank you" to your checker as you leave, phone still clamped tightly to your ear. I have already moved on to the next customer, who will most likely say "Hello" to me. I will give them extra good service, too.
Also don't bother telling the person on the line, " I am being so rude to my checker right now by talking on the phone." People try that line all the time, but they never hang up. Now you sound like a hypocritical tool.
Come on! It is maybe 4 minutes out of your life that you are not yakking about your life on the phone. No one is that interested in you. Hang up! Unless it is the hospital calling about that kidney. In which case- Congratulations! Now get your butt to the doctor!
Regulars
Some shoppers at our store have been given nicknames for their quirky and sometimes downright bizarre behavior. Today I saw-
Eyebrow Lady aka Pineapple Lady. She is quite elderly and wears a curly wig. Her eyebrows are drawn on. She is famous for returning used items directly to the shelf and taking what she wants to replace them. She never has a receipt and gets very offended when asked for one. She will dump out an entire bag of cherries into the bin and pick out a few that she likes. She seems to have a fascination with pineapple. She will pick up each package and turn it over to see if it leaks. If it doesn't leak right away she will give it a good shaking. She will come up to the checkstand and complain that all the pineapples leak. She leave them all upside down in the cooler so they can leak some more. If she does take one home she will bring it back the next day complaining that it leaked juice all over her refrigerator. She will go to the produce department and get another one, after shaking them all and leaving them upside down in the cooler.
She will stand at the end of the express checkstand and ask to be waited on right away, no matter how many people are in line. I always tell her that she can get into line and I will help her as soon as I can. She says she can't wait and leaves all her items on my counter in a huff, if I am lucky. Other times she will stay and complain that all the checkers are useless and no one ever helps her.
Not sure what the story is there. She seems pretty crazy, but she never seems to get any better or worse, so I don't think it is progressive dementia or Alzheimer's. The scariest part? She still drives her own car.
Eyebrow Lady aka Pineapple Lady. She is quite elderly and wears a curly wig. Her eyebrows are drawn on. She is famous for returning used items directly to the shelf and taking what she wants to replace them. She never has a receipt and gets very offended when asked for one. She will dump out an entire bag of cherries into the bin and pick out a few that she likes. She seems to have a fascination with pineapple. She will pick up each package and turn it over to see if it leaks. If it doesn't leak right away she will give it a good shaking. She will come up to the checkstand and complain that all the pineapples leak. She leave them all upside down in the cooler so they can leak some more. If she does take one home she will bring it back the next day complaining that it leaked juice all over her refrigerator. She will go to the produce department and get another one, after shaking them all and leaving them upside down in the cooler.
She will stand at the end of the express checkstand and ask to be waited on right away, no matter how many people are in line. I always tell her that she can get into line and I will help her as soon as I can. She says she can't wait and leaves all her items on my counter in a huff, if I am lucky. Other times she will stay and complain that all the checkers are useless and no one ever helps her.
Not sure what the story is there. She seems pretty crazy, but she never seems to get any better or worse, so I don't think it is progressive dementia or Alzheimer's. The scariest part? She still drives her own car.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
There are no dumb questions
Well, yes there are.
1. Do you work here?
No, I just walk around in a grocery store wearing an apron with the name of the store on it and a name tag because I have lots of spare time.
2. Is your line open?
No, I am just standing in the checkstand with the light on wearing my uniform for no reason at all.
3. Do you have (compeating grocery store)'s gift cards?
Sure we do. We love to help customers take their business to another store.
4. What store is this?
I'm not sure. Let me check the signs and newspaper ads posted everywhere, the front of the building, and my apron with the store name and logo printed on it. Nope, I still don't have a clue.
:)
1. Do you work here?
No, I just walk around in a grocery store wearing an apron with the name of the store on it and a name tag because I have lots of spare time.
2. Is your line open?
No, I am just standing in the checkstand with the light on wearing my uniform for no reason at all.
3. Do you have (compeating grocery store)'s gift cards?
Sure we do. We love to help customers take their business to another store.
