Safeway's new "unload EVERYTHING" policy!

[southsider]

Originally Posted by danimn didn't Jewel used to have this? I remember those carts too, but can't remember what store it was at

I think that's where I remember it from too. I think they started doing it at the Grand Bazaar's. They may have also put them in some of the new larger stores. I think it may have been in the 80's.

[karmah]

Originally Posted by southsider The only reason I can think of for them doing this is because they believe people are hiding items under the large items and walking out with out paying for everything in their cart.

This is exactly why they are doing it. My Genuardi's started this a few months ago.

Then they used to make you switch carts too. Thank goodness they stopped doing that. They would have an empty cart at the end of the lane that they would put your groceries, etc. into. They would put your groceries in the empty cart, so you would have to take everything out of the original cart including your child! I complained that it was a hassle. At the time they claimed it was because they were "cleaning out" the carts, etc between customers. And those carts have not been cleaned in months, if not longer. Like we couldn't figure out the reason why.

Now they have each cashier walk around the entire check-out to check your cart and make sure that there isn't anything in it. Which can really tick you off if your are the customer in the aisle next to the cashier, and every time she comes out of her lane she pushes into you and elbows you and never apologizes for doing so. (Can you tell that happened to me?) Did I mention that they have to bag the items and walk the bags around the check-out stand too? The before mentioned cashier would bag one bag, walk out of her aisle and put the items in the customer's cart, then go back around, bag another bag, and do it all over again. Very annoying. Like she couldn't ring it all up, then go to the end of the aisle, bag and place the items in the cart.

My store does make you put everything on the belt. I had 10 of those aquapod 8-packs and the cashier said they had to put them on the belt and scan each one. That she could not even count them in the cart. That it was a rule. So it must be going through all the Safeway chains.

I am wondering if this has really stopped the shop lifters. I see opened packages, etc. in the store where items have been taken out of multi-packs, etc. as well as empty boxes/packs. So they are eating the items in the store now instead of taking them out?

[southsider]

Originally Posted by karmah This is exactly why they are doing it. My Genuardi's started this a few months ago. Then they used to make you switch carts too. Thank goodness they stopped doing that. They would have an empty cart at the end of the lane that they would put your groceries, etc. into. They would put your groceries in the empty cart, so you would have to take everything out of the original cart including your child! I complained that it was a hassle. At the time they claimed it was because they were "cleaning out" the carts, etc between customers. And those carts have not been cleaned in months, if not longer. Like we couldn't figure out the reason why. Now they have each cashier walk around the entire check-out to check your cart and make sure that there isn't anything in it. Which can really tick you off if your are the customer in the aisle next to the cashier, and every time she comes out of her lane she pushes into you and elbows you and never apologizes for doing so. (Can you tell that happened to me?) Did I mention that they have to bag the items and walk the bags around the check-out stand too? The before mentioned cashier would bag one bag, walk out of her aisle and put the items in the customer's cart, then go back around, bag another bag, and do it all over again. Very annoying. Like she couldn't ring it all up, then go to the end of the aisle, bag and place the items in the cart. My store does make you put everything on the belt. I had 10 of those aquapod 8-packs and the cashier said they had to put them on the belt and scan each one. That she could not even count them in the cart. That it was a rule. So it must be going through all the Safeway chains. I am wondering if this has really stopped the shop lifters. I see opened packages, etc. in the store where items have been taken out of multi-packs, etc. as well as empty boxes/packs. So they are eating the items in the store now instead of taking them out?

What I think is really bad is items like the large bags of pet food, litter or cases of beverages. Those are heavy. Some are as much as 50 lbs. If they are making the employees lift these items, could they be in violation of OSHA rules. Has anybody seen the employees wearing those safety belts that are supposed to protect the back? I fairly certain that wearing those belts is an OSHA requirement when heavy objects need to be lifted.

I don't think this helps prevent shoplifting. I think it is psychological. It is meant to intimidate customers and make them compliant.

[LizzieH]

Hi Everyone~

I haven't read every post in this thread yet...although when I have more time tonight I will. I just wanted to throw in what has happened at my Safeway lately. (BTW before we moved here I shopped at a Raley's and they had the front cart open thing that rolled up to the checker and I never unloaded my own groceries.)

Here at Safeway I've always had to unload my own but I too have arm damage and bad arthritis although it is not obvious to people. So I leave big things in or get help but so far no manditory unloading...I'm in Northern California. They have though gotten new carts with an alarm and a sort of bootjack on one wheel. I had one new manager tell me that one of their oldest customers brought in her own bags...as we are asked to do...and loaded them up and then just went out the door. (I can think perhaps she was confused herself if older...or maybe was truly stealing.) He also said they had discovered a "plot" where people where loading their carts with expensive meats, etc, piling big bags of dog food on top and actually re-selling the meats. So...we are all suspect now.

The new carts have a cup holder...ahhhmmm...placed exactly where you have to bend over and lean in to unload and I'll tell ya what landed in MY cup holder...and I coulda used a bigger cup! I let mangement know maybe they should be on the other side. But the other day I asked to pay for a cup of coffee to take to a friend as I was checking out so it would still be hot. No problem. I went to get the coffee with my paid for groceries in my cart and the container I wanted was empty. I pushed my cart to the deli counter and asked them to bring a new one...which they did...but I guess at some point on the edge of the store I hit enough of an area that indicated my cart had not gone through a checkstand. As I went out the door the store wide alarm went off and the cart buckled and stopped abruptly...spilling part of the coffee...hurting my back...and blocking the entire doorway for people coming and going. They had to get a "key" which took forever because for some reason they had to get a "new key"...and I had to stand there (I was in a hurry anyway) and explain to all the blocked people what was going on. UGH! The employees say the alarm goes off all day and it is always a mix up.

My manager is great, I love the store employees but corporate is going to lose customers with their stupid ideas! Thems my 2 cents...I will read all the others tonight. This afternoon I'll suit up in camo to go to Safeway!

[RainyNights]

Originally Posted by southsider What I think is really bad is items like the large bags of pet food, litter or cases of beverages. Those are heavy. Some are as much as 50 lbs. If they are making the employees lift these items, could they be in violation of OSHA rules. Has anybody seen the employees wearing those safety belts that are supposed to protect the back? I fairly certain that wearing those belts is an OSHA requirement when heavy objects need to be lifted. I don't think this helps prevent shoplifting. I think it is psychological. It is meant to intimidate customers and make them compliant.

This is exacty why I got so bent about it. I didn't even think about OSHA but unlike Sam's , Costco and Home Depot I have not seen any of the cashiers at Safeway wearing belts.

I also want to add that the day I emailed SW I got an automated reply...the next day I got " we're sorry you had a bad experience , we are forwarding your comments to the appropriate dept. and the store manager" and I have NOT received ANY other reply.....guess that shows what safeway REALLY thinks of its' customers.

[southsider]

Originally Posted by RainyNights [/color] This is exacty why I got so bent about it. I didn't even think about OSHA but unlike Sam's , Costco and Home Depot I have not seen any of the cashiers at Safeway wearing belts. I also want to add that the day I emailed SW I got an automated reply...the next day I got " we're sorry you had a bad experience , we are forwarding your comments to the appropriate dept. and the store manager" and I have NOT received ANY other reply.....guess that shows what safeway REALLY thinks of its' customers.

Time to get on the phone. Rule of thumb if not satisfied with the answer they give you ask for a supervisor. If still not satisfied ask for a manager. You might want to say that you were thinking of making a report to OSHA. Or you could actually call OSHA first and ask if this is a violation of OSHA rules.