var json_comments = new Array("
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lehrdude
October 14, 2009 7:41 PM
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I hate it when their peanut butter gets mixed up with my chocolate!

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2 replies
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MikeB
October 14, 2009 7:45 PM
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@lehrdude: Hey, I hate it when their chocolate gets mixed up with my peanut butter.

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Hinkle
October 15, 2009 12:43 PM
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@MikeB and @ lehrdude: But those are two great tastes that taste great together!

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icy_one
October 14, 2009 7:42 PM
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Rebates in the form of pre-paid cards. Just write me a check, please.

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14 replies
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suezahn
October 17, 2009 3:13 AM
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@icy_one: Ditto. I went to the bank the other day to cash two rebate cards from Verizon. Instead of the 2 minutes it might normally have taken to cash standard checks, it took over 15 minutes while the clerk had to run each card through a scaner, then do scads of paperwork--in triplicate with carbon paper of all things! Yeah, much more convenient...

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Johann
October 15, 2009 1:23 AM
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@icy_one: Anything other than an \"instant rebate\" and I won't buy it. A mail-in rebate says that the company feels they need to offer a better price, but I'm not going to get that price, because I won't bother to fill in the forms. So I now see their product as overpriced.

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dragonfire81
October 15, 2009 4:00 AM
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@Johann: No, a mail in rebate says a company is only willing to sell a certain number of items a the lower price, since they are counting on you to forget to send the rebate in or FUBAR the paperwork. Even if you do everything correctly, they can still find creative ways to deny you the rebate.

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lim
October 14, 2009 9:41 PM
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@icy_one: Reblocking:The process companies use to prevent, or block, customers from easily obtaining a rebate.

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Difdi
October 15, 2009 12:43 AM
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@lim: Rebait&switching: the act of selling an item which carries a rebate, but which the rebate company has run out of money for rebates on, without telling the customer.

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YouDidWhatNow?
October 14, 2009 8:39 PM
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@icy_one:


Allow me to join the chorus of \"no more rebates period.\"


Discount the product or don't.

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suepw
October 14, 2009 8:03 PM
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@icy_one: How about rebates at all? They advertise a certain price on the shelf, then when you get to the register, that price is only available using a rebate. Rebates = FAIL

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snowburnt
October 16, 2009 2:39 PM
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@suepw: Rebates are like the old 0% apr. They're betting on the \"Don't pass\" line, and most of the time they win.

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speedwell (!)
October 14, 2009 8:08 PM
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@suepw: Absolutely. Rebates in any form except instant, at-the-register, automatic rebates for which you don't need a coupon.

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nybiker
October 14, 2009 9:46 PM
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@speedwell, avatar of snark: Those instant rebates are what I call sale prices, which is exactly what is needed. That way we are taxed on the lower price, not the pre-rebate price. And as more and more areas are jacking up their sales tax rates, it has become a bigger piece of the eventual price reduction (not to mention if it's not an online rebate but requires a stamp, now we are losing more money).

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speedwell (!)
October 14, 2009 11:50 PM
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@nybiker: Yes, precisely. I don't care if they call it a ham on rye so long as it's applied at point of purchase.

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ArizonaGeek
October 14, 2009 8:06 PM
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@suepw: I'd agree, rebates are a pain in the rear. Some make it almost impossible to get. Jump up and down on one leg, write only in a blueish hued pen, and randomly pick the right online form. Whoops you didn't pick the right form so your rebate is denied and no you can't resubmit it! Thanks Tiger Direct!

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Difdi
October 15, 2009 12:41 AM
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@ArizonaGeek: Or worse, your blue pen is off of the proper color by two shades, so instead of processing the rebate, they fed it to the pigs out back.

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redskull
October 14, 2009 8:05 PM
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@suepw: I'm with suepw, Get rid of rebates altogether. Either mark it down or don't, but don't make me buy something full price, jump through hoops and then hope I get a rebate in the mail someday.

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henrygates
October 14, 2009 8:52 PM
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@redskull: Or literally set up an obstacle course and make customers jump through various hoops, and get their rebate instantly.

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madanthony
October 14, 2009 8:12 PM
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@redskull:

I like rebates because they have so many hoops - it lets manufacturers offer lower prices than they would with an instant discount, because they know customers won't jump through the hoops. If you do jump through the hoops, you do well.

As far as the prepaid cards, I either use them to buy a gift card from Target in the same amount (they don't expire and I shop at Target all the time) or use them to pay my eBay selling fees (I can always overpay and get a credit balance).

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jpmoney
October 14, 2009 7:51 PM
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@icy_one: Along those lines, rebate cards that are impossible to fully use. I hate that if I get a \"$50 rebate\" card it is declined when trying to authorize it for $50 because somewhere a hold or other fee is tacked on.

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That One Caveman
October 14, 2009 8:05 PM
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@jpmoney: When I receive a pre-paid debit card, I take it to my bank and they deposit it directly into my account by using a direct cash advance. Not sure how it all works, but when Verizon sent me two cards, my bank deposited both directly into my checking.

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econobiker
October 14, 2009 8:24 PM
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@That One Caveman: Do you remember if you paid a bunch to process the debit cards as a direct cash advance? Just wondering.

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Woodside Park Bob
October 14, 2009 7:43 PM
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In-store prices that do not match the same company's on- line prices.

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5 replies
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kateblack
October 15, 2009 2:00 PM
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@Woodside Park Bob: Barnes & Noble now conveniently offers in store kiosks where you can look up the location and quantity of books and see the online price that they won't honor at checkout.

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Heresy Of Truth
October 14, 2009 11:16 PM
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@Woodside Park Bob: I hate that too. IKEA did that to me recently, and I was beyond irritated.

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Geblah187
October 14, 2009 9:56 PM
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@Woodside Park Bob: This. Absolutely this, including the opposite direction as well.

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gjones77
October 14, 2009 8:14 PM
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@Woodside Park Bob: I just dealt with this today at Staples in Pembroke, MA.

They had a 6' FireWire cable for $19.99 on their site, went into the store and it was $32.99, needless to say I got that fixed rather quick, but what about other shoppers who didn't bother to look online first, they all got screwed...

(Yes, I know I could of ordered one online for $5.00, but I needed it immediately to help a friend.)

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Anne Boleyn
October 14, 2009 8:12 PM
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@Woodside Park Bob: and brich & mortar stores that refuse to honor their online prices (like Wal-Mart)

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angryneo
October 14, 2009 7:44 PM
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Car ads with \"one at this price\".

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1 replies
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amuro98
October 14, 2009 8:43 PM
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@angryneo:

How about ALL ads that say \"one at this price\". Frys Electronics is infamous for this. At least they stopped trying to upsell you when you asked about the item in the ad - that got them sued by the CA AG more than a few times. However they still continue to run ridiculous sales, but only have one such item at one of their many stores. Which one? Oh-ho, NOT the one you chose! And it just sold out at some other place 100 miles away. So sorry!

If they don't have at least some minimum number larger than 5 at all locations, then they shouldn't be allowed to advertise it.

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CRSpartan01
October 14, 2009 7:44 PM
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Stores that require their employees to greet every single person they see--so that you are greeted at least three hundred and fifty times while grocery shopping.

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11 replies
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rammie
October 17, 2009 2:48 AM
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@CRSpartan01: Yeah, I'd have to agree. I have enough common sense to know when a customer needs help. That was one of the things I liked when I worked at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, you ask the customers if they need help if they look like they need help and there's a customer service desk for people who have questions to go to for help. If I was required bug everyone I saw I never would have gotten anything done.

Contrary to Office Depot who's policy is to ask everyone within \"20 feet or 20 seconds (I could cross the whole store in 20 seconds)\" if they need help. When I shop, it I just want to be left alone to make my own decisions, when I need help, it's pretty easy to just ask someone. That kind of policy gets worse when employees bosses are near, because they have to ask you again and again, otherwise managers think they are ignoring customers and whats more annoying than being asked if you need anything 7+ times by the same person in one visit to a store, especially if they cant change up the variation in greetings.

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lim
October 14, 2009 10:01 PM
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@CRSpartan01: For a name how about \"Let$ be Friend$\"

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RecordStoreToughGuy_starcommandseries.com
October 14, 2009 8:38 PM
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@CRSpartan01: This. It's a weird quirk of mine, but I much prefer interacting with complete strangers on my terms. Just acknowledge me when I come in, and make your people easy to find when I'm ready to talk to them. I don't need my hand held, and I don't need to be made to feel welcome in a public place.

On a related note, don't try to sell me service plans, magazine subscriptions, discount cards that cost money, or pre-orders. If I want any of those products or services, I will ask for them. I've walked out of stores because cashiers have persisted after being told politely that I wanted nothing more than what I had brought to the counter.

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Ferris152
October 14, 2009 8:29 PM
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@CRSpartan01: @CompyPaq: There's the rub. I don't want to be greeted a hundred times in the store, but I want employees around to be available if I want to ask a question or request assistance. So have one greeter at the door and have the rest of the employees assume you have been greeted once you're inside. Have the other employees trained to be available but not pushy or over-eager. If I have a question, I'll ask.

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SaraFimm
October 14, 2009 8:35 PM
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@Ferris152: Exactly! And it also makes it easier on the employees to get their work done when no customer has a question.

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speedwell (!)
October 14, 2009 8:10 PM
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@CRSpartan01: Actually, I'd a hundred times rather be greeted three hundred times than be \"surveilled\" by an in-store zero-tolerance cop just aching for me to make one wrong move. That is to say, greeters are there mostly to make you feel like guests whose host is hovering over them, but in this case the host is hovering so you don't have a chance to steal the silver spoons.

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Antiks
October 15, 2009 7:43 AM
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@speedwell, avatar of snark: I always hated the Best Buy people hovering around me.

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CompyPaq
October 14, 2009 8:09 PM
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@CRSpartan01: Better than stores where all the employees ignore you.

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Julia789
October 14, 2009 10:05 PM
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@CompyPaq: I had an \"over-friendly\" employee at Gap Kids yesterday. She asked \"Can I help you find anything?\" and I said \"I'm fine, I'm OK, thanks anyway.\"She stalked me, a foot behind me \"What are you looking for? What size is your kid? I'll pull that size for you to look at.\" Sees me looking at blue shirt \"Blue? You like blue? I will get what we have in blue! You need new socks too, right? Can't have new clothes without new socks!\"

I was going to buy two of the 2-for-$25 boys shirts, but instead put them down and said \"just looking thanks\" and left. I want to the Children's Place store on the next level, and got the winter shirts I was looking for there.

