My recent experience shopping at Trader Joe's
By Lena Kovadlo
@lovebuglena (52201)
Staten Island, New York
April 24, 2020 6:26pm CST
I went to Trader Joe's and they took the social distancing to the next level. When it is time to check out you have to stand six feet away from the cashier until she/he is done ringing everything up, everything is bagged, and it's time for you to pay. Only then can you approach the register. You quickly pay and leave the store.
They are all wearing masks and there is that huge shield put up so don't get why you can't approach them while they are ringing things up. It's important to be at the register when they are scanning everything because they can make mistakes and you don't know everything is correct or not if you can't see the register screen.
After the guy rang everything up and we paid I looked over the receipt and noticed two mistakes. We bought a can of dolma and a can of eggplant. On the receipt were two cans of eggplant. No dolma. I also bought two different cereals. Instead of two different cereals there was only one but in a quantity of two. Mind you in both instances the prices are different for each item. I don't know why the guy did what he did but I hope it was in our favor and not the other way around. I don't remember what the actual prices of each item were to determine if that was the case. I wanted to go up to an employee and tell them about these errors but let it go as it would be a hassle dealing with it in the current situation. I wouldn't have let it go otherwise.
6 people like this
6 responses
@lovebuglena (52201)
• Staten Island, New York
25 Apr 20
Of course, I will follow the rules. But when they ring stuff up they have to do it right.
1 person likes this
@Nakitakona (59987)
• Philippines
26 Apr 20
@lovebuglena That's fine. You've your own discretion to follow.
1 person likes this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
25 Apr 20
I have to say, I am most impressed with TJs systemized shopping experience the best. I have not seen any other store be on top of things like them. I've seen other stores where they do let you stand there, but I'm actually glad TJs makes it perfectly clear to be socially distant . . . I noticed when I did step up to use my debit card, the cashier stepped back too. Oh, but surely the mistakes can happen still - I wonder if he was maybe in a hurry - or assumed it was the same price? Sidenote: how is the canned dolma?
@lovebuglena (52201)
• Staten Island, New York
25 Apr 20
The canned dolma from Trader Joe's is pretty good. I have not tried it from anywhere else, so not sure how others taste.
My local Russian grocery store requires all people to wear masks. I forgot mine at home and zipped up my jacket all the way up, which covered my mouth and nose but at one point it slid off and a security guard (I think that's who he was but could be wrong) caught me at that moment and called me out, telling me masks required in the store at all times. He said that next time I must wear a mask when shopping here. I apologized. Good thing he didn't kick me out of the store. He could have done that.
There is also a line to get in as number of customers limited at any given time. But line moves rather fast. And inside stores there are markers everywhere for social distancing. The cashier wears a mask and gloves and there is that protective screen at the register as well. However, we can come to the register and remain there through the entire checkout process, so if something is wrong, or if the cashier doesn't know what item she is holding (if fruits or veggies) I can tell the cashier right away.
I was very much surprised and happy they were following the social distancing things and taking precautions as needed. I did not expect that.
1 person likes this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
26 Apr 20
@lovebuglena I've only had restaurant ones (Persian or Greek) - so it's interesting to me that they can pop 'em in a can 
. I'll see if I can grab a can next time.
Here, we are required to wear "face coverings" in stores or we cannot go in . . . not necessarily masks, but something to cover the mouth and nose like you said. "Real" masks are hard to come by, so I guess we try to wear the next best thing. I would think a zipped up jacket would be ok as long as it covered - hey, I've even seen face masks slip off. Glad you weren't kicked out.
The line situation is not too bad now, right? At least it's better than it was a month ago - stores weren't regulating anything and people were panicking (and of course items went totally missing). It's a much calmer experience now for the most part. Here the store employees are required to have masks and gloves now - and it seems like most stores have that protective screen now too.
Yes, I truly appreciate the stores that are doing their best in taking the precautions - some are better than others. I still say TJs is the best thus far!
. I'll see if I can grab a can next time.
Here, we are required to wear "face coverings" in stores or we cannot go in . . . not necessarily masks, but something to cover the mouth and nose like you said. "Real" masks are hard to come by, so I guess we try to wear the next best thing. I would think a zipped up jacket would be ok as long as it covered - hey, I've even seen face masks slip off. Glad you weren't kicked out.
The line situation is not too bad now, right? At least it's better than it was a month ago - stores weren't regulating anything and people were panicking (and of course items went totally missing). It's a much calmer experience now for the most part. Here the store employees are required to have masks and gloves now - and it seems like most stores have that protective screen now too.
Yes, I truly appreciate the stores that are doing their best in taking the precautions - some are better than others. I still say TJs is the best thus far!@lovebuglena (52201)
• Staten Island, New York
26 Apr 20
@much2say When I went to Trader Joe's there was a sign asking customers to limit their shopping trip to one cart of groceries. And inside the store there was a limit of two quantities per item. Not sure if that was for everything or only for certain products. The store was pretty stocked. The line to get in was long and hubby wanted to leave but I stayed and so he had no choice but to stay as well. It went pretty quick.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (59828)
• Philippines
25 Apr 20
Except for the mistakes with the scanned items, I'm actually impressed with TJ's system as you described it.
@allen0187 (59828)
• Philippines
26 Apr 20
@lovebuglena wish those things will be implemented everywhere.
Wearing a mask should be compulsory in my opinion.
@lovebuglena (52201)
• Staten Island, New York
26 Apr 20
@allen0187 I don't think you have to wear a mask specifically. I think as long as you cover your mouth and nose with something it should be ok. For example, a scarf or a bandana.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52201)
• Staten Island, New York
25 Apr 20
There is also a line to get in because they limit the number of people inside the store. You are also handed a wipe when you get in to wipe the shopping cart. Not sure if masks are required to be worn by customers or not. Did not see the sign and had a mask on myself. Though the guy behind me did not.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382312)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Apr 20
I hate finding mistakes in my docket. It's always a bit of hassle getting it corrected especially in these times.
@lovebuglena (52201)
• Staten Island, New York
25 Apr 20
I know a lot of stores don't do returns or exchanges at this time. But they should be able to correct something and return the price difference if something is rung up incorrectly.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
25 Apr 20
Hell, Target keeps you further back than that at least here. Way beyond 6 feet.
@lovebuglena (52201)
• Staten Island, New York
25 Apr 20
Wow! I assume it is 6 ft in Trader Joe's but not like I can measure it.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222586)
• United States
25 Apr 20
I'm sorry there were wrong prices rung up on your order. That's pretty careless.
@lovebuglena (52201)
• Staten Island, New York
25 Apr 20
Yeah. Hopefully, his mistake was in my favor.
1 person likes this
