supermarket switch/card machines at till

oneday

Yesterday I went to the supermarket. They used to have the card machine right next to where you stand. They have put in new ones and placed them on the opposite side i.e. opposite the bit where your shopping goes down for packing.
I had to stretch to reach it and my back has hurt since.
Are these supermarket designers stupid? You have to over stretch in an unnatural position to reach.
I also think anyone who is small or in a wheelchair woudnt even mange it.
Needless to say I have written to them.

woodbon

Hi, I know what you mean, they are a pain, not only that but I usually manage to make a mistake with them and hold up everyone, and you can feel the eyes drilling into your back ehhhh. horrible things :!:

Love SUe

oneday

I am thinking of drawing cash from outside the shop first so i dont need to use machine. Only problem is i will have to add up prices as i go round, roughly off course!, then maybe ask them to take some back if i have overspent....to which i will then tell them the reason why i have cash..........am bit grumpy bout this cos back hurts!

I also hate having to pack fast when people are staring at me to hurry up!

noeltone

Hi oneday I totally agrree about the positions of card machines and i usually cant recall my pin no or give them the wrong card and have to search thru my wallet for the right card and to my secret place to find my pin no have you got a acalculator I do that when strapped for cash. as for packing i always ask now for some help what about taking a camel with you.

mouseymousey

Good point. My friend works for a public facing government office - they were fined last year for not having counters that were 'wheelchair friendly'.

I always end up looking for my glasses - and yes they are always on top of my head!

suzster

i hate trying to pack my bags, i try to pack sensibly because i take my daughter in her pushchair so i have to get it home!
but surely other customers could be more patient? i take more time because i worrying about taking to much time, if that makes sense?
also really struggle to get coins out of my purse, those tiny coins can be fiddley. i always feel like shouting at other people waiting and huffy cashier " i have arthritis, it's hard to get my pennies out, give me a break!!" but i never do.

ninakang

At my local supermarket the cashiers take their time if they are serving their friends (despite the loud remarks I make to my girls while waiting in the queue "God, how long is she taking?", "I wish we'd gone to another till now"), then when they serve me the stuff comes flying at me at 30 mph and they don't always offer to help pack. I've made numerous complaints (politely) and the situation is getting better.

If the cashier asks if I want help packing, I always say "I think I'll be OK if you're not too quick scanning". Then mostly they keep an eye on how fast you're doing it. I like to go round the shop a certain way, put it on the belt a certain way and pack it a certain way so I can unpack it according to my cupboards/ fridge/ freezer at home!

I hate those PIN machines too. Why do they have a lip all the way round so you can't sit your hand on them comfortably?!

Nx

taboo66

Well i work for a well known supermarket in Derby and it is our policy to never rush anyone!I also talk to customers/friends both eqally the same.I say friends its normally people i work with as we are not allowed to serve friends or family.

I very rarely ask if they want help packing unless they are struggleing,i do handbaskets so rarely needed anyway.People have to remember that some customers only have us to speak to,i have one old lady who comes in 3 times a day just to talk,yes i get tutted at etc but i certainly never rush anyone and we cant start the next one until that customer as moved away.

I can see both sides of this and i am not saying all operators are perfect but i for one get sick of the abuse we get and point out i am not paid to be spoken to like that and refuse to serve them

As for chip and pin ours stretch really far!

frogmorton

Hi Oneday
AND if you get the cash out first and don't spend it it is still not in your bank account earning interest
Is it not on a bit of curly wire?
If not you should ask at the cutopmer services. I would - you won't be the only person.
Also DO let them pack you Chrisov is right and tell them not to put too much in the bags so you can lift them.
I find all out till staff are happy to to it for me.
Hope you have a better experience next time
Toni x

vonski

Hi Lorri

Some bright spark must have come up with this idea, you should tell them to follow you around when you are trying to shop, see hhow difficult everything is. Tell them you need help packing too and if they don't like it well tough.

How are you anyway apart from your back?

Love
Vonski x

ninakang

taboo66 wrote:

Well i work for a well known supermarket in Derby and it is our policy to never rush anyone!I also talk to customers/friends both eqally the same.I say friends its normally people i work with as we are not allowed to serve friends or family.

I very rarely ask if they want help packing unless they are struggleing,i do handbaskets so rarely needed anyway.People have to remember that some customers only have us to speak to,i have one old lady who comes in 3 times a day just to talk,yes i get tutted at etc but i certainly never rush anyone and we cant start the next one until that customer as moved away.

I can see both sides of this and i am not saying all operators are perfect but i for one get sick of the abuse we get and point out i am not paid to be spoken to like that and refuse to serve them

As for chip and pin ours stretch really far!

Which supermarket? I live in Derby! And I agree - not all operators are the same and you don't have to take any abuse. I would never do that.

