Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

WIBU To ask for a different lady to scan my shopping?

316 replies

goodoldsussexbythesea · 20/05/2026 19:13

I do my big shop in Tesco once a week. I usually have around 100 items. I do scan as you shop and I seem to get picked a lot for a random basket check. Fine.
There's one lady who always seems to be working on the self-scan when I go in. She's an older lady and she is incredibly slow. It's so frustrating as I usually don't have a lot of time.
I don't just mean a little bit slow either. I mean about 10 seconds or so between scanning each item. With lots of sighing and breaks and stopping. I think last time she could see the frustration on my face because she said "it's stressful, isn't it?" and I'm like yes... because you are being so slow (didn't say this out loud). I almost asked if she'd like to give me the scanner and let me do it for her but I didn't want to be rude.
Last time, the scanner was telling her she needed to scan over 80 items so it took absolutely forever.
And she puts it all back into the bags wrong too.

So anyway, today I went to tesco, got selected for random bag check and saw this lady was on. My heart sank. I needed to rush home and put it all way and then go on the school run. I didn't need another 20 minutes adding on. She started making her way very slowly towards me and I said, in the politest voice I could muster "do you mind if your colleauge does it?" She looked really taken back so I said "it's just I'm in a bit of a rush, sorry" I tried to look as apologetic as I could but she looked really confused and a bit upset.

The colleague heard the conversation, came over and started scanning. I was out of there and in my care in under 5 minutes.

I feel so bad though. I don't like upsetting people and I keep thinking of her face. I just couldn't do it though, it's so bloody painful.

I don't want to be mean enough to say anything to her supervisor but I really don't think she should be on that section. She should be sitting down on one of the tills, where she's not on her feet and customers haven't chosen a quicker option.

WIBU?

OP posts:
Badbadbunny · 20/05/2026 20:56

TY78910 · 20/05/2026 20:47

Well we wouldn’t know if this employee on top of being “old and tired” may have also had a disability, just as she wouldn’t know that the customer in front of her is a single mum with an autistic DC.

And removing an employee from a task due to their age or disability is discrimination to all those suggesting she should be simply moved on to normal tills.

Of course her duties can be changed/re-arranged. An employer only has to take "reasonable" steps to accommodate a staff's needs. If she's unsuitable for a specific task, then it's entirely reasonable for her to be moved to a more suitable one - it's not as if she's being dismissed or pay docked. It's certainly neither disability nor age discrimination for he to be allocated a more suitable task.

Jellybunny98 · 20/05/2026 20:54

I can’t understand why you can’t get your shopping delivered on a Friday between 1 & 4, or on a weekend before/after your shifts OP?

Monvelo · 20/05/2026 20:52

It wasn't a nice thing to have to do, but you had to, and you were as nice as you could be about it.

TheBlueKoala · 20/05/2026 20:51

goodoldsussexbythesea · 20/05/2026 20:48

Here's my schedule, for people determined I just have poor planning and could go another time.

DD2 cannot cope with supermarkets. It's not negotiable. I get paid Thursdays from my pub job and cannot afford to order shopping in advance. My school job is paid monthly and covers the rent and council tax only.

Weekends - have the kids and work in a pub both days for four hours each day. Take DDs to work with me
Monday - DD2 at SEND school until her transport drops her off at 4pm. Other two at school until I pick them up at 3:25. I finish work in a school at 2pm
Tuesday - DD2 at SEND school until her transport drops her off at 1pm. Other two at school until I pick them up at 3:25. I finish work in a school at 12:30pm.
Wednesday - DD2 at SEND school until her transport drops her off at 4pm. Other two at school until I pick them up at 3:25. I finish work in a school at 2pm.
Thursday - DD2 at SEND school until her transport drops her off at 4pm. Other two at school until I pick them up at 3:25. I finish work in a school at 2pm.
Friday - DD2 at SEND school until her transport drops her off at 1pm. Other two at school until I pick them up at 3:25. I finish work in a school at 12:30pm and then I go to my pub job with all three kids from 4:30-8:30pm

Thursday afternoon between 2-3:25 is my shopping window. I have thought about this.

