Okay, I know we are all trying to save the environment. But please, if you don't want a bag TELL ME AT THE BEGINNING. Especially if I am on express. I really do appreciate that you don't want or need that bag. But when I have put the groceries in it and then you tell me you don't need it one of two things happen.
Either I have to now take the time away from the next customer to remove your items and I am left with a plastic bag that I have to reposition on the mounting spikes. OR I turn to find that you have crumpled the bag and left it on my counter which means I have to un-crumple and try to reuse said bag, again taking time away from the next person. Please pretend that YOU are that next person and think how you would feel.
Also, I am giving you a warning. There is going to soon be some serious wrist slapping if you people, and you know who you are, don't start to learn to count!!!!
It says EXPRESS 1-8 ITEMS. You want to know how to tell if its eight? It depends on how many things I have to scan. A bunch of grapes is ONE item. Fourteen cans of cat food is FOURTEEN items. A case of pop is ONE item, seven big bottles of pop is SEVEN items.
There you've been warned.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Suits
For the most part we act as professionals. Sometimes we get a little crazy, but no one gets harmed, no customers put in danger, nobody over or under charged.
So why do these people from head office think they can come into our store, on our turf and start throwing their weight around. One of our head cashiers was made to feel basically stupid because the Suits wanted some buggies mover RIGHT NOW. The Suit didn't want to understand that there was no where to put them. Suit wanted some buggies that were full of 'stuff' put in the back. Well a new order had just come in and there was no where to put the 'stuff' so the Suit's brilliant idea was to put it down the aisles. What???
They were not in the way where they were. They would be if put in the aisle. So the night manager stuck with the head cashier and said they could stay where they were until they had room to put them in the back. End of story. Suit not happy. Score one for us.
Then the head cashier offered to help put decorations up and was told that she didn't really know what to do so they would 'handle' it. Again: What???? You can't just explain what you want done and think that maybe, just maybe, head cashier would actually know how to follow instructions?
Also, on the night before our 'Grand Opening', some Suit decided that we needed the bags for groceries changed RIGHT NOW. Except that RIGHT NOW was right in the middle of the evening rush hour on cash. So another poor head cashier has to come along and take our bags and help us get new ones up all while we're trying to serve customers. And don't the first several bags of the new roll end up being stuck together? Plus the bags are really cheap looking. They look worse than something you'd get at a dollar store.
AAAAANNNNNDDDDD we had these little bags that are just the right size for two cartons of juice or one bag of milk. They replaced them with bags that are almost as big as the regular bags so we don't have anything to fit that niche the little bags did.
Why couldn't they ask the cashiers if they had any input? I'll tell you why. Because Suits know better.
Whew, I feel better. :-)
PS. I was just informed that these seem like growing pains for a new store. They are, but its all stuff for the blog isn't it?
So why do these people from head office think they can come into our store, on our turf and start throwing their weight around. One of our head cashiers was made to feel basically stupid because the Suits wanted some buggies mover RIGHT NOW. The Suit didn't want to understand that there was no where to put them. Suit wanted some buggies that were full of 'stuff' put in the back. Well a new order had just come in and there was no where to put the 'stuff' so the Suit's brilliant idea was to put it down the aisles. What???
They were not in the way where they were. They would be if put in the aisle. So the night manager stuck with the head cashier and said they could stay where they were until they had room to put them in the back. End of story. Suit not happy. Score one for us.
Then the head cashier offered to help put decorations up and was told that she didn't really know what to do so they would 'handle' it. Again: What???? You can't just explain what you want done and think that maybe, just maybe, head cashier would actually know how to follow instructions?
Also, on the night before our 'Grand Opening', some Suit decided that we needed the bags for groceries changed RIGHT NOW. Except that RIGHT NOW was right in the middle of the evening rush hour on cash. So another poor head cashier has to come along and take our bags and help us get new ones up all while we're trying to serve customers. And don't the first several bags of the new roll end up being stuck together? Plus the bags are really cheap looking. They look worse than something you'd get at a dollar store.
AAAAANNNNNDDDDD we had these little bags that are just the right size for two cartons of juice or one bag of milk. They replaced them with bags that are almost as big as the regular bags so we don't have anything to fit that niche the little bags did.
