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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Jojo Maman Bébé ‘locked door procedure’

136 replies

Redolent · 30/08/2020 00:05

Sorry if this has been posted before. Jojo Maman Bébé next to me, ever since reopening, has always had its doors locked. You have to knock for a staff member to let you in, and then one of them has to let you out. It’s always appeared deserted every time I walk past, and that’s probably no coincidence (it just looks shut). The staff are also VERY jittery in general about touching items etc in the store. I guess I just find it mildly inhospitable and counterproductive for a business to do this. Feels like a hassle for me and them if I just want a quick browse.

Checked online and this is part of their post-covid reopening policy: “ Introducing a locked door procedure to control customer flow.”

OP posts:

Marmosetmarmalade · 30/08/2020 00:09

I went into one earlier in the week and the door was open, didn’t get the impression that nothing should be touched either.

sycamorecottage · 30/08/2020 00:40

A carpet & flooring superstore near me is like that.

You have to stand outside the locked doors and text them. They then let you in. When they feel like it. Or not, as the case may be.

I stood there for a quarter of an hour, looking in at two staff members sitting at a desk and peering at a computer. In the end, I thought fuck this for a game of soldiers and walked off. Bought my carpet somewhere else.

FuckwitMcGee · 30/08/2020 00:53

FFS. You can always spot the people who have no clue what its like for retailers.

Original poster

Redolent · 30/08/2020 00:55

@FuckwitMcGee

FFS. You can always spot the people who have no clue what its like for retailers.

I can see what it’s like for them: a deserted store devoid of shoppers. How is this a desirable outcome?

OP posts:

SavingShoes · 30/08/2020 04:06

Isn't there a law about holding people against their will?

lucylocketspockets · 30/08/2020 04:16

@SavingShoes

Isn't there a law about holding people against their will?

Ffs

what do you think they are going to do, refuse to let you leave the shop ?

Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow · 30/08/2020 04:21

I’m amazed at retailers who think this is sensible. Their staff are more at risk of a dying of boredom than covid.

I’m trying to support local shops but I just wouldn’t go in. I also don’t go places which take my temperature. I know when I feel ill with a fever and covid or not, I wouldn’t be out.

heartsonacake · 30/08/2020 04:28

YABU. What’s the issue? If you don’t like it, don’t shop there.

heartsonacake · 30/08/2020 04:29

I also don’t go places which take my temperature. I know when I feel ill with a fever and covid or not, I wouldn’t be out.

Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow You might not, but there are plenty of idiots who will go out when they’re not well with Covid.

nicebreeze · 30/08/2020 04:34

@Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow

I’m amazed at retailers who think this is sensible. Their staff are more at risk of a dying of boredom than covid.

I’m trying to support local shops but I just wouldn’t go in. I also don’t go places which take my temperature. I know when I feel ill with a fever and covid or not, I wouldn’t be out.

I think 40-odd thousand people died of Covid, not boredom.

Just wake up and realise plenty of people do walk about spreading colds, norovirus, Covid, etc., let them take your sodding temperature. Just because they're retail workers doesn't make them less important than your need to shop.

Minesril · 30/08/2020 04:34

Yep the one in Cambridge did this. I am never going there again until they stop.

Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow · 30/08/2020 04:41

I don’t go places that take temperatures. I don’t refuse - I just don’t go. It’s not a medical appointment and it’s a complete waste of time as utterly inaccurate. I wouldn’t be out with a fever.

The risk form covid is currently minuscule. The economy is tanking and 99 per cent of people will barely suffer symptoms. It’s time to get our lives back.

A locked door on a shop? What a joke!

Marchitectmummy · 30/08/2020 04:46

The one near us is similar, however rather than feel negative about it it gives me comfort that they take the safety of their staff and customers seriously. Now isnt a time to just randomly browse and touch things is it?

oakleaffy · 30/08/2020 04:53

@Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow

I’m amazed at retailers who think this is sensible. Their staff are more at risk of a dying of boredom than covid.