4. What store is this?
I'm not sure. Let me check the signs and newspaper ads posted everywhere, the front of the building, and my apron with the store name and logo printed on it. Nope, I still don't have a clue.
:)
Friday, September 25, 2009
The Magical Back Room
Several times each day a customer will not be able to find and item and they will ask if we have it in the back. I suppose there are grocery stores that keep a complete inventory of all their products in the back room, or at least they did in the old days when stores carried one kind of coffee, three kinds of cereal and two types of canned vegetable.
I guess people still carry this image in their heads of a well organized back room full of shelves where all the items in the front of the store are reproduced and ready to restock at a moment's notice. The customer can't find a bottle of 200 count asprin (or soy sauce, bread crumbs, humus, cat food, paper clips, baby wipes,etc.) and alerts a friendly courtesy clerk who runs to the back of the store and retrieves a bottle of asprin from the proper shelf and delivers it promptly to the waiting shopper's eager hands.
Think about it...
Are you thinking about it?
Most modern markets do not have a huge warehouse in the back of the store. Deliveries are made each night after most of the customers and employees have gone home. Huge pallets of product are stacked in the receiving area where the night crew pulls them out onto the sales floor and restocks the shelves all night long.
When you show up at the store in the morning just about everything that is available for purchase is already on the shelves. The produce, meat and dairy departments have moved everything into their areas and will be working them to the shelves as the day goes on, but everything else is on the shelves and ready to buy. If you can't find a jar of seedless strawberry jam on the shelf, there is not any in the back room.
Here is what is in the back room-
Stacks of cardboard boxes that will be put into the bailer almost immediately. Another thing-WE DO NOT HAVE A HUGE SUPPLY OF EMPTY BOXES FOR CUSTOMERS. IF YOU NEED BOXES TO PUT STUFF IN WHEN YOU ARE MOVING, GO TO A STORE THAT SELLS PACKING BOXES!
Piles of cans and bottles that have been counted and stored by a courtesy clerk.
Crates full of products that are expired or have been recalled or discontinued. You can not buy this stuff. It is going away. We can not sell it to you.
Trash from the departments waiting to go into the compactor.
Soda and beer. Yes, this is the one time where we might have something in the back room that is not on the shelf. Go ahead and ask. However, most of this stuff is overstock and there is still plenty on the sales floor. They just had to put the excess somewhere for awhile.
Floor jacks and sixwheelers used to move products throughout the store.
That's about it. If you still can't believe that there is not a complete other store hidden behind those doors to the back room, just take a quick look. No one will mind if you stick your head back there and get an education about real life. Just don't go back there with twenty or so cans of whipped cream and have a party. More on THAT incident another time.
Peace!
I guess people still carry this image in their heads of a well organized back room full of shelves where all the items in the front of the store are reproduced and ready to restock at a moment's notice. The customer can't find a bottle of 200 count asprin (or soy sauce, bread crumbs, humus, cat food, paper clips, baby wipes,etc.) and alerts a friendly courtesy clerk who runs to the back of the store and retrieves a bottle of asprin from the proper shelf and delivers it promptly to the waiting shopper's eager hands.
Think about it...
Are you thinking about it?
Most modern markets do not have a huge warehouse in the back of the store. Deliveries are made each night after most of the customers and employees have gone home. Huge pallets of product are stacked in the receiving area where the night crew pulls them out onto the sales floor and restocks the shelves all night long.
When you show up at the store in the morning just about everything that is available for purchase is already on the shelves. The produce, meat and dairy departments have moved everything into their areas and will be working them to the shelves as the day goes on, but everything else is on the shelves and ready to buy. If you can't find a jar of seedless strawberry jam on the shelf, there is not any in the back room.
Here is what is in the back room-
Stacks of cardboard boxes that will be put into the bailer almost immediately. Another thing-WE DO NOT HAVE A HUGE SUPPLY OF EMPTY BOXES FOR CUSTOMERS. IF YOU NEED BOXES TO PUT STUFF IN WHEN YOU ARE MOVING, GO TO A STORE THAT SELLS PACKING BOXES!
