grocery princess.


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I hate to publicize the possibility that I'm this type of person. But hey, it makes a good blog story.

I started shopping at a cheaper grocery store recently. The type of store that doesn't online shop for you and, quite honestly, treats you like you're cheap. But it's seriously pretty, clean and it's been saving me $40-50 a trip, so I wasn't minding the sub-par service.

I ran to the store at about 10:30 p.m. the other night to grab groceries. It's easier for me to shop by myself when we're settled for the night; Matt's in the house with Carter, we've eaten and there's nothing left to do but sleep and poke at the internet.

I walked in thinking they were open 24 hours - but seeing the emptiness, I made myself go ask a (staring) cashier what time they closed. 11 p.m. That gave me exactly 25 minutes to grab as much cheap nutrition off my list as I could.

Up and down the aisles, I felt the eyes of the young, wantingtogohome employees on me. At around 10:50 p.m., I heard this announcement: The store will be closing in 10 minutes, please make your final selections before you check out. Awesome. That's plenty of time. I started to beeline to the produce because I'd forgotten Carter's apples when I found that same checkout girl in my path.

You need to come check out now, she said.

Immediately, I was offended. 1. Being told what to do. And by someone younger than me. I dunno, it felt wrong. 2. I thought I had 10 minutes. 3. Am I being hassled? Seriously?

It took everything I had to comply with an Okay. I wheeled over to the checkout lane and asked her if I could go grab some bread really quickly while she started to ring up my cart.

She told me no.

But not just no. I had to use the self-checkout, too. In disbelief, I stood. Man, I needed those hamburger buns. I grabbed my purse, stranded my cart and went to get my bread anyway. I came back and started ringing up my cart full of items. Quickly - because they were blatantly rushing me. Slowly - because I'm not a cashier. It takes me forever to find the bar codes and individually weigh my vegetables. By now, I was mad. I couldn't help slamming the products into bags and the loud, heavy sighs rolling out of my mouth. Two employees stood, arms crossed, 5 feet away, watching me. Another one was turning off lights and locking doors. Twenty minutes later, I finished ringing, bagging and paying myself in the silence. Without a single offer of assurance or help, only impatient eyes.

After I put my groceries in the car, I didn't bother with the cart. I figured leaving it sitting behind my car was the least vengeance I could get. And since there weren't any other cars in the lot, no harm done. I smiled a little to myself when the cart started rolling downhill. I got in the car, turned on the engine and saw one of the employees sprinting after it. Good.

I wanted to talk myself out of the idea that I was acting like a spoiled brat; that people don't normally get offended when you have to do work for yourself. But here's the rationale I came up with. A business that takes our money - no matter what kind - should want to make its customers feel welcome, want to help them, and hire people as such. The last thing it should do is rush them to leave the store and make them feel insignificant and unwanted.

When I got home, I went to their national web site and wrote the guys in charge an email about this service. I added something along the lines about how saving money wasn't worth being treated that way.

Today a woman from the store called me. She asked me what happened, and I found actually having to tell the story had me foolishly pulling from the vocabulary of a tattling first grader. Voice quivering, hands shaking. Not because I thought I was wrong; I guess it was embarrassing to be a complainer when there are so many more significant things in the world than a housewife who had to ring up her own cart of groceries. Regardless, I got an apology, and she agreed I shouldn't have been treated that way. She told me a gift card (no idea how much) would be waiting for me at the store, should I choose to come back.

I'm sending Carter inside to get it for me. Nobody could ever be mean to him.

