OT: Things that annoy you in retail stores

Submitted by 1974 on
On the eve of MGoBlog football (or non-OT) season, I thought this might make an interesting topic. What behaviors do you find most annoying in retail stores?
 
I'll start with a couple:
 
- People right behind the person at the register who insist on standing at least several feet from that person. I'm all for "transaction bubbles," but I find them annoying when the end of the line extends into aisles where people are trying to maneuver shopping carts, etc.
 
- I don't see this very frequently nowadays, but occasionally someone will park an empty cart in a line and fill it piecemeal while others are waiting behind the cart. (Unless the person looks sociopathic and potentially dangerous, I usually push those carts out of the line or at least behind me.)
 
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Everyone Murders

August 25th, 2017 at 9:12 AM ^

When there's a price label on a shelf purporting to be a sale price, but you look underneath at the regular price and it's the same.   I don't commit many crimes beyond mild speeding, but I rip that shit right off the grocery shelf when I see it.  Come at me, Big Grocery.

Joined: 12/14/2010

MGoPoints: 65552

Micah_J_D

August 25th, 2017 at 9:13 AM ^

I hate it when stores have loud music playing. Why?

 

Also, I've walked by some stores that had a heavy perfume/cologne smell coming out of their doors. I have yet to go in one of these stores. Do they smell like that on purpose?

Joined: 07/10/2011

MGoPoints: 605

Chalky White

August 25th, 2017 at 9:42 AM ^

Sounds like that store with the music blaring, shirtless white teenage employees along with the horrific fragrance. I usually just walk by and wonder WTF. My first job was with JC Penney. One of my co-workers strolled in with his son on his son's first day. His son walked in wearing a button down shirt with his bare chest exposed. He actually let his son show up to work looking like a douchebag on his first day. I came back later and was working like that. No one said anything. Eventually a woman in security told him to button his shirt because he was giving her hot flashes. I was willing to wait it out to see how long it would go.

Joined: 03/16/2014

MGoPoints: 19161

SiKa7x

August 25th, 2017 at 9:14 AM ^

I actually hate it when people stand right behind me in line. I wouldn't say stand 10ft back, but FFS when there's some jackass who is about 18in behind me while im at the register paying...that makes my blood boil

Joined: 10/04/2012

MGoPoints: 3317

UMfan21

August 25th, 2017 at 12:31 PM ^

i have had two times in the past few months where im placing groceries on the checkout belt and the person behind me starts putting their shit on it before Im done! thats when i start dpacing my groceries out and have them repeatedly pull their shit backeard to make more room. you arent getting out of here faster by placing your stuff on the belt before im done.

Joined: 09/28/2009

MGoPoints: 51211

NYWolverine

August 25th, 2017 at 12:07 PM ^

I just had a conversation about this and am firmly in camp "give me space". Apparently, the phenomenon could be partially cultural and rooted in population density, from places where queues are expected to be tight. The person inches from your back may be just as anxious about over-spacing as you are of under-spacing. 

Last time this happened to me I just turned around with a startled look, "oh...hey there. Didn't realize the line was so tight!" And lo and behold it wasn't, and the guy backed away a couple feet.

Joined: 08/16/2008

MGoPoints: 1017

uncle leo

August 25th, 2017 at 9:16 AM ^

It's just the general impatience of people. Pick a line, stick to it. The 30-60 seconds you gain from picking your stuff back off the belt and finding a somewhat shorter register is not worth it. 

And I don't really understand your beef with people giving others space. There's nothing I can't stand more than a person breathing down my neck when I'm waiting.

Joined: 07/29/2012

MGoPoints: 34636

maize-blue

August 25th, 2017 at 9:18 AM ^

I find other drivers in the parking lot to be annoying. Especially the ones who take the sight of empty spaces or areas as a signal to criss-cross every which way without even looking for other traffic.

Joined: 01/10/2013

MGoPoints: 44662

Mr. Owl

August 25th, 2017 at 11:33 AM ^

I'm talking about how they are ugly, bad for the environment and actually dangerous as you are required to actually walk in the lanes of traffic.  Glad I have had the opportunity to live where there is good public transit & have seen the beauty of not needing a car.  It's a different world.

Joined: 01/15/2015

MGoPoints: 346

Number 7

August 25th, 2017 at 9:20 AM ^

I hate it when there are sales staff right there (say, behind the counter), but they're busy and don't acknowledge you. Not asking that someone drop what they're doing to help me, but an "I'll be with you in a just a minute" or "so-and-so over there can help you" would be a simple, much appreciated courtesy.

Joined: 06/09/2009

MGoPoints: 5256

Oregon Wolverine

August 25th, 2017 at 1:07 PM ^

This isn't OK(GD)Cupid, I'm shopping for groceries.  

Told a clerk once "I'm here to shop, I didn't come for small talk."  

Told I was rude, "Really?  Knew you had a meat counter, didn't know you had a meat market too."  

 

Joined: 09/30/2014

MGoPoints: 2627

creelymonk10

August 25th, 2017 at 9:22 AM ^

Hate when stores don't have one line for checking out, then call the next person to whichever register opens up. If a place doesn't, I always get screwed with the slow ass line. Kohls and Barnes & Noble are places that do have it, they get it.

Also hate middle aged women who try to bitch about everything in line, about how long the person in front of them is taking, but then try to use an expired coupon themselves, bitching over 50 cents.

Joined: 12/04/2009

MGoPoints: 10678

blueyinohio

August 25th, 2017 at 12:07 PM ^

Same here. The gas station I frequent has 1 line for 2-3 registers. There is always someone trying to skip the line. I had a lady tell me chivalry must be dead when I called her out on it. I replied "For rude people it is". She didn't like that but whatever. I don't get why some people think they are so much better then everyone else!

Joined: 01/25/2010

MGoPoints: 177

Zarniwoop

August 25th, 2017 at 10:59 AM ^

I always... ALWAYS answer "no" to this just to see what they'll do.

Usually, they just say, I'm sorry. If they actually get concerned and want to help me, I fess up immediately.

I also sign my credit card with "please ask me for identification". No one ever has.

Joined: 09/10/2013

MGoPoints: 10498

Goggles Paisano

August 25th, 2017 at 9:23 AM ^

My biggest pet peeve with retail stores, including grocery stores is the cashier soliciting for donations as you pay for your goods.  While usually all great causes, that just seems inappropriate to solicit like that in front of other customers.  Time and place man!  

Joined: 07/30/2011

MGoPoints: 41230

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

August 25th, 2017 at 9:24 AM ^

I don't like to be asked if I'm "finding everything alright" or otherwise need help.  The bigger the purchase, the more I like to be left alone so I can turn things over in my head, although of course the more likely I am to be bothered.  Looking for nails? I might as well be invisible.  Looking at refrigerators?  It's like I'm putting out salesman pheromones.  I will seek you out if I need something.  Of course, that's when they disappear, so maybe I shouldn't complain after all.

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 41586