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subtlefrog
October 14, 2009 10:43 PM
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@Julia789: She sounds like a puppy. Cripes. I wonder how much variation there is in employees in different regions. Like Gap Kids wherever you are vs. where I am. I wonder if I'd ever have the same experience, since I'm not in a region known for being super friendly (not that I know where you are).

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Julia789
October 14, 2009 10:50 PM
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@subtlefrog: She must have been a fluke. I've been to this store before, and while the employees are friendly (\"Hi, how are you? Our sale today is on sweaters...\") usually they back off after the greeting if you give them the tight-lipped smile and a \"just looking, thanks.\"

I don't mind them being helpful, I just don't like them telling me what I should be shopping for or following me around! I am fine with the usual \"Let me know if you need anything\" or \"just so you know, jackets are on sale.\"

But this one sales lady, she was either new and trying to impress her boss, or a little unstable.

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speedwell (!)
October 14, 2009 11:51 PM
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@Julia789: Or she was trailing the rest of the pack for one of those idiotic sales contests.

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trashbaby
October 15, 2009 1:20 AM
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@speedwell, avatar of snark: When I was at Nieman Marcus for my once a year \"splurge on me\" shopping trip, i couldn't turn around or take a breath without someone saying \"Can I help you with anything?\" or \"What are you looking for?\" Granted...these guys work on commission so I understand trying to bring people in, but it was so overwhelming I felt I couldn't even shop comfortably. Finally when I was approached the last time with \"How can I help you?\" I said \"You could really help me if you could keep the rest of the sales people away and let me shop in peace. I will come to you when I have questions.\" ...and you know what? He did exactly that. No one interrupted me after that, I asked him question when I had them, and I dropped an easy 600 bucks with him that day. Now, on my once a year shopping trip, he calls me to see when i'm coming by and he takes the best care of me.

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speedwell (!)
October 15, 2009 1:35 AM
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@trashbaby: [sound of jaw dropping through the floor and digging a hole to China]


Awesome.

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dragonfire81
October 15, 2009 3:57 AM
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@recordstoretoughguy: Employees at many stores are required to upsell you at the register and though they should back off when you tell them no, many times they are encouraged to keep pressing even if the customer says \"no\" the first time. I have been asked to do this by managers in the past and I have refused every time. If you say \"no\" the first time I'm not going to waste my breath trying again, I'm not a pressure salesman.

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RecordStoreToughGuy_starcommandseries.com
October 16, 2009 12:55 AM
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@dragonfire81: I know. I used to have to do it, and I hated it. I don't blame the cashiers at all; it's a corporate policy and they have no control over it. I still don't like it, and I won't reward retailers that do it by spending money there.

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itsnotbecca
October 15, 2009 2:56 PM
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@dragonfire81:
When I worked at Bath & Body Works, we were supposed to attempt to add on THREE items at the register. \"Smell our newest lotion! Today, it's only a dollar! No? Surely you want this nail file for 75¢! Not for you? You're eligible to purchase this unrelated random hot chocolate mix for only $5!\" And that was on top of whatever random \"I see you have two lotions! You can buy a third for only $1 more!\" deal was going on that day.

When weighing \"Do I want this customer to glare at me, or do I want my chatty boss to lecture me for 30 minutes about not attempting enough add ons,\" my desire for peace usually won out. No amount of customer glaring was worth her horrible, horrible nasally voice.

Sorry people!

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floraposte
October 14, 2009 11:49 PM
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@Julia789: I actually got dogged like this in a furniture store once (while I was with my father, who would have been considerably less polite than me so I was trying to forestall that event) and had good luck with saying \"We'd actually like to shop on our own today, if you don't mind.\" She got huffy, but too bad, and she did leave us alone.

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nbs2
October 14, 2009 8:31 PM
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@CompyPaq: Better to be ignored than not able to find an employee. I was at Macy's trying to make a return a couple weeks ago, and it took me about 10 minutes just to find an employee. I don't know what they have tagged, but I could have walked out with half of their kitchen section before anybody would have seen me.

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tbax929
October 14, 2009 8:29 PM
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@CompyPaq:
I'd rather be ignored than annoyed.

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YouDidWhatNow?
October 14, 2009 8:40 PM
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@tbax929 is just plain tbax929:


Agreed. Stay the hell away from me unless I come looking for you.

Reply
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Preyfar
October 14, 2009 7:44 PM
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Rebates, upsells at the register (routinely with magazine subscriptions), being endlessly hounded if I want to get a PRP/warranty (once is fine, but I get it 2 or 3 times) and \"cash back\" in the form of pre-paid cards and/or gift certificates to the same store (thus locking me in to HAVE to shop there again).

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6 replies
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Elginista
October 14, 2009 10:50 PM
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@Preyfar: I got upsold at the self checkout at Jewel this morning! I was minding my own business, and the lady monitoring the self checkouts said to me and the woman at the other stand, \"Ladies, we're having a contest - would you like to buy a festive pumpkin balloon for just $1?\"

Really? I use self checkout to get in and out with the minimum hassle possible.

Sadly, the other woman said, \"Sure, I'll take two for my kids!\" I fear that may only encourage the practice.

Jewel is also (locally) notorious for forcing their checkers to try to upsell you the \"extreme value\" as you checkout, usually a junk food item. There have been news reports of people being fired for not offering the upsell.

Let us shop in peace!

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Difdi
October 15, 2009 12:49 AM
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@Elginista: I wonder what it would do to a pushy employee, if their manager heard you answer back \"I use self-check to get in and out with the minimum hassle. Thank you for ruining this part of my shopping experience at [store]\"

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Karita
October 15, 2009 2:25 AM
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@Difdi: My sense from working in retail is that the managers didn't care. We got directives from corporate that had to be followed, as there were always secret shoppers checking up on us. No matter that most customers hated the greeting/following around we had to do. If we didn't do it, we would be paranoid about losing our jobs. At big stores, managers don't have a whole lot of say about that kind of thing. At least at the few I worked at. And I hear the same from friends and family that are still in retail.

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dragonfire81
October 15, 2009 4:08 AM
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@Difdi: Sadly some managers I've met would chew the person out and tell them they need to work on their approach so they can get more donations from people.

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nbs2
October 14, 2009 8:29 PM
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@Preyfar: I must be really lucky - not only do I not get hounded about the PRP/EPPs, but when I make a comment thanking the person for not pushing it, they tell me they hate them too. I can't remember the last pusher I met.

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tbax929
October 14, 2009 8:29 PM
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@Preyfar:
Register upsells are high on my hate list. Also, when they ask me to donate to charity. Don't put me on the spot like that.

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Wireless Joe
October 14, 2009 8:36 PM
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@tbax929 is just plain tbax929:
At the local Dominick's (Safeway), they have someone stationed at the door offering cookies for a donation, they put a solicitation for a donation in the debit card reader as part of the purchase process, and finally have the cashier ask if I'd like to donate a dollar toward the charity du jour. They're pushing so hard, I wonder if they get to keep a portion of the donated funds?

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West Coast Secessionist
October 15, 2009 1:10 AM
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@Wireless Joe: You forgot the \"charity\" solicitor outside the store's doors. The horrible Safeway where I used to have to shop (in addition to having all the begging you noted) always had someone loitering there with a cash box, a folding chair, and a likely story about how they were looking for donations to help homeless women or some other vague and unsubstantiated charity-like cause. I am pretty sure those guys just pocket your money.

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temporaryscars
October 14, 2009 7:45 PM
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Employees dive bombing you to donate money for X charity, even when you're just walking through because you parked outside their store at the mall.

I went to the mall last week and walked through Macy's to get to the mall and I was attacked by at least five different associates.

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3 replies
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West Coast Secessionist
October 15, 2009 1:11 AM
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@temporaryscars: Ah, \"More Community.\" I remember being asked to sell that in my Macy's days. Nobody wants it. I think I sold one the whole Christmas season.

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crazymatt1
October 14, 2009 11:22 PM
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@temporaryscars: Also, a Macy's in my area used to have a charity benefit weekend. There were volunteers from several charities at the various entrances to the store. If you donated $5 to a charity, you got a $10 coupon good that day. Maybe it was something like this?

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mike
October 14, 2009 9:20 PM
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@temporaryscars: On this note...unless the store is giving you a receipt for the donation, you can't claim it on your taxes...but the store gets to. They are donating money that isn't theirs!

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mcs328
October 14, 2009 7:47 PM
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The sale price is valid if you spend a minimum of $50.

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5 replies
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KianteWench
October 15, 2009 1:35 PM
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@mcs328: I absolutely hate this. That means I have to spend a minimum amount to get the discount. But then comes the problem of if I only need one thing and dont want anything else there.

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Stephmo
October 14, 2009 10:25 PM
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@mcs328: Along those lines - when you try to find the items that will add up to the $50, it's nearly impossible to hit $50. You can get to $45-$49 six ways to Sunday, but getting to $50 with eligible products is impossible. It will end up being $60 or $65 and then by the time you factor in savings, you're really just being asked to buy crap you don't want to \"save\" money...

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speedwell (!)
October 14, 2009 8:12 PM
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@mcs328: A petty version of this, the 20 cent coupon if you buy six of something that costs two dollars each.

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BklynHotniss
October 14, 2009 8:09 PM
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@mcs328: I agree. Or if you buy 10-15 items you can get them at 77 cents each. I'll pass!-Pathmark.

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ThinkerTDM
October 14, 2009 7:47 PM
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Ugly cashiers.

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6 replies
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speedwell (!)
October 14, 2009 10:15 PM
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@TechnoDestructo: Those self-checkout things make me want to get wood... in the form of a baseball bat so I can beat the damn things to death. They HATE me. And I work in IT and I deal with regular computers just fine, thank you.

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Hank Scorpio
October 14, 2009 8:16 PM
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@ThinkerTDM: I know you're joking, but after high school I worked for a well known fast food chain. We once got a complaint about one of the cashiers saying that she was too ugly to be serving food, as her appearance made the customer lose his appetite! (The customer was being completely serious.)

