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Original poster

Stupid things customers ask on Xmas Eve Eve

538 replies

Mokel · 23/12/2025 06:52

I have done enough years in supermarkets at Christmas.

I remember one question raised by a few customers when putting out bread.
”do you have any bread dated after 28th”
I said if you go to a supermarket on any other 23rd, the latest date on loaves is 28th. As the bakeries always put the date as X days ahead, regardless of the time of year. I remember seeing one of these customers on Jan 23rd and asked them could they find a date longer than 28th. They couldn’t. Retail worker 1 customer 0.

”Is it possible to collect my turkey on Xmas Day?” Erm no.

OP posts:
RhaenysRocks · 23/12/2025 07:51

Emas82 · 23/12/2025 06:53

Where's the eggs? X 100000000

To be fair, eggs seems to be the one thing that no supermarket can agree on where they should go so it's never obvious. Some put them near the mil, some near the bread, some in cereal aisle, some near baking.

Stephy1886 · 23/12/2025 07:47

Xmas eve we would run out of frozen roast potatoes

Folk really upset and couldn't believe it

People wanting to go into the warehouse to look for themselves because they didn't believe you

We would also sell out of certain crates of beer. The drinks isle was mad all day

Folk saying "it's a present for X"

GeminiGiggles · 23/12/2025 07:34

People wanting christmas trees 😡 we started putting them out in October (much to our own disgust) - you had plenty of time I promise.

NotAnotherScarf · 23/12/2025 07:33

When I was a claims manager my colleague had a customer complaint at 2.30 as we couldn't replace the customers TV then and there...an hour and half later my colleague (who was brilliant at her job) just said Mr X "there's nothing I can do, there's no way I can resolve this, I'm going to put the phone down now" to which the customer replied "well I just going to have to get the TV from the bedroom then"

ViaRia01 · 23/12/2025 07:31

I went to the aupermarket after 9pm last night (so very almost 23rd) and asked for a red cabbage. Maybe I was a fool! But anyway they pointed them out to me and it was all good. Got Christmas crackers too
.
The things I couldn’t find were red wine vinegar, vegetable oil, vanilla ice cream. Nothing which I would have thought to be particularly ‘christmassy’.

I did (accidentally) comment to one worker that it was very busy and he was very polite about it but just looked so worn down when replying for the 47th time that day, “yes it’s very busy isn’t it”.

Menopausio · 23/12/2025 07:30

My Parent's owned a newsagent/grocers
Xmas Eve was always bonkers.

  • Do you sell fridges? - erm no - Well youve got a fridge with the cold drinks in so you must sell them !?!
  • I need a food delivery plus papers for tomorrow. - we dont deliver food, plus no papers tomorrow ( 1980s )- I'll complain to your manager- (DM)Im the owner - Ill report you to the police then !?!
Dgll · 23/12/2025 07:29

Crackers and Christmas food are often on discount after Christmas so I don't think it is stupid to at least think there might be a chance that there are some left. Knowing the standard best before dates on bread is also quite job specific knowledge.

ShesTheAlbatross · 23/12/2025 07:25

My old store manager used to say that it never really felt like Christmas until a customer (or 10) had shouted that he’d “ruined Christmas!” because we didn’t have any mince pies left half an hour before closing on Christmas Eve or something equally silly to be looking for that late.

Abittrumpy · 23/12/2025 07:21

Mokel · 23/12/2025 06:52

I have done enough years in supermarkets at Christmas.

I remember one question raised by a few customers when putting out bread.
”do you have any bread dated after 28th”
I said if you go to a supermarket on any other 23rd, the latest date on loaves is 28th. As the bakeries always put the date as X days ahead, regardless of the time of year. I remember seeing one of these customers on Jan 23rd and asked them could they find a date longer than 28th. They couldn’t. Retail worker 1 customer 0.

”Is it possible to collect my turkey on Xmas Day?” Erm no.

Long life bread would have been post 28th

Parky04 · 23/12/2025 06:56

Still wanting to buy advent calendars!

Coffeeandcaketime · 23/12/2025 06:54

This was Xmas Eve. But people banging on the shutters when we closed early (3pm) to set up the sale for Boxing Day (often working until 10pm!) begging to buy a gift card like it’s our fault they left it so late!

Emas82 · 23/12/2025 06:53

Do you have any crackers left? (This one is usually 3pm on Xmas eve)

Emas82 · 23/12/2025 06:53

Where's the eggs? X 100000000

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