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Original poster

To think Lidl packing policy is bonkers...?

192 replies

malificent7 · 07/01/2021 13:03

I take my shopping bags to Lisl. At the till they think they are safer/ customers are quicker if they put their shopping in a basket 1st then took basket over to side and pack there coz of COVID..
I pointed out to the cashier that I would ve in the shop less time if i put shopping straight into my bags and walked out...id also be near her the exact same amout of time. Am i thick or something?
In effect customers are packing twice/ loitering longer.

OP posts:
popsydoodle4444 · 07/01/2021 15:07

They don't like you packing at the till as it means it takes longer to serve the next customer.They have targets on how many items per hour they have to scan hence they scan and practically throw your shopping at you.Failure to continually meet these targets could actually result in them losing their job as it's classed as not meeting targets as set out in their job contracts.

Help them meet their targets by packing at the shelf.Its not the cashier's fault.

Heartlantern2 · 07/01/2021 15:08

Weather you like it or not- agree with it or not- it’s a silly rule to load the trolly up three times when it can be done twice.

In the trolly- out on the till- back into the trolly in bags-straight into the car. Adding a extra step when it takes ages if you shop weekly is just inefficient and slacking in common sense.

If you need to pack at the shelf as a slower pace is better for you then that’s a different story, but I don’t see why people who need the extra time should be shamed into going to the packing shelf.

Roasteros · 07/01/2021 15:10

@Ariela

I see it as a challenge to pack faster than the till operator can manage. I do lay out in the order I want on the conveyor belt by bag, and leave my bags lined up in the trolley, so it's a case of as soon as the assistant has let go it's packed.
Are you me? I was only asked once to pack at the shelf, didn't, then was complimented by the cashier for my speed. I frequently get compliments from customers and cashiers alike for the speed of my packing!
Rosebel · 07/01/2021 15:10

Our Aldi asks you to pack at your car if possible so not a strict rule. I usually do but it was so cold today that I used the packing shelf.
It gives me unjustified rage when people take the piss packing their stuff at the checkout (on any supermarket but especially Aldi and Lidel).
Although they've got better recently they don't place a huge emphasis on good customer relations. It's all about getting customers in and out as quickly as possible. No cash bonus for the staff but you do get a bollocking if you're not quick enough (according to my friend who works there).

Viviennemary · 07/01/2021 15:11

I think it does make it quicker for others in the queue. I'm a slow hopeless packer

greeneyedlulu · 07/01/2021 15:13

it is silly but I have those asda bags with the plastic hooks to keep the bags open on the trolley so i just use those and pile stuff up on top then sort it at the car if need be.

firsttimedad79 · 07/01/2021 15:13

It's not just in stores either. I'm a lorry driver and when we deliver to their distribution centres we have to unload our own lorries!! I remember the first time I went into one, was chuntering under me breath the whole time!

hansgrueber · 07/01/2021 15:14

@Whatwill2021bringus

That’s not just due to covid. That has been the same for many years but often they just let people pack at the till anyway.

Several years ago now I shopped in Aldi for the first time (didn’t have one in my area so had never been). Started parking at the till as that was what I was used to and I got told off and told to pack along the bench thing at the front or in my own car. I was fuming at the time 🤣

I've been using Aldi for over 40 years, in Germany first, originally there was only space for a trolley, the cashier inputted the price and slid the good into your trolley which you then packed at the bench. I can't bear the ditherers who not only insist on packing at the till but also have a specific bag for specific items, they then get confused, holding everyone up.
teawomen · 07/01/2021 15:16

I grab an empty box on the war around and throw (not literally but feels like jt) all my shopping in a box and just pick it up and put it in the boot of car. Then carry in house without a bag. My DH hates HATES that I do this but so much easier. Hates it only because the box never fits in recycling bin.

hansgrueber · 07/01/2021 15:19

A friend of my daughter was told off by the management of Morrisons for putting goods through the till too quickly apparently some old chap had complained that she was too fast for him!

BlueThistles · 07/01/2021 15:31

@hansgrueber

A friend of my daughter was told off by the management of Morrisons for putting goods through the till too quickly apparently some old chap had complained that she was too fast for him!
She sounds good ... I wish there was more like her Flowers
suggestionsplease1 · 07/01/2021 15:32

The trick is to intersperse your weighed items- fruit, veg, nuts and bakery products that are coded amongst the rest of your shopping to get in that extra second or 2 to pack! Always have a few weighed items as the last on the conveyer belt to give you time to finalise bags and get bank card out.

