Picking the Wrong Line at the Grocery Store

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I remember running queuing models in an operations class and in the majority of scenarios a single feeder line to a group of servicers (machines, people, etc) was faster option.

It'd be my luck that I'd be fed into the slow as molasses cashier lol. That was one thing I dislike about certain stores during Black Friday. They really do try to make it as stream-lined as possible but it works the best when all the cashiers are ready to do the task. It only takes a few slow slow transactions to start the grumbling about why it's taking so long.

 

[lorimay]

It doesn't matter whichever line I choose its wrong, be it in the grocery store, Costco, especially the Costco gas line, its the worst.
Just hold the pump and pump your gas, put your dang phone down and pump the gas for crying out loud.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

It doesn't matter whichever line I choose its wrong, be it in the grocery store, Costco, especially the Costco gas line, its the worst.
Just hold the pump and pump your gas, put your dang phone down and pump the gas for lying out loud.

I still see enough of people forming a line on the side where their gas tank is at Costco not realizing that they have extenders. I typically can still zoom on through and use an unoccupied pump while there's still a line on another. That's normally why I see a line. Because there's no place to go inside to (to buy something, to go to the bathroom, etc) people tend to get done pretty darn quick. It's just getting up to the pump that can be the wait lol.

 

[tvguy]

It doesn't matter whichever line I choose its wrong, be it in the grocery store, Costco, especially the Costco gas line, its the worst.
Just hold the pump and pump your gas, put your dang phone down and pump the gas for crying out loud.

I just don't get the Costco wait in line mentality.
Currently they are only 1 cent cheaper than ARCO, 2 cents cheaper than Safeway and 3 cents cheaper than Valero here. And about half the time ARCO is the same price or a penny LESS, and NO line.
Of course I also don't understand the folks that pull into the Chevron or Shell next to any of those stations where gas is 54 cents a gallon more expensive.

 

[lorimay]

I just don't get the Costco wait in line mentality.
Currently they are only 1 cent cheaper than ARCO, 2 cents cheaper than Safeway and 3 cents cheaper than Valero here. And about half the time ARCO is the same price or a penny LESS, and NO line.
Of course I also don't understand the folks that pull into the Chevron or Shell next to any of those stations where gas is 54 cents a gallon more expensive.

Really? Wow we have never had prices that close to Costco here, its usually a good enough difference that if I'm in the area its worth it. I won't drive to Costco just for gas, not worth that.
But I agree with you when I see some stations that are way higher. My guess is people aren't even looking to notice it.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I just don't get the Costco wait in line mentality.
Currently they are only 1 cent cheaper than ARCO, 2 cents cheaper than Safeway and 3 cents cheaper than Valero here. And about half the time ARCO is the same price or a penny LESS, and NO line.
Of course I also don't understand the folks that pull into the Chevron or Shell next to any of those stations where gas is 54 cents a gallon more expensive.

The 2 Costcos around me are 10-20 cents cheaper than surrounding gas stations. Plus it's convenient if you're already going to Costco. That said the Murphy gas station (Wal-Mart) around our house has been shockingly consistently cheaper than even Costco. We figured they would increase their prices after the gas station stopped being new but they've stayed lower, for now. So nowadays unless I'm at Costco or near that area I fill up at the Murphy gas station.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

But I agree with you when I see some stations that are way higher. My guess is people aren't even looking to notice it.

That or they have a rewards card or they like the message the place gives (like BP=cleaner gas or something similar, etc). Grocery stores around us offer X cents off for either purchasing specific products or spending a specific amount, etc. So that would also be why people are at one gas station over another. One of the major grocery store that does the X cents off though I don't think is really high in comparison though so I'm sure it works out even better for those people.

 

[hereyago]

I try to not get the crappy line lol.

As for Publix, they have started having stores here in Virginia.
A new one just opened at the beginning of January and it's very nice and I havent had any bad experiences yet. They do have self checkout with a self check out assistant close by.



The Walmart here ugh. So when I do go I try to do off time.

The people who can't keep track of how much stuff price wise they are getting ugh. Perhaps all stores should go the route of Kroger and have a scan and go set up. You can see on the scanner how it is totaling .

 

[wvjules]

If you see me in a line...get in another one. I'm always in the slow line. It's a gift. :/

 

[Mariearistocat]

For what it is worth, I agree with you about Publix going downhill. I swear that I live by the worst Publix in terms of service, EVER. Before we moved, my old Publix really was excellent from a customer service perspective. Everyone was attentive, there were always lines open WITH baggers and they monitored it and opened more if needed.

Fast forward to my current one...even on Saturday afternoon at 1pm, there are only 2-3 lines open, many people deep. Sometimes, there are no baggers. That is fine, I am a better bagger than 99% of them anyway. However, prices at Publix are not always the best and with the service I get there, I have been slowly shifting by shopping to other places. There are also other things. Employees do not know where things are and really don't try beyond the bare minimum to help you find it, etc.

I am also annoyed about the offer to bring things to your car. I understand if a person had a need for that help. Otherwise, it just takes away from the very few people they have at the registers anyway.

That annoys me too! Good point, I would rather have more registers open than have someone push my cart to the car. I prefer to bag myself too (another pet peeve is that when there is no bagger, the customer just stands there like the Queen of England waiting for the cashier to finish ringing and start bagging). I love when I can bag myself but usually you have to keep fending people off (I know it's their job to offer). I always push my own cart out and return it to the cart area (though not the other night after what the employees did). I really want the self checkouts! We have few choices around here but a new Fresh Market opening next year--yay!

 

[Mariearistocat]

I try to not get the crappy line lol.