Don't feel guilty. I wouldn't mind if someone didn't want me to scan their shop. As long as I still got paid.

goodoldsussexbythesea · 20/05/2026 20:50

Millytante · 20/05/2026 20:48

Are you sure? Tesco in Ireland do not, though the checkout process may be misinterpreted that way.
The money never comes out, no matter how many times the basket might be updated and checked out in advance, until the items are picked in store on the actual day of delivery. Not long before the allotted delivery time, as a rule. (Believe me, I know and rely on this every week, and have done for years! )

I’d double check that, because I really can’t imagine Tesco Ireland being more customer friendly than the UK lot; they aren't in any other way.

Edited

Yes, the money doesn't come out, I absolutely concur with that. But a check is done on the card to check the money is available when you put through the order or edit it.

OP posts:
Eveoos · 20/05/2026 20:49

SockPlant · 20/05/2026 19:41

i hope when you are old and tired and working past time you thought you would be retired by that some young woman treats you as badly.

If she’s old and tired, she could be happy that a colleague has to do the work that she was about to have to do. Taking four times as long as your colleague is unacceptable when the OP is very busy.

BillieWiper · 20/05/2026 20:49

goodoldsussexbythesea · 20/05/2026 19:54

I have to shop on the day I get paid, which is weekly on a Thursday. I don't have the budget to order it in advance and I'd have to order it a few days before to get the slot I need. I believe they check your card to make sure you've got the money on there, and I wouldn't have on, say, a Tuesday, I'd only have my weekly spending money which isn't as much as I spend on a big shop. If that makes sense.
Same reason I can't get it delivered.
Can't chose another supermarket either as we are remote. I only have a tesco and a waitrose. Otherwise, I'd shop in lidl.

You only pay on the day you receive the delivery. So you just book it for payday.

Nobody is paying in advance for hundreds of pounds worth of shopping. That would be bizarre.

goodoldsussexbythesea · 20/05/2026 20:48

Here's my schedule, for people determined I just have poor planning and could go another time.

DD2 cannot cope with supermarkets. It's not negotiable. I get paid Thursdays from my pub job and cannot afford to order shopping in advance. My school job is paid monthly and covers the rent and council tax only.

Weekends - have the kids and work in a pub both days for four hours each day. Take DDs to work with me
Monday - DD2 at SEND school until her transport drops her off at 4pm. Other two at school until I pick them up at 3:25. I finish work in a school at 2pm
Tuesday - DD2 at SEND school until her transport drops her off at 1pm. Other two at school until I pick them up at 3:25. I finish work in a school at 12:30pm.
Wednesday - DD2 at SEND school until her transport drops her off at 4pm. Other two at school until I pick them up at 3:25. I finish work in a school at 2pm.
Thursday - DD2 at SEND school until her transport drops her off at 4pm. Other two at school until I pick them up at 3:25. I finish work in a school at 2pm.
Friday - DD2 at SEND school until her transport drops her off at 1pm. Other two at school until I pick them up at 3:25. I finish work in a school at 12:30pm and then I go to my pub job with all three kids from 4:30-8:30pm

Thursday afternoon between 2-3:25 is my shopping window. I have thought about this.

OP posts:
Millytante · 20/05/2026 20:48

Frugalgal · 20/05/2026 20:25

Yes they try to take the cost of the shopping at the time you check out so you need the full amount in your account the night before.

Are you sure? Tesco in Ireland do not, though the checkout process may be misinterpreted that way.
The money never comes out, no matter how many times the basket might be updated and checked out in advance, until the items are picked in store on the actual day of delivery. Not long before the allotted delivery time, as a rule. (Believe me, I know and rely on this every week, and have done for years! )

I’d double check that, because I really can’t imagine Tesco Ireland being more customer friendly than the UK lot; they aren't in any other way.

MyDogClive · 20/05/2026 20:48

thehonscupboard · 20/05/2026 20:00

The quick reaction her colleague makes me think they’re aware of the problem. It’s a shame her managers haven’t noticed as it puts everyone in an awkward position. A slow person would suit the manned checkouts perfectly (assuming your branch has them) as I think there’s a contingent of people who go there specifically for the human contact element and wouldn’t mind waiting so much.

I’d imagine that other workers are very aware of the issue. It’s not just OP that’s inconvenienced, it’s all the other shoppers waiting to have their alcohol approved or their security tags removed too.

Brownsauce89 · 20/05/2026 20:48

We have the Tesco shop delivered often once the kids are in bed. It’s super easy! I would order the day you are paid and do it to come the next day. It will save you so much time and maybe money!

