Social Distancing

Rex

Active Member
We have discovered ordering groceries on line from Wal-Mart. First time Monday and it worked. Ordered on line, set the date to pick them up, they told me what time, they texted when the order was filled and we said we were on the way. Pulled into the parking lot to the reserved pickup spot and called the number on the sign, told them who I was and what stall I was in. In just a few minutes a young person brought them out, loaded them in the back of the pickup, thanked us and we went home. The produce they picked out was top notch and we couldn't be happier. Of course there are a few items the hoarders deplete but the store can't help that. We'll use this service from now on.
 

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
Winelover's (John) wife Cindy uses that and seems happy with it though she does go in the store herself for fresh veggies & fruit. Don't think it would work out to well for me, I have no idea what I want until I see it in the store and think yeah, that looks good. Plus I always look at the expiration date and pick the freshest one, in open refrigerators I reach into the back for the coldest one, not to sure they would do any of that.
 

Ian

Notorious member
Produce is the disadvantage to grocery pickup...someone else is choosing it for you and their interest is selling what's there, not cherry-picking the best. Other than that it's great, we have a statewide chain called H-E-B that has been doing an excellent job of the curbside thing for a while now.
 

Rex

Active Member
Actually our Wal-Mart in North Platte did a great job of picking our produce but I suspect all stores are a bit different. We will order more from this store and I didn't have to stand in check-out line waiting for a checker.
 

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
Wow . . . Your Walmart has checkers? The ones that ring everything up and put it in a bag? Wow. Our Super Center did have roughly 30+ registers but they're nearly all gone now, down to only 6 for the entire store. All rest are now self check out, I told them when they start giving me 10% off for doing their job for them I would start using self check out. When the last 6 registers are gone so am I, there are other markets in town that actually have registers with checkers.
 

uncle jimbo

Well-Known Member
I told them when they start giving me 10% off for doing their job for them I would start using self check out.

Having owned my own business for 28 years, I promise you that overall expense of businesses with employees is way higher than 10%. Depending on what the state charges for taxes on employee wages plus the federal taxes, which are the same in all states, probably closer to 35 to 45% of total business expense.
 

Ian

Notorious member
I told a homestore manager (who had just directed me to self-check from the long line at the single manned register) that no way in hell was I going through that thing unless she put me on the payroll for the time it took me to check out, paid for my training, and provided medical insurance. You can guess the look she gave me.
 

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
When they direct me to self check out which Lowes does often I just tell them no thanks, when that's all there is where are you gonna work? Cause it won't be here.
 

uncle jimbo

Well-Known Member
You are right Rick. But if they can get you to do it, that is one less checker's wages plus the taxes, and sick leave, paid vacation, and insurance, if the company offers it, the company gets to keep.
I don't and won't use self checkout for all the reasons mentioned here and other reasons.
 
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Rick

Moderator
Staff member
Another reason if it's needed . . . The Walton's are one of the very richest family's on the planet and they feel they aren't making enough so they need to turn me into a grocery checker working for them for free? Really? :mad:
 

462

California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
Ever notice that stores with self-checkout always have employees listlessly standing round to help the self-checkouters who have problems self-checking? Where is the savings in that?
 

Ian

Notorious member
The bean counters did a study to find out what percentage of self check customers will require assistance and staff accordingly.

Apparently Walmart's bean counters are a lot more optimistic than Home Depo's.

I'm sure the corporate head shrinkers on staff knew this thing would work because a certain percentage of customers get excited at the prospect of having control over their checkout time, or at least the illusion therof because checking themselves gives them something to do while waiting to check out. I like doing things myself....most of the time, but paying for stuff and figuring the bill besides is not one of them.
 
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Rally

NC Minnesota
Better get used to it guys. I'd be surprised if there is such a thing as a checker in five years. Already in Japan there are stores you access with your credit card and take what you want. Scanners that read as you leave.
The Home Depot here never has anyone in the sheeting isle to help load plywood. Employees will run if they see anybody turn down that isle! I try to make as much noise as I can dropping sheets of plywood on the flat wheeled carts, and never take any of the first five or six sheets, because they have all been graded through and have scabs. Price is the same, and if they can't even help get it out the door, I'm going to be real picky about what I pay for. They offer to give me $25.00 for applying for a new credit card just about every time I go there, so I apply. When the new card comes in the mail I throw away the old one! That's like getting 100 lbs. of lead free! LOL
 

Glaciers

Alaska Land of the Midnight Sun
This is a video about safety on stopping the transfer of the virus on your shopping. I found it interesting. If this is not allowed take it down.


This is a link to a 13 minute video by a Dr about the virus. This is PSA video which Karyn and I thought was very informative about how to be safe with foods and grocery shopping.
Just watch it. I thought it was useful
 

popper

Well-Known Member
She went to the store to get some apples for a pie. Yum. Washed them off - someone else may have handled them.
My county as of yesterday:
total=66
dead=1
quarantined=44
hospital=6 Looks like one pe hospital so NO bed problem yet.
recovered=15
My town=0
 

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
My county and the counties surrounding here as of yesterday:
total=0
dead=0
quarantined=0
hospital=0
recovered=0
My town=0
People going nuts, hoarding, wearing masks, closing business's= Thousands. :sigh:
 

JWFilips

Well-Known Member
In PA we have 1687 cases as of today ( 183 in my area) 16 deaths so far and a rise in new cases in the past 24 hours of 560

So It is really moving up for us
Thanks for posting that video! All ideas that can help should be looked at
 

Glaciers

Alaska Land of the Midnight Sun
Well after talking to my sister in law who is a 30 year nurse, and has suggested that this is a flu like we have never seen. She stresses extra care and self quarantine with a dose of common sense. She was stressing precautions like the video recommends.
My wife and I are going to stay home and I guess I will have to live without 1/2 & 1/2 after next Tuesday. If you don't NEED it, stay home. Be ahead of the curve. The inconvenience very well may be a small price to pay. I'm closing in on 70 and my wife is over 70, so there is nothing I need worth leaving home for.
Stay safe and stay home.