Things Which Annoy Grocery Store Workers
By DB
@dgobucks226 (37621)
August 13, 2020 5:11pm CST
Going to the grocery store is not really a fun experience for me and I'm sure some would agree. Apparently, working as a supermarket employee can at times be irritating too and not a whole lot of fun.
So, want to know what grocery store employees complain about most? Here are some of their gripes and the reasoning behind them:
Customers asking if the item is free if it fails to scan on the first try. Cashiers probably have a sense of humor but I imagine it gets old after awhile.
Neglecting to say thanks. An employee who really puts themselves out there to help a customer deserves some recognition. A little kindness might just make their day!
Having more than the required amount of items on an express lane. The lanes are there for more efficient service and excess items only slows things down for everyone else. This will just create longer lines.
Changing your mind on a store item and just putting it in any aisle. You should return unwanted items to the proper aisle or give it to the cashier for restocking.
Using coupons which don't work on your purchased items. It's great to find a bargain but read the fine print. Make sure it has not expired or it requires you to purchase 2 of an item.
After looking over their complaints I must confess there are a few I violate. Are you also guilty of doing any of these things?
Any others you can think of? Do you feel these are legitimate complaints?
Source- Readers Digest
Photo- grocery store
16 people like this
19 responses
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
13 Aug 20
Some of these are really bad, like not putting things back if you change your mind. If you just leave an item and it gets ruined, like ice cream left to melt, eventually the cost shows up on everyone's list. I could think of even more, like children allowed to do dangerous things, climbing shelves, etc. or opening packages before you buy them.
4 people like this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
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16 Aug 20
Yes, that's a good addition about the kids I forgot to include 
And good point about an item like ice cream.
And good point about an item like ice cream.1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502148)
• Italy
16 Aug 20
@dgobucks226 I cannot stand those who think to be funny, I remember when I worked how upsetting it was to hear silly "humurous" comments over and over again. When I see people in the "fast lane" with more than what they should have I told them to move away. Our cashiers stop at 10 items and the rest is put aside and you go back in line if you want them. You must teach people to respect the rules.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
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16 Aug 20
@LadyDuck I don't understand your first comment? Are you talking about the Way To Go I responded with ? Please elaborate? I do agree we should respect the rules. I have gone beyond the required items a few times but I would ask the cashier if it was ok, and only if the lane had no one on it. But it was wrong, I broke the rules, guilty as charged 
@dgobucks226 (37621)
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16 Aug 20
That's great! What a thoughtful person you are Anna
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128824)
• Gainesville, Florida
17 Aug 20
I have been guilty of a few of those items in the past, but I try to be a more courteous shopper these days. I do have one complaint about grocery store employees, though, and it has to do with the express lane. They expect us to comply with the 10-item limit in order to speed up the checkout process, but they often put the slowest cashier on the express lane, which makes absolutely no sense to me. If you truly want it to be an express lane, put your best cashier there. It will definitely make the line of people move quicker through the process.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128824)
• Gainesville, Florida
19 Aug 20
@dgobucks226 That's exactly the reason I don't shop at dollar stores. You wait forever in line to checkout. And 90% of the time, there is always something that won't scan or the tag is missing and it takes them 20 minutes to figure up how to ring up the item. For Pete's sake, the item is a dollar. Just key in one dollar and move on! lol
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
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22 Aug 20
@moffittjc I never quite had that experience but if I did, I would drop my stuff right there and walk out! But going in there around Christmas time is a real trip 
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
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17 Aug 20
That would require common sense. Does kind of make the term "Express" a misnomer?
Anyway, I figure they use the least efficient cashier there because if they put them on a regular item lane the line would be out the door 
Your express argument got me to thinking about other stores.
I shop at the Dollar Store and wish they would incorporate an Express lane there. Waiting for someone with 40 dollar items to scan with only 2 cashiers working is insane!!! 
Does kind of make the term "Express" a misnomer?
Anyway, I figure they use the least efficient cashier there because if they put them on a regular item lane the line would be out the door Your express argument got me to thinking about other stores.
I shop at the Dollar Store and wish they would incorporate an Express lane there. Waiting for someone with 40 dollar items to scan with only 2 cashiers working is insane!!! 1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52143)
• Staten Island, New York
15 Aug 20
Customers asking if the item is free if it fails to scan on the first try.
I never asked that, however, there have been a few instances where a wedge of cheese would not scan and the cashier just gave it to us for free.
One thing that I saw happen. A person will stay behind you in line with only one or two items. You have many so you let the person go ahead of you. Shortly after, the person's spouse comes up with a lot more items... So now instead of a few things, the person has many.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52143)
• Staten Island, New York
16 Aug 20
@dgobucks226 Or the person stands in line with nothing at all and then his wife comes up with a full cart of stuff.
@lovebuglena (52143)
• Staten Island, New York
16 Aug 20
@dgobucks226 I once went to customer service and told them they rung up my bananas as organic when they were original. I expected to just get refunded the difference. They ended up refunding me everything, so I got free bananas.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
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16 Aug 20
Interesting they gave it to you for free. I've had that happen also, but instead they asked if I knew the price. Now I have had an item scan for the wrong price and went and I pointed it out to customer service the cashier there gave it to me for free.
Oh no! Here you are trying to be nice. That's a sneaky thing to do
Now I have had an item scan for the wrong price and went and I pointed it out to customer service the cashier there gave it to me for free.
