# Grocery Store Gimmicks....I HATE THEM! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 15, 2003, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grocery-store-gimmicks-i-hate-them/201710 "2003-09-15T13:01:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![hawthorne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@hawthorne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawthorne)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grocery-store-gimmicks-i-hate-them/201710/41 "2003-09-15T16:25:18Z")
> [@](#): > > _Isabelle_ > I hate that idle chit chat. One time I set out to prove my point to one of my kidlets that these clerks don’t really care. > > When asked “how are you?” I said I have cancer and she said “that’s nice” and continued her scanning. And all the while you were thinking > [@](#): > > STOP WITH THESE GIMMICKS! :smack: :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Isabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5a626/32.png) [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grocery-store-gimmicks-i-hate-them/201710/42 "2003-09-15T16:25:32Z")
When I go shopping I like to find everything in the same place every week. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grocery-store-gimmicks-i-hate-them/201710/43 "2003-09-15T16:30:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Isabelle \* > \*\*When I go into the local grocery store I expect to find quality food at low prices. Since I live within range of 3 grocery stores I have taken the time to shop at all 3 and found the one that best suits my needs. HOWEVER: > > Why in God’s name do I have to fill out paperwork to join a $(\*@&^% club? I don’t want to join a savings club. Just give me low prices. What is the purpose of me having to fumble in my wallet each time I shop to pull out some stink’n plastic card for you to scan that is supposed to guarentee me low prices? Why not just offer me the dang low prices?!?! > \*\* They don’t want to give you something for nothing- by filling out the card and giving them some information, they get better marketing and demographic information and you get lower prices in exchange. It’s kind of like a coupon, only they get more out of it than just selling things to people who wouldn’t otherwise buy them. > [@](#): > > \*\* > Yesterday There was a display of 8 different General Mills Cereals. All were at the same price of $3.99 BUY ONE GET ONE FREE. So I picked up a cinnamon type and a fruity loop type. > Low and behold when I get to the register I was being charged $3.99 for each box. Apparently you have to BUY ONE GET ONE FREE OF THE SAME TYPE. Well how about freaking putting up a sign stating that instead of misleading the public! > > How about when you offer Buy One Get One Free they actually scan that way. I bought kaeiser rolls last night…Buy One Get One Free and if I had not been watching the girl at the register I would have paid full price of the rolls. Of course the girl was clueless and didn’t know why it rung up at full price. I’m sick of it. > \*\* It’s a grocery store. They typically don’t attract Nobel Laureates to manage them, much less run the registers. This is a case where you shouldn’t attribute something to malice that is almost certainly due to stupidity and ignorance. \*\* > [@](#): > > And why should I have to cut coupons? What purpose does this serve? It is a stink’n piece of paper that has no value. Just offer me the groceries at the lowest possible price. > \*\* Coupons are easy. Grocery stores want to sell everything for the highest price that people will pay for, right? So they set their everyday prices at what they think is that point. Most consumers will buy at that price, but there is a price-sensitive segment that won’t at that price, but will at some other price. By setting up a somewhat inconvenient coupon, they’ll entice the cheapskates to buy the product for a lesser price, and sell even more than they would have without the coupon. Let’s use shaving cream as an example, and say that Foamy is $2 per can. Let’s say that the grocery store makes $0.50 per Foamy can sold at $2.00, and that they typically sell 100 cans/month at that price. Total store profit is $50.00 By having a $0.25 cent off coupon, they could sell the same 100 cans at $2.00, and a further 50 at $1.75 (coupon clippers) that they wouldn’t have sold because the coupon people deemed Foamy too expensive at $2, but fine at $1.75. Store profit becomes $50.00(regular sales) + $12.50 (coupon sales), giving us $62.50 in profit instead of just $50. I know there are things like cannibalization, the cost of the coupons, etc… but we can ignore them for this example. ---
**Author:** ![tanookie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/48db29/32.png) [@tanookie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanookie)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grocery-store-gimmicks-i-hate-them/201710/44 "2003-09-15T16:32:26Z")
Considering what I’ve read about your kids Isabelle… kind isn’t the first adjective that springs to mind. As a cashier for too many years you are right I don’t care about your day but if I don’t greet you according to store policy then I could get disciplined for it. I am also required to tell you to have a nice day and thank you for shopping at our store. This is as much a part of my job as scanning and packing your groceries. ---
**Author:** ![sugaree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@sugaree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugaree)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grocery-store-gimmicks-i-hate-them/201710/45 "2003-09-15T16:38:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Isabelle \* > \*\*Yes I am awful aren’t I JuanitaTech? I just don’t see the point in telling someone how my day is. 1)It’s none of their business 2)They don’t care why bother asking > > BTW my kids are very kind. I am really pleased when they say “excuse me” when walking in front of someone who is glancing at the shelf or even if the person was at fault for cutting in front of the kids. And they even say 'have a nice day to the clerk" \*\* **Isabelle** , “How are you?” is simply a convention. It is not an invitation to tell how you really are, nor it is a reason to screw around with somebody by lying about cancer. It’s real meaning goes something like, “We have nothing to talk about, but I am signaling that I mean you no harm.” You know, kinda like telling a stranger to have a nice day. It’s none of your kids’ business if the clerk has a nice day or not. Your kids don’t really care if the clerk has a nice day; why bother saying it? Well, because it’s just a convention- it’s the polite thing to do. Now, even though I am a former grocery store clerk who was forever dealing with irate customers who seemed to think that I both priced the items and maintained the database in the scanner, I’m with you here for the most part. I hate those customer savings cards, and I won’t waste time clipping coupons, which are never for staples anyway. The nearest grocery store has its cashiers thank you _by name_\* when they hand you the receipt and change. Ain’t that just a boon to stalkers? ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grocery-store-gimmicks-i-hate-them/201710/46 "2003-09-15T16:51:18Z")
My only beef with the savings card is that the cashier always insists on having it before she begins scanning my order, even though I know that it will calculate my savings even if she scans it in the middle or at the end. It’s kind of a hassle to try to load up groceries and stop to shuffle around my purse for the card. That said, it’s not really enough to ruin my day, just a minor irritation. I also enjoy pleasantries with the cashier. It’s much nicer to have someone say hello and be friendly than to ignore you completely until they announce your total. I go to the same store pretty much every time, so they know my face and I know theirs. I like friendly people, but maybe that’s just me. haha. ---
**Author:** ![Isabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5a626/32.png) [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grocery-store-gimmicks-i-hate-them/201710/47 "2003-09-15T16:53:36Z")
> [@](#): > > Considering what I’ve read about your kids Isabelle… kind isn’t the first adjective that springs to mind. You can’t base your decision for 4 other children just because the 17 year old is a pain in the ass and is self centered. Besides I don’t take him to the grocery store. He loads the cart with stuff we don’t really need. ---
**Author:** ![tanookie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/48db29/32.png) [@tanookie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanookie)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grocery-store-gimmicks-i-hate-them/201710/48 "2003-09-15T16:58:25Z")
And the older daughter you booted out of the house at 19 for not respecting your home’s rules? And the 15 year old who doesn’t seem to have a problem lying for the 17 year old to help him keep his job? That’s 3 out of 5. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grocery-store-gimmicks-i-hate-them/201710/49 "2003-09-15T17:05:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by FairyChatMom \* > \*\*The neat thing about those cards - they never compared my driver’s license to the information I provided. So they’re tracking the purchases of an imaginary person. \*\* I was beginning to think I was the only person who did this. My grocery store alias is Anastacia Beaverhausen. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Shayna_ > **The more I read this thread, the more I appreciate and respect Albertson’s. No stupid card to get the discount price.** Maybe it hasn’t begun in your market yet, but Albertson’s went to the courtesy card scenario here about six months ago. ---
**Author:** ![Isabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5a626/32.png) [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grocery-store-gimmicks-i-hate-them/201710/50 "2003-09-15T17:08:00Z")
And the older daughter you booted out of the house at 19 for not respecting your home’s rules? -----This kid is great. Kind hearted. Works 2 jobs and goes to school (paying her own way) Has many wonderful qualities. Yes I kicked out out because she enjoyed pot. That is the only flaw I find with this kid. Truthfully does this one flaw make you a (fill in the blank) child? No I don’t think so. We just disagree on this point. And the 15 year old who doesn’t seem to have a problem lying for the 17 year old to help him keep his job? ------You have to know the 17 Year old. He can manipulate you into almost anything. I don’t fault the 15 year old. If the truth be known he was probably threatened. Was the 15 year old wrong for lying? Yes. But it is forgivable. All kids screw up once in awhile. Just because he lied for his brother no way implies that he is short with the store clerks. But the point was “kind” wasn’t the first adjective you thought of. I don’t think this is a fair assesment. Can we please not take personal jabs at my children? Afterall it was “me” that is not as considerate as others in this post to the clerk, not the kids. It is “me” that is complaining about my local grocery store not my kids. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grocery-store-gimmicks-i-hate-them/201710/51 "2003-09-15T17:11:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Shayna \* > \*\*The more I read this thread, the more I appreciate and respect Albertson’s. > > No stupid card to get the discount price. \*\* Hate to burst your bubble, **Shayna** , but the Albertson’s here just started their Preferred Savings Card, so it may be coming your way. They send out circulars with all kinds of great bargains - if you use the card. Here, the Publix has no card. They used to, but it disappeared about 5 years ago or so. They’ve also got the cleanest stores and their prices aren’t bad at all. And their bakery smells so yummy… ---
**Author:** ![tanookie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/48db29/32.png) [@tanookie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanookie)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grocery-store-gimmicks-i-hate-them/201710/52 "2003-09-15T17:14:58Z")
You also said your kids were kind because they know how to say ‘have a nice day’ to the clerk… What I am saying is it takes more than knowing how to make idle chitchat to be a kind person. Especially when you say how you set the wonderful example of trying to trip up the clerk with your ‘I have cancer’ lie to prove a point to these very children. ---