In all fairness she was pretty ugly, but still that's pretty damn mean!

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ctnchrisw
October 14, 2009 9:05 PM
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@Hank Scorpio: When I worked fast food we made this girl wear a burger king crown with burger king scratched out on her birthday and the next day we received a complaint via our 800 number that she \"handed them their cornbread like she was handing it to the queen\".

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dohtem
October 14, 2009 7:59 PM
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@ThinkerTDM: Ugly is in the mind of the beholder.

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bigdirty
October 14, 2009 7:47 PM
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Two Simple Words : Receipt Check

But Rebates as Visa Cards is annoying along with Gamestops adding the PRP/Disc Insurance/Whatever they call it to the purchase without asking if you want it, not to mention Must By X to get sale price

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4 replies
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lostingenerica
October 15, 2009 2:29 AM
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@bigdirty: I like just saying \"NO\" when I leave Home Depot. The worker is usually just stunned.

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samspot
October 14, 2009 10:14 PM
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@bigdirty: I don't mind the receipt check. To each his own.

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SaraFimm
October 14, 2009 8:39 PM
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@bigdirty: We don't have a Gamestop here. They actually have \"disc\" insurance?! Why the hell would I want that?

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amuro98
October 14, 2009 8:47 PM
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@SaraFimm: The purpose of \"disc insurance\" is that if you damage or scratch the disc, they'll replace it for free (supposedly - I've never bothered with it.)

I've had them ask me about it...but I've never had them just dump it on my purchase without my consent. Isn't that just a tad bit illegal? Maybe since I know more about games, and I'm quite a bit older than most of the cashiers, they're too intimidated to try anything stupid like that.

Gamestops in my area still open new games, and give you the disc when you buy, which is also technically illegal (can't sell you an opened item as new!) but then, I never buy new games from Gamestop.

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overkil6
October 14, 2009 7:47 PM
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Yes - rebates/returns. I've gone through multiple couches from The Brick simply because they will not refund the cash spent on lemons thereby preventing me from purchasing elsewhere.

As a business model this makes sense (cash in, no cash out) but as a practice it only hurts the consumer...

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bohemian
October 14, 2009 7:48 PM
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Fake sales, yes I am looking at you JcPenney and Kohls. Where the \"normal\" price is far more than the item value and it goes on \"sale\" for 50-60% off every other week.

Coupons that have so many not included products and brands that it is essentially a useless coupon.

Asking for my phone number at the register.

Pushing lousy credit cards at the register.
Double the hate for doing it multiple times.

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10 replies
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catnapped
October 14, 2009 10:17 PM
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@bohemian: Along those lines, the \"70% off all fine jewelery this week!\".

Has anyone ever bought any of it for the full price?

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larrymac thinks testing should have occurred
October 14, 2009 9:13 PM
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@bohemian: When a cashier asks me for my phone number, I tell them I'm already seeing somebody. This usually really confuses the male cashiers.

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Posthaus
October 14, 2009 9:03 PM
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@bohemian: Pushing store cards at the register. Yeah, Kohls, Macy's, Target, Gap brands: that means you!


Also asking for your zip code at the checkout, and even worse..your email! Say hello to my SPAM FILTER.

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West Coast Secessionist
October 15, 2009 1:19 AM
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@Posthaus: The ZIP code thing is pretty harmless. One store I used to work in collected that info so that they could figure out where their customers were coming in from. If the San Francisco store found that a large amount of its customers was driving in from Oakland, then come time for new store building, Oakland is on the short list. If everyone refused to give their ZIP, then the company would never have an inkling that Oakland residents love to shop there and you'd continue having to drive in to a far away store.

Generally (I can't speak for every retail chain) the data is not being used to build a profile of you--and it's really to everyone's benefit to collect that data. If you choose to decline, simply for paranoia reasons, that's your right, but I wouldn't get upset or hostile about it.

Although our registers would only ask you once per credit card number, so if you gave your ZIP once maybe they would quit asking you for it!

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Greasy Thumb Guzik
October 14, 2009 10:18 PM
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@Posthaus:
I always tell them 90210.
And for the phone number, if I know what store I'm going to, I look up the number for one of their other stores. That's gotta drive marketing nuts.
Otherwise I give them the number for the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office [The Morgue] 312-666-0500

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subtlefrog
October 14, 2009 10:50 PM
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@Greasy Thumb Guzik: Those are some pearls of wisdom, for sure. I like those a lot - maybe I'll look up some other good phone numbers, like the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Or the White House.

I've never had them ask for a phone number, I find that extremely obtrusive. I think I'd have to tell them I don't have a phone in the end. Or an email address. \"Yeah, I'm in the process of moving, so I don't have a phone or email address at the moment, sorry...\"

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trixare4kids
October 19, 2009 9:16 PM
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@subtlefrog:

I too hate giving out phone numbers and emails. I also don't like having to make up a story or say I'm sorry. I just simply say, \"No\" with a smile. Usually they just tap something else in. End of of story.

I do the same thing for the street people asking for money - I say the same thing and it works every time: \"No. But good luck.\"

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floraposte
October 14, 2009 11:51 PM
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@subtlefrog: I've decided to object to the premise of the request these days rather than ducking it, and I simply say \"I don't give that out.\" Most cashiers are fine with that.

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trashbaby
October 15, 2009 1:26 AM
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@floraposte: I am similar. I say \"No thanks\" and they move on. My best friend, however, always creates a scene. When you return items to one of the clothing retailers at the mall, they require that you write down your driver's license number. They claim this helps them reduce returned merchandise fraud. My friend would have none of it and raised the biggest fit. I don't think I would have been comfortable with that practice either.

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subtlefrog
October 15, 2009 12:08 AM
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@floraposte: It's funny - and granted, I don't shop much, as my wardrobe will show - I just don't recall ever being asked this. I'm just happy to have been given a bunch of strategies today, forewarned is forearmed as they say.

I know some stores have to key in a zip to start a sale, but they can make something up if someone says they live overseas, e.g. I like your I don't give that out strategy - but has anyone had a cashier not just let it go? I'd probably walk out at that point if it got to that, unless I really needed the item...

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HRHKingFridayXX
October 14, 2009 8:29 PM
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@bohemian: Gap's been doing this lately. 60 bucks for the same cheap sweater from last year (which sold for 40 then)? Oh, and thank you for giving me a generous 10% off SALE!!!! to make the price 54 bucks.

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yantelope
October 14, 2009 8:07 PM
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@bohemian: People don't care about how much they are spending. They care about how much they are \"saving\" it's all in the mind.

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mbz32190
October 14, 2009 7:58 PM
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@bohemian: Kohl's may always have fake sales, but I don't jump on them until I get a 30% off charge coupon in the mail...then it is a slightly better deal.

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captadam
October 14, 2009 7:51 PM
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@bohemian: The Van Heusen outlet store is like that, too. Shirts are $20, regardless of how their sales are structured. (\"All shirts half off!\" \"Save 40% when you take 20% off the original price!\" Etc.)

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lehrdude
October 14, 2009 7:49 PM
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Cashiers asking for personal information (zip code, 10 digit phone #) before they are able to ring you up.

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11 replies
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rammie
October 17, 2009 3:05 AM
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@lehrdude: I do not mind them asking for a zip code at all. Most places ask for that to see if their customers are being properly served or if they should build, remove or relocate a store to a more appropriate area to better serve the community.

Now phone numbers on the other hand a bit more complicated. If they are just asking for the area code, the reason is most likely the same as zip code and that's just fine. But the only reasons they should need a full phone number is to look up an account (like a discount card you don't want to carry with you) or if you are purchasing some type of service or warranty, otherwise they are out of line.

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Chip Skylark of Space
October 15, 2009 7:53 PM
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@lehrdude: for those people, my zip is 12345, and my phone number is 123-456-7890.

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lmarconi
October 14, 2009 9:40 PM
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@lehrdude: I hate this.

One of the top reasons I refuse to bring stuff back to Gamestop. I don't want to give out all my personal information without just cause.

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yentaleh
October 14, 2009 10:00 PM
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@lmarconi:

Thats what I love about being Canadian. Whenever I shop in the US I just rattle of my postal code, V5T 3E2 or my 604 ---. 4903 telephone number and they just say \"Never mind\"

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Grrrrrrr, now with two buns made of bacon.
October 15, 2009 3:45 AM
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@yentaleh: Hey, that's a great idea. I think I suddenly just \"turned Canadian.\" Can I borrow your postal code?

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ktetch
October 15, 2009 3:21 PM
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@☠Grяrяrяrяrя, portrait of a chickenwolfmoosepig.: UK has that layout for postcode.

I just give them my dad's postcode in Liverpool, his phone number too if they want it. Email, well, I've given them mcomplaints@ftc.gov before now (spelling it out letter by letter - most don't notice even when they've typed t on the screen)

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magus_melchior
October 14, 2009 9:08 PM
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@lehrdude: I think The Container Store tried to do this in CA and got hit with a class-action suit. I don't remember if it was just phone# or the whole 9 yards, though.

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AcceleratedDragon
October 15, 2009 12:20 AM
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@magus_melchior: @ptkdude:

my address is:
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500

email address:
alincoln@whitehouse.gov

I get plenty of chuckles from the worker bees forced to ask for this information.

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ptkdude
October 14, 2009 8:59 PM
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@lehrdude: My ZIP Code is always 81009 (the Consumer Information Center in Pueblo, Colorado). And I just randomly make up a phone number on the spot. When they \"need\" my address, it's 1313 Mockingbird Lane, Mockingbird Heights, CA, 81009. It doesn't annoy me when they ask since I get a kick out of giving them BS information.

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nybiker
October 14, 2009 9:57 PM
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@ptkdude: I use 01776 in honor of the year. And yes it's a valid ZIP code. Otherwise, no address info, but I might buy the house next to yours and use that.

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RecordStoreToughGuy_starcommandseries.com
October 14, 2009 8:41 PM
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@lehrdude: I don't mind the ZIP code so much, as it generally helps them determine where a new store location might pay off.

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Elginista
October 14, 2009 10:54 PM
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@RecordStoreToughGuy_DoesNotWantToReserveYourDiscountService...: Exactly why I don't mind the ZIP question at stores I love. Yes, I'm looking at you, Trader Joe's!

