Anybody here ever have the job of a grocery store clerk? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

littlebelle · 10-20-2008, 12:04 AM

Hey all! I've been really busy this past weekend with my new job, checker @ Safeway. Anyway, let's just say the past couple of days (especially today) have been really stressful

. There's so much to remember! (PLU codes, different types of tender, those annoying WIC checks ect) and let's not forget the lovely customers

. Today was my first day after only training for three days via computer and it was awful. The Hawks game was today so the store was extremely busy plus it's a Sunday. Most of my co-workers have been really nice and given me lots of encouragement, but it's still hard. I've heard that a job like this becomes REALLY easy after the first month or so, but damn, this first day was really harsh. Anyway, the point of this post was to see if any of you out there have ever been/are a grocery checker and if you have any words of advice or encouragement for me... tell me your stories!

Schmoopie · 10-20-2008, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlebelle

Hey all! I've been really busy this past weekend with my new job, checker @ Safeway. Anyway, let's just say the past couple of days (especially today) have been really stressful

. There's so much to remember! (PLU codes, different types of tender, those annoying WIC checks ect) and let's not forget the lovely customers

. Today was my first day after only training for three days via computer and it was awful. The Hawks game was today so the store was extremely busy plus it's a Sunday. Most of my co-workers have been really nice and given me lots of encouragement, but it's still hard. I've heard that a job like this becomes REALLY easy after the first month or so, but damn, this first day was really harsh. Anyway, the point of this post was to see if any of you out there have ever been/are a grocery checker and if you have any words of advice or encouragement for me... tell me your stories!

I really feel for you, LB. I thought being a checker would be fun... and it was to an extent. However there's SO much to remember. All those codes (as you mentioned) plus the different types of vegetables and fruits, coupons etc. I worked for Kroger as a checker in 1988 and although I enjoyed it, it was pretty stressful. We were "graded" on how fast we scanned items, which I think is really stupid. I know they don't want someone who takes forever, but still...

I remember very well going to "checker school" for a few days. I did learn the different types of apples which I still remember to this day, so at least something came of it. My boss was really nice but I was bummed out after a month or so because they told me that I wasn't fast enough to be a checker and dumped me in the deli department. That was like going from Heaven to Hell, I tell you. Talk about the boss from HELL!! She was a total witch!
Anyway, I'm sure you are going to be better at it than I was. It's probably easier now with the advancement in technology and so forth, but still I'm sure it's challenging. Glad your co-workers are supportive and nice. If I would have known that my "career" at Kroger would end up being in the deli department, I would have quit after they "booted" me out of the front line.

I'm short and in the deli, I was forced to use the slicer all the time and I noticed that months after I quit, I started having massive pain in my right shoulder and upper arm. I couldn't figure out why and I concluded that it must have been from using that slicer all the time.

Sorry if I sound negative about the whole thing. I did enjoy being a checker and as I said, I'm sure it's a lot better than it was in 1988. If I ever had to get a second job, I'd apply to be a checker at Safeway or somewhere. I'm pretty good at using those scanners at the self-checkout lines in Fred Meyer!

Andrea

littlebelle · 10-20-2008, 01:55 PM

Thanks Andrea

I'm glad to know somebody out there understands. Hopefully after awhile things will become top of the hat, and I'll never forget any of those stupid codes. I am actually really thankful for modern day technology, I just wish there was someway to scan produce

.

Jude The Obscure · 10-20-2008, 03:18 PM

Hey there, Littlebelle, Jude--full time male cashier at a mom and pop supermarket (which means I'm not working at a chain store, thank ya Jesus). Can I share the stories with you......well I may just use this thread for my pet peeves about working there. LOL. Basically I do like my job but there are so many things wrong that should be corrected to improve. First off, the impression that cashiers are these unskilled second class workers.....BALDERDASH!!

I will prolly share much more when I have more time to devote and clearly think out what I want to say.

