Page 5 | Woman shouting at security in ASDA?

Driedpotatochip · 2022-10-29T21:40:03+00:00

Just did a quick late night shop, only one door open and as I was walking in this woman with maybe her son were walking out when their trolley locked. As they’d blocked one side of the door I had to wait whilst she was screaming at security at how dangerous this was and security were like - there was signs. But she just kept shouting saying she was going to do more than go to customer service. Was she unreasonable or is locking trolleys ok? I’ve actually never seen it happen before.

Madwife123 · 30/10/2022 17:47

melj1213 · 30/10/2022 11:06

If you don't have a reciept we just find out which checkout/self scan you used and either reprint the receipt or a member of staff verifies that they served you/witnessed you paying at a self scan and the security can unlock the trolley.

The security guard will usually ask a couple of questions to see why the trolley locked, and invariably it's because of the customer's actions and very very rarely is it due to malfunction - either they've switched their smaller trolley for a bigger one at the checkouts (we keep a few big trolleys at the back of the checkouts, usually for people using our mobility scooters who need help to take their stuff out to the car) so it has a "reset" trolley lock that will activate the door lock; or gone back through the self scan entrance because they used the first machine and it is quicker than going through the whole s/scan area; or bought a large item eg a TV at the cigarette kiosk (which doesn't have a deactivation point as it is right next to the exit) etc - so they can advise the customer how to avoid the situation in future.

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But it’s no good informing them customers AFTER they’ve been injured by this. I’m honestly shocked that Asda thinks this is ok.

Madwife123 · 30/10/2022 17:52

melj1213 · 30/10/2022 11:27

How would that work considering the system is designed to stop people who are shoplifting, without warning? The way the system works is that as soon as you go through the security gate at the door the wheels lock if the system hasn't been deactivated. There is technically a small "warning" from the sound of the wheel locking but, obviously, if you're not listening or know to listen for it then it doesn't help.

Also, we have massive, bright yellow signs with huge writing on both doors, next to the doors and on our security podium, with pictures to warn of the trolley locking system ... People will still claim that the signs aren't obvious enough, but since working in retail I have encountered far too many people who seem to become unable to read when they walk into a shop.

I literally once had a man complaining that he'd waited at the kiosk when he wanted customer services and then had to wait again and said "There should be a sign to make it clearer which is which" ... I literally turned to the wall behind my desk with the 5ft illuminated green and white sign saying "CUSTOMER SERVICE" and the 5ft illuminated green and white one at the desk next to me saying "CIGARETTES AND LOTTERY KIOSK" and said "You mean like these signs?". His response? "Well I didn't read that!" 🙄

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And what about those with vision problems, who don’t speak English, who can’t read? Are they ok to injure? I’ve never noticed signs about trolley locks because believe it or not I’m there to do my shopping and go home and don’t tend to look around. I think it’s reasonable to expect supermarkets not to risk injuring their customers. Google shows law suits of people having sustained broken bones as a result!

melj1213 · 30/10/2022 17:56

Madwife123 · 30/10/2022 17:47

But it’s no good informing them customers AFTER they’ve been injured by this. I’m honestly shocked that Asda thinks this is ok.

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How do you want stores to inform customers? Stop everyone before they enter and personally warn them? Have them sign a waiver before they use a trolley?

We inform every customer the second they walk into the building with two massive yellow posters on the doors with words and pictures explaining the anti theft system we have in place.

We also have two more signs on the walls inside the store, next to the doors before you leave and another on the security podium which is located between the doors. You literally can't miss them as they're A1 size, bright yellow and big bold writing. If customers don't see them or don't read them then that is not the store's fault.

Madwife123 · 30/10/2022 18:01

melj1213 · 30/10/2022 17:56

How do you want stores to inform customers? Stop everyone before they enter and personally warn them? Have them sign a waiver before they use a trolley?

We inform every customer the second they walk into the building with two massive yellow posters on the doors with words and pictures explaining the anti theft system we have in place.

We also have two more signs on the walls inside the store, next to the doors before you leave and another on the security podium which is located between the doors. You literally can't miss them as they're A1 size, bright yellow and big bold writing. If customers don't see them or don't read them then that is not the store's fault.

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No I want supermarkets to not use devices that can injure their customers, end of sentence. A warning does not absolve them legally of any injuries caused and like I said not all people can see clearly, read well or understand English. I’m sure once they’ve been sued enough they will rethink.

melj1213 · 30/10/2022 18:45

Madwife123 · 30/10/2022 18:01

No I want supermarkets to not use devices that can injure their customers, end of sentence. A warning does not absolve them legally of any injuries caused and like I said not all people can see clearly, read well or understand English. I’m sure once they’ve been sued enough they will rethink.

