Safeway's new "unload EVERYTHING" policy!

[RainyNights]

I just used the online contact us to complain about this new policy. I thought at first it was just my store because .. well they can be anal! Yesterday before shopping I stopped at the service desk and explained how I felt about this policy and that w/ everything I was buying I would NOT load my cart, unload everything, load my cart again, load my truck and then have to come home and unload/put things away.

I told the manager I more than welcomed them to walk over and check my cart completely. I was told this was not a store policy but a corporate one and that NO I could not buy anything that was not put on the belt.

Safeway around here is so over priced it isn't even funny and the only time I shop there is for necessities or forgotten at lower price stores items because they are closer, that is until they have a sale on bottle waters, soda's or Arm & Hammer Cat Litter.

Yesterday I planned to get 3 cases of water and 3 (28lb w/ 3lbs bonus) Arm and Hammer Cat Litter. I was NOT going to load/unload/load/unload/unload at home this stuff.

I was told that the cashiers would "gladly" unload and reload these items. That is ridiculous. I know they would but that is a lot to lug and some of the older cashiers should not have to do that.

I was ticked! I really thought refusing to do it they would say okay...to not lose a customer but no, they didn't. So today I ran to Walmart and not only got my water and cat litter but realized that wally's normal price on Splenda is $2 cheaper than Safeway's current sale for the same size box. So when DD goes to work ( near safeway) she is taking that bag back!

Is your safeway doing this?

I hope more people use their online form to complain.



Even the manager I was speaking w/ encouraged me to complain because she felt was ridiculous too. Heck I just got use to them saying we didn't have to put everything up on the belt and now they say we have too.

The first time after this change I exchanged a gallon of milk and the SAME lady that worked CS and did that exchange then opened a lane. She even made me put the exchanged milk on the belt. This is completely ridiculous and complete waste of time and energy for their customes and their employees.

Anyone else feel this way?

[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. But I agree it is anal of corporate to require this across the board. Geez can't they allow for the people working at the store to make a common sense decision as to whether the situation warrants checking under large items? I grew up with a small family retail business. You can tell when somebody is trying something because of the way they are acting. You don't need to make all your customers feel like they needed to be watched as if they were all out to get you.

[jeep.gal]

I don't have to unload everything. If I have multiple 12packs of pop, just one of each kind is enough to put on the belt. That seems pretty petty of them to raise such a stink about it.

[RainyNights]

Thanks for posting. I have called my other store to see if they are doing it. I might try that. I received an auto reply to my letter.

I also feel that it isn't right to act like everyone is up to something or at least that is the way it feels. I feel like if a store or two was having trouble they could have done it per store.

I truly believe that the cashier could check the carts to make sure that there is nothing being hidden w/o unloading. I do not have to do that at Walmart and they only stop me to "highlight" my receipt if I have things under the cart and I usually have way more bags of little things w/ all my bulk item there.

I really hope more people raise a stink....will update when I call my other store. Oh BTW this stores are in MD.

ETA: Called 2 other stores and was told that yes they do make you put everything up and yes it was corporate order.

[jlk77]

I haven't seen this at my store yet. They did recently put a policy in place where the cashier MUST physically come out from behind the register, around the back and check your cart thoroughly for items in the cart. It's really a pain when lanes are open right next to each other. The cashier has to squeeze out by customers and carts.

I find this a little funny that all of a sudden it a big deal b/c when I was a checker at Redner's 15 years ago, they were huge into "checking BOB" bottom of the basket. It was the first thing that came up on the register--did you check bob? You couldn't continue the order with out checking yes.

I'm with you that Genaurdi's prices are higher, but I shop their deals and they have been having a few good ones lately. I also like that they offer to help you out to your car every time. With toddler, I usually say yes!

[frugalstafar]

my store has started putting stickers on any item that is not bagged-I wondered what this was about-must be a part of the policy.

[southsider]

Originally Posted by frugalstafar my store has started putting stickers on any item that is not bagged-I wondered what this was about-must be a part of the policy.

They have been doing that at Dominicks and any other Chicago area chain or independent for decades. I remember way back in the late 70's or early 80's there was a mother with her 2 or 3 year old son and he was putting up a fuss because he didn't want the item in a bag or a sticker put on it. I think it some kind of treat (cookies or cake). They had to distract him and sneak the sticker on. As soon as he noticed the sticker he started trying to take it off as the mom was rushing out the store before he got it off.

[DianeScraps]

Genuardi's is doing it too, and making the cashiers go out of their spot, around the bagger, to check the cart and make sure it is totally unloaded. This is a REAL pain if you are doing mutliple transactions back to back!

[RainyNights]

I encourage ALL of you that have noticed this change to use the link above and complain! Without speaking up they don't know how we feel or are effected by this change.

I have no problem with the cashier coming out looking into my basket. I even proposed that a manage was more than welcome to be called over and check out my basket...I was told no that i could not buy anything that was not put up on the belt.

My safeway's don't do stickers. The only store that still does that is Weis and I feel that is stupid too..... for pete's sake hiring someone to stand at the door and check receipts like walmart...those stickers come off and get stuck every where. lol

[imhzgrlnotu]

my randalls do this too. not really a huge deal for me because honestly i could use the workout anyway lol. but wouldve sucked the other day to go through regular checkout and have to put 40+ 2liter sodas on the belt. i actually had to do it anyway, cuz i went through self checkout and did 3 transactions.

i think if you only get a few items though, and theyre big ones, or just one or two even left in the cart after you unload everything, they should just scan it and move along like walmart and kroger do.

one thing i did like about randalls sco was the checker there was able to put something into the register so i didnt have to put everything in the bagging area. of course i didnt understand what he was telling me until after i had finished with most of them lol.

so yeah, i do think its kinda dumb...but considering the fact that the checker/bagger will take it out of the cart for you, and they also have people who will help you load your car...its not a big enough deal to contact corp about.