Keep sharing as well

littlebelle · 10-20-2008, 03:33 PM

I'm actually about to go to work in a couple of hours so I'll let you guys know how my second day went, don't think it could be any worse then yesterday. Thanks Jude, I'll keep you posted as you do the same.

Chocoholic · 10-20-2008, 04:00 PM

I worked as a supermarket cashier for over five years. For the most part, it was OK. A lot of my regulars were decent people. I couldn't stand the long hours, lazy co-"workers" who do anything but work, and grouchy customers who treated us like dog poop. I don't miss it and I hope I never have to do it again.

Jude The Obscure · 10-20-2008, 04:07 PM

right now, the hours are really getting to me--it is insane for people to expect you to stand on your feet 8+ hours everyday and still be smiling and friendly. Esp after some people just prefer to talk into their cell phone than to pay attention to you, the lowly cashier

Big C · 10-20-2008, 04:17 PM

Are you allowed to purchase any of the products at a grocery store, LB?

I couldn't go a day without purchasing delicious ice cream products.

P.S. Sorry about the Seahawks. I do think they are in trouble, however.

Adamantium · 10-20-2008, 04:21 PM

Well I've never been a cashier, however, since December 17, 2000, I've been a bagger at Kroger. I'm at the point now where I can barely stand people. But early on, I liked my job and the people that worked there.

There's always those mean, evil customers. But I take it as positive thing in that I know how NOT to act when I'm at a store.

Customers expect us to be perfect, and we're not. We're just humans and we're bound to make mistakes now and then. But try telling the customers that.

Jude The Obscure · 10-20-2008, 04:30 PM

The fact that we are not tipped like say wait staff are, yet we are supposed to be just as all giving and non stop serving, really sometimes irks me....

Yooch · 10-20-2008, 05:34 PM

No, and I wouldn't want to either. I really like our local cashiers at the groceries we shop at, and the baggers. They're really friendly. It's not a job for me. I don't think I'd be very good at it.

Big C · 10-20-2008, 10:25 PM

Where are you, LB?

I sent you a private message on Friday.

littlebelle · 10-20-2008, 11:01 PM

Sorry, I've been really busy Chris. This job is killing me but hopefully it'll get easier. Most people think it's an easy, no brainer job, but they're sadly mistaken... at least for the first month. Oh yeah, this is to all you rude costumers that I had to deal with today...

F YOU!

Big C · 10-20-2008, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Oh yeah, this is to all you rude costumers that I had to deal with today...

F YOU!

By rude customer, do you mean "I WANT THIS ICE CREAM FLAVOR, NOT THAT ONE!" or "PUT THIS PRODUCT IN THAT BAG!"

littlebelle · 10-20-2008, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FSU

By rude customer, do you mean "I WANT THIS ICE CREAM FLAVOR, NOT THAT ONE!" or "PUT THIS PRODUCT IN THAT BAG!"

Yeah sort of. Or "um, excuse me I think you charged me twice for that miss".

10-20-2008, 12:04 AM	#1
littlebelle Spell Caster Senior Member Join Date: Dec 29, 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 2,659	Anybody here ever have the job of a grocery store clerk? Hey all! I've been really busy this past weekend with my new job, checker @ Safeway. Anyway, let's just say the past couple of days (especially today) have been really stressful . There's so much to remember! (PLU codes, different types of tender, those annoying WIC checks ect) and let's not forget the lovely customers . Today was my first day after only training for three days via computer and it was awful. The Hawks game was today so the store was extremely busy plus it's a Sunday. Most of my co-workers have been really nice and given me lots of encouragement, but it's still hard. I've heard that a job like this becomes REALLY easy after the first month or so, but damn, this first day was really harsh. Anyway, the point of this post was to see if any of you out there have ever been/are a grocery checker and if you have any words of advice or encouragement for me... tell me your stories!