45 comments:

  1. It sounds like you handled it much better than I would have. I'm glad you took the time to contact the company, and equally as glad that you got a response. There have been a few times I've taken the time to compose the perfect complaint (probably way too much time actually) and then never heard from anyone. I haven't bothered to ever go back to any of those places/

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  2. Who would have thought a grocery shopping trip could turn into such a nightmare! Those staff were plain rude and I don`t blame you for complaining. I shop in a similar store myself, and I would die if they treated me like that! Luckily, the staff are lovely...and even let my 3 year old use the staff toilet when he was absolutely desperate:-) Will you be shopping there again is the question? x

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  3. How horrible. Truly. It doesn't matter where you are shopping, you should not be treated like that. If they had wanted you out of there faster they shouldn't have made you use the self check out. I despise those things personally, and if two people were standing watching me do my groceries I may have just left the whole cart full for them to put back. I'm sure I would have had a crying fit right then and there. You handled it beautifully, although they didn't.

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  4. I think I would have left the loaded cart and told them as a thank you for the stellar service, they could put the groceries back. To me service is everything. If you work at a place like a grocery store it is your job to make customers happy and welcome. I think more people need to call about the service they recieve ( good or bad) its really the only way these companies know what is really going on in their stores. If they are rude to you going in to get the gift card spend it and never go back.

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    1. This is my thought exactly.

      I mean, I get it. I've worked in stores and customer service. I know what it's like to be ready to go and someone comes in at the end. But they didn't have to treat you that way. They could have rung you out and been DONE. You got in before they closed. You could have been done before they closed if they hadn't been so obnoxious.

      I can see both sides. I truly can. I can understand why they were annoyed. People have a right to feel what they feel. BUT, they didn't need to express that to you. And it's not like you came waltzing in at 10:59pm or anything like that. And you asked, assessed what you needed, and tried to go as quickly as you could.

      BTW, popped in from the Top Baby Blogs site. I'm always looking for new stuff to read.

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  5. We've also started using a cheaper supermarket because other than the fact they literally throw the items straight back into the trolley and you have to pack them afterwards, it is a lot cheaper. However, there is no excuse for poor customer service and I would have felt just the same if it were me. In fact i'd have probably left the trolley in the aisle and tell them i'd go elsewhere. Either that or i'd tell the staff that if they intended on leaving on time they'd better help me get packed. It's good that you got a voucher but it was still an inconvenience you didn't need!

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  6. Mhhhh..to be honest Meghan...it sounds a bit spoiled to me. I know how it feels to work a full day at the grocery store ( which opens at 7am and closes at 10pm )and having people like you who think they can come in a few minutes before closing with a big list of items. Do this job for one week and you'll think the same. You'll feel pissed and exhausted and really mad. They maybe have a family at home too and want to go home to have dinner...bring their children to bed or whatever. Why should they leave the store open bc of you???? You have enough time...you can go grocery shopping the whole day...and i think going shopping with Carter is not that stressy.
    Don't get me wrong but i think they treated you right.

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    1. How can you say "I think they treated you right." Under no circumstance should a store employee be blatantly rude to a customer. Spoiled? Meghann and her husband have both worked very hard to get to the point they're at.. if she wants to run back to grab a bag of buns, so be it! And too, it was an honest mistake, she thought she had more time. BIG DEAL if the cashiers have to stay 5 minutes past their shift ending. I hate to say it but you my dear are the one who sounds entitled. I'd hate to be your patient during surgery, would you just take off on your coffee break because the clock struck 10am? Come on..

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  7. @Verena
    I have also worked in retail and I do know that it is frustrating when someone comes in before closing time to do their shopping... however it is NOT ok by any means to treat your customers like that!!! THEY are the ones that pay your paycheck- and word of mouth means everything. You want ALL shoppers to have a positive experience so they bring more business to you. I'm sure that if I had acted as the employees had then and my manager found out about it- there would've been consequences. It's ok to remind them of closing time and what not- however it's NEVER ok to be rude- and that's exactly how Meghann was treated.

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  8. That is ridiculous, Meghann, they never should've been that rude no matter what. I've been in their position- and yes, it's annoying- but if they are good representatives of the business they should know better than to treat a customer like that.

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  9. I worked for a grocery store and that would never have been allowed. Yes once it was past our closing time we would try to hurry the customers up, but we never told them they had to leave. That is just crazy.