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newfenoix
October 15, 2009 1:45 AM
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@Elginista: @babyruthless:
How's this: I will not give out that information because it is none of your damn business and you have NO reasonm to ask!

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lostingenerica
October 15, 2009 2:28 AM
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@newfenoix: CASHIER: \"can I have your zip code pleas?\" ME: \"no\" CASHIER: \"um, ok. \"

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cmac
October 14, 2009 9:32 PM
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@RecordStoreToughGuy_HadCakeAndIceCreamForLunch: That zip code paired with your credit card number can allow them to match you to your other information on aggregate data lists.

Reply
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Fujikopez
October 14, 2009 7:50 PM
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Sales people who don't have a clue. The ones who can't tell or don't care that you don't want their help or aren't entirely interested in the product (\"just browsing\"). The ones that are more interested in SALES SALES SALES than actually helping the customer find a product that will help them the most.

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4 replies
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subtlefrog
October 14, 2009 10:54 PM
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@Fujikopez: Sales people who THINK they do have a clue, but don't. God forbid you be a female who walks into a Radio Shack (sorry - The Shack...) knowing what you need: 9 times out of 10 at a place like this, a man will come \"assist\" you. I've told people at RS what audio bits I needed, I get things having nothing to do with audio handed to me. Dude. I know what I'm looking for and this will go 100x faster if you just get out of my way.

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darkstar
October 16, 2009 7:43 AM
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@subtlefrog: Those Shack monkeys can be pretty annoying, specially when you know exactly what you're looking for but insist you 'need' something else (usually something more expensive). I've often been tempted to put them in their place, by saying something like \"If you're such an expert how'd you end up working in this dump?\"

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speedwell (!)
October 14, 2009 8:17 PM
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@Fujikopez: As I posted above, it's also a form of loss prevention. Better a too-helpful salesperson than a too-trigger-happy store detective.

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bohemian
October 14, 2009 8:44 PM
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@speedwell, avatar of snark: Add to that the bouncers they have working door security at Best Buy. The muscle bound guy with no neck intended to intimidate people is certainly doing just that and some. Intimidating shop lifters might be the goal, but your intimidating everyone else too.

Just add that to the list of reasons why I avoid BB.

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jaydez
October 14, 2009 7:50 PM
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\"Can I have your phone number so I can sell you batteries (or any other product)?

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4 replies
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BlueEyesTM
October 14, 2009 8:29 PM
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@jaydez:


This is why I always use a phony phone number whenever I sign up for store or rewards programs.


The number I use just happens to be an internal phone company 'busy test' number that a friend at the phone company gave me years ago. It only returns a busy signal (so no one is bothered). I've used this one number with companies like Vons, Ralphs, and Best Buy for YEARS.


Just make up your own phone number to use for these special purposes -- when they really have no need for your REAL number, but DO need it when referencing your shopping or rewards account. An example is to use your real area code with the fictional \"555\" prefix that you see used all the time in movies and on tv. (ie: (201)555-9898). Since this obviously doesn't ring a real telephone, you're safe with the 'consideration factor\" of not giving out another person's personal phone number.

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halcyondays
October 14, 2009 7:59 PM
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@jaydez: I always answer \"I don't have a phone.\" They usually enter the store phone #.

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speedwell (!)
October 14, 2009 8:20 PM
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@halcyondays: You don't have to lie. You can say, \"No, thank you,\" or, \"Make something up,\" or \"Do what you do when someone doesn't have a phone number.\"


But if you actually like to lie, give them this: 202-224-3121 (that is, unless you really are a member of the US Congress).

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babyruthless
October 14, 2009 8:14 PM
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@halcyondays: I always hated it when people would get snarky when I asked for a phone number. I know, you might hate it, but
1) it gets you on the mailing list for coupons, and some people like that (others don't and that's fine)
2) I will get bitched at by my boss if I don't.


I don't care if you don't want to give me your phone number. I really, really, really don't. For the record, I think \"I don't have a phone\" is a fine thing to say. I hated when people would give me obviously fake phone numbers (867-5309, anyone?) I work[ed] retail. This does not mean I'm stupid.


Say you don't have a phone. Better yet, say that you'd rather not give out your number. (You're right--cashiers can always override this setting. We could press \"enter\" and go to the next screen. I'd bet, though, that they're typing the same # repeatedly, not the store's number if the register \"needs\" a number to complete the sale).
Don't go on a tirade to the employee about what they're doing. Don't lie about your number. Just don't give one. The front line doesn't give a shit.

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bohemian
October 14, 2009 9:03 PM
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@babyruthless: Bullcrap. It also puts you into a database of collected consumer tracking.

I am glad most stores have gotten less pushy about this. I remember a few when this became the new retail store fad that would refuse to continue the transaction unless you forked over a phone number. This may be where the obviously fake phone numbers came from.

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Buckus
October 14, 2009 8:43 PM
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@babyruthless: In response to getting bitched at by your boss. Yes, it sucks for you, but if the company wouldn't have the policy in the first place, you wouldn't get bitched at by your boss. Why do you need my phone number? Are you going to call me later and ask me out?

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newfenoix
October 15, 2009 1:47 AM
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@Buckus:
Exactly! They do not need that information.

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locakitty
October 15, 2009 1:45 AM
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@Buckus: However, companies tend not to listen to their employees, but to the customers with the $$. This is why cashiers the country over beg and plead in their head that if enough customers complained to the corporate office about giving out personal info they would probably stop.

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apd09
October 14, 2009 7:51 PM
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Allowing organizations to solicit out front of stores. It is not bad enough that every street corner and intersection there are people asking me for money, when I go to the grocery store they are there too. Unfortunately for them I never give on the spot donations and also do not carry cash on me so I need to politely decline.

That and also the register solicitation, would you like donate a dollar to such and such a cause... just let me pay and leave where I will be asked twice in your parking lot and probably 2-3 times on the drive back home.

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8 replies
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ZitaAstydameia
October 15, 2009 2:40 PM
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@apd09: Yea I know those girl scouts are a pain in the you-know-what. The best thing about them is you can walk right by. (BTW I love girlscout cookies)

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Grrrrrrr, now with two buns made of bacon.
October 15, 2009 3:43 AM
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@apd09: I got the register thing twice in one day. \"Would you like to donate a dollar to.....\" Put out a can with a sign, and if I want to donate a dollar, I will. Don't ask me in front of all the other customers in order to shame me into giving.

I don't mind solicitors in front of stores as long as they mind their own business. If I'm interested, I'll come up to your table and find out what you're doing. Otherwise, leave me the hell alone and let me do my grocery shopping!

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ktetch
October 15, 2009 3:25 PM
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@☠Grяrяrяrяrя, portrait of a chickenwolfmoosepig.: I'd be mean and say \"are you kidding, i've seen how much of that 'donation' actually makes it there\".
Turns the jerkiness factor back on the company.

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outlulz
October 14, 2009 11:31 PM
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@apd09: I don't think there's much they can do about solicitors outside the store. Trader Joe's is awesome in that they put giant signs outside the doors that say, \"We don't endorse anything these solicitors say and we encourage you just to ignore them\".

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arcticJKL
October 14, 2009 11:10 PM
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@apd09: By law the solicitors must be allowed.

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lmarconi
October 14, 2009 9:42 PM
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@apd09: I was going to say that I personally don't object to the Salvation Army being outside around the holidays. I've been involved with their shelters before in my town and it's a cause worth giving some change to. It also really sucks for those people standing outside in the cold for hours - more power to them.

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P_Smith
October 14, 2009 7:58 PM
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@apd09: I don't object to them being there. But I sure as hell object when they stand in front of the doors or walk into my path as I'm going in or out of the store.


Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't obstructing someone's path to pander considered a form of assault?

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bohemian
October 14, 2009 9:08 PM
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@P_Smith: Oh this! I find the in front of the store people annoying. When they confront you or say something insulting it really makes me mad.

It can have a negative effect for a store too. I purposely avoid the Hyvee stores after Thanksgiving because they let the Salvation Army ringers hang out front. The noise is to the point of ear pain and they get really pushy. So I try to avoid Hyvee specifically during the holidays. I buy at the other smaller grocery chain in town, the food coop or Target.

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Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!)
October 14, 2009 9:45 PM
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@bohemian: I agree on the Salvation Army ringers. It is SO FREAKING LOUD it's actively unpleasant.

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dryfire
October 14, 2009 7:51 PM
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Fake \"sales.\"

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1 replies
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KyleOrton
October 14, 2009 8:39 PM
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@dryfire: Yeah. And if something is always on sale 40% off, it's not a sale.

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prag
October 14, 2009 7:51 PM
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Extended warranty upsells, overpriced accessory (USB/HDMI cable) upsells, store credit card upsells.

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lilwhitey7
October 14, 2009 7:52 PM
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The nagging from sales persons and even the person at the register to get you to purchase an extended warranty.

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chrialg6 is a happy effing cupcake
October 14, 2009 7:52 PM
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Being asked to donate a dollar to hunger, boobs, starving kids and the jimmy fund. I am a struggling single parent.. i needz mah dollers!


But I feel like shit for saying no.


Though I will always donate to any funds that aim to remove gioders and plaid pants.

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3 replies
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Cows_R_Crunk
October 14, 2009 10:24 PM
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@chrialg6 is a happy effing cupcake: I can tell you that no one at the grocery store I work at will be upset if you say no. Few people donate. Though I could probably do better if I was a hot girl.

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speedwell (!)
October 14, 2009 8:21 PM
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@chrialg6 is a happy effing cupcake: I budget my charity dollars, and my budget does not include cash register \"impulse\" donations, and I say so if they press.

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Outrun1986
October 14, 2009 7:52 PM
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Being upsold stuff at the register by the cashier, especially magazine subscriptions. I don't want them, if I want a magazine subscription, I will order online. I can understand asking about the warranty but if the customer says no that is the last they should hear of it, there should not be multiple repeated attempts at selling a customer an extended warranty especially if they clearly don't want it. To the store who does this: you are just turning off this customer and making me shop online instead of in your store.

Donation pitches, please stop, if I want to donate to an organization I will donate directly to that organization. I am a customer of your store, my purpose is not to inflate the manager's salary through incentives they might get by reaching a certain donation goal. Since almost EVERY store does this nowadays, I feel it deserves a mention. So no, I am not rounding up my total or dropping change into the donation cup or donating a dollar to charity x.