TY78910 · 20/05/2026 20:47

TheBlueKoala · 20/05/2026 20:43

She wasn't treated badly. I know many old and tired AND efficient people.

Well we wouldn’t know if this employee on top of being “old and tired” may have also had a disability, just as she wouldn’t know that the customer in front of her is a single mum with an autistic DC.

And removing an employee from a task due to their age or disability is discrimination to all those suggesting she should be simply moved on to normal tills.

Londonrach1 · 20/05/2026 20:47

Got similar issue here in tesco . everyone avoids as a result so her queue is short

MrsWalker2025 · 20/05/2026 20:46

OP there must be a timeframe in your week somewhere that you can get a delivery

BoredZelda · 20/05/2026 20:44

goodoldsussexbythesea · 20/05/2026 20:16

No..... I went shopping today?

With only a tenner? That’s what you said you had left by Wednesday.

TheBlueKoala · 20/05/2026 20:43

SockPlant · 20/05/2026 19:41

i hope when you are old and tired and working past time you thought you would be retired by that some young woman treats you as badly.

She wasn't treated badly. I know many old and tired AND efficient people.

PixieTales · 20/05/2026 20:43

goodoldsussexbythesea · 20/05/2026 20:33

I can't. The time isn't available to me on a Friday. My daughter's SEND school does half days on Fridays. I finish work at 12:30 and have to be home by 1pm for her transport dropping her off, then have to collect the other two by 3:25pm and she can't be in Supermarkets.

You don’t have any time on a Friday to open the door to a pre arranged delivery…?

People are making suggestions to make this easier for you but you seem to keep making excuses of why you can’t do click and collect or have it delivered, or even just use a normal till!

Strawberryteabag · 20/05/2026 20:41

Tesco should not put her on this section, its not fair on her either. My local Asda had a partially deaf women on the pizza counter, everyone had to repeat their order several times and it took forever. I felt awful for thinking it but somebody was taking the piss!

Terfedout · 20/05/2026 20:40

SockPlant · 20/05/2026 19:41

i hope when you are old and tired and working past time you thought you would be retired by that some young woman treats you as badly.

Oh behave. She is being paid to be in a customer facing role. Huffing and puffing and dawdling is not acceptable and a younger person would probably get into trouble for doing it.

MustTryHarderAndHarder · 20/05/2026 20:40

goodoldsussexbythesea · 20/05/2026 20:20

That's not been my experience. It always checks my card for available funds whenever I try to place an order or edit one.
I don't have time available to go on a Friday either. So I can't edit it the day I get paid and then go the next day.

Can you get a credit card and use that to pay for the shopping?

HermioneWeasley · 20/05/2026 20:40

I can’t believe the replies suggesting you’re unreasonable.

you’re an excellent customer in the most competitive market in the world. They have identified that customers want speed and convenience and therefore offer scan and shop. There is no way they should have such a slow employee doing the spot check. She can be on the checkouts instead where people are happy to wait and she can scan at the rate customers can pack.

mathanxiety · 20/05/2026 20:40

You did the right thing, OP, and you've explained your situation very patiently to people here.

You were assertive without being rude. The slow checker should have the awareness that she's very slow -- clearly the other checker was as far as I can read into your posts.

It might be possible to train the slow checker for another role in the supermarket or establish a 15 items or fewer lane for her and another lane for the faster checker.

Phonicshaskilledmeoff · 20/05/2026 20:39

Drives me nuts when I go to the normal supermarkets - I love the stuff flying at me in Aldi 🤦‍♀️😂

I think you were perfectly within your rights to ask - no one deserves to steal your time

columnatedruinsdomino · 20/05/2026 20:37

She had to random check 80 items? What happened to 3 or 4?

Jellybunny98 · 20/05/2026 20:37

goodoldsussexbythesea · 20/05/2026 20:33

I can't. The time isn't available to me on a Friday. My daughter's SEND school does half days on Fridays. I finish work at 12:30 and have to be home by 1pm for her transport dropping her off, then have to collect the other two by 3:25pm and she can't be in Supermarkets.

You don’t need to be in a supermarket to have your shopping delivered on a Friday. You could have it delivered anytime once you are all home on Fridays.

Swipe left for the next trending thread