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  10. I'm really sorry that you were treated that way! If I may make a suggestion, I know how expensive living is, especially with my two in diapers! I started using coupons and have saved our family around $200 a month in groceries already, and I hardly ever have to put anything out for personal care items. You should look into it. :)

    www.dayinthelifeofboys.com

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  11. I'm fairly new to your blog- found it through youtube! Oh my gosh I'm totally the same way! Sometimes I feel like I act like a "princess" (my ex bf actually called me that all the time haha) because I expect a certain level of customer service and respect when I go places- especially when I'm paying & supporting your store/restaurant. Hence why I love shopping at places like Nordstrom and boutiques because THEY treat you like a princess :) That was nice the lady offered you a giftcard. Definitely go back for that-sending your adorable little boy in for it is not a bad idea either hehe

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  12. Verena she went in with plenty of time to shop and the only reason she ended up being late was because nobody helped her ? I to have worked in a supermarket and also know what it's like when you just want to go home after a long day and someone comes rushing in. But I also know what it's like to go shopping with a toddler and in all honesty I,d take the last minute shop option. There is absolutly no excuse for being rude and making someone feel vulnerable and awkward it's just bad manners no matter how cheesed off you are that you don't get to clock off early
    If the store closes at 11 it closes at 11 she was there in time end of story xxx

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  13. There was no reason to be treated that way no matter what time she came in the store. She still had 10 minutes left and she couldn't run to get some buns? that is crazy - IF I were the manager - I would have a little talk with those cashiers - - - OPEN UNTIL 11 p.m. - customers satisfaction comes first - service with a smile, REGARDLESS. Expecting this is not a princess attitude - it is how it should be for every customer. The right thing for those employees to do would be to help her with the groceries if they wanted to speed things up (*with a smile on their face)

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  14. I secretly smiled when you described the cart rolling away and the cashier running after it. I agree 100%--we are giving them money, they should TRY to be nice. And to be perfectly honest, I can do all my shopping in 30 minutes--they're open until 11, those employees have no right to complain or eveil eye you until way after 11. I would have called the company too because I AM THAT PERSON. I say go get the giftcard and shop away!

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  15. @Melaine moving from a big city to a small town has greatly limited my store choices. I find that like you did holding you head high and being proactive leaves me feeling good inside. Even if it does include the occasional cart shove. Keep up that great attitude bacause even if no one calls or gives you a giftcard for the inconvenience you can feel good about how you acted.

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  16. oops I meant that as a general post not directly at you Melanie . sorry

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  17. haha, i think what you did was the right thing :)

    whether there are more significant things in this world or not :)

    greetings from germany

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  18. I sort of agree with Verena, except I DO NOT think they treated you right. However, in this case, I don't think you treated them right eiter. I hate saying that almost becuase I think you really are a sweet and thoughtful person (at least from following this blog). When you work very hard for very little money and someone comes trampsing into the store right before closing and expects you to be super happy when their life may be far from it and yours is obviously so...that's hard. I worked retail for years and sometimes all you want to do at the end of a long day that gives you so very little for it is go home and rest, see your own loved ones, etc. I don't think we can expect people to be perfect. I do think it was so completely rude to walk up to you after a few minutes though when they ewre clearly talking to you when they said you had ten minutes. The cart thing? Immature but I'm glad you admitted to it! We've all been there I think. lol

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  19. I also work in a grocery store and in my opinion, to only have a self-check out open is ridiculas! If the cashier would have just rung her through she would have been out at 11:01.
    Meghan, you got treated horrible and Im glad you complained. I would have too.

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  20. I couldn't believe this when I read it! They made an announcement saying you had 10 minutes. The person who walked up to you and told you that you had to leave was rude and uncalled for. I think you handled it a lot better than I would have. I'm pretty sure I would have left my cart full for them to put away. Really, no matter the circumstances it's never acceptable to treat customers that way; and I don't care had you walked in a 10:59. I've been in retail and we lock the remaining customers in and let them out one by one.

