One of the mysteries of life -- the checkout counter...

[generator12]

I wonder; is it against the law for a checkout clerk to refill the cash register's quarters bin BEFORE it runs out? Or is it mandated by law that they can't do this until a customer is making a purchase and needs a quarter or two in change?

Also, how is it that there is no line at the counter until you turn and head for it? Then at least three other customers materialize from nearby aisles and head for the checkout, each of them closer to it than you are. (I once head-faked toward checkout as a test and, sure enough, three other customers took a half step toward it. When I stopped, they stopped.)

And finally, there must be something about paper money that makes it taste good after lying in the cash register. What other reason could there be for the clerk reliably licking his/her fingers as he/she sorts or counts it? It would seem that if moisture is required, it could be supplied in numerous ways (wet sponge, etc.). Therefore, it seems reasonable that there is some physical or psychological gratification achieved by licking it.

Oh, one other thing: Does anyone here understand the thought process that has resulted in every new shopping mall constructed in the last few years having a parking lot exit pattern that is an actual maze? I know people who won't enter them without either a recent map or a GPS in hand, for fear that they'll never find their way out.

 

[kei9th]

Re: One of the mysteries of life -- the checkout counter...

i moved into a small town where you can see from one end of the mall to the other, so i don't have those problems anymore.

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: One of the mysteries of life -- the checkout counter...

Does anyone here understand the thought process that has resulted in every new shopping mall constructed in the last few years having a parking lot exit pattern that is an actual maze?

This is very simple actually. Shopping mall parking lots are designed in such a way as to deter opportunistic thieves from striking the retailers. The difficulty that you have exiting is precisely what confuses and slows down a perp who has just shoplifted a store. The store security personnel and/or local police who have been alerted have a much easier time stopping the accused while still on the property, with the merchandise still in their possession. These "parking lot bottlenecks" are especially helpful in slowing down thieves during the height of holiday shopping madness where traffic is so slow to egress the lot...virtually no one can get out the normal way if in a hurry to do so. The lots also have cameras located strategically to get identifying footage of a leaving vehicle from every possible angle...and slow enough for high resolution photography to make license plates legible.

Loss Prevention 101

 

[salty87]

Re: One of the mysteries of life -- the checkout counter...

I wonder; is it against the law for a checkout clerk to refill the cash register's quarters bin BEFORE it runs out? Or is it mandated by law that they can't do this until a customer is making a purchase and needs a quarter or two in change?

i hope the govt doesn't regulate everything about being in business. when is it ok to change the toilet paper roll?

And finally, there must be something about paper money that makes it taste good after lying in the cash register. What other reason could there be for the clerk reliably licking his/her fingers as he/she sorts or counts it? It would seem that if moisture is required, it could be supplied in numerous ways (wet sponge, etc.). Therefore, it seems reasonable that there is some physical or psychological gratification achieved by licking it.

that's called a free buzz. a large percentage of paper in circulation will test positive for drugs.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: One of the mysteries of life -- the checkout counter...

Two words e-commerce

 

[levittownnick]

Re: One of the mysteries of life -- the checkout counter...

Having never owned a business I feel fully qualified to make the following statement: After having invested milliones in setting-up and stocking a retail business, the thing that would be my #1 priority would be releaving customers of there money at the check-out. There would be little or no lines for you to give me money.
;-)

 

[Fireman431]

Re: One of the mysteries of life -- the checkout counter...

My two biggest irritants are:

1) The person at the checkout line that has to be told how to use their debit/credit card in the little machine. These things have been around for almost 15 years. This cannot be the first time you have ever seen it

2) Going into a store, picking up my merchandise, taking it to a checkout counter then having to scan it, bag it, and run the payment thru myself...all the while a clerk stands at the front of the line texting on her phone! If I have to do her job as well, there should be some sort of discount! 5% off if you go thru the self checkout!

 

[dlngr]

Re: One of the mysteries of life -- the checkout counter...

I just love the women who start looking for their checkbook AFTER every thing is rung up!

 

[scoutabout]

Re: One of the mysteries of life -- the checkout counter...

Mine is the newly opened lane whereupon every eager twit behind you suddenly assumes it's free for all time and runs around you.

The other day a cashier opened her till due to a growing crowd at the open ones, but instead of shouting "I can help the next person!" and thus causing a stampede, actually walked up to the person who would have been next at one of the overflowing counters, and said, "If you will come with me, I can help you over there."

I was so impressed I stopped at her station on the way out and thanked her.

But what really, really puts the blood pressure needle into the red are the people that seem intent to wedge themselves between you and the product you're looking at on the shelf two feet from your nose without so much as an "Excuse me" as they push past.

Manners...oi....

I think next time I'll fake a very wet sneeze on the back of their neck as they go by.

 

[BonairII]

Re: One of the mysteries of life -- the checkout counter...

My "favorite" is when a cashier cannot stop talking to a fellow employee while he/she is cashing you out.

I was in Harborfreight a few days ago and the cashier answered a call on her cell while ringing out a customer in front of me. She put her cell on speakerphone and put it below the register so she could continue her conversation with her boyfriend while ringing the lady up.

The boyfriend was talking away and then dropped a few "f-bombs".....and the cashier THEN informs him that he's on speaker!

On 2 or 3 occasions, I've gotten so fed up with waiting in line(and crappy cashiers) at a couple retailers that I've walked up to the counter(ahead of others in line) dropped my crap on the counter and walked out.

 

[gibletts]

Re: One of the mysteries of life -- the checkout counter...

I like how easy it is to stress out the customer in front of you by simply not using the little plastic thingo that supposed to seperate your orders, there might be a foots seperation on that conveyor but betya anything if you dont use it the customer in front will start feeling anxious and grab that plastic thingo and retro-fit it on your behalf...ha!