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Policing the public is impossible!

12 replies

LMBoston · 28/03/2020 17:36

We have a small, rural family business (me, two family members and 3 staff) that is on the government list of permitted retailers. We sell lots of things that are definitely essential...and lots of things that aren’t, although they are in high demand at the moment (home/garden type goods!).
All employees have been given the option of staying at home on full pay while a couple of us run the business on a call & collect basis (none want to!), we’ve reduced hours and are keeping the shop door locked (customers have to knock and wait). Obviously we are strictly enforcing hygiene and distancing and have been for a couple of weeks.
However! No matter how many times we say, how many signs we put up asking if their trip to us — ie their leaving the house — is NECESSARY etc, locals are coming in for non-essentials and moaning that if we’re allowed by law to open then we should be open for everything with no restrictions. I see their point — I guess, to them, their purchase IS essential! — but the lack of clarity regarding retail is causing real problems. For example, if a greengrocer is open, should it only be allowing people to buy vegetables (essential) and not monkey nuts and local honey?!
I’m already utterly fed up with trying to “police” this, fed up with getting a gobful off frustrated customers (and some who think we should be closed, although I saw them at the off licence yesterday happily buying their essential booze!) and yet was reduced to tears by an elderly gent who was so grateful we were open so he could get batteries for his wife’s TENS machine. I’d happily shut completely if it wasn’t for the fact that, if we did, there might not be a business to re-open, plus the senior family member is adamant we stay open Confused
I just wish the general public would use their common sense — I am not a police officer or government enforcer and, if people folllowed the rules, I wouldn’t have to act like one!

OP posts:
esjee · 28/03/2020 17:43

If you're permitted to be open, I think the sensible thing is to allow anything in your shop to be purchased.

hopeishere · 28/03/2020 17:49

I agree if you're open you should sell whatever people want. Poundland has utter tat in it alongside useful stuff so people can buy what they want.

esjee · 28/03/2020 17:52

Also if you send them on without their items, what are the chances the idiots will just try 5 other shops until they get what they need. They're already there, just sell the stuff, and warn them to think in future.

user1353245678533567 · 28/03/2020 17:52

Your objection is that people are making trips to your shop to buy exclusively pointless stuff rather than coming there solely for basic necessities or basic necessities plus pointless stuff?

For example, if a greengrocer is open, should it only be allowing people to buy vegetables (essential) and not monkey nuts and local honey?!

Where does it say we're only allowed to buy specific food items?

user1353245678533567 · 28/03/2020 18:04

Unless I've got the wrong file open, the guidance for businesses that haven't been ordered to close only requires them to have distancing measures in place (e.g. queue controls) not to police members of the public.

I don't understand why you've appointed yourself to police other people in the way you describe. Especially if your interpretation is as extreme as your vegetables vs honey example. The guidance just says "food" as far as I can see. (I went to look because I was wondering if I'd missed something.)

P1nkHeartLovesCake · 28/03/2020 18:12

I don’t get your veg & honey example....If one is in a shop to buy the basics and that shop happens to sell fancy stuff too, why can’t they buy it? I had to go shopping yesterday I got stuff for meals for my family but I got nice wine and treats too, why because life is dire and If there has ever been a time people need a few pleasures it’s now.

The shop is open, the customer is doing a shop anyway and they can buy anything that shop sells

Who asked you to police these people? Nobody...it’s your bossy head girl side coming out isn’t it

LMBoston · 28/03/2020 18:24

To all the above veg/honey questions, that’s exactly what I mean! The lack of clarity is causing real problems. The only reason I’m trying to “police” it is because places like B&Q, Poundland, B&M etc are getting so much vicious flak for still being open and selling non-essential products (I’ve no doubt some in this village are saying the same about us!)...B&Q have even roped off their paint section and are turning customers away, apparently, in response to the social media barracking, but surely if they’re permitted to open then that’s that? Surely it’s the public who need to take responsibility for their definition of “essential”, not the retailer?

@P1nkheart — sadly I never got to be head girl (too fond of booze and boys). I’m just trying to find a balance between taking an ethical, responsible approach to this half-arsed lockdown, protecting our business and serving our community. Damned if you shut, damned if you don’t 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
P1nkHeartLovesCake · 28/03/2020 18:30

You haven’t been asked to police what people buy though.

Make sure your staff have good hand washing facilities and don’t work too closely together, make people queue outside, Only take cards that would be fair enough but telling people what they can and can’t buy is a bit off and the government hasn’t asked you to do that so by doing so your just making life harder for yourself

Meredithgrey1 · 28/03/2020 18:32

Hmm I understand if, as a way to protect yourselves and your staff, you want to limit the number of people coming through the door.
But, if you're open then people are going to come. You're allowed to stay open and no one has told you that you are only allowed to sell certain items that you personally deem essential.

the lack of clarity regarding retail is causing real problems

I disagree, you're allowed to be open, you're allowed to sell your stock. The government is never going to get into all the details of which specific items are and are not essential. It would be far too much hassle and effort, and would never be exhaustive. How could you ever determine essential-ness?

LMBoston · 28/03/2020 18:32

@esjee — you’re right re the 5 other shops. That’s exactly what one customer had done today before he came to us. Not that we had any left of what he wanted!

OP posts:
cologne4711 · 28/03/2020 18:36

If you are allowed to be open you can sell whatever you usually sell.

As a pp said you can never determine what is "essential".

If you feel that people are coming into browse you could potentially limit the amount of time people spend in the shop instead, although I am not sure quite how that works. Or close the shop and do click and collect.

I didn't realise B&Q were still open.

LMBoston · 28/03/2020 18:38

@Meredithgrey1 yup, the unusual volume of custom is a huge part of the issue. Because other — sort of similar — businesses have closed, we’ve had a few really manic days this week which has driven us all to drink!! We are being really strict re admitting people singly etc (super bossy lol) but it’s so hard for retail staff at the minute, such an additional pressure when there are so many arrogant, rule-flouting tossers about! I really have seen the best and worst of people this week SmileSad

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