Nx

joyful164

oneday wrote:

I am thinking of drawing cash from outside the shop first so i dont need to use machine. Only problem is i will have to add up prices as i go round, roughly off course!, then maybe ask them to take some back if i have overspent....to which i will then tell them the reason why i have cash..........am bit grumpy bout this cos back hurts!

I also hate having to pack fast when people are staring at me to hurry up!

always ask for help and get them to take it ut to your car. I

taboo66

Hi nina,

I work at morrisons Well not at the minute as i am off sick!

I find most are happy to help as long as they are spoken to right,i dont put up with rudeness.I soon shame them into using manners!

I think morrisons are not bad but good and bad ineveryone.We shop for people and they get extra help if they ask,as i have o/a in bothknees i love getting up for a bit

Di x

elnafinn

Hi Taboo

Good for you for speaking out. I agree that some members of the public are really rude to the cashiers. It makes me cringe. There is no need for it at all. I wonder who they think they are sometimes, superior human beings, I don't think so. Why should the cashier offer to pack bags. That is not their job - they are the cashier. Members of the public can ask if they wish to have help. Someone on the shop floor will do it. Some cashiers do pack if they know people and/or they do not have a queue.

Agree - chip and pin machines in the supermarkets I go to, either are in a "sensible" position for ease or they can be pulled forward. If you are unable to stretch out to pull it forward and speak to the cashier politely she would help you.

I hope you feel better soon and you look after yourself, you need to sitting behind the checkout and walking around the shop

Elna x

mike77

:

Hi, I do theshopping at times , and find the staff at my local supermarket very helpful , they ask if I need help forthe packing , to wish i say yes, and when I need to use the chip and pin they hand it over to me , it strecthes very far. if I find it is a new girl on , I ask for her to pack my bags for me. over all its great to be helped at times.

Mike R & Hazel & Mike JR

livinglegend

oneday wrote:

Yesterday I went to the supermarket. They used to have the card machine right next to where you stand. They have put in new ones and placed them on the opposite side i.e. opposite the bit where your shopping goes down for packing.

The card reader should be easily removable from the holder and connected by a curly cord for people such as yourself. Ask the checkout operator politely to pass it to you, that way you don't even have to struggle to reach it. At some stores that I use, the operators remove the card reader from its holder automatically for everyone to enter their card and pin more easily and safely.

If its not removable then ask to see the manager and show them the problem on an empty checkout, pointing out that its against the Disability Discrimination Act to be secured out of your reach. You don't need to be in a wheelchair for the DDA to apply.
Shopping is NOT a sport.

Joseph 8)

oneday

Hi all
well we all seem to have issues at the supermarket.
I thought this is the biggest, I think, supermarket and all this new technology doesnt make it easier for the customer it just saves on staff wages so more profits!
I was annoyed the way the cashier said I had to scan my own club card in a condescenidng manner and then showed me i could use the switch card either stood opposite her or at the end.....either way the arm of the machine isnt long enough so you have to stretch.
I have got a reply today off a top bod.......he says i dont have to scan the clubcard myself even though that machine is nearer to me but its twice i have to get my cards out and expose bag when i am madly trying to pack.
I am never rude to cashiers as I know its out of their hands but she should consider people....the letter says they will ensure this message which is in their training packs is made aware to them.
So, am not sure when i need to go again what to do.

On a positive note a well known pet shop offered to carry my bags to the car which was near the door anyway without me asking, super service and theyre friendly!

oneday

livinglegend wrote:

oneday wrote:

Yesterday I went to the supermarket. They used to have the card machine right next to where you stand. They have put in new ones and placed them on the opposite side i.e. opposite the bit where your shopping goes down for packing.

The card reader should be easily removable from the holder and connected by a curly cord for people such as yourself. Ask the checkout operator politely to pass it to you, that way you don't even have to struggle to reach it. At some stores that I use, the operators remove the card reader from its holder automatically for everyone to enter their card and pin more easily and safely.

If its not removable then ask to see the manager and show them the problem on an empty checkout, pointing out that its against the Disability Discrimination Act to be secured out of your reach. You don't need to be in a wheelchair for the DDA to apply.
Shopping is NOT a sport.

Joseph 8)

Just noticed this post on page 2!
Good point!
I will go next time armed with copy of email off head bod and
quote dda..........i am sure it isnt removable though...i know the ones you mean that are but this seemed to be fixed. She , the cashier, didnt offer to move it when i said its hard to stretch etc so i presumed it was fixed......

taboo66

I think wilkinsons are fixed and you have to lean over,well i know i lean over,i do wonder what happens when someone is in a wheelchair.This is the only shop i have noticed this.Every shop i have been in as them on curly wire or they are handheld ones so they just pass them to you.

Di x