When we become customers, our approach to shopping becomes a little cloudy. We see only what we want to see, understand only what will benefit us and we never acknowledge when we are wrong. In other words, we have a tendency to become a different person. Our perception of reality, in the world of grocery land, definitely leaves something to be desired. And the one thing which I have noticed, is that when we are proven wrong we either become defensive or merely make a quick exit.
But in defense of the shoppers today, the role of the grocery shopper has changed. What once was a simple chore, has now become that of a business transaction. Before, the biggest concerns were what to get for dinner, what to pack for the kids' lunches and how many mouths will be fed at the weekend cookout. And gone are the days of just running into the store to pick up a few items on your way home from work. Instead, the grocery shopper has to read those sale signs (which includes the 'fine print'), one must make sure that they have their store card available (or at least be able to remember what phone number it is registered under), and shoppers have to be able to decipher that receipt, so that they know if they received the savings which they feel they are entitled to. So, not only are grocery shoppers' mental capacities being taxed but, the amount of time that it takes to shop will depend on how quick of a learner one is.
As complicated as shopping has become, for the everyday shopper, so goes it for the cashier. The cashier not only faces all of the regular responsibilities but has now become a teacher, as well. And in order to be a teacher you must first be a student, which I have, and have gone through all of the trials that shoppers are faced with so, I understand. But sometimes there will be orders come through that will seem to defy simple logic. Perhaps this is because, for a shopper, there are so many different things to remember and reading those sale signs, at times, does seem a bit complicated. Such was a sale which I had last night.
The items, being purchased, were four for ten dollars with card. The customer's card was scanned, as were the four sale items, and the sale came up correctly; $2.50 each:
"Uh-huh." said the customer.
"What is wrong?"
"They should be $2.25 each." she replied.
"I'm sorry, but it is $2.50 each."
"No, I can multiply and it is $2.25 for each one ." "Go ahead, you do the math." she commanded.
"I did."
"And what did you come up with?" she asked.
"$2.50 each."
The customer wanted four of the items for ten dollars, but seeing the $2.50 each, apparently made her feel like she would be paying more than $10.00, since she thought four of them would be $2.25 each. Seeing that there was no reasoning with her, and the line was growing, I simply asked if she would like me to void the items, to which I got a resounding, "YES."
At some point between my handing her a receipt, for her other purchases, and her leaving the register - it dawned on her. While looking at the receipt, she stopped, turned and looked at me with a 'Oops' look. Finally, she had realized that she was wrong and I was right. I just smiled at her and then turned to the next customer in line.
The customer had spent approximately three minutes, trying to teach me her form of math. She had been loud in her approach and very sarcastic when trying to make me believe that I could not multiply, or divide. This did not anger me, nor did it make me become defensive - she did, however, put on a good show for the other customers who were chuckling. I guess she thought that they were laughing at me. But with all due respect, I have to come to this customer's defense. She had taken the time to read the sale sign and was glad to see that the item she wanted was on sale. Probably the sign posted big black numbers, 4 FOR 10, and it was the fine print that would have given her the exact cost of each, instead of leaving her to do the math herself.
Gone are the days of just popping into a store for a gallon of milk, we now have to read the signs to see which gives us a better deal; don't forget the fine print. And it seems that everywhere we go, our abilities are being tested, leaving us to question our capabilities of knowledge and understanding. Which, in the long run, can make a customer feel inadequate and frustrated.
Maybe someday, shopping will revert back to a more simplistic way and once again we will be able to look upon grocery shopping as a mere chore instead of a lesson in life. But until then, please follow these rules; always read the fine print, bring a calculator and always smile at your cashier.
Talk at ya later!
But in defense of the shoppers today, the role of the grocery shopper has changed. What once was a simple chore, has now become that of a business transaction. Before, the biggest concerns were what to get for dinner, what to pack for the kids' lunches and how many mouths will be fed at the weekend cookout. And gone are the days of just running into the store to pick up a few items on your way home from work. Instead, the grocery shopper has to read those sale signs (which includes the 'fine print'), one must make sure that they have their store card available (or at least be able to remember what phone number it is registered under), and shoppers have to be able to decipher that receipt, so that they know if they received the savings which they feel they are entitled to. So, not only are grocery shoppers' mental capacities being taxed but, the amount of time that it takes to shop will depend on how quick of a learner one is.
As complicated as shopping has become, for the everyday shopper, so goes it for the cashier. The cashier not only faces all of the regular responsibilities but has now become a teacher, as well. And in order to be a teacher you must first be a student, which I have, and have gone through all of the trials that shoppers are faced with so, I understand. But sometimes there will be orders come through that will seem to defy simple logic. Perhaps this is because, for a shopper, there are so many different things to remember and reading those sale signs, at times, does seem a bit complicated. Such was a sale which I had last night.
The items, being purchased, were four for ten dollars with card. The customer's card was scanned, as were the four sale items, and the sale came up correctly; $2.50 each:
"Uh-huh." said the customer.
"What is wrong?"
"They should be $2.25 each." she replied.
"I'm sorry, but it is $2.50 each."
"No, I can multiply and it is $2.25 for each one ." "Go ahead, you do the math." she commanded.
"I did."
"And what did you come up with?" she asked.
"$2.50 each."
The customer wanted four of the items for ten dollars, but seeing the $2.50 each, apparently made her feel like she would be paying more than $10.00, since she thought four of them would be $2.25 each. Seeing that there was no reasoning with her, and the line was growing, I simply asked if she would like me to void the items, to which I got a resounding, "YES."
At some point between my handing her a receipt, for her other purchases, and her leaving the register - it dawned on her. While looking at the receipt, she stopped, turned and looked at me with a 'Oops' look. Finally, she had realized that she was wrong and I was right. I just smiled at her and then turned to the next customer in line.
The customer had spent approximately three minutes, trying to teach me her form of math. She had been loud in her approach and very sarcastic when trying to make me believe that I could not multiply, or divide. This did not anger me, nor did it make me become defensive - she did, however, put on a good show for the other customers who were chuckling. I guess she thought that they were laughing at me. But with all due respect, I have to come to this customer's defense. She had taken the time to read the sale sign and was glad to see that the item she wanted was on sale. Probably the sign posted big black numbers, 4 FOR 10, and it was the fine print that would have given her the exact cost of each, instead of leaving her to do the math herself.
Gone are the days of just popping into a store for a gallon of milk, we now have to read the signs to see which gives us a better deal; don't forget the fine print. And it seems that everywhere we go, our abilities are being tested, leaving us to question our capabilities of knowledge and understanding. Which, in the long run, can make a customer feel inadequate and frustrated.
Maybe someday, shopping will revert back to a more simplistic way and once again we will be able to look upon grocery shopping as a mere chore instead of a lesson in life. But until then, please follow these rules; always read the fine print, bring a calculator and always smile at your cashier.
Talk at ya later!
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