Queuing experiences

[DBML]

So far, we’ve had really good, clear lining up experiences at shops. Generally queue spacers marked out and a one in, one out policy. No problem.

Today I’ve just had the worst experience at the Range.

When we got to the range there were about 5 people in the queue. DH and I have been gardening and not in our nicer clothes. I am wearing leggings, trainers and a short T-Shirt.

Although customers were periodically leaving the Range, there was no sign of anyone letting people in. We stood and waited for about 20 minutes, until finally someone came to the door and let the queue of five people in front of us in. There was no one behind us and I’m shivering like mad as it’s cold, but the Range employee stops us going into the store and tells us we have to wait.

We continue to stand for about another 20 minutes. I wanted to leave, but DH needs garden edging to finish the job. We see the five people who had gone in to the store all periodically leave and we’re still stood there. DH saying ‘any minute now, it’s got to be’.

No queue behind us still, so we’re literally waiting in the car park on our own. No one is coming out of store anymore.

About 10 more minutes passed and I am so freaking cold. Employee finally comes out and tells us we can go in.

The store is empty! Not another customer in sight.

We pick up the garden edging strip and head for the tills. A lady employee is practically following us. I spot a peg/pin for a rotary washing line on the way, to fix the line into the ground and pick it up to read the box and see how it works (our line is leaning too far over). This employee literally yells at me for picking up the box and touching things. I was stunned. Put it back. I paid for our strip and left.

Absolutely horrible experience at the Range and won’t be going back. I’ve no problem with the lines and rules and most places make them work well, but dreading the future if this is what it’s going to get like.

How’s everyone else’s experiences been?

[Namechanger20183110]

To be honest, while I appreciate it wasn't nice to wait in the cold, they need to make it less appealing for shoppers to turn up and non buy non essential items like pillows and juke boxes. I have been flabbergasted at the number of people going to the Range, and good on the employees for trying to put people off from going, as from what I've read, they don't think they should be open because of customers not adhering to SD measures, and are being ignored by their bosses at the top. The lady was rude for shouting , but she's having to work in a place that shouldn't be open and has been full to the brim of bored idiots looking to kill a few hours (not saying you are one of those)

[AllsortsofAwkward]

You are aware the range obtained commercial freezer and fridges to stay home putting their staff at unnecessary risk when the rest of the UK had been furloughed and were able to do their gardening. They put profits over their staff. I feel sorry for the staff having to go into work and risk themselves and families unnecessary. The hoarders of people queuing at the range has been ridiculous.

[AllsortsofAwkward]

Also why did it need the two of you. This is the problem op. I've been shopping on my own for my family.

[cornstarch]

Our experience varies from store to store. Waitrose locally works like clockwork. Morrison's has been a nightmare. The security guard regularly disappears to take long phone calls leaving the queue to build and wrap around the car park whilst the store remains practically empty

[ScarfLadysBag]

Probably because people are persisting in queuing and going into shops in pairs unnecessarily.

[ScarfLadysBag]

And you can't go around touching stuff and putting it back! No wonder you got told off. Either research what you need online before you go or ask a member of staff for info. I'm not sure you really understand how this works, wandering around at leisure with your husband and picking stuff off the shelves just to look at it

[Sparklfairy]

I can't work out why buying edging took both of you either

[Stellaris22]

Why did the two of you need to go? I work in a small local food shop and we have a staff member stand outside to queue monitor. I don't understand people coming in pairs as it means one person has to remain outside in the cold.

[homemadecommunistrussia]

Of course you can pick things up to look at them.

[AllsortsofAwkward]

OP please realise the stress the staff are under, they dont want to be there, they shouldn't have to be there but their company has made it impossible for them not to be there without losing their job. For how they treated their staff I wont shop there. Theres even a petition to stop them operating.

[Ponoka7]

Can you explain why two of you went? You've doubled the Staff's chance of infection.

They can only allow so many in at a time and you are part of the problem and hold up. I've been in queues were the excuse has been made that the woman can't carry something but it's her card that they are using. Only for them to walk out with a small item paid for by him.

I'm glad that they are making it unattractive to people to just pop in.

[georgialondon]

Yeah this thread isn't going to go well for you @DBML

[WickedGoodDoge]

Our Range has been very good . There is someone disinfecting the trollies at the entrance so you queue and then get a newly disinfected trolly. You wouldn’t have been allowed in with your DH though as they are strictly enforcing one adult per family.

[RedRed9]

Our Range is being really good. You have to buy an essential item (so you wouldn’t have been let in just to get edging) and they’ve been very thoroughly cleaning trolleys and baskets.

The checkout staff did try to hand me my items that she precariously pilled up in her arms/on her chest though so I would have to practically hug her to take them. But she was fine when I pointed out it would be safer for me to bag them from the end of the till.

