How to shop responsibly during Coronageddon

RunIntoTheRain

As a retail employee, (Costco), I'm exposed to 1000's of shoppers a day.

There are some avoidable problems we at Costco, and from what I hear, other retailers are seeing:

Groups/families coming in to shop. Please, this is not necessary. I get that you may have to bring someone in if you have no childcare or you are helping your disabled parent. But TRY to just come on your own. You are needlessly exposing the people you bring as well as all the employees. I keep seeing whole families shopping.

Shopping multiple times a week. Please purchase what you need for 2 weeks then STAY HOME!

Using the outing as a social event. I get that you're bored at home, but get what you need and quickly get out. I see people wandering around in groups or running into neighbors and standing around chit-chatting.

Also, be nice to us. We are under a bit of stress, and scared for what we are bringing home to our own families in the way of germs. Most of us are resigned to the fact we will get sick.

When people thank me for being there, it truly touches my heart. We WANT to be there for ya'll.

We DO NOT KNOW when the next shipment of TP is coming in and are not responsible for the limitations on purchases.

Be kind to others as well. This sucks for everyone.

Thanks for listening!

Tami

hedonist

Common sense and kindness. 

Check and check!

And yes, thank you to YOU and the many “you’s”

bbiggs

Great post Tami and thank you for what you’re doing! I look at folks like yourself, that work in retail and are facing hundreds or thousands of people every day, as very much being on the front line. It takes a lot of courage and selflessness to be exposed to that number of people. So...THANK YOU! 

RunIntoTheRain

@hedonist @bbiggs  

mace1229

Some of Costco’s practices have driven me nuts this week.
First, they are forcing people to line up in a zigzag line in close proximity so they can limit the number inside. Once inside, it’s was empty, they clearly could have 2 or 3 times the number and still had plenty of room to spread out, certainly not nearly as bad as forcing people to line up zig zag outside. About the dumbest thing I’ve seen any store do.

The first time I went I didn’t grab a cart before getting in line. I didn’t see the point, they wipe it down for you once inside, so what was the point for holding onto a cart that wasn’t sanitized and pushing it through a line only to sanitize it after I’ve had it for 10 minutes? Seemed like common sense to just grab one of the hundreds right by the door instead. Anyway, when I got to the front I realize I was supposed to have a cart by then, so I step out of line and grabbed a cart from a stack just 5 or 6 feet away. The door guard yelled at me for stepping out and said I needed to get it before getting in line. Could have been more polite, but whatever.

2 days later I’m back. I would like to take your advice of not shopping often, but it’s hard when everything is sold out. Not even looking for TP, just mac n cheese and things like that. Was hoping it was just an off day and they’d have it. Anyway, remembering getting yelled at over the cart 2 days earlier, I grabbed one before getting in line. This time I was yelled at, pretty rudely again, for grabbing an unsanitized cart. Today they decided to sanitize them all and give you one as you entered the store. And I was just supposed to know this I guess?

Anyway, I wanted to email a complaint about the zig zag line, but their site specifically says they don’t have an email service. I didn’t feel like calling. And still sold out of what I wanted. I refuse to go before noon because the line wraps around the building at that time. Going after noon is about a 5-10 minute wait to get in. Not desperate enough to wait in line for 2 hours at this point. Maybe when I’m out of toilet paper I will.

Costco has made my annoyed/idiot list this week.

Smellyman

and don't be like these assholes, buy everything and turnaround and sell for profits.

And store managers don't sell to these asswipes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85p0kMsLrbg

brianlux

Smellyman said:

and don't be like these assholes, buy everything and turnaround and sell for profits.

And store managers don't sell to these asswipes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85p0kMsLrbg

Unbelievably selfish.

brianlux

RunIntoTheRain said:

As a retail employee, (Costco), I'm exposed to 1000's of shoppers a day.