Why couldn't they ask the cashiers if they had any input? I'll tell you why. Because Suits know better.
Whew, I feel better. :-)
PS. I was just informed that these seem like growing pains for a new store. They are, but its all stuff for the blog isn't it?
Saturday, December 6, 2008
More on The Grand Opening
Well.
Worked with the Princess AND the CFH.
This will kill me to say, but the CFH isn't that bad when she is just being normal. I actually got along with her fairly well yesterday. She was first cashier and I was second. She actually had cleaned the belt and was looking busy. She was even pretty nice to customers. Still a little snappy, but overall pretty good.
Now when the Princess showed up she was put on cash. The rumour had been that she was going to be greeting people. That had us rolling on the floor.
The night before (Thursday) she was getting close to her going home time and she had a customer with a young child that the father was having a little trouble controlling. Nothing major, kid just wanted to run around and be a little boy. Doesn't she get an item with no price on it. She had turned off her light but NOT placed her sign yet. Another customer comes along and puts her items on the belt. Princess decides she has to go get the price, RATHER than calling for someone, and before she goes looks at the next customer and says "No, I'm closing." Well the woman nearly filled her drawers and the cashier on the other side had her jaw drop. I couldn't believe what happened and I didn't hear all of it, but after Princess wanders away to check the price her customer looks at me and says "Boy, there's some brass in that one, isn't there?" He didn't look impressed AT ALL! And she only had to go about 40 feet to get this price, but I could have done the distance three times in the time it took her to return.
The other cashier told her, when no one was around that she can't do that. She can't send customers away. You finish the one who has groceries on the belt. Plain and simple.
Well, doesn't the same thing happen again yesterday! A customer comes along with probably 20 items and wants to go in the 1-16 item line (Princess). We had 7 cashiers on yesterday because of the grand opening so NONE of us were taxed with too much work at that time. Rather than just serving the customer, she chases her away????!!!!
Again, she was told she can't do that. She never freaking smiles and always looks like she sucks lemons for a hobby. I really wonder why we keep her.
Anyway, the good thing was, that for the most part, the A team cashiers were in yesterday. Had to get a few of the lesser ones in to fill spots, but the REAL slow ones had the day off.
Worked with the Princess AND the CFH.
This will kill me to say, but the CFH isn't that bad when she is just being normal. I actually got along with her fairly well yesterday. She was first cashier and I was second. She actually had cleaned the belt and was looking busy. She was even pretty nice to customers. Still a little snappy, but overall pretty good.
Now when the Princess showed up she was put on cash. The rumour had been that she was going to be greeting people. That had us rolling on the floor.
The night before (Thursday) she was getting close to her going home time and she had a customer with a young child that the father was having a little trouble controlling. Nothing major, kid just wanted to run around and be a little boy. Doesn't she get an item with no price on it. She had turned off her light but NOT placed her sign yet. Another customer comes along and puts her items on the belt. Princess decides she has to go get the price, RATHER than calling for someone, and before she goes looks at the next customer and says "No, I'm closing." Well the woman nearly filled her drawers and the cashier on the other side had her jaw drop. I couldn't believe what happened and I didn't hear all of it, but after Princess wanders away to check the price her customer looks at me and says "Boy, there's some brass in that one, isn't there?" He didn't look impressed AT ALL! And she only had to go about 40 feet to get this price, but I could have done the distance three times in the time it took her to return.
The other cashier told her, when no one was around that she can't do that. She can't send customers away. You finish the one who has groceries on the belt. Plain and simple.
Well, doesn't the same thing happen again yesterday! A customer comes along with probably 20 items and wants to go in the 1-16 item line (Princess). We had 7 cashiers on yesterday because of the grand opening so NONE of us were taxed with too much work at that time. Rather than just serving the customer, she chases her away????!!!!
Again, she was told she can't do that. She never freaking smiles and always looks like she sucks lemons for a hobby. I really wonder why we keep her.
Anyway, the good thing was, that for the most part, the A team cashiers were in yesterday. Had to get a few of the lesser ones in to fill spots, but the REAL slow ones had the day off.
Friday, December 5, 2008
GRAND OPENING ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Well It went off pretty darn well.
