why would this be ok-grocery store rules

[sunlver]

So, I could never figure this out. I am sure those who are guilty of this will not reply but what the heck Ill post anyways.

Why is that when you are at the grocery store, or any other store for that matter..and there is one or two lines opened and the lines are really long and taking forever, then another line opens..the store clerk will announce "I will take the next person in line", and the last person or last 2 people in line will run to the newly opned cash register Why is that fair? And, if you are one of those last few people in line who run to the newest opened line do you think you are in the right for doing so? Why should the people who have waited the least amount of time get to check out first, when the 8 people in front of you have been waiting for 10 minutes?

Now years ago, I was guilty of this, but not anymore. It just dawned on me one day years ago, that the last person really shouldnt be the first person in the newly opened line. So now when I am in that situation, I try to let the people ahead of me go to the newly opened line.

I know this may sound silly..but am I the only person that notices this???

 

[Mermaid02]

Maybe you're right, but in a crowded grocery store it just isnt' going to happen. In a smaller place with only 2 or 3 cashiers it might though.

 

[Sparx]

in my experience, whenever a cashier says "i can take someone" a lot of people just don't move. they're too wrapped up in their own stuff to notice people talking to them, and if no one else moves (or only a few people) i'll go to the new line.

 

[LoraJ]

I usually poitn out to the person in front of me that the lane is open before I head over.

 

[RadioNate]

I never run over.

However, I notice that a lot of times here that the new cashier will walk over to the line and take the next person (who doesn't have their groceries unloaded) with them to open the new line. Then the free for all starts.

 

[happygirl]

I actually I'm the opposite I hate when they say that and everyone has to move out of those people way.

 

[TeresaBelle]

No, I notice it...in fact I am guilty of doing the same. I think it happens because the last few people in line are more easily able to move to the new line. The ones further in are kind of "stuck" and would have to ask those behind them to back up and let them out and most likely they have already begun putting their groceries on the conveyor... It's not necessarily fair, but rather, just the way it is.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

meh

I never change, usually because when I go grocery shopping its on a day off and I don't have a schedule to keep. I figure the moms with kids and the others shopping may have to get it done and get somewhere else.

besides, in reality you are only waiting a few minutes, I like to read the covers of the "newspapers" while waiting..


did you know that alien babies from outer space have taken over the government and are using military bases to repair their spaceships?

And brad and angelia have adopted an orphan alien baby!!

why rush and miss all that info?

 

[PlainJane]

Because it's just too difficult for those further up the line to get out and go to the newly opened cash register.

No, it's not "fair", but it's just not easily feasible to do it any other way. Also, those newly opened lines generally get the last two people of a few lines, making the new line not that terribly short anyway.

 

[zachnsamsmommy]

I don't like it, but...

I notice if I let everyone else 'dart' toward the newly opened line, I finish faster by staying in the previously open lines. Usually the new cashier needs to log in and do a couple of things before they take you anyway. And with a toddler in tow most of the time when I shop, I do better to just stay where I am. I only move to the new line if it is very close and I know I can be the first one there (and only if I was the 'next' in line).

 

[kaytieeldr]

I don't think they still do it, but I was in a local supermarket on a Saturday afternoon several years ago - and they had ONE line snaking over to the last (frozen foods/dairy) aisle and all the way to the back of the store. They were sending customers in order to the next available register (well, except us express lane people we just got to get in one of the four open - and short - lines).

My local CVS does this, whether by intention or because the customers take it upon themselves. If there are two or more registers open, there's just one line of customers - and all but the active one/s are standing a couple of feet back from the counter. When a cashier becomes available, the next waiting customer steps up.

 

[Squirlz]

Yeah, it's just the luck of the draw. It all evens out over time.

 

[C.Ann]

I never really thought about it - because I just stay where I am.. I really don't mind waiting in line..

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I am usually too busy thinking about where I am going to leave my shopping cart in the parking lot.

 

[pixiewings71]

I usually stay where I am, but sometimes I move over to the new lane when the cashier comes to get me. As a cashier I always went and got the next person in line and led them to my register. I didn't even turn the light on until I had someone to help.

 

[pezheadmeg]

We are talking department store, not supermarket, but I think the same concept applies. When I'm on the floor and a line accumulates+ I always take 3 to 4 customers back from the beginning of the line. This way the next one on line does not walk halfway across the floor when they can be rung up within the next minute or so. It's matter of logistics and people control.

+ We're talking department store, not grocery store but retail line principals are more or less universal. I get the dirty looks when I don't have register access--I've been there done that. If I hopped on to bust lines, my own work would never get done I've been there, not fun. Figured it would easier to put the dirgresssion at the end of the post.

 

[Angelhalo]

I don't know if its an Indian Trail thing or a regional thing, but any time I have gone shopping here in my home town area, if the cashier says they'll take the next person in line, then the people at the back of the line generally move out of the way and let the actual next person in line move over to the empty lane. I've never seen the back person in line take the empty register.

 

[xCourxCorex]

I work in a grocery store, and I agree that it is difficult for the next customer (who is not in the process of loading their stuff onto the belt) to get to the newly opened line if there is someone behind him or her. Therefore, when I am asked to open up and take some customers, I usually take whoever is on the end of the longest line. Other wise, I would have to ask all the customers behind the true "next" customer to move in order for him/her to get out. It's just easier to take whoever is closest.

However I think this really only applies to grocery stores where the carriages are large. In Kohls or CVS, where you are typically just holding several items in your arms, I think the next customer should hop over to the new line, because they typically don't have a huge carriage to maneuver.

ETA: Sometimes If I open a new register, I just open up and turn on my light and announce "Register X is open"..then a mad rush ensues once people realize. Other times I actually pull a person from a long line and let them know i will be opening in Register X, and walk them over.

 

[mjkacmom]

I don't know if its an Indian Trail thing or a regional thing, but any time I have gone shopping here in my home town area, if the cashier says they'll take the next person in line, then the people at the back of the line generally move out of the way and let the actual next person in line move over to the empty lane. I've never seen the back person in line take the empty register.

I live in NJ, and that's how it is, too. I don't think it's actual manners - it's just that we speak are minds, and if someone from the back moved, they'd probably be taken down!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

That is why I usually always personally go to the next person in line, and get them to come over to my register before I turn my light on.