(lygenztia *44) Price check on 4

OK, let me start by saying that I think that Zellers offers quality products at great prices. You never know what kind of treasures you’ll find there. (I say that, mostly so Zellers won’t sue me and, because I believe it.)

What drives me crazy is the “Bowmanville Zellers phenomenon”. I have shopped at other Zellers locations and it seems they are not afflicted by the “Bowmanville Zellers phenomenon”. Let me explain……

Whenever I/we go there, we always find what we are looking for and are happy with the item prices. But, when you go to pay for them, is when the disconnect begins. There are at least 10 cashier/check out areas. Inevitably, there are only a few open and the line ups are loooong.

Every single time.

I have never walked into the Bowmanville Zellers, picked my purchase, cashed out and went home. It is always a test of “iron man”, or triathalon type endurance. You have to jockey around, darting in and out looking for the “quickest” line. And that, is just the physical component, then…there is the mental stamina to be able to endure the mind-numbing trauma that is inevitably taking place with the people that are at the check out.

You see, it is not always Zellers fault…the “consumer” can pose some pretty distinct challenges to the cashier. (who is probably somewhere around minimum wage and just hoping to get home soon to their family/friends)

Consumer pain in the ass-Type 1
They get up to the check out and put their glasses on. If you see this, you know you are in trouble and are in for a wait. They scan the check out display with the razor eyes of an eagle, just waiting to pounce if even one item is incorrectly priced by ten cents. So, inevitably (because they took the item out of the wrong bin, or misread the sale sign), this comment comes….”oh, excuse me..I think that was $1.29 and not $1.39.” Oh, for crying out loud…here we go . “Price check on 4” is the next call on the PA system.

So, everyone waits, while someone goes to check only to find out the price is correct. The pain in the ass consumer grumbles and wants to speak to the Manager. I always think to myself…”Tell you what buddy, how be I give you 50 cents, you can cash the hell out and you’ll be up 40 cents and then I can get the hell out of here.” The Manager can never placate this type of person, no matter how hard they try.

Consumer pain in the ass-Type 2
They go shopping, buy enough stuff to supply the victims of the Chinese earthquakes and want to pay by debit. The only problem is, they have no money in the bank, so the transaction won’t go through. So, they swipe and enter, swipe and enter..etc. hoping to “fool” or “trick” Interac into thinking they really do have money in the account. The same goes for the rejected credit card. The comment is always the same…”I don’t understand, I just paid my bill…”

Well, of course you did. They always go around cutting off credit card privileges to account holders in good standing. Bored people that work the credit card companies do it just for shits and giggles. (Hint, pay your bill.)

Consumer pain in the ass-Type 3
They want to pay in a combination of pennies, interac and pesos and need 9 different receipts for 10 items. You know the type…there is no real reason for it. They are just bored and have no life, so they figure they will kill a few hours messing with the cashiers mind and trying to engage in some type of conversation with someone…anyone.

So, the moral of the story (if there is one) is don’t be that guy/girl. Be nice in line….treat the cashier nice, if you think something is priced wrong. Chances are, you messed up and you are not sticking it to the big corporations, by giving the gears to some 16 year old girl that has only been working there for 4 weeks.

If you are that upset about the price at the check out, don’t buy the goddam thing.

Now, we can’t let Zellers totally off the hook here. Please, please, please when you have your clearance sales, make sure the items are tagged correctly. It doesn’t matter if they fell in the wrong bin, if the price is right on the item.

And for gosh sakes…put on some more cashiers. I have to buy some marshmallows, you know.