There are some avoidable problems we at Costco, and from what I hear, other retailers are seeing:

Groups/families coming in to shop. Please, this is not necessary. I get that you may have to bring someone in if you have no childcare or you are helping your disabled parent. But TRY to just come on your own. You are needlessly exposing the people you bring as well as all the employees. I keep seeing whole families shopping.

Shopping multiple times a week. Please purchase what you need for 2 weeks then STAY HOME!

Using the outing as a social event. I get that you're bored at home, but get what you need and quickly get out. I see people wandering around in groups or running into neighbors and standing around chit-chatting.

Also, be nice to us. We are under a bit of stress, and scared for what we are bringing home to our own families in the way of germs. Most of us are resigned to the fact we will get sick.

When people thank me for being there, it truly touches my heart. We WANT to be there for ya'll.

We DO NOT KNOW when the next shipment of TP is coming in and are not responsible for the limitations on purchases.

Be kind to others as well. This sucks for everyone.

Thanks for listening!

Tami

This is great. Tami.

My wife and I signed up at our local e-cart purchase at our local Raley's grocery store.  We fill our cart on-line, pay with a credit card, and they give us a pick-up date and time (which will be tomorrow).  They fill out what they have in stock for our order, have limits on certain items (totally fine with us and very fair), and then we go to a designated spot in the parking lot, open the back of the car and get out of the way.  They then they load it in.  They're protected, we're protected, everybody is happy.  We (who are more susceptible and at-risk and thus are sheltering) will thank these folks profusely, just like I thank you profusely for being out there doing what you do. 

Thank you, Tami!

g under p

Luckily, I'm a a food specialist at BJS and I work at night. Far away from members that shop with many family members. At nights it's about 7 of of us for the entire club so I'm rarely ever within six of my coworkers. 

One solid thing BJS did was to open @ 7 for seniors only. Then at 8 everyone is allowed 10 at a time stationed outside 6 feet apart. After work I got in the line they told me I don't belong in this line you are not a senior. I laughed and said lm senior I just don't want the world to know.....they asked for my ID I said I don't have it with me, I finally gave up and gave my spot to an older lady. One had to 60+ to be in the line of which I'm. 

Also BJS 4xs a day disinfect by wiping down all registers and bathrooms. We also have crew that comes in overnight and wipe down with disinfectant just about thing humans touch in the club except merchandise. It leaves a nice smell till the bakery crew comes in.

Peace

mace1229

Smellyman said:

and don't be like these assholes, buy everything and turnaround and sell for profits.

And store managers don't sell to these asswipes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85p0kMsLrbg

I was hoping people would start running up and grabbing stuff from her cart and take off.

Halifax2TheMax

Hoping for theft of personal property. Nice.

stuckinline

Smellyman said:

and don't be like these assholes, buy everything and turnaround and sell for profits.

And store managers don't sell to these asswipes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85p0kMsLrbg

What's in the bag on her wrist?

hedonist

I wonder if she works in the medical field or was getting supplies to help out somewhere. Or some other valid reason than assumed hoarding?

I dunno, seems many all around - unneeded disclaimer: not giving the stink eye to anyone in particular, yada yada- are quick to make assumptions without facts. 

(If she was indeed legitimately hogging, I stand corrected in this instance.)

what dreams

How did the store sell all that to her? Every store around here has limits on supplies.  

hedonist

It might have been before the limits were in place.  They’re all over here now!

YAKIMATSU

Thank you Tami. You are a special person. 

brianlux

We tried to tip the nice you lady who loaded our e-cart bags yesterday but she said Raley's does not allow employees to accept tips.  We heaped praise on her for a job well done.  I'm very grateful to all those who are helping keep the food chain going.  I can't say "thank you" enough!

tempo_n_groove

hedonist said:

Common sense and kindness. 

Check and check!

And yes, thank you to YOU and the many “you’s”

The two what?

hedonist

Ha! I have to give kudos to our mail folks too.  Saw a few while out walking earlier. 

“Neither rain nor snow nor Covid...”