10-20-2008, 05:34 PM	#11
Yooch Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 07, 2006 Location: California Posts: 3,180	No, and I wouldn't want to either. I really like our local cashiers at the groceries we shop at, and the baggers. They're really friendly. It's not a job for me. I don't think I'd be very good at it.
	__________________ "The true meaning of America, you ask? It's in a Texas rodeo, in a policeman's badge, in the sound of laughing children, in a political rally, in a newspaper...In all these things and many more, you'll find freedom. And freedom is what America means to the world. And to me." --Audie Leon Murphy June 20, 1924-- May 28, 1971 Last edited by Yooch; 10-20-2008 at 11:07 PM.

10-20-2008, 01:55 PM	#3
littlebelle Spell Caster Senior Member Join Date: Dec 29, 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 2,659	Thanks Andrea I'm glad to know somebody out there understands. Hopefully after awhile things will become top of the hat, and I'll never forget any of those stupid codes. I am actually really thankful for modern day technology, I just wish there was someway to scan produce .

10-20-2008, 03:18 PM	#4
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,519	Hey there, Littlebelle, Jude--full time male cashier at a mom and pop supermarket (which means I'm not working at a chain store, thank ya Jesus). Can I share the stories with you......well I may just use this thread for my pet peeves about working there. LOL. Basically I do like my job but there are so many things wrong that should be corrected to improve. First off, the impression that cashiers are these unskilled second class workers.....BALDERDASH!! I will prolly share much more when I have more time to devote and clearly think out what I want to say. Keep sharing as well

10-20-2008, 03:33 PM	#5
littlebelle Spell Caster Senior Member Join Date: Dec 29, 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 2,659	I'm actually about to go to work in a couple of hours so I'll let you guys know how my second day went, don't think it could be any worse then yesterday. Thanks Jude, I'll keep you posted as you do the same.

10-20-2008, 04:00 PM	#6
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	I worked as a supermarket cashier for over five years. For the most part, it was OK. A lot of my regulars were decent people. I couldn't stand the long hours, lazy co-"workers" who do anything but work, and grouchy customers who treated us like dog poop. I don't miss it and I hope I never have to do it again.

10-20-2008, 04:07 PM	#7
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,519	right now, the hours are really getting to me--it is insane for people to expect you to stand on your feet 8+ hours everyday and still be smiling and friendly. Esp after some people just prefer to talk into their cell phone than to pay attention to you, the lowly cashier

10-20-2008, 04:17 PM	#8
Big C I Heart Angie Watson Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 21, 2006 Posts: 3,531	Are you allowed to purchase any of the products at a grocery store, LB? I couldn't go a day without purchasing delicious ice cream products. P.S. Sorry about the Seahawks. I do think they are in trouble, however.

10-20-2008, 04:21 PM	#9
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,823	Well I've never been a cashier, however, since December 17, 2000, I've been a bagger at Kroger. I'm at the point now where I can barely stand people. But early on, I liked my job and the people that worked there. There's always those mean, evil customers. But I take it as positive thing in that I know how NOT to act when I'm at a store. Customers expect us to be perfect, and we're not. We're just humans and we're bound to make mistakes now and then. But try telling the customers that.

10-20-2008, 04:30 PM	#10
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,519	The fact that we are not tipped like say wait staff are, yet we are supposed to be just as all giving and non stop serving, really sometimes irks me....

10-20-2008, 10:25 PM	#12
Big C I Heart Angie Watson Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 21, 2006 Posts: 3,531	Where are you, LB? I sent you a private message on Friday.

10-20-2008, 11:01 PM	#13
littlebelle Spell Caster Senior Member Join Date: Dec 29, 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 2,659	Sorry, I've been really busy Chris. This job is killing me but hopefully it'll get easier. Most people think it's an easy, no brainer job, but they're sadly mistaken... at least for the first month. Oh yeah, this is to all you rude costumers that I had to deal with today... F YOU!