Lots of people, mostly regulars. LOTS of compliments on how good the store looks. Lots of pleasure that there is a such a wide selection of products and the fact that there are a lot of items that have not been seen elsewhere.
Over all great response from all that I ran into in my 5 hours. Only complaint was a customer that does not like the new buggies. I agreed with her. If you are doing a decent size shop there is just NOT enough room in the new buggies. They have an upper and lower section to them and while it is a good idea, it just doesn't cut it for a large order.
I forgot to punch out to come home today. The big guy asked me as I was leaving if I had had any comments from people so I told him what I had heard. I also pointed out to him about the goofy locking bar mechanism. He listened so who knows???!!!!
Anyway, I got half way home and realized that I didn't punch out. Called in and reported it so it will be fixed tomorrow.
Oh yeah. The uniforms worked well. Customers were really impressed with the way we looked. I don't particularly like the apron so I'm looking forward to the new shirts with the name of the store on them so we can lose the aprons. Just not really to my liking.
More tomorrow. Knees are killing me tonight.
Lots of people, mostly regulars. LOTS of compliments on how good the store looks. Lots of pleasure that there is a such a wide selection of products and the fact that there are a lot of items that have not been seen elsewhere.
Over all great response from all that I ran into in my 5 hours. Only complaint was a customer that does not like the new buggies. I agreed with her. If you are doing a decent size shop there is just NOT enough room in the new buggies. They have an upper and lower section to them and while it is a good idea, it just doesn't cut it for a large order.
I forgot to punch out to come home today. The big guy asked me as I was leaving if I had had any comments from people so I told him what I had heard. I also pointed out to him about the goofy locking bar mechanism. He listened so who knows???!!!!
Anyway, I got half way home and realized that I didn't punch out. Called in and reported it so it will be fixed tomorrow.
Oh yeah. The uniforms worked well. Customers were really impressed with the way we looked. I don't particularly like the apron so I'm looking forward to the new shirts with the name of the store on them so we can lose the aprons. Just not really to my liking.
More tomorrow. Knees are killing me tonight.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Tomorrow !!
Tomorrow, Friday the 5th of December, 2008 is the opening of our 'new' store. We are pretty much good to go.
The Coinstar machine is the only real complaint I have about anything. It is too close to the registers and makes too much noise when in use.
Other than that...
There are now big words saying 'Service' over the service counter. (bet we still get at least one person a day asking where it is). There are also words and sayings up on the walls. They look kind of nice.
I think they could have taken a little more care painting around the front windows, though. Little sloppy.
We still have the locking gate to service, facing the wrong way. I'll have to mention that again. Most of the other little things I've mentioned have miraculously changed so maybe the store fixing fairies are listening??? For example, while the lights over each register were not working I made a make-shift sign. The next day all the non working registers had them. Then I said how the two signs for the express counters were not visible and yesterday they were underneath and in range of view.
So here goes.....
1) The gate that you have put at the entrance to service needs to been turned 180 degrees and attached to the other side of the entrance.
2) The Coinstar machine needs to be moved into the corner where the big bottles of water are now.
HELLO????!!!!!
The Coinstar machine is the only real complaint I have about anything. It is too close to the registers and makes too much noise when in use.
Other than that...
There are now big words saying 'Service' over the service counter. (bet we still get at least one person a day asking where it is). There are also words and sayings up on the walls. They look kind of nice.
I think they could have taken a little more care painting around the front windows, though. Little sloppy.
We still have the locking gate to service, facing the wrong way. I'll have to mention that again. Most of the other little things I've mentioned have miraculously changed so maybe the store fixing fairies are listening??? For example, while the lights over each register were not working I made a make-shift sign. The next day all the non working registers had them. Then I said how the two signs for the express counters were not visible and yesterday they were underneath and in range of view.
So here goes.....
1) The gate that you have put at the entrance to service needs to been turned 180 degrees and attached to the other side of the entrance.
2) The Coinstar machine needs to be moved into the corner where the big bottles of water are now.
HELLO????!!!!!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
And Another Thing
Why is it that some of the younger people today don't like to work? I don't mind helping when they forget a code or something, but jeez, at least try to remember them. You shouldn't have to be asking time after time after time for the same code.