Oh no! Here you are trying to be nice. That's a sneaky thing to do 
@Dena91 (17029)
• United States
13 Aug 20
I use coupons and only a couple of times have we realized we needed two not 1 to use the coupon. I note it now on grocery list so I don't make that mistake again. I am friendly, thank the person who checks me out. I don't like seeing things in different places so I won't put something back in the wrong place. I only use the express lane if I have a few items or the lines are getting busy and the cashier asks me to move over to their lane.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
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16 Aug 20
Sounds good. You definitely are a thoughtful shopper! Another complaint is letting your kids run wild in the store. Knocked over and spilled items is no fun to clean up.
1 person likes this
@porwest (112717)
• United States
16 Aug 20
At the end of the day I think SOME, not all, but SOME grocery workers need to remember who is paying their salary. Some are just downright rude. That being said, customers can be rude too. I am definitely guilty of the worn out and tired joke, "It must be free" if something doesn't scan the first time. And I could definitely see why the joke would fall on deaf and irritated ears. But customer service is really at the heart of what these folks jobs are, and some should get a lesson in that. Look, you want $15 an hour, act like a professional and treat a customer not as someone you have to deal with, but rather someone who is providing you with a LIVING. That's what professionals do. That's apparently your 'profession,' so act like it. Prove to me you are worth every penny you are earning, suck it up, do your job, and get on with it.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
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16 Aug 20
I can't disagree with you on anything you said...well, maybe having to listen to that "free" joke over and over again. I'm sure hearing George Carlin "wannabe's can get old.
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@porwest (112717)
• United States
17 Aug 20
@dgobucks226 Surely you jest. George Carlin never gets old. lol
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@dgobucks226 (37621)
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16 Aug 20
Yes, good point about a refrigerated item. That is really inconsiderate!
Another is complaining about the Line On a Sunday. That's the busiest day in the grocery store and the employees have no control over lines and crowded shopping areas.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
14 Aug 20
I can say I'm honestly not guilty of those. I hate when I see the person I'm with put things back anywhere on any aisle. I tell them to put it where he/she got it from. That one irritates the heck out of me.
Also, I worked in a grocery store, so I always show kindness and say thank you to the cashier and bagger. They deserve it.
My biggest complaint - teenagers who whine like two-year-olds when they're told no, they're not getting the item.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
17 Aug 20
@dgobucks226 I always thought Saturday the worst shopping day. I try to avoid it.
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@dgobucks226 (37621)
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16 Aug 20
Another is complaining about the Line On a Sunday. That's the busiest day in the grocery store and the employees have no control over lines and crowded shopping areas.
Yes, I agree about the items being placed anywhere instead of the proper place.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
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22 Aug 20
@just4him Actually, I agree with you. Pick your poison so to speak
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@JESSY3236 (22199)
• United States
19 Aug 20
@dgobucks226 used coupons that didn't work.
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@dgobucks226 (37621)
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16 Aug 20
Good for you! I can't make the same claim. It's a challenge being perfect 
(just kiddding)
I have gone beyond the required items a few times but I would ask the cashier if it was ok, and only if the lane had no one on it.
(just kiddding)
I have gone beyond the required items a few times but I would ask the cashier if it was ok, and only if the lane had no one on it.1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381752)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Aug 20
@dgobucks226 We've done that too - extra items - but we've always been called through. We have a great supermarket. I'm always raving on about it.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
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17 Aug 20
@JudyEv Yes, they do the same at mine. Sometimes they are waiting for people who they can check out.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
14 Aug 20
I am guilty of saying that an item is free. I'm sure it's annoying to the clerk. I will stop doing that! They are all legitimate complaints. Have a good day.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
16 Aug 20
@dgobucks226 It takes a lot of patience to be a checkout clerk.
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@dgobucks226 (37621)
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16 Aug 20
I'm guilty of having an item or two extra in the express lanes. Also, not looking at the coupons carefully. The manufacturer seems to always have coupons which say must buy 2 of that item. I bet they get that one a lot.
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@dgobucks226 (37621)
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20 Aug 20
@LindaOHio Having worked a register at a few department stores it's not as easy as it looks and yes, patience is definitely required...
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
14 Aug 20
Being a polite is a common courtesy all should have :-) I admit , once in awhile I will put an item away on any shelf. You're right. Probably best just to put it back, or give it to the cashier
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
17 Aug 20
@dgobucks226 Ah yes, only human after all :)
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@dgobucks226 (37621)
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16 Aug 20
I don't think anyone (except maybe a select few) can claim they always followed these rules "to a T." It's hard being perfect
1 person likes this
@Spontaneo (14699)
• United States
14 Aug 20
I do appreciate all that grocery store clerks do. My mother was one for years. No breaks. No pay increase. Had to pick up large and heavy boxes. On her feet for hours. Just to say the least...
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
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16 Aug 20
Yes, excellent point. You may never notice the other duties these employees are required to do. In some jobs it's not just ringing customers at the counter.
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@dgobucks226 (37621)
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16 Aug 20
Another one is letting your kids run wild in the store. Knocked over and spilled items is no fun to clean up.
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@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
16 Aug 20
@dgobucks226 I would not be able to work there, not enough patience.
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@dgobucks226 (37621)
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16 Aug 20
Yes, if someone is helping me I thank them too.
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@BACONSTRIPSXXX (18025)
• Torrington, Connecticut
14 Aug 20
Also when people drop items in isles and just walk away etc
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@dgobucks226 (37621)
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16 Aug 20
Yes, that would be inconsiderate to the employees working there who have to pick them up.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (122067)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
14 Aug 20
I have seen on rare occasions where some customers have a handful of coupons that are given to a cashier which take up a lot of time.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
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16 Aug 20
Yes, that can happen. I guess if they can find that many coupons their entitled to use them.
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@Miracle_Maya (2244)
• India
14 Aug 20
Young people who move slowy or act indecisively about wanting to purchase an item after bringing it to the counter. Especially when there's a long queue waiting behind them! Grrrrr
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