Piles of cans and bottles that have been counted and stored by a courtesy clerk.
Crates full of products that are expired or have been recalled or discontinued. You can not buy this stuff. It is going away. We can not sell it to you.
Trash from the departments waiting to go into the compactor.
Soda and beer. Yes, this is the one time where we might have something in the back room that is not on the shelf. Go ahead and ask. However, most of this stuff is overstock and there is still plenty on the sales floor. They just had to put the excess somewhere for awhile.
Floor jacks and sixwheelers used to move products throughout the store.
That's about it. If you still can't believe that there is not a complete other store hidden behind those doors to the back room, just take a quick look. No one will mind if you stick your head back there and get an education about real life. Just don't go back there with twenty or so cans of whipped cream and have a party. More on THAT incident another time.
Peace!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Germs at the grocery store.
I do not have a problem with people bringing their well-behaved pets into the grocery store. I do not find dogs to be any more germy or messy than a human baby or kid. Some people freak out when they see a little dog in the shopping cart. Think about this- People routinely put their baby, with a diaper on, in the baby seat. Later someone else gets that cart and sticks their veggies or deli sandwich right there. Ew. People also sneeze all over those cart handles. Babies put their mouths on them.
Some customers will put a donut directly on the belt while I am checking them out. Then I have to figure out how to hand it to them without touching it. People give their kids fruit to snack on right off the pile. 28 people have touched that apple before you! And do not try to hand me the sticky banana peel your baby has been sucking on. I won't touch it. There is a garbage can right there.
Do not eat anything off the floor. Do not let your kids play down there. Really! Stop doing that.
And don't put anything directly on the belt. Meat and hot chickens leak on there all day. I have seen grown people drool on the belt. Dads think it is fun to put the baby on the belt. Moms never think this is a good idea but men find it to be hilarious. The kid never enjoys it.
Anyway, the grocery store offers a thousand ways to pick up germs. Bring your hand sanitzer.
Some customers will put a donut directly on the belt while I am checking them out. Then I have to figure out how to hand it to them without touching it. People give their kids fruit to snack on right off the pile. 28 people have touched that apple before you! And do not try to hand me the sticky banana peel your baby has been sucking on. I won't touch it. There is a garbage can right there.
Do not eat anything off the floor. Do not let your kids play down there. Really! Stop doing that.
And don't put anything directly on the belt. Meat and hot chickens leak on there all day. I have seen grown people drool on the belt. Dads think it is fun to put the baby on the belt. Moms never think this is a good idea but men find it to be hilarious. The kid never enjoys it.
Anyway, the grocery store offers a thousand ways to pick up germs. Bring your hand sanitzer.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Putting it back...
You are walking down the produce aisle. You see a nice melon and put it in your cart. You notice that you have a frozen dinner in there. Hmm! That doesn't look as good as it did when you picked it up. What to do? Do you:
A: take the frozen dinner out of your cart and hide it under the tomatoes.
B: Balance the frozen dinner on the edge of the shelf with the salsa.
C. Shove it in the ice cream freezer because it is one aisle closer to you than the frozen dinner aisle.
D: Put it back in the exact place you found it.
E: Hand it to a friendly store employee who will put it away for you.
No one ever chooses D. For some reason everyone is too embarrassed to chose E, which is weird.
Everyone opts for a variation on the first 3 choices. At night when I clean up the store I find pears in the cheese cooler, exploded glass bottles in the ice cream freezer and thawed frozen dinners just about everywhere.
This adds to the cost you, and everyone else pays for their food. It cuts into my salary. It doesn't have to happen.
Simple- If you decide you don't want something, put it back or give it to an employee. WE DON'T MIND! IT IS NOT EMBARRASSING! IT HAPPENS ALL DAY LONG AND NOT JUST TO YOU!
Thanks for your help in this matter :)
A: take the frozen dinner out of your cart and hide it under the tomatoes.