**Author:** ![Isabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5a626/32.png) [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grocery-store-gimmicks-i-hate-them/201710/53 "2003-09-15T17:36:06Z")
Yes I was wrong to say “I had cancer to the clerk” I was in a bad mood at the time and just acted impulsive. I wouldn’t do that again. Looking back it wasn’t a smart thing to pull in front of the kidlets. They probably knew I was being stupid at the time. My kids are kind in general. I think saying “have a nice day” and talking to the clerks just make them better then me. I think it is one way of them showing kindness. Maybe it is not as much kindess as when we go to the Alzehimer’s unit to visit the residents but every little bit counts I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9dc877/32.png) [@Mr\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grocery-store-gimmicks-i-hate-them/201710/54 "2003-09-15T19:37:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Isabelle \* > \*\*I also don’t like the small chit chat the clerk makes as I am trying to get through. Often I am in conversation with one of my kidlets and don’t want to be bothered by someone who doesn’t give a flying leap about me anyway! That’s right Mr. Jimm! I hate that idle chit chat. One time I set out to prove my point to one of my kidlets that these clerks don’t really care. > > When asked “how are you?” I said I have cancer and she said “that’s nice” and continued her scanning. > > Just smile and scan my products the correct way! That would make me happy. > > \ \*\* I seriously doubt any cashier would force conversation on you more than required. We always remember the rude ones. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grocery-store-gimmicks-i-hate-them/201710/55 "2003-09-15T21:25:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tanookie \* > **Because this is one more thing the cashier has to ask for when you get into line. Then you have to hope it scans and if it doesnt that you can read the numbers to punch it in manually since these cards tend to take a beating - especially those annoying keytags!** This is why I keep my keytags in my wallet. My SO has the full-sized cards. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grocery-store-gimmicks-i-hate-them/201710/56 "2003-09-15T21:29:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Amanita \* > **My grocery store alias is Anastacia Beaverhausen.** Holy crap that’s funny. ---
**Author:** ![Second\_Star\_to\_the\_Right](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@Second\_Star\_to\_the\_Right](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Second_Star_to_the_Right)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grocery-store-gimmicks-i-hate-them/201710/57 "2003-09-15T22:44:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mr Jim \* > \*\*I seriously doubt any cashier would force conversation on you more than required. We always remember the rude ones. \*\* Right on. What a lot of customers don’t seem to realize is that being polite will get them much, much further with any clerk than being an asshole will. \*\* Isabelle, \*\* would it kill you to simply respond “Fine, thanks” and have done with it? As others have pointed out, this is a big part of the cashier’s job. We constantly have programs and campaigns revolving around customer service. We go over it in meetings. It’s a large portion of our performance evaluations, which affect our much-needed raises. Am I going to do my job, risk annoying you, and increase my chance for a raise? You’re damn right I am. If it bothers you that much, talk to the store management about toning down their customer service delivery. I’m sure they’d go for it. ---
**Author:** ![hardygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a3d4f5/32.png) [@hardygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hardygrrl)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grocery-store-gimmicks-i-hate-them/201710/58 "2003-09-15T23:42:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by FairyChatMom \* > \*\*The neat thing about those cards - they never compared my driver’s license to the information I provided. So they’re tracking the purchases of an imaginary person. \*\* When I worked retail and had to process those applications, my rule was “Only ask for the license if they want to write checks”. Our store used the same card to approve checks as it did for the savings plan. If they just wanted the discount, I wasn’t going to harass them for an ID. After all, a few disgruntled employees had filled out applications in the names of characters from the movie **Clerks**. I have one card with my real name and one with the name Caitlin Bree. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mac\_Guffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Mac\_Guffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mac_Guffin)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grocery-store-gimmicks-i-hate-them/201710/59 "2003-09-15T23:51:17Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Amanita_ > My grocery store alias is Anastacia Beaverhausen. Mine is Aloisious Macgillicutty. And my address is that of the store. ---
**Author:** ![Alma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecd19e/32.png) [@Alma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alma)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grocery-store-gimmicks-i-hate-them/201710/60 "2003-09-16T00:55:46Z")
Knowing someone who has worked for an Albertson’s subsidiary for several months now, and having listened to him complain, I have learned three things. 1. Just say you forgot the damn card. They have to scan the store card, and I bet the cashier doesn’t care if you do it every time (management might if they notice). 2. If the item is rung in incorrectly you get it free (almost all stores have a policy of some sort like this). 3. They make their employees sign all sorts of inane promises, including what each cashier is required to say to you and what the customer service people must say each time they answer the phone. It’s truly ridiculous. I’m sure the cashiers don’t actually care how you are doing, Isabelle, but they might have signed a piece of paper saying they’d ask. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grocery-store-gimmicks-i-hate-them/201710.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grocery-store-gimmicks-i-hate-them/201710.md?page=4)