Get off your phone

I'm a bit undecided on this one. On one hand I agree with the checkout person refusing on the basis of manners.. I have worked in retail so understand the annoyance. However, the checkout person is paid to do a job and should do so in a way that aids the customer experience.. if that is putting up with rude customers, so be it.

There are many things that used to annoy me more when I worked on tills.. particularly customers who would put all their coins on the counter despite me holding my hand out to take them.
 
To throw another idea out there, what is everyones opinions on people talking to others in the same room whilst on the phone to you?


For example I was on the phone to a customer trying to sort out an issue with their printer, they completely ignore what I was saying because they were talking about their evening last night to another person in their office, ended up having to repeat myself again.
 
BoonMonkey said:
To throw another idea out there, what is everyones opinions on people talking to others in the same room whilst on the phone to you?


For example I was on the phone to a customer trying to sort out an issue with their printer, they completely ignore what I was saying because they were talking about their evening last night to another person in their office, ended up having to repeat myself again.
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You can't compare. A checkout operators job isn't to talk to the customer (outside of 'Thats 23.42 please' if you want to be pedantic)
 
I don't mind using human manned checkouts, small talk doesn't bother me, in fact sometimes it's quite nice.

Marky said:
This is why robots are taking over... You don't get attitude from the self-serve checkouts...
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"Please place the item in the bagging area"

"Please remove the last item from the bagging area"

"Unexpected item in bagging area"

Robot, I no longer trust you.
 
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How is it rude? your buying groceries not being knighted...

Surly its more rude to hang up on the person your talking to and say 'sorry I have to go, the cashier needs my undivided attention', gimmie a break.
 
MooMoo444 said:
You can't compare. A checkout operators job isn't to talk to the customer (outside of 'Thats 23.42 please' if you want to be pedantic)
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Incorrect.

The job includes (at least from my experience working at Tesco whilst at Uni):

  1. Saying hello and addressing the customer with a smile
  2. Asking if they'd like help with the packing
  3. Packing ALL freezer items in to bags, regardless if they've requested help
  4. Not rushing and scanning too many items, so they struggle to pack
  5. Generally being polite (including a chat if they start talking to you)
You'll always get the robots that slam your food down the checkout with no consideration and not even a hint of a smile, but it's far from "just" asking for money and scanning items.

In fact, there used to be bonuses for staff that had a high service rate, but also those with good customer service skills.

I'm glad the woman working at Sainsburys made a point. It's really annoying to serve someone who can't be arsed to even acknowledge your existance.
 
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*shop full, people all around you*

Unexpected item in the bagging area.

Unexpected item in the bagging area.

Please ask a member of staff for assistance.
 
EVH said:
You'll always get the robots that slam your food down the checkout with no consideration and not even a hint of a smile, but it's far from "just" asking for money and scanning items.

In fact, there used to be bonuses for staff that had a high service rate, but also those with good customer service skills.
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Thats stupid, the objective is to get out of there as fast and hassle free as possible not to make friends
 
Since when has it been a race to get your stuff, pay and get out.

That is stupid!
 
I get cranky enough when I'm out with friends and they spend all night looking at their phones. Getting that from somebody who's meant to be serving me would drive me nuts.
 
It should be said though that Tesco have the best self service checkouts. They almost always work without throwing up errors about items.

Shame the new car parking "checkout" by the car park takes ages to use though.
 
MooMoo444 said:
What harm is there being on your phone?

Otherwise you're stood there twiddling your thumbs while they scan your items through.
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Basic manners. I had absolutely no problem with a customer being on the phone as long as they acknowledged the fact in some way ("sorry, I have to take this" or just "sorry" and a smile, etc) - as long as they didn't treat me like I wasn't even there. It's called respect.
 
Lol Sainsbury's to Waitrose. Thought that was for the posh basts down in London and home counties? Definitely can't say I've seen one.

Bad manners on the shopper's part tbh. It's like those trolley users using a checkout that says baskets only. Another one is on the bus where they swipe their bus pass while on a phone call.
 
I used to work in a busy local Sainsburys in Manchester City Centre and I did this all the time.

Funny how it's apparently now newsworthy.
 
arknor said:
I love self service checkouts :D

I hate the noobs who scan all their stuff , pay and then bag it up...
use a brain cell put some bags ready and open on the damn weighing thing... pack your bags as you scan and you will be twice as quick
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That causes problems at both tesco and sainsburys locally. No idea why but if you try and bag it as you go it throws the "too many items in bagging area, please check" warning. Bloody annoying!
 
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