B: Balance the frozen dinner on the edge of the shelf with the salsa.
C. Shove it in the ice cream freezer because it is one aisle closer to you than the frozen dinner aisle.
D: Put it back in the exact place you found it.
E: Hand it to a friendly store employee who will put it away for you.
No one ever chooses D. For some reason everyone is too embarrassed to chose E, which is weird.
Everyone opts for a variation on the first 3 choices. At night when I clean up the store I find pears in the cheese cooler, exploded glass bottles in the ice cream freezer and thawed frozen dinners just about everywhere.
This adds to the cost you, and everyone else pays for their food. It cuts into my salary. It doesn't have to happen.
Simple- If you decide you don't want something, put it back or give it to an employee. WE DON'T MIND! IT IS NOT EMBARRASSING! IT HAPPENS ALL DAY LONG AND NOT JUST TO YOU!
Thanks for your help in this matter :)
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Sometimes people are nice
Here are some nice things that customers do at my store-
If the little kid buying gum and a candy bar is short of money, the next person in line will pay for it.
If someone comes into the line with one item behind someone with ten things, that person will let the other customer go first.
Sometimes a customer will buy a needy person's groceries.
Some customers compliment their checker on a job well done.
Thanks, nice people!
If the little kid buying gum and a candy bar is short of money, the next person in line will pay for it.
If someone comes into the line with one item behind someone with ten things, that person will let the other customer go first.
Sometimes a customer will buy a needy person's groceries.
Some customers compliment their checker on a job well done.
Thanks, nice people!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
A Quick Word About Plastic Bags
Ten pounds of apples need to go in a plastic bag. 3 mushrooms do not need to go in a plastic bag.
All you need to know
Say you come into my store and want to purchase groceries using some form of plastic payment card. Your friendly checker has bagged all your items and now it is time for you to pay. Okay, here is how it works:
Read the instructions on the machine in front of you before you just go ahead and slide your payment card. These instructions should tell you how to proceed.
Yes, they are all different, aren't they?
In my store, this is the order of steps that you will follow. I will detail each step and give an example of how things can go wrong quickly. Don't worry, it is not that hard. Really!
1. Slide your store's rewards card or enter your phone number that is connected with the card so that you can get special savings on your order. Your checker can help you with this or even give you a card if you are still unfamiliar with this program. And many people are! They have no idea what a club card is or what it is for. Just use it. No one is compiling your secret shopping information to get you later. You will save some money instead of giving it to the store just because you are being paranoid.
2. Right now our store is collecting donations for MDA. That's Jerry's Kids. The screen will ask you if you want to make a donation. There will be a YES button and a NO button. Press either one. Do not slide your payment card, yet. It does not say to do that. Read the screen. Read what it says. If you are having trouble seeing the screen just ask your checker for help. Don't keep sliding your payment card. It won't work!
3. You will see a screen that says "Select Payment Type". Press one of the buttons depending on how you want to pay. Your choices are Gift Card, Debit/Credit (one button for either one), SCheck or EBT. First of all- THERE IS NO BUTTON TO PRESS IF YOU ARE PAYING CASH! You just hand us the money. Second- EBT does not stand for Debit. It is for the Food Stamp Card. SCheck does not mean that you are writing a check, but that one is confusing. Just write a check and leave that button alone. Gift Card is for all store gift cards. Just remember- PRESS THE BUTTON AND THEN SLIDE YOUR CARD.
4. Okay, NOW SLIDE YOUR PAYMENT CARD! Yay!
If you follow these steps even a fraction of the times that you visit the store your checker will think you are a genius and will treat you with reverence and respect. Thank you for your efforts.
Whew! I am glad to be getting that out of my system. As you might be able to tell, this is just about my number one pet peeve about working at the grocery store. If these instructions make one customer or checker have a better day, it was all worth it.
Read the instructions on the machine in front of you before you just go ahead and slide your payment card. These instructions should tell you how to proceed.
Yes, they are all different, aren't they?
