Express line etiquette?

[jmc]

Hi All,

Sometimes I seem to have a knack for rubbing people the wrong way and then wondering why. I'm generally not a confrontational person unless someone is taking an unfair advantage. Please tell me if I was out of line in this case:

I'm getting only one item at a supermarket and all the regular registers have only one or two customers deep except the idle express line. Just as I approach the express line, a woman pulls her cart out of a regular register and gets to the express line about one step ahead of me. Her cart was about half full on top and had several heavy items on the bottom.

"Express line?" I asked, nodding at her cart?

She smiled sweetly, pointed at the sign and said "Fifteen items or less".

"So you're under the limit?" (probably with a twing of disbelief in my voice.)

"Yes." (again, the sweet smile.)

"Then I must have misjudged." (a superficial apology)

Nothing more said during her extended checkout process. Many items, plus the cashier needing to come around to scan the heavy items below.

After witnessing this, when she came back to my end of her cart, I said "I don't believe you.", trying to keep it light but still make my point.

"Well, there was 25 items" she admitted, "But you don't have to be so rude about it." (Her claws were out.)

"I don't think I was being rude. Rude is ignoring the rules and making everyone behind you wait." (enough with the lightness)

She stomped off saying something to me over her shoulder, but I couldn't make it out and probably that's good.

Of course when you only hear one side of a story, the other side always looks bad. But still, could you share your thoughts on this.

Thanks,

John

 

[RadarTech]

John,
I would say part of the blame is on the store and the cashier...
I was at wally world a few weeks ago and something similiar happened..
the casheir looked at the cart and told the lady, "I'm sorry mam, but I can't help you, you have more than 10 items, I'll have to call a manager for an override." The lady stormed off..

As I was right behind her with 2 items, I asked her "really????" She said "no, but she was tired of folks with 15 to a buggy full trying to take the shortcut."

Then I asked what happens when she asks a manager

"management supports us..."

now that is a good story, your mileage may vary...


J

 

[Bird]

John, I've seen the same thing a number of times. I think it's very discourteous of her to go to the express line when she has more items than the sign says is the limit (15 in some stores, 20 in others). However, . . . I never say anything to them because I don't see anything to be gained. If they're that kind of people, you're not likely to change them.

I've also seen the old joke, many times, of the person going to the express line with a cart full of groceries and the clerk asking, "Which 15 items do you want?" It may make a good joke, and I'd love to see it done, but I doubt any store would ever do it because they don't want to antagonize that customer.

Another thing that sometimes annoys me is the old women who wait until every item has been scanned, they're told the total, and only THEN they begin to search through a big purse for the right amount of cash, or for their checkbook to start writing a check. But again, I don't say anything.:laughing:

The last time I went to a Pep Boys auto parts store, I had one $30 item, there was only one other customer in the store, and that was an old lady with about $20 worth of merchandise ahead of me at the cashier's counter. She searched a long time for a credit card, then the store's computer rejected it, and the search started all over. After 15 minutes (literally!), I left my item sitting there, walked out, and went to a different company's store. Now I could sympathize with the poor old senile lady, but there were no other customers, and plenty of employees standing around, so they could have had a second cashier go to work. Needless to say, they lost the sale to me that day, and I likely will not be back in their store.

 

[charlz]

Obviously if she wasn't already trying to pull as fast one she would have done the polite thing and let you go in front of her.

You were a lot more polite than I would have been

 

[beenthere]

She may have gone off in a huff, but I'd be willing to bet she will think about it before doing it again.
So, I think it was worth it, and you were "polite" about how you did it.
Also, it will support the store also should be doing something about it.
The signs are good, but the cashier is not in a good position to say "read the sign, go away". I like the comeback "the register will hang up at the limit". Could then have the register stop, give a total, and send her to the back of the line for the remaining items.
I think it is a store thing to police and not let people get to the register if others are waiting in line with less than the # of items.

I let people go ahead in line with fewer items. But did that the other day, only to find out the lady was a friend of the cashier, and they launched into a long chat with a third store employee about the latest gossip. That is when I get a bit un-glued. Hate when the cashier is carrying on a conversation with others around while checking me out (or not!).

 

[Duffster]

Well you where a bit of an *****. :laughing:

I would never butt in front of anyone, in any line, that had only a handful of items. And I expect the same from others. I will use the express lane if available no matter how full my cart is.

 

[dave1949]

I don't think you were necessarily wrong to say something, but I agree with Bird it is probably fruitless. It is the store's policy, and up to them to enforce it.

On the other hand, I have been directed into the express line by cashiers, when it was empty and I had over the limit items but not a cart full, and the regular lines are backing up.

I think it's nice if the cashier does that, bad luck for somebody who shows up 2 secs. later behind me with a couple items. I suppose I look guilty

Another line etiquette item is when the lines are growing and a cashier opens another register. It's really nice if they pointedly take or ask for the person next in line, not just whoever gets there first.

We've all experienced the senile old person ahead of us. I guess I am old enough now to think, 'Please don't let that be me someday'.
Dave.
Dave.

 

[LMTC]

BTDT. Remain convinced that 99.99% of those who do that will continue in spite of anything I say or do. All about self-centeredness. Totally different when a manager or cashier tells someone to come through express because lines are busy and express is not.

I once complained to a manager (grocery chain, America's largest), and he told me company policy was to NOT confront customers when that happens. Same with the old "cash only" lines.

 

[polo1665]

John, You did the right thing. Even if it fell on deaf ears in this case, I think it is important to express your dissatisfaction with the lady's behavior. She will definitely keep doing it if no one ever says anything about it and it didn't sound like you were too rude about it.

Mark

 

[Egon]

For me, being in no hurry to get to where I'm going it's a non issue!

More time to watch the young matrons!:thumbsup: But unfortunately can't recall why ?