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If we have nothing that can injure a customer (or staff member) in stores then they would be empty buildings.

Customers have to take responsibility for themselves - if you read the signs (and as I have repeatedly said they are both written clearly and provide clear pictures for those who can't/don't understand the writing) then you are aware of the trolleys potentially locking at the doors. If customers don't read those signs then that is on them, not the store. If you dislike the policies and procedures in a store you're free to shop elsewhere.

VanillaImpulse · 30/10/2022 20:54

Years ago I used to work for Asda and there were so many people who used to think they could come in for a free trolley dash! They would leave with flatscreen tv's and bottles of alcohol to a car waiting outside. I'm not surprised Asda have had to do something about to prevent it.

AutumnsCrow · 30/10/2022 21:02

How do you want stores to inform customers?

Well they could put the warnings on the trolleys for a start.

Ineedsleepandcoffee · 30/10/2022 22:24

melj1213 · 30/10/2022 17:56

How do you want stores to inform customers? Stop everyone before they enter and personally warn them? Have them sign a waiver before they use a trolley?

We inform every customer the second they walk into the building with two massive yellow posters on the doors with words and pictures explaining the anti theft system we have in place.

We also have two more signs on the walls inside the store, next to the doors before you leave and another on the security podium which is located between the doors. You literally can't miss them as they're A1 size, bright yellow and big bold writing. If customers don't see them or don't read them then that is not the store's fault.

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I have never seen signs about locking trolleys in my local Asda. Next time I go I will check. I would suggest that the warning signs should be in the trolleys themselves. Alternatively or in addition, a red line across the exit at the point where they lock.

AutumnsCrow · 30/10/2022 22:45

I mean, I've got degenerative disc disease in my spine. I've posted on MN threads elsewhere about the awful levels of pain I'm in.

Something like a sudden and unexpected jarring stop and a stumble up against trolley could be a pretty significant medical incident for me. If I stumbled and fell, I'd not be getting up on my own. I'd be in a lot of pain. It's really made me think.

Is that why so many people are now exiting supermarkets at mega-slow tortoise pace? I'll be joining them.

youkiddingme · 30/10/2022 23:00

melj1213 · 30/10/2022 11:27

How would that work considering the system is designed to stop people who are shoplifting, without warning? The way the system works is that as soon as you go through the security gate at the door the wheels lock if the system hasn't been deactivated. There is technically a small "warning" from the sound of the wheel locking but, obviously, if you're not listening or know to listen for it then it doesn't help.

Also, we have massive, bright yellow signs with huge writing on both doors, next to the doors and on our security podium, with pictures to warn of the trolley locking system ... People will still claim that the signs aren't obvious enough, but since working in retail I have encountered far too many people who seem to become unable to read when they walk into a shop.

I literally once had a man complaining that he'd waited at the kiosk when he wanted customer services and then had to wait again and said "There should be a sign to make it clearer which is which" ... I literally turned to the wall behind my desk with the 5ft illuminated green and white sign saying "CUSTOMER SERVICE" and the 5ft illuminated green and white one at the desk next to me saying "CIGARETTES AND LOTTERY KIOSK" and said "You mean like these signs?". His response? "Well I didn't read that!" 🙄

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It can't be that difficult to design a break that works over a space of a few feet rather than inches. The idea is to stop shoplifting. It's irrelevant if there's a warming of a few seconds. You can't just have equipment that could injure someone as a security measure. Several people have said it happened to them on this thread and they weren't shoplifting.
Perhaps one reason people don't read every sign is that they are bombarded with advertising so become accustomed to tuning them out. Approx 10% of people have a degree of dyslexia. 9 million people in the UK are functionally illiterate.

Pixiedust1234 · 30/10/2022 23:14

oohhhhh this explains something that happened to me. During summer I went in with a trolley for something heavy but there wasn't any out (it wasn't compost but that size and heaviness) so I turned round and went out the double doors and the darn thing froze. I thought it was faulty so I picked it up like a wheelbarrow and pushed it out to the trolley bay. Nobody stopped me. Security must have thought I was a right nutter 😂

EscapeRoomToTheSun · 30/10/2022 23:39

This happened to me when sainsburys didn't have the thing I wanted, so I didn't go thru checkout. Scared the absolute bejesus out of me it happens very quickly.

ImustLearn2Cook · 31/10/2022 01:22

youkiddingme · 30/10/2022 05:48

Just a small thought - if the trolley locks in such a way that someone pushing it briskly could be hurt then I doubt any amount of signage makes that acceptable. Surely they could be designed to brake gradually rather than abruptly. Not everyone can read. Not everyone can see well enough to read signs that are at a distance.

I was thinking the same.