The Big Deal

[ballymoss9018]

I use the "perpetual" bags which Sainbury's (and others I presume) undertake to replace if they become damaged but generally last for years. Never had a problem opening and using them and only had to replace one in goodness knows how many years.

Peter

[paulz6]

It sounds like the old VW. Once you've got one, you don't need another one. If you do not design in obsolescence then you are out of business.
Doesn't a plaggy bag feel so much heavier with a bit of gaffer tape around the bottom though?

[paulz6]

OK, big multi-billion store refit going on. I cannot get to the sandwich meat, but that doesn't matter because the bread shelves which are accessible are not stocked up. Nevermind, I've now got 20% more meat in what I have been able to get. Whoohoo! I've now got twenty percent more meat on a product that I've never seen before. Perhaps we could see a 20% higher dead cat bounce, because this dead cat did not even bounce when it dropped through the floor....

[paulz6]

This time around, all I needed to do was throw aside three bags as unopenable. I do have two bags of shopping though. What a waste.

[terrycunliffe]

Unless I've not purchased any:-
Alcohol (v unlikely )
Paracetamol (also v unlikely... see above )
Kitchen utensils,
Glue,
Matches,
Videos,
Then I'm tempted to use self service if there are queues at the staffed checkouts.
Otherwise is a waste of time waiting for someone to come along to verify my age

[gswindale]

We used the self service checkout at Waitrose a few weeks back to buy some beers that were not available elsewhere as a gift.

We were somewhat surprised that no staff interaction was needed!

[john13]

no staff interaction was needed

Our local M&S has a staff control point near the self-service tills and, depending on who is on duty, the 'confirm age' gets done remotely. The local Sainsburys on the other hand has - at best - an assistant wandering about around the self-service tills. Almost without fail, they sense that attention is about to be needed and take off into the distance to confer with their colleagues.

Cheers

John

[Acorncomputer]

Self Service at Waitroses (or at least our branch) comprises using a handheld scanner to record your purchases as you fill your trolley. In order to use the service you have to be registered with Waitroses and they will already have details of your credit card and other information such as age. As you arrive you scan in your credit card and when the details are checked the machine releases a scanner to you. At the end of the shop you hand in your scanner at the dedicated (and often empty) service desk and pay the bill. There is no need to touch anything in your trolley unless a random re-checking is flagged up at the till.

The system is brilliant and saves all that waiting, unpacking and re-packing at the normal tills and as the system already knows your age there is no need to query any alcohol products you have bought.

I look around the store and see that the vast majority of people are using the old fashioned system of checking out and wonder why they subject themselves to the hassle. I also note that it is the older shoppers who tend to use this system which does require the user to be honest and fair and not try to get away with acquiring products that they have not scanned.

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[gswindale]

I guess it must be the remote option then

I did see the "scan & pack" devices when we went in; however we just used the traditional self-service checkouts like the ones you find in Tesco/Sainsbury's etc.

I seem to recall that Safeway trialled a "scan & pack" system many years back but gave up on it after a short while - I guess Waitrose customers are just more honest

[paulz6]

It's a long time since I have bought any alcohol in a supermarket, but there is always a security guard standing at a nearby monitoring station who I am sure would be looking out for any under-age buyers.
I struggle to open some carrier bags no matter what state I am in though.

[martinhodgson]

You aren't alone - I can pack bags efficiently, but if I have to open the carrier bags I can end up looking very daft very quickly!