No I am not a scrooge either, I do donate to organizations I believe in, and ones that do not use those donations to fund a huge advertising budget.

Rearranging the store. Probably the most annoying of all of these. This goes especially for grocery stores. I want to go in, get what I need and get out, not spend extra time trying to locating the things I need. I don't really care about a clothing store, because its not a big deal to find the department I am looking for and they are usually pretty small stores that you can just walk across. But grocery shopping is a mundane task that must get done, and frankly I want it done in as little time as possible with as little inconvienience as possible. If the produce is several sections down from where it used to be or the peanut butter is in a different aisle then this has me running all over the store in a disorganized fashion and probably leaves me forgetting essential items which means a return trip to the store which means more wasted gas and time and leads to major, major annoyances.

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4 replies
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Cows_R_Crunk
October 14, 2009 10:26 PM
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@Outrun1986: The cashiers are forced to ask you to donate at my job. Granted, I still usually don't do it, but I could get called out for not getting enough donations. When that happens I play along for the day and then stop doing it again.

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bohemian
October 14, 2009 9:12 PM
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@Outrun1986: Retailers forget one of the core concepts of running a retail business, the customers. Don't insult, make uncomfortable or annoy your customers, they might not come back or come back less.

There was some PR hack on NPR trying to justify the pushing of donations at the grocery store check out. She tried to claim the public really wanted to be hounded to donate and they were simply meeting customer demand. The funny thing was by her tone and liberal use of prefabricated phrasing with nothing else added that even she didn't believe it.

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jcazz
October 14, 2009 8:05 PM
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@Outrun1986: \"Rearranging the store.\"


THIS! I hate this and try to make my grievence known to the manager when they pull this. My normally 7 minute \"bread-n-milk\" run turns into a 30 minute hunt for my goods. Once I finally learn the new layout, they change it again.


So far all the local groceries have done this including Wal-Mart (just did it in my area).


Just. Stop. Please.

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Applekid
October 14, 2009 8:36 PM
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@jcazz: It's completely on purpose. If they can disorient you, you stay in the store longer. If you stay in the store longer, your chances of buying increases. It's a blatant and evil way to steal your time and turn every shelf into an impulse-buy shelf.

If I go in for something simple and I can't find it, I have no problems ditching my stuff and going elsewhere. I don't stick with sunk costs, financial or temporal.

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Outrun1986
October 14, 2009 9:08 PM
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@Applekid: There are enough grocery stores competing now here where if you didn't like the one you were at the next one is probably only a 2-5 min drive down the road. It might be quicker to just drive to a store where you know the layout rather than to walk aimlessly around one that has just changed.

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warf0x0r
October 14, 2009 7:52 PM
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MBA

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1 replies
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marthax
October 14, 2009 7:53 PM
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Unwillingness of employees to take coupons and cashiers that are unwilling or unable to simply READ a coupon. Also, employees who ignore or treat my Dad (who is 80) like he is an absolute idiot. Just a warning, they do this at their own peril.

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1 replies
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SybilDisobedience
October 14, 2009 8:48 PM
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@marthax: Do you...do you whack employees who disrespect the elderly? Because, between you and me, I might have a job for you. Meet me around back, I'll be the one with the manila envelope.

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DeadWriter
October 14, 2009 7:54 PM
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Club card. I don't shop in places if I don't have to if they require a card for a discount. I'd rather go to a place that has lower prices with out any gimmicks.

I don't know how this has become common practice. Radio Shack (The Shack) doesn't need my phone number to buy batteries, and supermarkets don't either.

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6 replies
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lmarconi
October 15, 2009 7:07 PM
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@DeadWriter: To be fair, at Stop and Shop I always lie and say \"it's on my other set of keys\" and the clerk always gives it to me anyways. They have one at the register generally for that purpose at grocery stores.

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outlulz
October 14, 2009 11:34 PM
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@DeadWriter: Still don't understand why people hate the cards so much. I've never seen any disadvantage to signing up for one. Don't be so paranoid, the government isn't watching what groceries you buy.

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webweazel
October 15, 2009 1:15 AM
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@outlulz: Still don't understand why people hate the cards so much. I've never seen any disadvantage to signing up for one. Don't be so paranoid, the government isn't watching what groceries you buy.


No, but the store is. They get the demographics of who (generally) is buying what. Then, I guess they sell that info to the companies that make the products. I don't have too much of an issue with the cards, except for the fact that the vast quantity of stupid cards makes my wallet too full, and I hate to have to dig for them at the register. We never registered our supermarket one, so they don't get much help from us unknowns. Plus, I don't really care if the supermarket \"knows\" what brand of soup or bread we buy, but I WILL NOT shop in CVS, because the sale prices are not valid without the stupid card, and I'll be DAMNED if they're going to know what kind of hemorrhoid cream or jock itch spray we buy. Or that we buy it at all. Some information is NOT for sale!

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vladthepaler
October 14, 2009 9:53 PM
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@DeadWriter:

Agreed, I hate big brother cards, I don't carry them. But they're so ubiquitous that it's hard to avoid places that have them.

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cmac
October 14, 2009 9:43 PM
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@DeadWriter: Wonderful little trick for places that can use a phone number to lookup the club card number is to give them your area code plus 8675309. It always works. And most younger cashiers don't recognize the number from the song. I never signup for club cards and have used this in multiple states successfully.

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RecordStoreToughGuy_starcommandseries.com
October 14, 2009 8:46 PM
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@DeadWriter: I'll do this if the card is free. Also since the Kroger one knocks off ten cents on a gallon of gas once I spend $100 on groceries. That is well worth it, in my opinion.

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consumerwise
October 14, 2009 7:55 PM
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Rebates that are never paid because company claims they \"never received it\". Yeah right. I'm not about to mail my rebates via registered mail just so I can get $3.00 back. Of course they're counting on that. *rolls eyes*

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bobloblawsblog
October 15, 2009 12:12 AM
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@consumerwise: im goona say i agree. instant rebates all the way. isnt it odd, of all the mail that gets lost in transit, they all seem to be headed to rebate centers. perhaps the postal employees are stealing them. i cant tell you how many times i get never get my rebate - they assume ill forget, and i do.

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econobiker
October 14, 2009 8:19 PM
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@consumerwise: \"Breakage\" is the term for making the rebate so difficult to complete that most people will not be able to comply with the rebate's ~requirements~ and thereby save the company money.

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jaredutah
October 14, 2009 7:55 PM
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It has to be, \"This price is only good if you buy RIGHT NOW!\" Used to sell most timeshares, if this is said to me for anything that is being sold, I walk away.

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1 replies
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lotussix
October 14, 2009 8:29 PM
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@jaredutah: i work in the travel industry and rates do change quickly. sometimes it really is true if you \"buy right now.\"


we offer certain rates that are available only if booked between X and Y times.

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econobiker
October 14, 2009 7:55 PM
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FEAR THE ASTERISK*


I have been posting this multiple times in various Consumerist.com stories related to fine print...


*Offer may not apply in certain regions, not all applicants may qualify for best rates, fees and taxes not included in pricing, additional terms and conditions may apply, see website for full terms and conditions, offer not valid for current customers, offer does not include concession recovery fee, results not typical, your results may vary, picture is serving suggestion only, you should consult a doctor prior to use or starting a program, product is part of a recommended healthy meal, etc, etc, etc,

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speedwell (!)
October 14, 2009 8:23 PM
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@econobiker: Indeed. Under this heading, the coupon for a really hot sale that excludes everything in the store (Bed, Bath and Beyond and JoAnn Fabrics Online, I'm LOOKING at you. WE ARE NOT FOOLED.)

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RandomHookup
October 14, 2009 8:01 PM
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@econobiker: Even worse -- the \"Phantom Asterisk\" -- an asterisk with no footnotes. There are limitations, but they aren't telling you.

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yantelope
October 14, 2009 7:56 PM
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I hate being sold credit cards when checking out or extended warranties. I also think there should be a law against advertising a price and then adding tons of fees to it. It's almost impossible to get to a real price on tickets to an event or for a trip without clicking through 5 screens and giving all your info. By the time you finally get to checkout and they have tacked on all their convenience fees your $20 tickets just doubled to $40 and that doesn't include parking.

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HRHKingFridayXX
October 14, 2009 10:43 PM
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@yantelope: I've noticed the store credit card offers coming back in the last few months. I always crack an uneasy joke about \"hey, i just got OUT of debt\".

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laurakeener
October 14, 2009 7:57 PM
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with 3 of the 4 new cars we bought, when we get to the financial office, the price on the contract is several thousand higher than what we negotiated...the financial guy always says, \"well, that price you say they gave you seems too low, let me check with the manager...\" it's like their last ditch effort to negotiate even after you've already made the deal and they pretend it was a mistake. It's happened too much to us to be a mistake; thank god for my husband who's spot on and has everything they agreed to on email blackberry format.

other than that, no doubt all the freaking donations

and claiming to have a sale item when they dont; it was at Toys R us the other day and they had those pull tags for the inflatable bouncer things and i grabbed one on the great sale item...there were 4 tags, meaning 4 more left, well not so. there were none in the store, any store, any warehouse so i had to pay 70 more for the next best one. They know they have you there so you're gonna buy something. i had to get it for a bday party and i wasnt going to run around but it still made me crazy upset.

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lmarconi
October 14, 2009 9:44 PM
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@laurakeener: Adding to your car complaint, car salesmen who treat women like they are stupid. My Dad taught me a lot about cars and my grandpa was a car salesman for years. If you talk down to me, I will not buy from you and I will tell everyone that your company takes advantage of women.

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Outrun1986
October 14, 2009 9:16 PM
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@laurakeener: Sounds a bit like bait and switch to me. I would write to TRU corporate or the store manager, because something about this sounds a bit out of line especially if it made you very upset.

That shelf tag definitely shouldn't have been there if the item was not in stock. Its a huge item so its not like they could have miscounted if there was a mix up with a small item like a video game and there was one extra shelf tag or DVD then I could understand.

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speedwell (!)
October 14, 2009 8:24 PM
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@laurakeener: Win for the car buying shenanigans, deserves a top 10 all its own.