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  21. meghan this reminds me of win dixi here in miami. The service sucks but you save so much! Im sorry to here that, I hope you get the gift card.

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  22. It really isn't right how you were treated. However, I guess you have to look at it from the other point of view also, so maybe I kinda of agree with Verena. You have people working at a grocery store getting paid minimum wage and then you have Meghann who pulls up in her Land Rover, wearing clothes from a boutique, and who also just left her half million dollar home where her living room furniture costs more than most of us make a year....You are privileged and seem to put yourself on a pedestal above others. Perhaps if you walked in the shoes of those less fortunate than yourself you'd see the world in a different light.

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    1. hahaha get it girl! i dont agree with how much money you are saying she has...but its quite obvious she is not hurting for money and is spoiled! who would not be mad if they were the ones working and knowing your about to close a spoiled housewife comes in the store at closing? & meghann i love this blog but if you knew your story could be taken different ways you should not be mad when people call you out for being spoiled!

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    2. I think people are ignorant if they think they can judge someone, especially based off an internet blog.

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    3. I think that you guys are jealous!! You want a better life....go back to school. Meghann...you did everything right...I would of been really slow on purpose!! I HATE HATERS!!! Grow up!!

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    4. Mentioning her half million dollar home and her nice clothes and vehicle really makes you sound jealous. Meghann has worked hard obviously. She went to college and struggled to conceive her child. Just because she is blessed with a comfortable life doesn't mean she should be treated like that. A lot of the people who work in grocery stores are teenagers and "spoiled wives" looking for part time work anyway. It is immature to treat customers like that, no matter how wealthy or poor they might be.

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    5. @astonished, @jessca..... Wow seriously? How ignorant are you two??? What does it matter if your driving a pinto and live in a mobile home or drive a escalade and live in a half a million dollar home? Because of what you own gives people the right to treat you differently or rudely for that matter? Showing up 1 min. til closing would be last minute... But shame on them for not locking the door... However 30 minutes left to shop is fair shopping time. Their attitude is repulsive and so are yours. If your so jealous get off your butt and do better for yourself. I have lived at both ends of the spectrum and I would have never treated anyone like this nor would I have been expected to be treated like this. If I had of been meghann I would have done the same thing and they could watch my beautiful black Escalade drive off into the moonlight while they chased the buggy. My husband owns his own company I have a nice a home and yes the Escalade!!!! I wouldn't have treated our clients in our company like this store did. If your attitude is the same as this store don't expect yourself to do much better for yourself and as for the store if they treat their paying customers like this I don't expect it to be open much longer, people don't buy from places where they know its going to be an unpleasant experience. Girls wise up. Be respectful. And learn to be successful. That doesn't come from ugly attitudes.

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  23. I am SO sorry you had to go through that!! They should not have treated you liked that. I agree with you saying that you should be nice to people, ESP when you are paying for things. No body wants to buy from an enemy, but they want to buy from a friend. If I worked in a grocery store, I would totally help that person, ESP since you were probably nice about it. Who cares, It was an extra 5 minutes. You handled yourself with poise and respect! I admire that!! I would have lost it.! :)

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  24. Lmao if you guys think she is such a spoiled brat why are you spending time reading HER blog. she is allowed to write whatever she wants. I just don't understand criticizing something no one is forcing you to read.

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  25. acting a little bratty...yes. how they treated you...crappy..the end

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  26. I don't know who some of you think you are! People of all classes need groceries! I don't give two hoots what someone is driving or what couch they are going to sit on we all need groceries! Those employees didn't know Meghann from Adam! No one knows the kind of day she had and why she choose to go when she did! You all have lives (maybe) what if the baby was sick and that's the first time she could get away??? Verna I think you are out of line Ms. Former grocery store clerk! Yes you want to go home but at 11 when your shifts ends not 10:50 when a customer can get bread and apples!!! The clerk was acting like the snot not the customer!

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  27. Wow. Id much rather be the spoiled princess than the jealous trash. Jealousy is a terrible thing. Trying to make her feel bad because of what she drives or sits her butt on at home? I am in shock. What the hell does that have to do with groceries.

