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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect the MORRISONS checkout operator not to embarrass me for using vouchers

93 replies

needsomesunshine · 18/10/2012 10:13

Spent ten pounds in morrisons & used some luncheon vouchers. Checkout woman looked me up & down then asked the next checkout operator if the vouchers were "alright". Than asked me if I got them because I was on benefits! Queue was building up so I politely said no & left. Wish I'd said something now! MORRISONS need to train their staff properly.They're still getting the money & shouldn't make people feel embarrassed for using vouchers. Times are hard!

OP posts:
Original poster
needsomesunshine · 18/10/2012 12:18

That's a good point mrs.ace. I don't think they would've made such a big deal in tescos as they are used to all the vouchers.

OP posts:
PostBellumBugsy · 18/10/2012 12:30

But needsome you didn't have to answer the cashier's question! You could have ignored her and waited for the receipt, you could have told her to mind her own business, you could have asked her why she was asking, you could have asked her to call the manager over. You were the customer, so you could have called the shots.

I'm trying to help you feel empowered - believe it or not. You have no need to feel bad because you receive benefits. Everyone in the country who has a child is a recipient of benefits, as there is universal child allowance (just still I think). I'm also trying to say to you that you shouldn't give a stuff what the cashier in Morrisons thinks and that by feeling embarrassed you are giving her power of you - when she should have none!!!!!!!

PBB goes off to bash her head against another brick wall Wink

AvonCallingBarksdale · 18/10/2012 12:49

PostBellumBugsy, I think that's a great attitude to have, and, tbh, I would most likely have called the cashier on it at the time. But, the reality for the OP is that she felt embarrassed and awkward, so was probably keen just to exit the situation asap! OP, YANBU, she was rude and it's hard when things are tight. I would write/phone the manager, explain and ask that their staff be trained up a bit in this area and also ask what he can offer by way of recompense! If it happens again, you could try some of the stuff PBB suggests.

StuntGirl · 18/10/2012 12:59

There are some staff at our local Morrisons who are awful. I avoid using specific checkouts if I see the rubbish staff on them. Some are an absolute delight though, really depends who you get.

Original poster
needsomesunshine · 18/10/2012 12:59

I have just emailed them saying how embarrassed I was and that they need to retrain their staff. I will let you know there response. Lessons learnt for responses next time. Thanks ladies.

OP posts:
youarewinning · 18/10/2012 13:08

needsomesunshine I was joking in a way of ................. people have an image of people on benefits as having a fab life, being entitled etc. I'd have been tempted to fabricate some story along those lines just to see her response.

I hope you didn't think it was a dig at you Blush

Just meant surely the cashier realises that people use vouchers whatever their circs

Original poster
needsomesunshine · 18/10/2012 13:10

Youarewinning. No offence taken just that that is my life at the moment. Smile

OP posts:
scentednappyhag · 18/10/2012 13:24

My DH gets an amount of Love 2 Shop vouchers every month through a scheme from work. I always feel a bit awkward using them for food at the end of the month if things are running low as I always seem to get the cashier who looks at me like I'm scummy Sad YANBU.
It makes me laugh though when I get disapproving looks while using them to stock up on wine Grin

diddl · 18/10/2012 13:25

Well depending on how she said it, it just sounds like conversation to me.

But I do agree that it´s not really her business.

"I asked a staff member if she could rinse my bowl and she said she couldn't because of health and safety !!!"-tbh, I can´t really see a problem with that-you asked, they said no-and why should they?

Tailtwister · 18/10/2012 13:28

YANBU, how rude! I would definitely contact the store to complain.

PostBellumBugsy · 18/10/2012 13:33

Good for you emailing needsome - Morrisons should be training their staff so they know what vouchers they do or do not take!

MrsAceRimmer · 18/10/2012 13:39

Well done for emailing. There are so many different types of vouchers for about a million different things - it's almost impossible to keep on top of. All the operator needs to do is ask a supervisor or more experienced member of staff.

Original poster
needsomesunshine · 18/10/2012 14:44

Grinscented
Yes is are so much easier for vouchers. Thy just seem to take it in their stride. Maybe morrisons aren't used to shoppers like me : )

OP posts:
SusanneLinder · 18/10/2012 16:01

I love vouchers. I think I am dead money saving using them,but I would have said something if anyone had DARED to ask me why I was using them.