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Buckus
October 14, 2009 8:48 PM
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@speedwell, avatar of snark: Might even deserve its own website. Oh, there is one. Click on my name to find it.

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sock
October 14, 2009 7:58 PM
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Specific to Costco: relocating stuff every other week. I shop with a list of regulars. I'd like to get out of there relatively quickly, and not be tempted by their new shite as I shop.

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bohemian
October 14, 2009 9:18 PM
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@sock: Sam's Club does it also. I wasted a good hour on two separate visits trying to locate honey and peanuts. My solution was to use click & pull. Completely avoids the purpose of hiding products around the store. No wasted running around, no impulse buys.

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ARP
October 14, 2009 7:58 PM
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In no particular order:


1) Rebates with insane requirements (original box, receipt, UPC code, mother's maiden name, other random proof of purchse, fill out forms in triplicate, wait 24-36 weeks, etc. Hell, rebates in general.


2) Charity requests at registers.


3) Upsell or ad-on pitch at register (especially at grocery stores)


4) Multiple interaction requrements (being greated and told about a special 30 times)


5) Requesting phone number at register


6) Complicated discount requirements (buy three or more size small-only sweaters for more than $100 and get $10 off).


7) misleading signage (Sign on rack says, \"50% off,\" but only applies to the pants, not the coats on the same rack)

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dru_zod
October 15, 2009 10:46 PM
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@ARP: Absolutely agree with number 1, since the rebates that require the most effort are usually the ones that I never get back.

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diasdiem
October 14, 2009 7:58 PM
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No, I don't want a free 6-week subscription to a stupid entertainment magazine.

No, I don't want overpriced Monster cables or surge protectors with my new TV, and I'm not interested in an extended warranty, so don't even bother trying to scare me into it.

I am quite obviously still looking up at the menu, so no, you can't take my order.

I've survived this long without knowing about your special offers, so I imagine I can do without hearing them now.

And do I have to carry a big sign that says, \"No thanks, I'm just browsing, I'll call you if I need help, piss off already?\" Maybe wear a sandwich board?

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3 replies
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Crovie
October 14, 2009 9:21 PM
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@diasdiem: I hate it when people bother me when I'm browsing too! If I need help I will come to *you*.

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Demolition Man
October 14, 2009 8:50 PM
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@diasdiem: And do I have to carry a big sign that says, \"No thanks, I'm just browsing, I'll call you if I need help, piss off already?\" Maybe wear a sandwich board?\"


Yet you'll be equally complaining when you can't find help either.

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consumerwise
October 14, 2009 8:24 PM
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@diasdiem: \"I am quite obviously still looking up at the menu, so no, you can't take my order.\"

Good one. At every fast food restaurant I've been to they jump on you as soon as you walk in the door and sometimes when you're not even at the counter yet.

Why they ask \"Can I take your order?\" while you're still looking at the menu and clearly haven't decided yet is a mystery. Just goes to show how their minds are completely on auto-pilot. They don't think. At all.

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Lucky225
October 14, 2009 7:59 PM
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#1 most hated practice -- charging more per unit when you buy in bulk! Theres nothing I hate more then 3 4 packs of redbull being cheaper then buying a 12 pack, or a 5lb of potatoes bag and the exact same brand in a 10lb bag being 50 cents higher, WalMart and Target are by far the worst offender on this

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Greasy Thumb Guzik
October 14, 2009 10:42 PM
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@Lucky225:
I was just in Target.
Their own Market Pantry Gummi bears are $1.76 a pound in a 5 pound bag, but $1,51 a pound in a 12 oz. bag. And that's from the shelf tag unit price!

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coffeeculture
October 14, 2009 9:58 PM
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@Lucky225: Ooooh i hate that too....i'm glad i'm kind of good with math, i see this with toothpaste all the time.

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fs2k2isfun
October 14, 2009 8:01 PM
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Asking for ID when paying with a credit card.

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3 replies
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speedwell (!)
October 14, 2009 8:26 PM
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@fs2k2isfun: I disagree, and I'm one of those who writes \"Please check ID\" over my signature on the card. (To cut off the inevitable dispute, yes, this is legal, no, my card is not void because I did it, no, my card is not considered \"unsigned\" because I SIGNED it.)

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Shadowman615
October 14, 2009 8:40 PM
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@speedwell, avatar of snark:
[usa.visa.com]

Scroll to the bottom. At least visa seems to think otherwise.

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speedwell (!)
October 14, 2009 8:58 PM
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@Shadowman615: Can't read? I don't write SEE ID in place of my signature. Already covered that.

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Shadowman615
October 14, 2009 8:51 PM
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@Shadowman615: I actually used to do that, and nobody ever made me sign it, though. I think only the Post Office actually follows that.

Reason I stopped? I guess I came to the realization that adding that line did absolutely nothing to keep my credit card safer. Which made it pointless.

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tkmluv
October 14, 2009 8:20 PM
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@fs2k2isfun: This! It seems everywhere I go, they seem to ask for ID and when I try to explain the rules to them, they don't care and still want to see ID. If it wasn't for the fact that I usually need it right then, I would walk out.

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coffeeculture
October 14, 2009 8:01 PM
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I'll chime in as a former retail plebe...these employees have to say/upsell certain things or else they get in trouble. We got secret shopped regularly and non-compliant employees were listed by name, kept us on our toes.

So yeah...be nice to your local minimum wage clerk who is just trying to pay bills, blame the company at large!

My gripe: rebates. Sometimes I don't bother buying unless it's from a reputable company (amazon, newegg, or apple) with good rebate histories.

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KianteWench
October 15, 2009 1:42 PM
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@coffeeculture: I feel sorry for the employees. I am sure when people list this as a complaint, its not a complaint against the employee doing it, but rather the practice in general.

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coffeeculture
October 14, 2009 9:57 PM
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@coffeeculture: Glad to know my comment touched off a little retail employee therapy...glad I left that arena a long time ago.

I had to sell those Barnes & Noble membership cards ($25)...they had our names on a white board in the back with the # we sold. If we were at the bottom, there'd be an asterisk by our name and \"*please see manager\" at the bottom.

I only put the hard sell on if someone CLEARLY would be saving money ($25/yr, 10% off everything...that means anyone who hits $250/yr breaks even) so that means purchases above $150 that day I'd push the card for their own sake.

The bad thing was, we were supposed to ask EVERYONE, even if they were buying a $4 magazine. Our secret shops tended to be these small amounts...blargh. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed my time at B&N (good company to shop/work for IMO), but the sales pressure I could have done without.

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Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!)
October 14, 2009 9:50 PM
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@coffeeculture: I always just say \"No, thank you.\"

I used to get a pushy continuing sales pitch after I said that, but I think soooooo many companies now pitch credit cards with every transaction that my \"no, thank you\" is seen as firm enough.

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lmarconi
October 14, 2009 9:46 PM
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@coffeeculture: Oh, my high school days working at Staples and making sure everyone signed up for the Staples Rewards card.

At least the card wasn't totally useless and wasn't a credit card, so I didn't feel inhuman doing it, but it does suck when it's your job and people abuse you for asking.

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HRHKingFridayXX
October 14, 2009 10:48 PM
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@lmarconi: As long as its not a credit card, I always take a minute to fill out whatever rewards card is there. Sure, I use fake/incomplete info so I won't get spammed, but I know the cashiers are usually on some kind of incentive program. That is, unless the cashier is a total jerk.

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JohnQPublic
October 15, 2009 6:48 PM
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@HRHKingFridayXX: I know you're trying to help the cashier, but you're just reinforcing the behavior with corporate.

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Buckus
October 14, 2009 9:07 PM
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@coffeeculture: Same thing I said before: if the company you're working for has the policy, maybe they shouldn't have the policy of trying to sell credit card/magazines/shoe polish/warranties/lollipops/Monster Cables/etc at the register. It alienates most customers, even if 1 out of 100 take the offer, you've pissed off or annoyed 99 other customers who will remember that the next time they come back. If they come back.

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speedwell (!)
October 14, 2009 8:27 PM
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@coffeeculture: I've been in your shoes. Thanks to every lovely old lady who said, with a smile, \"Honey, I know they make you ask, but I'm not going to do this today.\"

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babyruthless
October 14, 2009 8:26 PM
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@coffeeculture: Amen, sister (/brother)! I had to sell credit cards when I worked at Victoria's Secret. Guess what--if you don't sell credit cards, you don't get hours. That sucks, I know. I was really good at selling them. If you said \"no, thanks\" firmly (but politely) I would move on with my day. If you were wishy-washy, then I would turn on the charm, and got really good at selling them. I was supposed to hear \"no\" three times before I gave up (I usually stopped after one if it was a hard \"no\" but would keep going if it was more \"oh, no, I don't need another credit card, hahaha\") but others were hard and fast on the three no's rule.


And to everyone who hates being asked if you need help: I don't know what to say...don't go to a small store. Sure, if I approach you and you say you're not looking for anything in particular, I'll go stand out of your way. But if I don't approach you, how do I know that you're not going to complain about me not helping you. I get in trouble for that. If you cross zones in a store, you'll probably get asked again. The most angry I've ever been at a cutomer was one who told me (not terribly nicely) that she was just looking and didn't need any help. I left her alone and did something else, and then she yelled at me for not anticipating that she did want something. I think she wanted me to stand 2.5 feet away from her and not say anything. Which I'm sure she would have complained about because it's creepy as hell.

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JohnQPublic
October 14, 2009 8:09 PM
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@coffeeculture: Bank tellers are forced to sell products too, even through the drive-through window! I hate that.

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Scoobatz
October 14, 2009 8:02 PM
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1) Not being left alone, or not being able to find someone when I need help.


2) The look from the cashier like it's somehow my fault the item does not have a price tag or that it scanned incorrectly.


3) I'm here to make a purchase, not a charity donation. I'm quite capable of doing that on my own time.


4) Yes, I'd love 10% off my purchase! But, no, not at the expense of applying for your store credit card.


5) Just be honest with me and tell me you have no freakin' clue where the item is located or that you don't even really know what I'm looking for. Please don't send me on a wild goose chase around the store.

