Queues in shops

[Rossluck]

I was in Bunnings yesterday and they had all of their regular checkouts closed and a long queue at the service centre and another at the tools section checkout. When I was finally served the exasperated checkout lady, who had been abused by a loudmouth in front of everyone, told me quietly that they were short-staffed because of budget cuts. She said that this meant that, not only did they all have to work harder, but they also had to suffer abuse from the public.

This type of pathetic "make the customers wait and increase our profits for the shareholders" attitude isn't restricted to Bunnings, of course. How many times have we been in a supermarket with only one checkout opened, a large queue, and the checkout staff employed restocking shelves?

Remember when Macca's offered free hamburgers if you weren't served within a certain amount of time? I wish they'd bring that back in!

Economic rationalism stinks.

[duckman]

Being kept waiting for up to 20 minutes in a queue at Coles on very many occasions is why I stopped shopping there and now shop at IGA. The longest I've been kept waiting at IGA is 2 minutes. They also exercise common sense and if there is no-one in the 12 items or less lane but you're waiting at a normal checkout with more than 12 items, the cashier will call you through the 12 items or less checkout.

[durwood]

My local Bunnings is as bad if not worse. Checkouts queues piled up while there is an employee standing at the doormeeting and greeting people

[Termite]

At my local shopping centre Woolworths and Coles are about 130 Metres apart. When the big queues 2 checkout situation last occured at Coles a certain six legged loudmouth anounced at the top of his lungs that 20 people were going to walk away from their full trolleys and go to Woolworths. Five more checkouts were instantly opened.

[Cliff Rogers]

Coles & Bilo have to be the WORST offenders at present... they are disgusting. :mad:

[Ashore]

The thing I find most annoying is people with 20 plus items in a 12 or less express queue:mad:

[Groggy]

Hoppers Crossing on Saturday 19 Aug.

24mins at the trade counter. The tool, garden and other checkouts were worse.

[Schtoo]

I get upset when I have more than one person in front of me, which means I might have to wait for another minute, maybe two. Annoying stuff I can tell you...

They don't pack the bags though, you get to do that, which I guess saves some time.


One thing they do have here are plenty of checkout persons (can't say chicks anymore now can we?) and lots of people running around the store. The fact that they are largely robots (ie: incompetant) is comepletely irrelevant of course.

[Auld Bassoon]

I was in Woolworths in Bentleigh last Tuesday and there was only the 12 or less and 1 (one) regular check-out open, and queues from here to breakfast.

I caught the eye of one of the lasses that works there who was behind the "customer service" (!) counter at the time. I just winked with a smile. 30 seconds later she invited me to come around to another cash-out.

Message: sometimes it's nice to be nice

[Sturdee]

The thing I find most annoying is people with 20 plus items in a 12 or less express queue:mad:

Whilst that is not illegal in Vic I was told by a Kmart manager, when I complained long and loud (reading at the top of my booming voice ) about this practice that it was illegal in NSW.

Nevertheless I will never put up with that practice and when someone tries it in front of me I go up to the checkout and complain at the top of my voice that the idiot in front of me can't read the sign and should be directed to another queue.

Works every time when that idiot slinks away totally embarrassed whilst I get served instead.

Anyone wonder why my family doesn't want me to come shopping with them?


Peter.

[ozwinner]

I caught the eye of one of the lasses that works there who was behind the "customer service" (!) counter at the time.

You ol' smoothie you.

Al

[Bondy1s]

This is one of the perks of living in a small country town- instant checkout service!! Of course the limited product range is a bummer though!

[Cliff Rogers]

Geeze don't start me on service in small country towns..... :mad:
I travel around a lot in my job & it fairly Ps me right off when I go to some little town to do a job & then go to get something to eat & my order ends up coming out last after all the locals who came in after me.
The last time it happened was in Mareeba & I got up & left & went to a different coffee shop.:mad:

[Ashore]

Geeze don't start me on service in small country towns..... :mad:
I travel around a lot in my job & it fairly Ps me right off when I go to some little town to do a job & then go to get something to eat & my order ends up coming out last after all the locals who came in after me.
The last time it happened was in Mareeba & I got up & left & went to a different coffee shop.:mad:

That'll lern em , bet they still talk about it damm locals

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

Awww... Poor Cliffy. There, there.

On the other hand, I've come across some small towns that had brilliant service. At some they actually smile at the customers! :eek: Wish someone would bring that policy back to the big smoke.

On one job I had to pass through the same place (one knows well. ) two or three times a week for around 18 months. The last 12 months or so I'd walk in, wait in the queue behind the tourists... and my tucker'd be ready to pick up by the time I got through to the counter. No words exchanged, just a grateful smile and some cash. Usually less than the listed price at that! Got some evil looks from the tourists, too... I wonder if you were one, Cliff?

In my books that's not local favouritism, it's damned good customer service!