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  28. Wowww some people are so rude. I got treated poorly at Babies R us the other day. I went in to switch a box of pampers for a larger size without a receipt and they acted like I was a criminal. The lady was training 2 employees and she was like "Well FIRST we hafta scan this to make sure you actually bought it from here" I was like are you serious? And she kept saying all these backhanded comments. I was like if these are the people that are training others, that's pretty pathetic!!! My thing is, with all the unemployment in the country right now, you would think that businesses only hire the best of the best and customer service would be exceptional. I felt like telling her there are plenty of people lined up who would do her job better hehe :D

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  29. I agree with (most) everyone else. I don't think it's fair to to have treated you that way. If the store's not closed, it's not closed. You had plenty of time, and from what it sounds like, you totally would've made had they helped you.

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  30. I understand that the employees would be frustrated because it was so close to closing time,but that is no excuse to be flat out rude to someone! I work in retail and we always kind of mumble under our breath when someone walks in the door 2 minutes to closing.However, I have NEVER treated someone this way.I always treat others the way I would want to be treated.If they were so concerned about getting out of there they should have helped you as much as possible.I probably would have been in tears with frustration!

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  31. first off, she went in thinking it was 24hrs. so she wasn't being an ass. If that snotty cashier ringed her out, she would have been out a lot faster. Good for you for complaining about the service cuz you got yourself some free apples for cutie carter! :)

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  32. Hi Meghann, you did nothing wrong! They get payed to do their job and treat customers with respect. They were disrespectful. Yes maybe they have kids to go home to or they were tired but that's not your fault!! You are a customer! You simply went there thinking it was a 24 hour store and u had 10 mins left, it's not a big deal if they wait a couple extra minutes while a customer cashes out. At least u tried hurrying. I can't stand employees who have attitudes towards customers. And to those others commenting with rude comments, ..those employees don't know Meghann or how much she makes or how much money she has ect, there is no excuse for their attitude towards her, she was simply getting groceries. Stop being jealous! She has every right to have a nice home and car and furniture if he wants, it's not like she's acting better than everyone, he's a great mom and very kind to people. Anybody has the right to live how they want. It's not affecting you! If you lived in a nice home, car ct I bet you wouldn't be syng nothing thn..would you? God blessed Meghann and her family! Plain and simple! Get over it.

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  33. Btw, I meant "she" not "he" sorry bout the misspell Meg.

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  34. Wow, I saw your video and had to come check these comments out. I would have been just as offended as you were in this situation and probably would have handled it just the same. The people on here that are telling you you're spoiled don't know what they are talking about and obviously they are just jealous and couldnt show their faces. Keep you chin up and I wouldn't go back in that store, maybe there is another store just like it?

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  35. I too saw the video & had to come & read the comments. I would have to say two things about this. I think that both parties were probably in the wrong. Yes, the cashiers at the store should have been much nicer, & seriously what kind of grocery store has late night people check themselves out... it always takes longer as those machines are faulty? Even though I do think that the way you were treated was not right, the best thing to do was probably not to throw a fit about it... which is kind of what I get happened from the post. I have a super hard time with this.. I hate and I mean HATE being treated badly and tend to throw fits when it happens or I don't get my way. My husband has taught me a lot though over the past few years about treating people better than they treat you.. I still struggle with it daily, but he is right, acting like a baby about it only makes things worse.. & not to mention is usually more embarrassing when you decide to do something like call customer service and get things taken care of. Not that my opinion matters obviously, but I just thought I would share it. Keep your head up, it is hard to grit your teeth and go on but sometimes it is just what we have to do...

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  37. I have had notoriously bad luck at grocery stores. I just don't get why their customer service is always so awful. The discount one I shop at has this one checker I now totally avoid. Last time I was there she was ranting on about how much her co-workers sucked and how much she hated her job, but how she's the most popular cashier and everyone loves her. CRAZY.

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