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gparlett
October 14, 2009 8:03 PM
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1) Credit card pitches at the cash register
2) Stores that never open all the checkout lanes.
3) Receipt checks
4) Greeters at the entrance. These last three really go together its infuriating to wait in the check out lane for 20 minutes because the queues are stacked 5 deep and there are only 3 registers open, oh but the store has the staff to have greeters and receipt checkers at every entrance.

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2 replies
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lmarconi
October 14, 2009 9:47 PM
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@gparlett: I absolutely hate when there's a line of 10 people in the checkout lane and one register open. Sign of a bad manager and a cheap store that doesn't care about customer service!

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outlulz
October 14, 2009 11:36 PM
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@lmarconi: Or maybe the store is doing so badly business wise they can't afford to hire any more help?

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consumerwise
October 14, 2009 8:04 PM
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GREETERS! I hate them; not the people themselves, but their job is obnoxiously stupid. Do companies still employ greeters? I haven't seen any at Target lately (thank God).

Also.......

@jaydez: \"Cashiers asking for personal information (zip code, 10 digit phone #) before they are able to ring you up.\"

This.

@apd09: \"Allowing organizations to solicit out front of stores.\"

And this.

@chrialg6 is a happy effing cupcake: \"Being asked to donate a dollar to hunger, boobs, starving kids and the jimmy fund.\"

And this too.

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remington870_20ga
October 14, 2009 8:04 PM
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1. Being offered rewards services when they find out you dont have a 'membership card'.


2. When reaching for ketchup packets only to find careless employees havent cleaned or sorted through them to find the ones exploded... in turn getting on my hands and pissing me off.


3. 1,200 handicapped parking spots in front of every store. Do we really have that many cripple people at one time going to shop at a store?


4. FLYS, FLYS, FLYS. Its a big problem when you are eating and the second you turn around there are four crawling on your burger. Roaches arent nearly as intrusive nor disgusting as opposed to what flys do.


5. being asked for information (phone, address, email) so a transaction can be completed.


6. Constantly doing No.5


7. Baggers that stores force to work off tips only to then get a dirty look when all you have is a credit/debit card.


8. Food items that look nothing like the picture.


9. Companies that outsource customer service (I swear they try to find the worst english speaking CSR's out there)


10. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PRESS F*!@ING 1 FOR ENGLISH!

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Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
October 15, 2009 1:37 AM
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@remington870_20ga: I have no problem with handicap parking -HOWEVER, there is overkill. The Wal-Mart near me has TWENTY-TWO handicap-spots in front of the store. You read that right. Twenty-two!!! Half the time the parking lot isn't even that full, and only 2-3 of the handicap spots are being used, the other 18-odd spots are empty. This isn't even a big city - we have around 75,000 people. Its nuts.

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johnva
October 15, 2009 5:42 AM
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@Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?: Well, you said the rest of the lot wasn't that full. So it's unsurprising that the handicapped parking also would not be full. Typically the ratio is defined by some sort of formula, so there's probably good reason for it.

The whole point, as I made above, is that it makes sense to have those spots sit empty more often than other spots, because their availability is critical to some people. I don't understand why people find this annoying or don't get this. The only problem they create is that you have to walk a few more feet.

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econobiker
October 14, 2009 8:21 PM
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@remington870_20ga: \"3. 1,200 handicapped parking spots in front of every store. Do we really have that many cripple people at one time going to shop at a store?\"


It is a white-trash birth-right to grab your ancient and bedridden MeMaw's handicapped hang tag to go park in the handicapped section closest to the front door at Walmart... extra points if done on Black Friday.

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johnva
October 14, 2009 8:18 PM
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@remington870_20ga:

I'd like to comment on #3: how does that negatively impact your life? Think of it from the disabled person's perspective: if they get to the store and find that there are no close/accessible parking spots available, they may just have to turn around and go home, while the worst that will usually happen to you is that you'll have to walk a few more feet when you can easily can. So there's a valid argument to be made for having more handicapped parking available than they usually need at non-peak times.

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bohemian
October 14, 2009 9:25 PM
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@johnva: The ones in the stores around here are frequently all full. We have lots of elderly people living up here. Doctors also are more willing to hand out temp tags in the winter for people with injuries or mildly debilitating issues. Walking across a parking lot of uneven ice isn't fun when walking in general is a challenge.

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speedwell (!)
October 14, 2009 8:46 PM
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@johnva: What hacks me off is \"with children\" parking. Other people's crotch fruit does not a disability make. Pregnant women and people who recently had surgery should be eligible for handicapped parking tags, but just because you chose (or even worse didn't choose) to have kids along does not justify special saved parking spots. Kids today need more exercise anyway.

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Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!)
October 14, 2009 9:53 PM
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@speedwell, avatar of snark: I FUCKING LOVE THE WITH CHILDREN PARKING! One of the supermarkets has two spots -- just two -- marked \"For pregnant women and parents with infants\" and it made my life SO INCREDIBLY MUCH BETTER. I'm recovering from a C-section, trying to grocery shop, and having to lug the baby in the car seat into the store, which is like 30 damn pounds of awkward and unbalanced weight to carry after major abdominal surgery.

Those stores DEFINITELY get my business. And I have never seen anyone use those spots except very pregnant women and parents with very small infants. (Parents with bigger kids usually want to park right next to the cart return.)

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speedwell (!)
October 14, 2009 10:08 PM
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@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!): Eyebrows, I love you and I'm sure your baby is the most beautiful baby in the world, and the world would be so much nicer and more convenient for EVERYONE if we could ALL park up front.


I was in recovery for five months from having my kidney taken out, and I could barely walk, and my surgeon wouldn't give me a handicap plaque because he had a bug up his butt, and I had to fight with the goddamn parking lot uniformed moron just to be able to park in the bloody-huge-SUV-and-demonstrated-fertility spot.

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Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!)
October 15, 2009 12:59 AM
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@speedwell, avatar of snark: I know it, and your surgeon should have given you the plaque. (I initially typed plague, which is hugely funny but off the point.)

But I don't think me spending 3 weeks parking in a \"parents with infants\" spot is that massive a drain on societal good will while my incision was still actively closing and I had 30-lbs. of \"pal and his seat\" to lug along with me. As soon as I was ABLE to park farther away, I left that spot for people who needed it. (And began parking next to the cart return.)

(I found the whole C-section experience interesting in that it's hugely major abdominal surgery, but you're expected to get right back up and, instead of resting, feed a baby every 2-3 hours. Very different from friends who had, say, hysterectomies and were told to stay put for quite a bit longer.)

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speedwell (!)
October 15, 2009 1:46 AM
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@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!): Good point about the C-section. I totally agree. You should also have been given a handicapped plaque until you recovered.


But what next, special spots for people who \"just want to run in for a sec?\" (They have those, actually, near the Kroger pharmacy, for people just picking up prescriptions.) Or people with \"loyalty cards?\" Or people who accumulate enough \"points\" on their receipts? Women shopping alone, who don't want to walk through the parking lot? (I worked at a mall that had a special section set aside for this, briefly.) Cops and public officials? (I know of a couple of places around here, not in horrible neighborhoods, either, that actually do have reserved spaces for police cars.)


Like they say, when everyone's special, nobody's special. People with bona fide medical conditions that make it difficult to get around should get handicapped plaques and be able to park in handicapped spaces, which I support 110 percent.

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floraposte
October 15, 2009 2:03 AM
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@speedwell, avatar of snark: Okay, but that's a problem with your surgeon, not with the pregnant parking. It's not like your life would have been better if that hadn't been pregnant parking and had been occupied by somebody else instead.

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Shadowman615
October 14, 2009 9:01 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@johnva: I think they technically mean infants that need to be carried, not kids old enough to need exercise -- but the spots are really mostly there for pregnant women.

But those exist by the store's choice, not by law like HC spots. I guess they figure they want to help convince new mothers it's easy to shop at their store.

It's their lot, they can probably put a \"Shadowman615 only\" spot if they want. In the far back. And then put \"No Shadowman615 parking anytime\" on all the other spots. But then I also don't have to shop there.

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henrygates
October 14, 2009 9:00 PM
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@speedwell, avatar of snark: I can walk a few more feet so a pregnant woman is closer to the door. I don't think pregnant women should get a handicap tag though. They're pregnant, not disabled. My wife ran 3 miles a day up to 8 months.

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johnva
October 14, 2009 8:48 PM
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@speedwell, avatar of snark: I don't think I've ever seen one of those. That's annoying if places are actually putting those in. I don't think any except for the actual handicapped ones are legally enforceable, anyway.

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speedwell (!)
October 14, 2009 9:01 PM
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@johnva: Kroger started it with their \"expectant mother\" spots (I don't have a problem with that, and you have to register for them anyway). The HEB grocery chain upped the ante with spots saved for customers with children in tow. Other shopping centers are slowly beginning to pick it up. You heard it here first.

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bohemian
October 14, 2009 9:37 PM
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@speedwell, avatar of snark: My husband still acts like a big kid, thus I qualify for kid in tow spots. If malls and big stores start adopting it they will be promptly ignored by most people and are unenforceable.

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Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!)
October 14, 2009 9:55 PM
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@bohemian: It may depend on the community; around here, several stores have pregnant/infant parking spots, usually just one or two, and they're generally respected, and generally only used by those who actually need them. I think people view it as a courtesy issue, like holding a door or helping someone with a heavy bag, and so they don't really abuse it.

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custommadescare
October 14, 2009 9:08 PM
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@speedwell, avatar of snark: I've seen those Family parking spots at best buy and at the local mall.

I'm usually with my brother or my wife, so technically, it's family.

Hence, I park there!

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consumerfan
October 14, 2009 9:01 PM
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@johnva: If it's private property, they can do what they like.

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remington870_20ga
October 14, 2009 8:28 PM
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@johnva: Econobiker has my complaint spot on:


\"It is a white-trash birth-right to grab your ancient and bedridden MeMaw's handicapped hang tag to go park in the handicapped section closest to the front door at Walmart... extra points if done on Black Friday.\"


I cant tell you how many people I see on a daily basis put the tag on and then practically do cart wheels to the front door.


I have no reservations with handicap peoples, I have a few friends who are. My other problem is there are a bazillion of them that doesnt merit the given ratio.

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johnva
October 14, 2009 8:46 PM
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@remington870_20ga: Your points seem to contradict each other. You're on the one hand complaining that lots of people who aren't really disabled are hogging the spaces, and yet you're complaining about the number of spaces. If lots of non-disabled people are taking the spaces, then that means they need to have more of them.

