Does it annoy you when a cashier does this?

[MushyMushy]

I don't know what made me think of this, but a week or so ago I went to a pharmacy for a refill of some meds and there was a newer girl working the counter. When you run your card through the credit card machine, you have to check off boxes whether you want to be counseled by a pharmacist, then you have to sign something. I don't know the exact order, but you have to go through a few steps on this machine. Not a big deal and I do it a couple of times a month when I go in for refills.

Anyway, I had just run my card through the machine and the cashier grabbed the stylus as I was reaching for it, and started checking off the boxes herself. I just stopped what I was doing and stared at her for a moment without saying anything and she was completely unfazed.

I wasn't bothered enough to say anything or complain, but it really annoys me when cashiers do that. Do they think they're being helpful? Are they trying to speed things along?

Annoying.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

I would be annoyed maybe you needed some help..it sounds like she was trying to avoid that like she has to work extra or something?

 

[NCRedding]

The ones at the pharmacy I go to do the same thing. They do think it speeds it along, and that people get confused by having to check all the consult boxes, etc. It kind of annoys me, but not enough to stop them. My mother, on the other hand, appreciates that they do it for her so she doesn't have to.

 

[indimom]

I don't know what made me think of this, but a week or so ago I went to a pharmacy for a refill of some meds and there was a newer girl working the counter. When you run your card through the credit card machine, you have to check off boxes whether you want to be counseled by a pharmacist, then you have to sign something. I don't know the exact order, but you have to go through a few steps on this machine. Not a big deal and I do it a couple of times a month when I go in for refills.

Anyway, I had just run my card through the machine and the cashier grabbed the stylus as I was reaching for it, and started checking off the boxes herself. I just stopped what I was doing and stared at her for a moment without saying anything and she was completely unfazed.

I wasn't bothered enough to say anything or complain, but it really annoys me when cashiers do that. Do they think they're being helpful? Are they trying to speed things along?

Annoying.

I'm guessing most of their customers are clueless about following the prompts and it generally saves time, but I get why it annoys you since you know what you're doing. Just one of those things...

 

[ChristaDeVil]

Yes! That bothers me. It's almost like they assume that I'm too stupid to check the boxes myself. I understand that they have to deal with some people that "don't get it", but at least give me a second to prove my abilities!

 

[usnuzuloose]

It happend when I went in to a dollar tree, the cashier just pushed it all. I asked him what he thought he was doing. Well I just assumed, I said please dont presume anything as this is my card transaction and not yours. I also let the manager know. As cashier my self I never did that for anyone except if they asked for help. Jo

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I'd be ticked! No way do I want anyone touching boxes for me when my card is in the machine. If I get stuck, then I ask for help, but it is improper to assume I need it done for me.

 

[trip]

meant to start a new thread.

 

[Mama-san]

Never had that happen, but yes, it would definitely chap my a$$. As PP said, it's my transaction there on the keypad, and if I need assistance, I will ask for it. What if you did want to consult with the pharmacist?

 

[bumbershoot]

If they are asking you the questions in the prompts, it could be helpful. If they are just assuming they know your answers, it's not helpful. I cannot imagine that management would like it that they are doing that, especially at a pharmacy.

 

[cm8]

I'd be ticked! No way do I want anyone touching boxes for me when my card is in the machine. If I get stuck, then I ask for help, but it is improper to assume I need it done for me.

 

[Geoff_M]

...you have to check off boxes whether you want to be counseled by a pharmacist, then you have to sign something.

There are legal and pharmacist licensing implications with that check box. I would be irate if someone checked that box without asking me. In most (if not all) states, the Pharmacist Board's code of ethics requires a pharmacist to ask if you have any questions about the medication that they are dispensing you. Failure to do so, can result in a complaint being filed against a pharmacist. The check box in essence provides them with the "proof" of doing their job properly. The cashier shouldn't be touching that on your behalf.

 

[kirstenb1]

I'll be the minority. Our pharmacy cashiers do this, and I love it. I can't even remember what they say, but it must be some type of regulatory mish-mash. Just skip all the bureaucracy, let me pay and go. If I want to see the pharmacist, I'll yell "Wayne, I have a question", and he's very helpful.

 

[mikehn]

Im annoyed when the cashier small talks with a customer while a line is forming

 

[PrincessBelle09]

Those boxes are specifically for the customer to check off and, as was mentioned, there are legal implications if the pharmacist does it him/herself, especially without first asking the customer if they decline to be consulted. I would file a complaint with the pharmacy.

 

[dismom2]

I like to read things before I sign or check them off, and some cashiers can really be impatient. Not to mention, all those machines are different everywhere you go, so it's not like they are all the same and I no longer have to read anything, and can do it in 2 seconds. I am going to read it, follow the prompts as quickly as possible, and I don't need help or an evil eye for taking too long.

I also read papers I sign, and I can tell it annoys some people. Too bad. I'd be a pretty ignorant, dumb person if I just blindly signed everything that was presented to me. I have a right and and obligation to myself to read what I sign.

I feel better now.

 

[Geoff_M]

Just skip all the bureaucracy, let me pay and go. If I want to see the pharmacist, I'll yell "Wayne, I have a question", and he's very helpful.

However, the pharmacist's professional code of conduct in all likelihood in your state requires that a pharmacist be proactive in seeing if the customer has any questions or would like a consultation about the medicine they are being given, it's not enough to just be more than happy to answer questions in a reactive manner and otherwise just give them their drugs and send them on their way.

Here are the professional rules from the Michigan Pharmacy Board on the issue;

R 338.490 Professional responsibility; "caregiver" defined.
Rule 20.
...

(4) To encourage intended, positive patient outcomes, a pharmacist shall communicate, to the patient or the patient’s caregiver, necessary and appropriate information regarding safe and effective medication use at the time a prescription is dispensed. As used in this subrule, "caregiver" means the parent, guardian, or other individual who has assumed responsibility for providing a patient’s care. All of the following provisions apply to communicating medication safety and effectiveness information:
(a) The information shall be communicated orally and in person, except when the patient or patient’s caregiver is not at the pharmacy or when a specific communication barrier prohibits oral communication. In either situation, providing printed material designed to help the patient use the medication safely and effectively satisfies the requirements of this subrule.
(b) The information shall be provided with each prescription for a drug not previously prescribed for the patient.
(c) If the pharmacist deems it appropriate, the information shall be provided with prescription refills.
(d) The information shall be provided if requested by the patient or patient’s caregiver or agent for any prescription dispensed by the pharmacy. This subrule does not require that a pharmacist provide consultation if a patient or a patient’s caregiver refuses consultation. This subrule does not apply to prescriptions dispensed for administration to a patient while the patient is in a medical institution.

The cashier should not be touching that check box until the person receiving the medication is unable to do so and verbally agrees that they don't want to talk to the pharmacist.