But then I am a huge fan of Extreme Couponing on the telly :o.The Americans love their vouchers and don't care about using them. I used to spend my Sundays cutting them out the paper when I stayed there.

x2boys · 18/10/2012 17:02

tell them to watch extreme couponing [ american programme] i have seen people get hundreds of dollers of shopping for twenty dollers using coupons only problem is you can end up with a shed load of stuff you dont really need

Acumens100 · 18/10/2012 18:08

PostBellum, if you're genuinely unaffected by other people's opinions, feelings, and responses, you're probably a psychopath. Which I suspect is restful! But most people are social, and create their sense of themselves (partly) through their interactions. The vast majority of people, like 99% of all people, are engaged in a complex interactive psychodrama, in which status has real psychological effects. It's very normal to feel shamed when displaying symbols of low status.

It's weird that you haven't noticed this. I hope this info is useful.

JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar · 18/10/2012 18:13

I would have thought that if the vouchers were invalid, they wouldn't have scanned, so it was a bit odd of her to question them.

But yes, the operator was tactless so it would be reasonable to email their customer relations people.

Original poster
needsomesunshine · 18/10/2012 22:09

Didnt get a response today. Will email them again tomorrow and let you know what they say. Disapointed they didn't get back to me though.

OP posts:
missuswife · 18/10/2012 22:28

YANBU. Luncheon Vouchers are an employee benefit and/or expense management tool for businesses. You can use them for your whole grocery shop, not just ready to eat food. I've even included shampoo in a shop and was fine, just not fags or booze. Definitely complain to the manager.

WannabeHarrietVane · 18/10/2012 22:38

Just seen this thread. YANBU for thinking the cashier was rude and nosy but please don't be embarrassed about using luncheon vouchers or money off coupons, it says nothing at all about your ability to pay for your shopping or whether you are on benefits.
I do online surveys and they send me LVs as a perk. I use them in Marks and Spencer usually as I know they definitely take them. The staff don't always know how to process them but they are polite about it! Perhaps I should take them to Morrisons instead and get snotty with educate the rude cashiers

UserNameNotAvailable · 18/10/2012 23:16

YANBU

A few weeks ago I took my mam to morrisons and realised I had a healthy start voucher left so I thought I'd get some fruit with it, I had no money so didn't take my purse with me. I got to the checkout and after sorting out my mam's shopping I went to pay for mine with the voucher, the total was £3 and a voucher is worth £3.10 - I've used my vouchers in lots of shops including morrison's before but I was annoyed to find that "over tender" wasn't allowed, (normally if you use less than the £3.10 no change is given or if you overspend you obviously pay the extra.)
Luckily my mam hadn't gone to the car and lent me some money to buy a chocolate bar so that it would take the total over £3.10. I would have been very embarresed to either say i didn't have any money and put the things back or ask for the manager to be called over to sort it out. I feel crap having to use them anyway (and I say that as someone who loves getting things cheaper by using codes/vouchers but these feel different) without everyone else seeing/hearing my predicament.

jimswifein1964 · 18/10/2012 23:24

I love my luncheon vouchers - I save them up for treats e.g. Starbucks, or something I really fancy from tescos. It never occurred to me that people might look down on me for using them; I earned them, I spend them Hmm

NurseRatched · 18/10/2012 23:26

I feel your pain, OP... it's bloody awful having to explain a supermarket's voucher policy to a member of their own staff - usually in front of an avid audience. I don't blame people who do the tough job of working the check-outs. Imho, their management chooses not to disperse the necessary info as it saves them having to faff around with reclaiming bits and bobs of [voucher-related] discount from the various retailers concerned.

NurseRatched · 18/10/2012 23:40

@Pagwatch - good on you for supporting the woman who had to replace some shopping. One memorable experience of mine = when the computer unexpectedly said 'no' to my debit card in Sainsbury's. The checkout gent was so kind about it that I phoned the manager up later to say thanks. It turned out that someone had intercepted my new debit card and was busy making whoopee with it...

NurseRatched · 18/10/2012 23:42

Hmm my above two posts are a bit contradictory, but I hope OP sees what I mean Grin