More checkout chat

We have a very small M&S simply food in our large village.
The staff are unfailingly very kind and chatty.
It is a pleasure to shop there.

There are still plenty of good people around..
On Tuesday a lovely young lad at a shop with a middle had everyone laughing and trying to remember the proper lyrics to a carol. He said he didn’t think he should sing the rude version.😁

I think M and S staff are excellent. When I many years ago shopped with a small baby, asda staff were also unfailingly kind.

I do that every day I’m working, sometimes a customer objects and insist on packing (“”I’m perfectly capable thank you”) but grouches are all part of the job.

Hi Katie. I tried not to be a grouch but in my 60s I did big shop on bike and filled bags to go into panniers and on top of the grip. Did feel bad if someone started packing and I had to unload - and did give something to any disappointed youngsters/charity packers who wouldn’t understand. In my 70s, when using the local co-op, I’d put all the heavy stuff into backpack and lighter stuff into the bag I’d carry in left hand (plate in upper arm) - using right arm for stick. Now I’m glad to hover around the intercom awaiting deliveries.

So good to hear!
Our town centre small-ish Sainsbury’s used to be very good with a frail, elderly neighbour, now in a care home. Her dh was disabled after a stroke, so she used to leave him having a coffee in the Maison Paul across the road while she shopped. Staff would not only help her to pack, but would carry her shopping across the road, and see her and her dh into a taxi (there was a rank close by). 👏👏

I had a very pleasant experience (!) with a young male cashier in Aldi last week. Unfortunately, when I went round to M&S the young chap in there was hopeless. Probably new, maybe just a Christmas temp, but he made no eye contact at all and other than telling me how much to pay, said absolutely nothing. I have to say he was impeccably groomed….but with the charm of a brick.

How countries differ. ALL German and Dutch checkout staff do this as a matter of course for the elderly or infirm!

I had a very unpleasant experience with a phone call to my bank yesterday . I eventually told the young lady she did not know what she was talking about as I used to work for same bank . Eventually I discovered that you now cannot go into a branch and change the type of account you hold . It has to be done by phone or online . I asked about the staff discount for the new account and she was sure there was no such thing. I pointed out that I already had a discount with the account I hold . When I think of the kind of service we used to provide for our cuystomers it breaks my heart to see what is happening now .

Floradora9

I had a very unpleasant experience with a phone call to my bank yesterday . I eventually told the young lady she did not know what she was talking about as I used to work for same bank . Eventually I discovered that you now cannot go into a branch and change the type of account you hold . It has to be done by phone or online . I asked about the staff discount for the new account and she was sure there was no such thing. I pointed out that I already had a discount with the account I hold . When I think of the kind of service we used to provide for our cuystomers it breaks my heart to see what is happening now .

Can confirm this, to open an account you have to provide identity - passport etc the we got directed to an IPad terminal where we input directly online ourselves.

That’s the way it is these days, the minimum personal contact, recently we used a hotel with online checkin, just entered booking number and a “virtual” receptionist gave instructions and a room card popped out. Another was an online app, the smart phone opened all the doors and the lift too.

Progress?.

Lovely to have help at Sainsbury’s on Monday. We had doubled up points during their promotion, but I couldn’t find where the coupon was when we went to pay for our scan and go shop.
Sean cheerfully offered instant advice and waited to check it had worked before going to repeat the process with the young mum next to us (her baby was really cute).
A really big shop cost us £1.52.

I won't use the self service checkout I know some of the people who work at our local supermarket and I want them to keep their jobs.

I have migrated to Ocado for my heavy shopping as the delivery ma carries it upstairs to my kitchen . For a smaller shop I prefer the manned tills
In Holland certain supermarkets have yellow Tills where the staff are able to chat to the elderly customers. Unlike our checkouts where they have to scan as fast as possible

Katie59

That’s the way it is these days, the minimum personal contact, recently we used a hotel with online checkin, just entered booking number and a “virtual” receptionist gave instructions and a room card popped out. Another was an online app, the smart phone opened all the doors and the lift too.

Progress?.

It will certainly cut costs for the hotel (chain?), supermarkets, etc. This is just the beginning of the end of commercial personal contact.

How long before we are forced to consult a software programme - a 'virtual' doctor / bot when we need to see a real-life doctor? The econsult form is the precursor. A sort of 'filtering' device. If you are financially 'comfortable' you will of course be able to see a doctor, but for most of us I suspect that via the NHS, it will become increasingly rare.

It occurs to me that with the advancement of AI which will dispose of the need for humans, the workplace will become a different world. So many surplus humans with no jobs for them to do. It means we will have to re-think the way Capitalism works.

A convenience store close to us has wonderful customer service. Staff regularly help a neighbour who has dementia, occasionally even accompanying her home. They are kind, courteous and patient with everyone. Can’t ask for more.

Love or hate self checkouts, I guess they're here to stay. Even Booths are keeping them in their busier stores. Our local Booths is having a problem at the moment. At busiest times, They need more staff at the hot food counter, followed by more staff at the checkouts. Then there are the complaints about customers with trolleys using the 10 or less counter, where one staff member serves cigarettes/vapes/stationery and lottery tickets.

Ruby song I am with you as far as Self Checkout is concerned.
I don’t use them on principle.

I have a hatred for self checkouts! Something always goes wrong!- Always! I use them when ive my adult sons with me and they know what theyre doing- and they go still wrong- amazing!

Ive a feeling Booths wont be on the high street much longer anyway.Too expensive! It used to be M&S were considered 'high brow' & expensive but not now.

Recently shopped at Pets at Home. Bought quite a lot of stuff, but had also ordered 60 litres of cat litter on line. I told the girl at the till - "I'll just take these goods out to the car first and come back for the online purchase as I won't be able to manage it all in one go". By the time I got to the car one of the assistants was making her way towards me bringing the "online purchase" in a trolley and she put everything in the boot of my car. So helpful.

It's surely going ever AI. Not surprising as it will cut staff costs hugely and when one company or bank does it, the others follow suit.

However we have bucked the trend in our small town's community store.
We have 2 tills and card readers but we also accept cash and quite a good few still insist on cash.

I have been into an actual bank branch a couple of times this year and it was helpful. If only because I knew that I wasn't being scammed.
The employee assigned to help me was quick on the texting so although she had to set up the service online too, it was far quicker and better than if I had been struggling at home.

Hi
It would be a lovely idea to send the shop an email mentioning this member of staff with as much info as you can 🙂

Yes it’s always nice and makes a change when someone takes the trouble to let the organisation know that their staff member has been extra helpful.

Some lovely, friendly staff at our local Waitrose. Band self service I say.