If a cashier doesn't ask...you get free...

[burnurcomputer]

I have every right as a consumer to ask for a product that they are offering. You can't "hold up a line" by following the stores policy. When its your turn at the register, its your turn. If other people aren't comfortable asking for it, so be it! But to grump??? I wonder if those people would say something if they were supposed to get a $10 gift card with purchase and didn't get it for the cashier? I bet they would and would "hold up the line" untill it was corrected. A policy is a policy.

 

[Melrosgirl]

I never ask bc I'm afraid it will get them in trouble. If the item ring up wrong, and they offer one of those "it's correct or the item is free" things, I will push that issue. That's the store's fault though.

 

[Green Tea]

I HATE when I am asked several times in a store to sign up for a credit card (Kohl's is the worst!), get batteries, etc. I would not remind the cashier they forgot to ask me because I don't want them to ask in the first place! However, OP I do not think you are in the wrong for asking for your items

I agree with this.

I wondered at TJ Maxx last week when I made my $15 purchase if the woman felt as ridiculous as she sounded when she asked me if I wanted to save 10% on my purchase by applying for a credit card.

 

[luvsJack]

In most cases this would be illegeal.

I would think this would be the case.

Besides, if I was a cashier and there was some kind of promotion going on that would come out of my pocket, I would have some kind of routine down pat so I wouldn't forget. If they do something the same way everytime, they are a lot less likely to forget. I would imagine if certain places are more likely to forget, its NOT coming out of the cashier's pocket.

 

[ssawka]

I think you have every right to ask if that is the store policy.

Personally, I can't stand being "upsold" at the register so I would be happy if they didn't ask. It is one of the reasons that I like self-checkout so much.

 

[gandycat]

Personally I wouldn't ask but I have no problem with someone else asking.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

My DH manages a TRU. Promotions like this do not come out of the cashier's check. However, this is the kind of thing that they get in BIG trouble for. If they dont make their numbers for battery sales, credit card apps or whatever the push of the moment is they get fewer hours the next week or are considered for termination after awhile. I think it's silly, but it's howTRU operates.

Batteries are crazy expensive at TRU and I would never buy them. Though I am asked every time, sometimes before they even ring me out. Probably so they don't forget at my store. I can see asking and I'm sure it helps the store get some sales but I think it's awful if they don't sell enough batteries it affects their job.

 

[mrsklamc]

The cashiers are probably just surprised you ask because so few people do. You're entitled though.

Count me in the crowd that's just happy they didn't ask. I no longer shop at ny & co because they were so aggressive about it. Kohl's has always asked, but taken no for an answer. NY & co would argue with me!

 

[scrapquitler]

I think you have every right to ask if that is the store policy.

Personally, I can't stand being "upsold" at the register so I would be happy if they didn't ask. It is one of the reasons that I like self-checkout so much.

I agree with this. WHen I was a cashier I HATED having to do the upsell, and as a consumer I hate when they ask.

 

[beansmom]

imo, it's ok to get what you are 'entitled' to. Our grocery store gives you the item free if it rings up wrong and when it happens, sometimes the cashier will try to just adjust the price...uh...no...I want it free.

Go for the freebies. They make the day more fun.

 

[klmrph]

A friend of mine works at walgreens and yes, they (the cashier) pays for the free item.

My dd works for Walgreens and this is not true in her case and I doubt any retailer can dock pay.

I once got a free lunch at Long John Silvers because they didn't give me a receipt and I called them on it. The manager was very upset with the cashier, but she gave me my money back.

 

[jacksmomma]

Batteries are crazy expensive at TRU and I would never buy them. Though I am asked every time, sometimes before they even ring me out. Probably so they don't forget at my store. I can see asking and I'm sure it helps the store get some sales but I think it's awful if they don't sell enough batteries it affects their job.

Agree completely! Yet another reason why I hate TRU. At our house it is called the evil empire! I only shop there when I absolutely have to. (Like when my MIL who loves the store gets DS something he have to return.) Most of their policies are insane...add this one to the list!

