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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to think the person answering their phone at Sainsbury checkout was ignorant

116 replies

daisychain01 · 07/07/2013 10:17

As soon as I heard the news item about the checkout assistant in Sainsbury telling the customer (while yabbering on their mobile) that they would only start ringing the items through when the person put their phone away, I felt they were absolutely justified and very brave. And also to think that Sainsbury shot themselves in the foot by NOT backing their employee up (they have since cynically changed their stance).

Checkout people do a great job, despite pretty crap conditions (try staying smiling for a whole 6 hour shift and listening to that bloody beep, beep beep OMG) and they don't need people with zero social skills holding things up and not engaging - instead of jawing they could have at least enjoyed a bit of banter or pleasantries, "how's yer belly off for spots?" anything to re humanise a job that technology has effectively stripped of any skill - they don't even need to add up anymore!

I had a real winner the other day... Not only was the woman in front of me in full conversation, but she completed the whole credit card transaction without looking up at the person serving her, no thank you, nothing, then to top it all, rather than walking ahead and round, she pushed BACK up through the queue with her bags, still talking! Maybe that's why the news story made me fume!! Angry. Oh well, rant over. Sorry its too steamy hot for all this ... Happy Sunday y'all

OP posts:
Original poster
daisychain01 · 07/07/2013 12:08

I think the point is the manner in which taking a call when in public - it is perfectly reasonable for a person to excuse themselves and quickly take the call. I am sure the checkout lady in Sainsbury would have been very accommodating in that situation. When someone cant be bothered to think "how does this look to other people?" "Who else am I in the company of here?" That's when i part company with their approach of chatting away oblivious to the world around them

Yes, agreed the sound of a constantly ringing phone is a pain, but it seems pretty simple to me, why not use the off-button? Or leave the phone in the car glovebox.... ?

OP posts:
Original poster
daisychain01 · 07/07/2013 12:16

Vix, I am not sure how checkout staff can chat amongst themselves when they are on separate tills, invariably under immense pressure to be scanning stuff thru, and having to stop when they get a backlog to ensure the customer doesn't end up having to pack 3 bags at once (a downside of scanners being so quick rather than hand entering prices for each item!).

Anyway, do two wrongs make a right?

OP posts:
durbanmummy · 07/07/2013 12:18

I was in the queue for checkout a few days ago when the chap being served answered his phone. Everyone in the queue was 'treated' to a loud (one sided) argument in which he tried to convince his wife that he was at the store. After a couple of minutes he thrust his phone at the cashier saying "please tell my wife where I am"
The cashier obliged and he went on his way!

JessieMcJessie · 07/07/2013 12:20

I agree she was rude. However "ignorant" doean't mean rude, it means "unaware" eg "he was ignorant of the rules". And "how's yer belly for spots" is one of the most unpleasant expressions I've heard in a long time.Wink

WhereYouLeftIt · 07/07/2013 12:30

JessieMcJessie, with a nickname like that (implying you are Scots) I cannot believe you have never heard the word ignorant being used to mean rude! Smile

JessieMcJessie · 07/07/2013 13:08

I have heard it a million times and that is why I hate its misuse so much!

theodorakisses · 07/07/2013 13:44

God, if I didn't talk on my phone when I was doing mundane things (and I don't like checkout people who make conversation), I wouldn't get anything done. I actually couldn't care less what people think. I need to be contactable 24/7, it's my job.

Lj8893 · 07/07/2013 13:44

I get what Jessie says, ignorant isn't really a rudeness thing.

But ignorance can easily be misunderstood as rudeness.

Lj8893 · 07/07/2013 13:48

Theodora what an arrogant and disrespectful thing to say.

Fine if you don't want to chat to the cashier, I don't chat to all my customers, only the ones who clearly want to chat to me (which is most tbh) and people with your attitude I certainly wouldn't want to talk to!

But there are questions a cashier does need to ask you, like if you want bags, any help packing, if there's any offers they need to talk to you about (part of thier job!!), if there's something wrong with any of your items, how are you paying, and the amount. And that's not even taking into account the politeness of hellos, thankyous, pleases and goodbyes.

catwithflowers · 07/07/2013 13:52

Theodora Biscuit

SoupDragon · 07/07/2013 13:54

How can a cashier give you their best customer service if you are on the phone?!

Easily. Simply put the items through in a timely and accurate fashion, thus avoiding having to talk to the person chatting on the phone.

TBH, I don't need social interaction when having my items scanned although I do always smile and say thank you at the end.

comingintomyown · 07/07/2013 13:55

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Lj8893 · 07/07/2013 13:56

Clearly you have never worked in customer service soup dragon.

SoupDragon · 07/07/2013 13:57

Clearly you know nothing, Lj8893

Lj8893 · 07/07/2013 14:00

I'm sorry, that's a tad more offensive than my comment to you.

There is more to customer service than just putting through the items in a timely and accurate fashion. That is why it seems to me you haven't worked in customer service.

Don't see how that makes me know nothing? Please explain.

Lj8893 · 07/07/2013 14:00

I'm sorry, that's a tad more offensive than my comment to you.

There is more to customer service than just putting through the items in a timely and accurate fashion. That is why it seems to me you haven't worked in customer service.

Don't see how that makes me know nothing? Please explain.

Lj8893 · 07/07/2013 14:02

Stupid phone, didn't mean to post that twice!

SoupDragon · 07/07/2013 14:02

Oh, it's not rude to make judgemental assumptions about people then? Ok.

SoupDragon · 07/07/2013 14:02

My comment is no more offensive than the one to which is was referring.

theodorakisses · 07/07/2013 14:03

Like I said, I don't care. Best not to travel abroad with such delicate sensibilities. Why would I want to analyse the standard of customer service at a bloody supermarket. You put the stuff on the belt, they scan it you pay and leave. What is this extra service? Polishing the apples? Dull conversation about my purchases? No thanks.

SoupDragon · 07/07/2013 14:04

Good customer service is about treating the paying customer how they would like to be treated (within the boundaries of the job, obviously).

Lj8893 · 07/07/2013 14:04

I have explained my assumption about you not working in customer service.

You haven't explained your assumption about me knowing nothing.

theodorakisses · 07/07/2013 14:05

Well then please leave me alone to do what I want. That's good customer service, not whining about phones.

Lj8893 · 07/07/2013 14:05

Yes and good manners would be to give the person serving you your full attention so they can do thier job properly.

theodorakisses · 07/07/2013 14:13

It is bonkers that so many people are getting in such a state about someone using their phone at the checkout!

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