As for Publix, they have started having stores here in Virginia.
A new one just opened at the beginning of January and it's very nice and I havent had any bad experiences yet. They do have self checkout with a self check out assistant close by.

This gives me hope that they are finally open to the self checkout!

 

[wilbret]

My favorite lines are the ones that take forever, only to be told to get into another line.

 

[sjrec]

I always use self checkout-prefer to bag my own groceries.
Even large orders. I often see the express checkout in my Giant with a line and open self checkout lines-I don’t understand why people would be the 5th or 6th person in line when they could walk right up to a register?

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I always use self checkout-prefer to bag my own groceries.
Even large orders. I often see the express checkout in my Giant with a line and open self checkout lines-I don’t understand why people would be the 5th or 6th person in line when they could walk right up to a register?

1) They have items that can't go in self-checkout

2) They believe self-checkouts are taking people's jobs

3) They have the mentality that they don't get paid (or get a discount) for doing a cashier's job

4) A combination of any one of those

5) Some other reason I have yet to hear from people who do not want to use self-checkout

 

[gemini2727]

A couple of weeks ago I go to Wal-Mart, get the 6 things on my list, go through self-check in record time and I'm back at my car in about 10 minutes.

As I'm putting my phone in its dock, I see a text from DW asking me to get 1 more thing.

I go back in, grab the 1 more thing and go to the self-check area. Now closed. I go to get in line at the 1 register that's open (of course), and I'm 8th in line.

And the manager then come up with another cash drawer and goes through the cash out procedure on the 1 register that's open, which takes 11 minutes (I timed it).

After that and after the 7 people ahead of me, I buy my 1 more thing and drag my defeated butt back out to my car and drive home.

I always seem to check my phone when I get on the checkout line, and almost always, there's a text from someone for "one more thing"! Here I go, pushing my now-full cart back down to the (invariably) farthest aisle and lose my place in line....I have to stop checking my phone, lol!

 

[QueenIsabella]

I live in Florida and miss the self check outs we used to have at Stop and Shop 20 years ago. I think Publix refuses to get it due to their 'philosophy', which has really gone downhill lately. The other night, I stopped in for a few things while I waited for my kids to get finished with practice. There were two lanes open, an express and a regular. I had just over the max express items so went to the regular. There was a person paying. In back of him was a FULL shopping cart and two things on the belt, no customer in sight. I waited and the cashier just said that the person was coming. An employee (AKA the missing customer) comes over with a handful of more items and says a quick sorry and starts unloading her cart. The three of them (her, cashier and bagger) proceeded to laugh banter and ring and bag her order. I'm usually friendly and polite but I'm sure I had RB Face as I packed my order. I thought it was very unPublix like, as if the customer comes last. I shop there 2-3x a week and have noticed more little things, like getting chewed out by a bagger last summer. The cashier had shut her light off after I entered and was putting my things on the belt. I think the bagger thought I came in after that and started loudly reaming me that the cashier needed to go to lunch. The cashier tried to tell her to stop but she got louder. I started to realize she was special needs but still! She was grabbing my groceries angrily as she packed so I told her I would pack the order. She argued with me about me just packing the order until the cashier finally made her leave. Special needs or not, I had a $250+ order and didn't need to get yelled at and my groceries slammed. (And I have a friend who is special needs and works for Publix who is very sweet and I love how inclusive they are.)
Just give us the self checks already!

Our Publix has self-checkout lanes. It's a fairly new one--I think it opened in 2017. So, maybe it's something they're going back to. I find there to be more cashiers than people in our Publix, but to be fair, I tend to shop at less-popular hours, typically early morning on weekdays. Around here, it's Food Lion that needs self-checkouts and doesn't have them.

BTW, getting in line behind the person who can't count to 10 items is my super power. I'm sure you're all jealous!

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

1) They have items that can't go in self-checkout

2) They believe self-checkouts are taking people's jobs

3) They have the mentality that they don't get paid (or get a discount) for doing a cashier's job

4) A combination of any one of those

5) Some other reason I have yet to hear from people who do not want to use self-checkout

5. Please put the item in the bag.
I just did.
Please put the item in the bag.
I told you I just did.
Please take the item out of the bag.
Wait a minute, you just told me to put it in.
Please take the item out of the bag.
Well alrighty then.
Please put the item in the bag.
Well make up your mind you infernal bucket of bolts.
Sorry Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that.
You can't make up your mind?
Please wait for attendant.
AAAAAAAARRRRRRGH.
HAHA. You're hosed now...... Dave.
If I had just used the now empty quick check, I'd have been out of here.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

5. Please put the item in the bag.
I just did.
Please put the item in the bag.
I told you I just did.
Please take the item out of the bag.
Wait a minute, you just told me to put it in.
Please take the item out of the bag.
Well alrighty then.
Please put the item in the bag.
Well make up your mind you infernal bucket of bolts.
Sorry Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that.
You can't make up your mind?
Please wait for attendant.
AAAAAAAARRRRRRGH.
HAHA. You're hosed now...... Dave.
If I had just used the now empty quick check, I'd have been out of here.

I know but I really only experienced that when the machines were really new. For sure some are more sensitive than others.

I've got Wal-Mart's down to a T for example.

It did weird me out the first time I went to Target and used theirs because they have a camera that is taking video and/or picture at each self-check out machine (I'm sure for loss prevention).

 

[nd5056]

It just reminded me of this GIF...

 

[tvguy]

n

Yes!!! They never get their checkbook out and get the preliminary stuff written while the cashier is bagging. It isn't until the cashier gives the total that then they finally dig around in their bag for the checkbook and then for a pen!!!!

Same drill with card users. They always seem to have like 30 cards, and wait until the cashier has totaled the bill before pulling all 30 out and deciding which one to use.