[DBML]

Hi all and thank you for your replies.

To answer some of the questions, I didn’t realise the Range deliberately sourced goods, specifically to allow them to stay open and wasn’t aware of any petitions. I do feel for the staff, if they feel under stress because of this.

As for going in pairs, I wasn’t aware this wasn’t allowed. We do everything as a couple, Tesco’s, Asda, Homebase more recently and no one has said anything. We walk to the store as part of our exercise and then get what we need and walk home.
Also plenty of couples/ families shopping so haven’t given it a second thought. In truth I have no excuse, other than I thought it was allowed and as the place is open, I assumed we could shop there.

As for touching the items, we wear gloves, but also, I couldn’t read the description without picking up the box as it was written on the back. Again, I wasn’t aware of rules against this.

I’m happy to be corrected though and take on board what’s been said. I still think I’d rather have just had the employee’s refuse us entry, than be kept waiting for nearly an hour in the cold if they were indeed trying to make a point.

[Oknobutok]

It's not their fault you were inappropriately dressed so therfore cold. I think most places that have a queue have someone on the door all the time to manage it but maybe not places with less staff. Sounds like this was badly managed. But it wasn't essential and doesn't even sound like you were buying anything essential. I've bought things like picture frames when in the supermarket but wouldn't go out just for them.

Also if 2 of you go into the shop you are slightly increasing the risk so probably just one person should go in.

[bloodyhellsbellsx]

Queueing is the new way of life OP so you should have been prepared and taken a jacket. The employee was right to tell you not to touch items you aren’t intending to purchase as you could be spreading the virus, yes you have gloves on but the virus can still be on the gloves.

I’m surprised you have never been challenged for shopping in a pair before, most shops have signs up saying only one person again per household, it’s quite irresponsible of you both to go out browsing for non essential items.

[Oknobutok]

Also we normally do everything as a couple but not now. You can't be unaware lots of places prefer one member of a household. Tbh you have posted asking about this but seem unwilling to accept people's replies.

[Madwife123]

Have you been living under a rock the last 6 weeks? How were you unaware that you shouldn’t be making non essential journeys? That you shouldn’t be in pairs if not needed? That you would have to queue before entering the shop etc.

You needlessly put yourself, your partner and all the store employees at risk. You only have yourself to blame that you were cold.

[DBML]

No, quite right, I should have worn a coat. Whilst gardening I had worked up a sweat, so initially the wind was welcome. It soon got too cold though. Lesson learned.

We’re doing our garden at the moment and the edging was needed as we can’t lay the ground sheet until the edging is out down. What’s the point in the Range being open if we can’t shop there? Not much in there would be classed as ‘essential’ if we are interpreting that as ‘essential to remain alive’.

And no, we’ve never been challenged for shopping in a pair. We’ve seen plenty of couples shopping together in the supermarket and even families with children, so it’s never felt like something we shouldn’t be doing.

Perhaps I’m in the wrong then. But I think if it had been the other way around, I personally would have been a bit nicer. I spend most of my week looking after key workers children, often dropped off by mum and dad, but I’ve never been rude and I really, really don’t want to be working with little children.

I’ll consider my wrist slapped though.

[AllsortsofAwkward]

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news/the-range-coronavirus-petition-claims/

OP do you not read the papers, social media or the news. The government said where possible one member of the household to shop, it doesnt take two adults. It wasn't the staffs fault you dress inappropriately for the weather. Speaking to staff at my local garage where I get my gas and electric they were fed up on the influx of new customers they hadnt seen purchasing none essentials without any regards to the staffs safety. Those in the shops are feeling the pressure and working in unfamiliar environments without any protection.

[AllsortsofAwkward]

Where I lived police where fining people who had bought none essentials outside of B&M and the range. The carpark was full with people like yourselves who wanted to purchase non essential items most coming in twos or families without regard to the staff being forced to work.

[DBML]

Fair enough, but what’s the point in some of these stores being open then?

[RedRed9]

We’re doing our garden at the moment and the edging was needed as we can’t lay the ground sheet until the edging is out down. What’s the point in the Range being open if we can’t shop there? Not much in there would be classed as ‘essential’ if we are interpreting that as ‘essential to remain alive’.

The Range’s argument is cleaning, pet and food items are essential.

So they say they’re there for you to buy eg a bottle of bleach. But that if you also happen to pick up a lamp and bird house at the same time then they’re not going to stop you.

‘Exploiting the loop hole’ like this to remain open is why so many of their staff were upset.

[burnoutbabe]

I still go with my other half to the shops, and then wait with him in the queue, and then go and wait somewhere else when he goes in, then carry back bags with him. 2 of you going in means someone else has to wait longer behind you.