And do some work will ya? Where in the heck do they disappear to? I can be standing there working away and wonder why I have so many customers and I'll look up to see I'm by myself. They're gone! One of them even leaves her light on and will have customers standing there waiting for her but no one knows where she went. Same one that happens to be late most of her shifts. Although to be fair, she will stay late when asked. Good thing too, because if she stays for 8 hours you can usually get a good 5 hours of work from her.
The Princess.. Wow, how long does it take to sweep a floor? And please don't put the damn dust pan on my counter top, especially when I have just cleaned it!! And SMILE. Even just once every 15 minutes would be nice.
And speaking of cleaning the counters and belt. I wish that each person would just take the time to clean their belt for the next cashier coming in. Common courtesy. And while you're between customers clean the belt as well. How would you like to be putting your food on there?
One little aside here. I had a customer a couple of weeks ago say to me that he won't give to the food banks because he has driven by them in a line-up and seen them standing there smoking and yapping on their cell phones. Made me think.
I tend to agree. I don't have any spare money to spend on frivolous items. If I was hungry, I would want food more than I would want to be smoking. I would want food more than I want to talk to someone I am probably going to see in another few hours or minutes anyway. So, maybe this should be rethought.
And do some work will ya? Where in the heck do they disappear to? I can be standing there working away and wonder why I have so many customers and I'll look up to see I'm by myself. They're gone! One of them even leaves her light on and will have customers standing there waiting for her but no one knows where she went. Same one that happens to be late most of her shifts. Although to be fair, she will stay late when asked. Good thing too, because if she stays for 8 hours you can usually get a good 5 hours of work from her.
The Princess.. Wow, how long does it take to sweep a floor? And please don't put the damn dust pan on my counter top, especially when I have just cleaned it!! And SMILE. Even just once every 15 minutes would be nice.
And speaking of cleaning the counters and belt. I wish that each person would just take the time to clean their belt for the next cashier coming in. Common courtesy. And while you're between customers clean the belt as well. How would you like to be putting your food on there?
One little aside here. I had a customer a couple of weeks ago say to me that he won't give to the food banks because he has driven by them in a line-up and seen them standing there smoking and yapping on their cell phones. Made me think.
I tend to agree. I don't have any spare money to spend on frivolous items. If I was hungry, I would want food more than I would want to be smoking. I would want food more than I want to talk to someone I am probably going to see in another few hours or minutes anyway. So, maybe this should be rethought.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Three Days and Counting
Well, our Grand Opening is this Friday. I have a pretty early shift so I hope there are a lot of people to see what we are like now. I don't know what they have planned. We have been open through all the renovations, etc and everything is pretty much finished. Although it would be nice if we had lights over ALL the registers. We have the apparatus for all of them in place and wiring to all but three. Dumb.
Also, they put in this special locking gate across the entrance to the customer service area. Unfortunately it is also the entrance to cash one and it is in such a place that when it is open the cashier is blocked into her spot. In order to get out she has to unlock the thing, then squeeze around it in order to leave. Not much thought into that one. I also noticed yesterday that the signs for the two express aisles (1-8 and 1-16) were more than 8 feet in the air on top of these honking great number signs, and that one of them was blocked by the fancy hanging thingy that they have over customer service.
Today though the signs have been changed. They are now underneath where they can be seen. Still no electricity to our lights but we have fancy handmade pieces of paper that we have penciled in the word OPEN. It works.
More tomorrow. Have to go watch CSI Miami.
Also, they put in this special locking gate across the entrance to the customer service area. Unfortunately it is also the entrance to cash one and it is in such a place that when it is open the cashier is blocked into her spot. In order to get out she has to unlock the thing, then squeeze around it in order to leave. Not much thought into that one. I also noticed yesterday that the signs for the two express aisles (1-8 and 1-16) were more than 8 feet in the air on top of these honking great number signs, and that one of them was blocked by the fancy hanging thingy that they have over customer service.
Today though the signs have been changed. They are now underneath where they can be seen. Still no electricity to our lights but we have fancy handmade pieces of paper that we have penciled in the word OPEN. It works.
More tomorrow. Have to go watch CSI Miami.
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