 

[DanaAustinChelsea]

I do NOT believe this was ever the policy at Toys R Us, or any major retailer. But it could count against the cashier at her annual review, when they decide what % increase she will get. I would not think missing customers here and there, once in awhile, would matter.

I have been a cashier, and sometimes they want us to ask 5 different questions at the register, and it is ridiculous, but part of the job.

They can't take it from their paycheck, but Toys R Us/Babies R Us do get a 'talk' if they had to give a Gift Card/item to you for a question they are supposed to ask you. And yes, it comes up again during annual review time! If it continues to happen they will be placed on 'probation'

 

[okeydokey]

I hate to be asked to buy stuff while checking out so I'd be grateful to get out without being harassed. I never shop at Walgreens because of the upsell at the register, but go to CVS nearby instead.

 

[MissBritt]

I absolutely do not believe that free items are taken from the employees' paycheck. This doesn't sound even remotely legal. If they have a promo like this out, it's because the cashiers are not doing their jobs correctly in the eyes of the company head, and they are making it their job to have the cashiers upsell. Yes, it feels awkward for both the employee and the customer some times, but it's their job. If they don't do their job, there is no reason for you to feel bad about what the company/store had already decided you are entitled to.

 

[brymolmom]

I would be happy that they didn't waste my time with the question especially this time of year when the lines tend to be long.

If you've been a cashier then I would think that you wouldn't want to give them a hard time. My DS works at a Grocery store and it's given me a whole new perspective on the hassles they deal with from demanding customers. Not to mention that having to give you the free item will likely get them into a bit of trouble- negative review. Not worth it to me.

If the free coke and Hershey bar was worth holding up the line and slowing things down then go for it but I never have and hope that I wouldn't.

OP again, and yes done the cashier thing but I don't consider this 'giving the cashier a hard time'. I have experienced MANY customers giving me a hard time and believe me, asking for something that they get for free is NOT high on the list of hard time. In fact, I think I would be kind of happy for the person in a way - to get something for free...although I would be a bit mad at myself too. But it would be a 'Hey - my bad, your good' type thing.

 

[Hannathy]

OP again, and yes done the cashier thing but I don't consider this 'giving the cashier a hard time'. I have experienced MANY customers giving me a hard time and believe me, asking for something that they get for free is NOT high on the list of hard time. In fact, I think I would be kind of happy for the person in a way - to get something for free...although I would be a bit mad at myself too. But it would be a 'Hey - my bad, your good' type thing.

Unless it was brought up to you at your annual review! I mean really cut the poor cashier a break. You have to realize how busy they are at this time of year and just because there wasn't a long line behind you at the time there probably had been one all day up to then. I also know how much is on my mind right now trying to think gifts,cards, cookies,kids programs, etc and it is easy to forget something. If your 89 cent coke is that important then go ahead but I'll give any of them a break at this time of year at least for something this stupid!


I was in line so long and heard the stupid questions being asked so many times that when I got up there I said before they could open their mouths, yes, yes , no, yes,no, and I know all about the survey, there consider the questions asked! He looked at me at first with a WTH expression then he got it and started laughing.

 

[SaraJayne]

No, I don't bother asking. I'm fortunate enough that a 99cent bottle of soda and a 50cent candy bar aren't going to break me if I have to pay for them.

 

[Ava]

It would depend what the freebie was if I'd bother asking for it. For a Hershey bar, no. A 2-liter of Coke, I might ask if there was no line behind me. A store GC, definitely. Sorry to the cashier & the people behind me in line, but if a store offers a promotion I'm interested in & I qualify I'm going to take advantage of it. I don't mind being asked if I want to open a CC or if I need batteries, it takes all of 30 seconds for them to ask the questions & for me to say no thank you. Usually the cashiers ask while they are ringing me up so it doesn't even add any time to my transaction.

 

[disneychrista]

A friend of mine works at walgreens and yes, they (the cashier) pays for the free item.

The cashier may choose to pay for the item because they dont' want to get in trouble for forgetting. But I find it highly unlikely since labor laws would prevent them from legally doing so.