"Get some icing sugar", she says, "oh, and some ready to roll puff pastry. And don't forget the crackers for the cheeses. Make sure you get a good selection of those for Boxing Day, nothing with that blue mould in it though, we don't like that.".
We? I don't buy or eat cheese. I also never buy pastry or icing sugar. This is a big store we are talking about, and whereas one usually has an idea of either where most of the shopping list is situated or what it looks like, instructions like this leave me scrambling for clues after vainly attempting to find the stuff myself (I found the cheeses OK).
The only thing to do is ask the staff, it used to be quite straightforward. They'd tell you it was in the same aisle as 'so and so' or give you the aisle number to look for.
Now, though, asking such a question means that you are considered incapable of independent thought. Numbers are apparently too difficult to comprehend, so you must be led there.
You could be in aisle 32 asking for a product in aisle 4, but the employee has been told to instantly forget the job he is currently doing, in order to walk ahead of you and point at the item you were seeking.
Listen guys and girls in the supermarket industry, please just give us directions. We really aren't that fucking stupid. It's demeaning to you to be some Sainsbo sherpa, just as it is hideously annoying to be presumed so vacant as to not understand basic instructional information.
It's not customer service, it's just irritating.
21 comments:
Agreed. I always say "It's OK, I can find my own way to Aisle 4" but they never listen.
BTW, what on earth is "roll puff pastry"?
Funny you should notice that, I saw exactly the same thing yesterday in Morrisons. Some chap standing next to me peering in confusion at the shelf asked about an artfully hidden comestible and was escorted the length of the shop by not one but two shelf fillers.
"what on earth is "roll puff pastry"?"
Still not sure myself, MW. ;)
Woodsy: Two? That would be an even more belittling experience than it usually is!
It is said by those that claim to know, that giving directions is way more difficult that receiving.
Experience suggests that few people are capable of giving concise, articulate directions, so you might be asking for a 15 minute ummm, errr, like, ahh, the number between 3 and five, no, it's not that...
" Numbers are apparently too difficult to comprehend, so you must be led there."
Oh, hallelujah! I'm so glad that doesn't just happen to ME..!
It's the checkout that gets me ...
"Are you ok packing the shopping yourself" ?????????
Duh!
When I was stacking the beans in a supermarket, a long time ago, I was reprimanded by a manger for telling someone where something was, rather than leading them there.
ah, yes. Well, ready to roll means it's in the FRESH pastry aisle and not the FROZEN pastry aisle -- see?
"some ready to roll puff pastry"
Block
http://www.jusrol.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductId=5
Or she could have asked for sheet.
http://www.jusrol.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductId=6
There, now you are authority on the subject.
Rose :)
Eee I dont know.
Shop on line. If you dont know what something is, type it in the search box.
They even bring it to your door and almost every item has its own carrier bag.
Its the future.
Chuckles: You have a valid point there. That could possibly be worse.
Brian: Ah! I suspected as much - on the orders from customer services 'experts' in management. Perhaps if there are any reading they could train them to first ask if I need it pointing out before leading me round the bloody store. ;)
Bucko: I would (and do so often), but with my local Sainsbo the order would have had to be placed about 10 days ago to get a delivery slot before Christmas. :(
Many things piss me off with the supermarkets/shops.
1. The guided tour, as you have just explained.
2. Do you need help with packing, as earlier explained.
3. 'Did you find everything you wanted?' No, I wanted Guinness at 20p per can.
4. 'Do you want cash?' No, I would fucking well ask if I did.
5. 'Are you ready for Christmas?. Fuck off.
But the ultimate is waiting behind a female customer who chats, can't find handbag, can't find purse, can't find coupons, credit cards cash etc etc.
I was lingering in the booze aisle today but told firmly that I didn't need a bottle of whisky. Seems that's one of my presents, so I bought a bottle of navy rum instead.
I loooove supermarkets Dickie,all that free food and drink...and more drink....
Avoiding security can be tricky...;)
They're in constant fear of mystery shoppers...
I love help with my packing and I can't wait for the day I can give my list to my personal-staff-member who will whizz round the store for me :)
Jay
If they just give directions they risk a no sale if the shopper still can't find the item. Lead them by the hand and point to the item and you are almost 100% guaranteed a sale. Whatever task that was temporarily abandoned will be completed
Can I add to anon's list of pet hates the constant reorganising and shifting round of shelves?
Oh yes, Julia, indeed. The 'I could have sworn they kept it here' syndrome.
Anon @ 17:05: Now you're making me wish I'd not bought the pastry. ;)
Spare a thought for the checkout staff who have to put up with the constant bleep bloody bleep of the scanners
I like that kind of customer service! It's almost American, it's so good. Maybe it looks a little clumsy and gauche but I like it in my old age, I do. It's why I shop at Teesco if I can, and not places like Asda, who employ gamma-minus semi-morons often, or Waitrose, where the staff are too grand to bother about that sort of thing.
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