I felt really really stupid tonight (an express lane misdemeanor)

[KelNottAt]

I’ve been shopping at my local Walmart since it opened 8 years ago. So imagine my surprise and embarrassment tonight when the cashier said to me, “Uhh, ma’am, do you have less than 20 items?” What?!?! This is the express lane?? I REALLY had no idea.

I’ve checked out of this register many times in the past…I guess I must have had less than 20 items, so it wasn’t an issue. The lady in line behind me said the same thing as me …i.e., she had no idea it was express, either. Of course the third one in line adds (with an implied duhhh) “yeah, it’s the express line.”

So I take my first 2 items off the conveyor and put them back in my basket so I can head over to another checkout with my tail between my legs. As I pass the others in line I wonder out loud “Is there a sign that says ’20 items or less?’” and the third lady in line points up to the #10 check-out lane sign where there are – not kidding – several yellow sticky notes forming a patchwork sign to indicate the express lane.

I really felt awful about this. I am totally NOT NOT NOT an express-lane-over-loader. Really. My DH kids me cuz I’m such an anal rule-abiding type. The shock of tonight's news almost choked him on his cookie as I told him about it when I got home. The kids were laughing at me yesterday cuz I walked 6 blocks to feed my parking meter. You get the idea.

Now that I'm over my humiliation, I’m coming up with my defense…wouldn’t you agree a sticky-note sign is pretty pathetic? And don’t you think “20 items or less” is a sorry excuse for an express line? What’s express about that?

Don’t get me wrong…I totally know I was at fault for not spotting the sign. But, c’mon. Can I get a little break here?

Thanks for listening.
Kelley

 

[Stepharoonie!]

Awww...that's ok I've done that by accident before as well

 

[Grog]

And don’t you think “20 items or less” is a sorry excuse for an express line?

I've always felt it should be five or less to really speed things up.

I'm actually surprised the checker called you on it since they always seem to let genuine (as in "meant to do it") express lanes hogs go through no matter how many items they have.

 

[Disfan1]

I was in a Wal-Mart a couple of weeks ago & the cashier told me the registers were being re-programmed so they could not ring up more than 20 items if they are in an express lane. I guess their registers are already re-programmed & that's why she mentioned that you had more than 20 items.

 

[Jeanny]

up here Express lane is either less than 8 or 10. To me, 20 is NOT an express line!! Don't feel bad, sometimes I just see the light on and don't see the express light on.

And what are they going to do in that Wal-Mart when someone makes the mistake of getting in line with 21 items??? are they going to NOT let someone buy that 1 extra item?? yeah right??

 

[bunnyfoo]

I've done that before ... not to worry it happens to everyone. The last time it happened to me, the cashier at the supermarket gave me a funny look and that's when I realized what had happened. I appologized but she didn't say anything. Oh well

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

That's weird for them to do it with sticky notes....

at my Walmart the mgr said that they can't do ANYTHING if someone is in the express lanes (here it is 20 items too- and like you I think that's not really express LOL) with over 20 items.... even if they have an entire cart full they aren't allowed to say ANYTHING... not even the question like you said "do you have under 20 items" or mention that it's express lane. They can't even MENTION it, much less actually make someone go to another lane.

Now how stupid is that? What's the point of express lanes if they can't enforce it?

 

[Otto's Doll]

I've done it accidently too, don't worry about it.

I worked in a grocery store for 8 years, and HATED working the Express register. We were told in no uncertian terms that we could NOT ask people to leave if they had more stuff than they were supposed to have. We could be written up if someone complained that we said anything about it.

Oh, BTW... 20 cans of cat food are 20 cans.... NOT one item!

 

[Mskanga]

We have 3 express lanes, one has 12 items or less and the other two 20 items or less.
The funny thing was in the beginning of the express lanes, they would only accept cash. I'm one of those people who never has cash on me , I use my checkcard for everything. I complained to the manager about that and he told me cash was faster than a checkcard or debit card. I challenged him, he followed me to the checkout line and he saw me checking out and another person on the other lane next to us. I was done before the other person paying cash , using my debit card.
Since that day the only method of payment they do not accept on express lanes are checks, I can understand that, but I just couldn't understand why I couldn't use my checkcard.

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

Don't feel bad, everyone makes mistakes.

My first job in high school was as a cashier at K-Mart. We weren't allowed to say anything to anyone regarding the express lane rules. We had to check them out no matter how many items they had.

 

[Nancy]

I work in a store and I am guilty of not reading signs too! Our express are 7 or 15...we take all forms of payment at them. We are also not supposed to tell a customer that the register is express...but if it is a cart with $200.00 in groceries the cashiers will say something. I used to joke with the customers that I would just stop when I got to #8. One customer took me serious and complained. (even though I was laughing as I said it)

Before I was the trainer for the store I cashed 8 hours a day and did not like being an express register...the day went by so slow. I prefer to check out those bigger orders....plus there is more customer interaction on large order lanes.

 

[Pop Daddy]

we dont need your type here on the dis, we are all perfect

 

[tinatark]

Our Wal Mart has 20 items or less express lanes, along with I think 4 - 10 items or less lanes.

20 items may seem like a lot for an express lane, but when all the other lanes are filled with people with overfilled buggies of food, I'm really grateful for the 20 or less lane! I did go over once, the cashier (an elderly gentleman) told me, after I paid, btw, Miss, this lane is for 20 items or less. Oops. Nothing ticks me off more than waiting in the line, counting the person checking outs' "beeps" as their items are rang up.

I was really embarrassed at the beginning of the winter, when I was supplying my med cabinets with cold meds for our family - I thought I was doing really well, got night time, day time, childrens chewable, liquid, patches... 6 boxes or so altogether... well, apparently, meth-producing labs use childrens tylenol/advil/whatever to make their drugs - I could only buy 4 boxes!

 

[clh2]

The super walmart we shop at has several lanes that have a 20-item limit UNTIL 7:00pm. My DH and I have gotten many a nasty look at 7:05 with a full cart of stuff.

I will follow the rules...I will also use them to my advantage! There are never enough cashiers at this store - and we love not having to wait!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

That is really weird about the tylenol limit- what store limited you like that? I could maybe see if you were young and looked like a teen or something- are you? Cause I'm a middle aged mom of 3 and I've bought a lot of meds like that before- no one blinks an eye. I'd be mad if they did! (Meth-producing labs use patches to make drugs? Learn something new every day...)

Nothing ticks me off more than waiting in the line, counting the person checking outs' "beeps" as their items are rang up.

Well then don't count while waiting in line- then you won't be so ticked off.

 

[Micca]

Today at Food 4 Less I noticed the express check-out sign read:
"About 12 items or less"