19lottie82 · 07/01/2021 15:34

Nah, exactly the reason I don’t use Aldi,
stupid rule.

It’s how they keep productivity of staff up and have less employees, they can then charge less, passing the savings on to customers.

If it doesn’t work for you and you prefer to shop at Asda and pay an extra 30% every trip then that’s fair enough, but it’s hardly a “stupid rule”.

SlopesOff · 07/01/2021 15:41

@JerichosPenisInADeadChickHat

"Use the self check out instead"

They don't exist in Lidl

Yes they do. Ours are by the booze aisle.
Otherpeoplesteens · 07/01/2021 15:42

I normally just chuck everything back into the cart and then decant it into folding plastic crates which remain in the car boot. I've been using the same crates for over fifteen years.

What drives me mad with Lidl at the moment though is the empty shelves. This morning: no chicken, no pork. None of the "pick of the week" meat/fish offers supposedly starting today. Just empty shelves, like the USSR circa 1977. "They didn't send us any" was the helpful response to my enquiry.

Graciebobcat · 07/01/2021 15:44

It definitely takes longer to pack at the bench if you have a large trolley load. As you have to repack carefully into the trolley first, heavy items at the bottom, and then get every single item out again, all over the bench, because the heavy things are now at the bottom, then pack the bags at the bench, heavy items at the bottom.

Instead of the one process of shoofiing it into trolley bags at the rate it comes down the conveyor, bread and crisps going in a separate bag, you have two, thus meaning you spend longer in the shop and more potential exposure to Covid.

Plus at my local Aldi, there really is not space to pack a big trolley at the bench and for other shoppers to get past without getting really close to you. There is much more space if people pack at the till.

SlopesOff · 07/01/2021 15:46

@hansgrueber

A friend of my daughter was told off by the management of Morrisons for putting goods through the till too quickly apparently some old chap had complained that she was too fast for him!
I complained about a young woman putting stuff through very quickly, but not because of the speed, it was because she was actually throwing it down the conveyor belt and damaging tomatoes and eggs etc. We packed it as fast as possible but had some manky bruised and leaky shopping when we got it home and unpacked it again.

Speed is fine, within reason, and when you are used to the Lidl checkout you can be organised and ready for it. We put it into the bags in the trolley unless it builds up, then I bung it in and re-pack at the shelf, although we tend to use the self checkout these days as we don't do a full shop in Lidl.

Uhhuhoyaye · 07/01/2021 15:48

If it isn't raining or snowing, I pack my bags at the car not at the counter/bench.

I appreciate you cant do this if you dont have a car, but I think it minimises time in the shop which is the goal at present.

I didn't used to do this before Covid.

HoboSexualOnslow · 07/01/2021 15:51

I'm a saddo that goes on Saturday night when it's empty so I'm not hurried along!

Graciebobcat · 07/01/2021 15:56

The funny thing is when you get used to Aldi/Lidl packing speeds, it's like swimming through treacle at the checkout when you shop anywhere else.

Carysmatthews · 07/01/2021 15:57

This has always happened. You’ve never been allowed to pack your shopping at the till. They have to hit scanning targets so you are slowing them down by insisting you’ll pack at the till. If you want manners and don’t like having your shopping thrown at you, you are better avoiding Lidl and Aldi. Personally I’d rather pay more and be treated like a human.

WouldBeGood · 07/01/2021 15:57

Lidl is always like that, it’s not a new Covid procedure

Robbybobtail · 07/01/2021 15:58

One of the reasons I never shop there anymore (that and the rotten fruit and veg and tasteless own brand items)

WouldBeGood · 07/01/2021 16:00

Ooh, I love a bit of Lidl

Nomorescreentime · 07/01/2021 16:01

This isn’t a new thing. It’s always been the same at budget shops, I used to help my Nan pack at the bench at Kwik Save. Most Iceland branches around here are the same too. I guess if you’re used to the more sedate pace of a Waitrose/Sainsbos shop it can come as a shock Grin