In my store, this is the order of steps that you will follow. I will detail each step and give an example of how things can go wrong quickly. Don't worry, it is not that hard. Really!
1. Slide your store's rewards card or enter your phone number that is connected with the card so that you can get special savings on your order. Your checker can help you with this or even give you a card if you are still unfamiliar with this program. And many people are! They have no idea what a club card is or what it is for. Just use it. No one is compiling your secret shopping information to get you later. You will save some money instead of giving it to the store just because you are being paranoid.
2. Right now our store is collecting donations for MDA. That's Jerry's Kids. The screen will ask you if you want to make a donation. There will be a YES button and a NO button. Press either one. Do not slide your payment card, yet. It does not say to do that. Read the screen. Read what it says. If you are having trouble seeing the screen just ask your checker for help. Don't keep sliding your payment card. It won't work!
3. You will see a screen that says "Select Payment Type". Press one of the buttons depending on how you want to pay. Your choices are Gift Card, Debit/Credit (one button for either one), SCheck or EBT. First of all- THERE IS NO BUTTON TO PRESS IF YOU ARE PAYING CASH! You just hand us the money. Second- EBT does not stand for Debit. It is for the Food Stamp Card. SCheck does not mean that you are writing a check, but that one is confusing. Just write a check and leave that button alone. Gift Card is for all store gift cards. Just remember- PRESS THE BUTTON AND THEN SLIDE YOUR CARD.
4. Okay, NOW SLIDE YOUR PAYMENT CARD! Yay!
If you follow these steps even a fraction of the times that you visit the store your checker will think you are a genius and will treat you with reverence and respect. Thank you for your efforts.
Whew! I am glad to be getting that out of my system. As you might be able to tell, this is just about my number one pet peeve about working at the grocery store. If these instructions make one customer or checker have a better day, it was all worth it.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Don't be so sorry!
So, here is the first entry on Check it out! I have been a grocery checker for 8 years. I am very grateful to have a steady job in these difficult times. I stand in one place for eight hours every day and I see a lot.
While the job itself is routine, every day is different. Every customer is a new adventure. Customers keep me employed, so I am always prepared to assist them in making their shopping experience as painless as possible.
Unfortunately, this is not always what the customer has in mind. For some reason there are people who want to create drama and draw it out for as long as possible- in the grocery checkout line of all places!
Only god knows why these people act the way they do, although it usually starts long before they reach my line and attempt to make their purchases. Maybe they just had a fight with their kid, or their boss told them off, or traffic was bad, or they didn't get eight hours of sleep last night. I don't know.
What I do know, and what many customers do not realize, is that I have to deal with dozens of customers an hour while each of them only has to deal with one of me. I feel that I am pretty consistent in my treatment and behavior as each new person approaches me with their cart of items and most customers are very friendly or at least cordial as we go through the procedures of unloading, checking, bagging, paying, loading and saying goodbye.
But sometimes things go wrong. Not usually very wrong, just a little off. Not a big deal, at least not to me. Here are a few things that seem to worry some customers and give them an unneeded level of anxiety that can make the shopping experience more uncomfortable than it needs to be. Remember- I am getting paid to help you. I do not mind dealing with these things at all. It is a part of my job. Really, I do not mind!
When you do not need to apologize-
Paper vs Plastic- You do not have to apologize when you get paper bags! It is okay to ask for paper. Do not say "Sorry" every time you ask for paper bags. And you do not have to tell us a long story about what you use the paper bags for-RECYCLING- and why you can't use plastic- because they ALWAYS break and your stuff roles around in the car. If you like paper just ask for it. We don't mind.
You do not have to apologize when you have to pay for a candy bar with a $20 bill! It is okay to pay us with a $20 dollar bill. As long as it is real you can buy a candy bar with a $100 dollar bill (unless it is 7 AM. We don't have a lot of money in the drawer that early).
We are a grocery store. We take money and sell you things. Don't apologize for writing a check either. Many people still write checks and it is okay for you to do so.
