Take Back Check-out!

This week I had to shop retail 4 times. With each store, I left feeling like I never wanted to visit the store again. The check-out process has become a relentless stream of "no, thank you's" with no end in site.  The relationship between the cashier and the customer is increasingly strained by the pressure on the cashier to gather personal information, secure "membership" to the store, get customers to accept credit, and sell more items, warranties, insurance, and service than the customer came in for.  When I go in to the store, there is never anyone to help with the shopping process.  The minute I go to check-out though, the cashier is suddenly my best friend; willing to let me in on all of the store's amazing promotions.

My son has a camping trip tomorrow.  I went to Sports Authority for a sleeping bag, tarp, and AAA batteries.  I wrote down what I wanted, so we would not be side-tracked, which is easy to do in a sporting goods store.  We chose the items we wanted (with no help, of course).  I went up to the counter, and the cashier would not wring me up without my phone number.  She wanted to research my rewards membership.  I said I was not interested in a membership.  She then explained to me that I could buy insurance for the sleeping bags at just $6 for the first year.  Sleeping bag insurance.  WTF?  The bags cost $30 apiece.  If the quality is that bad, I probably shouldn't even be purchasing them.  By the time I left, I had to politely turn down the cashier 3 times, and I could tell she was not happy with me.

The second store I went to was Target for my favorite non-refrigerated lunches...Go Picnic.  Target is the only place I know that carries these in Lakeland.  After gathering several (my husband is going on the trip, too); I went to check out.  The cashier wanted to know if my plan was "to eat all of them".  I don't really know where she was going with this, if it was a comment on my weight, if I was sharing them, donating them.  Either way, I felt like I was being judged at check-out.  The cashier then offered me a Target Red Card.  I have one of these, but I don't care enough to carry it around.  She offered to let me sign up for another one.  What?  No.  I don't want extra cards and memberships for every store I go to.  I should also mention that with the original Red Card came a bible-sized privacy booklet so I understood all of the places my information will be sold to.

Store 3 was Journey's in the mall for hiking (high-top) sneakers.  There was a lot of pressure to purchase a second item - any item.  I felt that the cashier was being judged by whether or not I went home with overpriced socks.  I did purchase the socks there, but I won't be going back.  The shame here is that the cashier was very friendly.  I also love the energy, boutique-feel and merchandise in the store.  I just don't want to be up-sold.  According to CNN Money, 1 in 3 Americans have debt that has reached the "collections" state.  With 1 in 3 Americans defaulting, why are stores forcing credit and un-needed "warranties" down our throats? Insurance on a $30 sleeping bag....really?

JC Penney has always been one of my favorite stores for current styles, good quality, fair pricing.  I enjoy shopping here, normally, but there have been so many changes.  About 2 years ago the cashiers were trying to wring up customers "anywhere in the store".  It was odd.  The workers were trying to act excited about it - wireless check-out.  The ticket system at Penny's changed, also.  I can't remember how they branded it, but it is a better looking ticket.  As the 4th store I visited, I usually know what to expect.  We went in, picked out items with no help, and then we started heading toward the check-out.  The Boy's section worker asked us as we left if we found everything we needed, then started asking us to call a number or go online and tell them we got great service.  It was so odd and uncomfortable.  We got no service...at all.  Grubbing for feedback and chasing me to the check-out counter is not service, in case anyone needs this explained to them.

Management is pressuring workers to constantly up-sell, grub for positive feedback, push credit, collect personal information right at the counter for anyone to hear.  Shopping in a store is the last place I want to shop, anymore. 

I love the Aldi.  Aldi earns most of our business, even for household items.  They have a quick, sensible check-out process, staple items and specialty seasonal items. 

Store management:  we are taking back our right to just check out...simply.  I don't want a relationship with you.  I don't want to buy more than I need.  I don't want to delay retirement because I took out credit at a dress store.  I don't want to see your workers getting nervous because they didn't sell me two items in one transaction, and couldn't bully, charm, or trick me in to membership.  Store owners try to get as much out of a customer while they are there as possible, with no thought to the next visit, if there is one. 

If you want a relationship with me, stop trying to dry-hump me on the first date!