I’m trying to support local shops but I just wouldn’t go in. I also don’t go places which take my temperature. I know when I feel ill with a fever and covid or not, I wouldn’t be out.

The temp thing is fine. Why would anyone care? I find it reassuring- The Apple shops are red hot on temp taking, handing out masks, and hand -sanitising.

They get the owner of any errant computer ti handle it, and disinfect it all over if they have to touch it themselves.

I was concerned I'd fail the temp test as an extremely hot day and I's rushed down to get to my 'Genius Bar 'appt- but luckily temp was normal God Bless Homeostasis.

Aridane · 30/08/2020 05:42

If you don’t like it, don’t go.

feesh · 30/08/2020 06:10

Oh, that explains it then! I walked past one the other week, and thought I’d pop in and see what was in the swimming section.

There were people in but the door was shut, which was odd. I tried the door and it appeared to be locked, so I just carried on walking without going in.

I’ve since purchased swim stuff from somewhere else, so they are not really helping themselves out with this policy. I didn’t know they were deliberately locking the doors as part of some Covid strategy.

LillianBland · 30/08/2020 06:13

I think it can work very well, if there is a member of staff dedicated to watch for customers. It can be horrible shopping in some places, because of the assholes who end up practically breathing in your ear to get something off racks/shelves. It would mean I could actually take my vulnerable daughter into shops, with a little more confidence.

Debradoyourecall · 30/08/2020 06:18

It’s worked fine at my local Jo Jos shop as they come over instantly as soon as you knock on the door. They have a sign up explaining. I think it helps them monitor how many people are inside.

Original poster

Redolent · 30/08/2020 06:28

@Marchitectmummy

But a fair bit of shopping (for me) comes from browsing and unpremeditated purchases... If I’m wearing a mask, using the sanitiser upon entry and keeping my distance, I can’t see why I shouldn’t do that.

OP posts:

Roselilly36 · 30/08/2020 06:33

That does sound an odd policy, surely a member of stand could stand by the open door and control customer flow if SD could be an issue in-store.

Most people I know are choosing not to shop on the High Street, so I would have thought potential customers would be welcomed.

Rubbleonthedouble1 · 30/08/2020 06:35

See that would make me feel better and like they care. Especially in a shop likely to have more pregnant women and tiny babies. It’s good that they are taking it seriously. Agree though it doesn’t make for a nice shopping experience x

Original poster

Redolent · 30/08/2020 06:35

@Roselilly36

That does sound an odd policy, surely a member of stand could stand by the open door and control customer flow if SD could be an issue in-store.

Most people I know are choosing not to shop on the High Street, so I would have thought potential customers would be welcomed.

Yes to the first paragraph...that would make sense. There were three staff members in there and no customers, last I checked. Surely one of them could do that.

OP posts:

SnuggyBuggy · 30/08/2020 06:44

Maybe they want an excuse to close some stores. It seems really self sabotaging

Thecobwebsarewinning · 30/08/2020 06:51

Quite a few shops are doing the locked door thing. Apart from the jumpiness of the staff (which I doubt is official policy) it wouldn’t bother me.

OTOH I went to eat at a new local restaurant recently. I enjoyed myself and the food was good but after I left I realised they had very few CoVid protection measures in place. They didn’t take temps, there was no sanitiser available (but I carry my own now), staff weren’t wearing masks and menus were reused for different tables (they did comply with not having tables prelaid and no condiments on the tables). It made me retrospectively uneasy and I won’t be going back until they improve things a bit. Or maybe I’m being over cautious? It was 12 days ago and we alI seem fine. It’s so hard to know these days.

KitKatastrophe · 30/08/2020 06:51

The Winchester branch has double doors. One is closed and the other blocked by a small crate with a sign on saying something like "please wait for a member of staff to let you in". Then they come over and move the crate to let you it. It's a bit OTT but doesnt really make much difference. I wonder if they've put in stricter measure than elsewhere because many of their customers are pregnant and may feel more vulnerable

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