If you come into the express line you do not have to apologize for the amount of items in your cart. If you are in the express line and you are paying attention you probably have close to 15 items. You do not have to say, "Sorry, I may have a few more than 15 items." Just unload your cart and come on up.
You do not have to say your are sorry for the amount of junk food you are buying! We are not the food police. We will sell you what ever you want to buy. If you want to get beer, ice cream, cigarettes and beef jerky, just do it. You don't have to tell us a story about how they are for your neighbor or your mom. You do not have to tell us, "I shouldn't be getting this." If you took the effort to put it in your basket and carry it around the whole store, you probably want it. Who says you shouldn't get it? We don't care what you buy.
I guess what I would say to customers who spend a lot of time worrying about these things is to just lighten up on yourself. Checkers are not watching your every move or judging you for your normal behavior. We save that for the customers who REALLY go crazy. More on that later.
So, if you see yourself in any of the above scenarios, just take a deep breath. Next time you find yourself about to say "Sorry", stop and save your apologies for when they are really needed.
While the job itself is routine, every day is different. Every customer is a new adventure. Customers keep me employed, so I am always prepared to assist them in making their shopping experience as painless as possible.
Unfortunately, this is not always what the customer has in mind. For some reason there are people who want to create drama and draw it out for as long as possible- in the grocery checkout line of all places!
Only god knows why these people act the way they do, although it usually starts long before they reach my line and attempt to make their purchases. Maybe they just had a fight with their kid, or their boss told them off, or traffic was bad, or they didn't get eight hours of sleep last night. I don't know.
What I do know, and what many customers do not realize, is that I have to deal with dozens of customers an hour while each of them only has to deal with one of me. I feel that I am pretty consistent in my treatment and behavior as each new person approaches me with their cart of items and most customers are very friendly or at least cordial as we go through the procedures of unloading, checking, bagging, paying, loading and saying goodbye.
But sometimes things go wrong. Not usually very wrong, just a little off. Not a big deal, at least not to me. Here are a few things that seem to worry some customers and give them an unneeded level of anxiety that can make the shopping experience more uncomfortable than it needs to be. Remember- I am getting paid to help you. I do not mind dealing with these things at all. It is a part of my job. Really, I do not mind!
When you do not need to apologize-
Paper vs Plastic- You do not have to apologize when you get paper bags! It is okay to ask for paper. Do not say "Sorry" every time you ask for paper bags. And you do not have to tell us a long story about what you use the paper bags for-RECYCLING- and why you can't use plastic- because they ALWAYS break and your stuff roles around in the car. If you like paper just ask for it. We don't mind.
You do not have to apologize when you have to pay for a candy bar with a $20 bill! It is okay to pay us with a $20 dollar bill. As long as it is real you can buy a candy bar with a $100 dollar bill (unless it is 7 AM. We don't have a lot of money in the drawer that early).
We are a grocery store. We take money and sell you things. Don't apologize for writing a check either. Many people still write checks and it is okay for you to do so.
If you come into the express line you do not have to apologize for the amount of items in your cart. If you are in the express line and you are paying attention you probably have close to 15 items. You do not have to say, "Sorry, I may have a few more than 15 items." Just unload your cart and come on up.
You do not have to say your are sorry for the amount of junk food you are buying! We are not the food police. We will sell you what ever you want to buy. If you want to get beer, ice cream, cigarettes and beef jerky, just do it. You don't have to tell us a story about how they are for your neighbor or your mom. You do not have to tell us, "I shouldn't be getting this." If you took the effort to put it in your basket and carry it around the whole store, you probably want it. Who says you shouldn't get it? We don't care what you buy.
I guess what I would say to customers who spend a lot of time worrying about these things is to just lighten up on yourself. Checkers are not watching your every move or judging you for your normal behavior. We save that for the customers who REALLY go crazy. More on that later.
So, if you see yourself in any of the above scenarios, just take a deep breath. Next time you find yourself about to say "Sorry", stop and save your apologies for when they are really needed.
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