Also, I would just note that you can't always judge whether someone is \"really\" disabled just by looking at them. There are plenty of people who can't walk long distances, but may seem perfectly able to walk before they get fatigued. Being disabled doesn't mean you're necessarily in a wheelchair. Yes, there are a lot of people who abuse it - and they can get busted if they are caught taking those spaces with a relative's tag, if the relative isn't with them.

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HIV 2 Elway
October 14, 2009 8:05 PM
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Not a business practice but I can't stand jackasses who write checks.

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2 replies
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speedwell (!)
October 14, 2009 8:47 PM
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@HIV 2 Elway: Nice people who write checks are OK, I presume.


Be a nice person... have your check made out, all but the amount, and your necessary ID in hand before you approach the register, folks.

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bohemian
October 14, 2009 9:38 PM
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@speedwell, avatar of snark: Please please please, stop writing paper checks at the grocery store express lane!

The biggest offenders are usually shriveled up old ladies buying generic vodka and Pall Mall's.

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Greasy Thumb Guzik
October 14, 2009 10:49 PM
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@bohemian:
No, the absolute worst offenders are contractors at Home Depot who bring the entire three to a sheet book of checks. These guys are hopeless at writing them out ahead of time & the worst of that group is the one who has the cashier split the order up three ways & he pays with three checks so each job is billed separately!
AAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHH!

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speedwell (!)
October 14, 2009 10:11 PM
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@bohemian: Paper checks are not the problem. If you're prepared, they take less time than do the morons who stand there with their mouths hanging open as they realize the cashier just announced the total, and then dig slowly through the bottom of a fifty-pound satchel full of crap for the credit card they like best that week.

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KoW
October 14, 2009 8:06 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Does \"blatant lying in advertising\" count?


Otherwise, I'd say making certain items hard to find because they're grouped into a different \"concept\" of what the item should be used for. i.e., we couldn't find ping pong balls in the sports section at Safeway, because they were exclusively with the beer. (Sure, we were playing beer pong anyway, but why would we check there first?!)

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zacwax
October 14, 2009 8:07 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

1)pre-paid rebate cards
2)soliciting for company credit cards at check out
3)the financing bait and switch of car companies

Reply
1 replies
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RandomHookup
October 14, 2009 8:37 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@zacwax: I also hate that pre-paid rebate cards can't use the network to figure out how much you have available on the card (like most store gift cards can do). Would it be that hard to just access that data so I don't have to know my balance to the penny?

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speedwell (!)
October 14, 2009 8:07 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

No access to basic health and safety measures like customer bathrooms.

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sashenka
October 14, 2009 8:08 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

When gas stations put the \"Super Unleaded\" button/hose in the middle, between the \"Regular Unleaded\" and the \"Unleaded Plus\". Years ago and on the few occasions when I was in an unusual rush, I'd find myself pumping the \"Super\" when I assumed I was pumping the \"Plus\" and feeling stupid that they got me.

I haven't been fooled in a long while, but it irks me to no end whenever I see it.

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2 replies
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Karita
October 15, 2009 2:52 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@sashenka: Ooh I hate that. I boycott one chain of gas stations entirely because I was tricked/confused into buying more expensive gas. Yeah, I should have paid more attention, but I think that setup is deliberately sneaky. I do often buy the higher grade gas anyway, but I want it on my own terms.

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floraposte
October 15, 2009 2:14 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@sashenka: Similarly: gas stations that use the Super price as their discount come-on price on the big streetside sign, so that most people buy the Regular at a considerably higher rate than the rest of the neighborhood thinking that they're buying the advertised gas.

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cornobill
October 14, 2009 8:08 PM
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Two words - \"binding arbitration\" !

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citking
October 14, 2009 8:09 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Some of my observations:

Lack of checkouts. I go to stores (ahem: Target) that have 25 checkouts and 4 of them will be open on a given Saturday at 3 PM with lines snaking everywhere. Make checkouts available, especially at grocery stores, where people getting only 5 items don't have to wait behind people who are writing checks, dealing with crying/begging kids, and slow people.

Simple tax-free transactions. When I purchase stuff for work (educational) it is tax-exempt. Yet getting stores to do tax-exempt orders requires mounds of paperwork, special UPC codes, random audits that disable your tax-free status for no reason (Menards), and general incompetence when it comes to finding someone who is trained to do tax-exempt transactions.

Cart maintenance. Is it really that hard to spray some WD-40 on those wheels once in a while?

Waiting for managers to approve transactions. Your cashier handles lots and lots of cash and credit card transactions. If you cannot trust the person with a key after, say, 6 months, you may need to re-evaluate your hiring practices.

Keys. If you have to secure electronics, expensive merchandise, etc. don't have 1 set of keys being carried by the most important (read: busiest) person in the store. Empowerment, people.

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Jon Mason
October 14, 2009 8:09 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Fast-food restaurants asking \"medium or large?\" when you ask for a combo, completely omitting the small option when that is the one priced/advertised on the menu.

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ArizonaGeek
October 14, 2009 8:12 PM
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Up selling anything I don't really need, overpriced crap, credit cards, magazines, etc. Yes I know I need an HDMI cable but no I am not spending $50 for an over priced Monster brand when I can get a generic that will do the exact same thing for $9 online.

With the exception of club stores, any greeter who asks to see my receipt while I have two arms full of bags. You're there to hand out carts, deal with returns and point customers in the right direction, you are not a security guard!

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quirkyrachel
October 14, 2009 8:13 PM
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Coupons that don't cover anything, with teeny fine print that's difficult to decipher.

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loserflame
October 14, 2009 8:13 PM
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The stocking methods of jeans and shoes don't make much sense most of the time. If you have a display of folded jeans or khakis (a la Gap), the shortest sizes are ALWAYS on the top practically forcing the short guys to have to get a ladder, while the tall fellas like myself have to get down on our knees to get our sizes from the bottom. It would make sense if the sizes that the taller people wear were on the top where the taller people could easily reach them, and vice versa. Same with shoes at big box shoe stores that have stacks of shoeboxes. The size 14s are always at the bottom.

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5 replies
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Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!)
October 14, 2009 9:56 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@loserflame: That has driven me crazy since I was about 13 and, as a short woman, could never reach my freaking size.

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bohemian
October 14, 2009 9:41 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@loserflame: Please, go into store layout design! Brilliant.

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liz.lemonade
October 14, 2009 9:39 PM
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@loserflame: I don't mind this just because it makes browsing more straightforward if I know that the smallest sizes are always on top and the largest are on the bottom. If, say, Old Navy has a stack of t-shirts, then I'd rather go directly to the bottom for an XL (even if it means kneeling down) than to go through each of twenty shirts just to find one size in the middle -- and, in doing so, messing up the entire display that an employee will then have to rearrange.

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sth9669
October 14, 2009 8:20 PM
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@loserflame: As a big guy myself, I'm with you, that's really annoying. Though I think they do it because it's easier to make stacks with the bigger stuff on the bottom. . .

How about sizing on pants, is it not possible to be neither tall and super skinny or short and fat? Why is 40x34 the hardest pant size to find in the whole world, meanwhile 34x34's are stacked 50 high and then end up on sale at the outlet for 60% off a few months later?!

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JohnQPublic
October 14, 2009 8:19 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@loserflame: I never thought about that, but yeah, that's really stupid.

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johnva
October 14, 2009 8:15 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Constantly playing games with prices, especially at grocery stores. I find it irritating when I have to basically guess what something will cost because they constantly raise and lower the prices in order to put hundreds of items on \"sale\" continually.

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1 replies
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speedwell (!)
October 14, 2009 9:22 PM
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@johnva: Amazon changed the price on something today three times in one hour (I forget what it was, though, it was blogged about on one of the fifty or so blogs I read.) I was halfway interested and debating the purchase, so I kept checking it until I made up my mind. \"No.\"

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P_Smith
October 14, 2009 8:16 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

My biggest annoying is with stores and their employees?


They are more concerned about making a sale than with getting you what you want. Whether it's in person or on the phone, some employees are neither honest, nor intelligent, nor energetic. Some will lie to get you into the store and try to get your money into their till, regardless of whether it's what you want or need, some don't think and say anything they think you want to hear, while others are simply too lazy to check and see if it's in the store.


If, for example, I go into a store to buy a dress shirt and tell them, \"Long sleeved, 100% cotton or 100% silk, 17 inch button down collar,\" that's what I expect to see and nothing else. No polyesters, no short sleeved shirts, etc. Since my request didn't say anything about color, if the employee shows me blue or pinstripe shirts, I'll be forgiving because I forgot to say \"white only\".


If there are no such shirts in the store, the employee should say, \"We don't have anything matching that description.\" Telling me the truth shows me they are honest and intelligent. I will politely thank them, and I will seriously consider returning to the store because of it.


If, on the other hand, the employee \"suggests\" something I never asked for, I'm going to say, \"Did I ask you for that?\" and school the person into recognizing his or her stupidity, laziness, or whoring. If the store doesn't have it, an intelligent employee will say, \"Would you like something different?\" while a stupid one will say \"Here is something different,\" and try to push junk on you that you never asked for.


Also related to this is the annoying practice of whoring \"featured products\" at the till. If it's not asked for, it's not wanted, period.

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2 replies
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Copper
October 14, 2009 9:54 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@P_Smith: Offering a similar item when the one you want isn't there does not a stupid person make.

Yelling at, \"schooling\" or otherwise berating a retail associate makes you a jerk.

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speedwell (!)
October 14, 2009 9:24 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@P_Smith: Retail people are trained to give you something as close to what you want as possible. They can't read your mind. Most people don't have your stone-cold no-compromise stance, and they think that failing to offer something similar to what you asked for is poor customer service. And it is.

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JohnQPublic
October 14, 2009 8:16 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

1) At Kohl's, when they announce \"Congratulations to Jane Doe the Cashier for saving another customer 15% by signing them up for Kohl's charge card\".

2) Being pitched ANYTHING at the register.

3) Being asked to provide any non-necessary information at register (zipcode, etc)

4) When they require your ID when returning an item with receipt (Harbor Freight)

5) Rebates in the form of a pre-paid card

6) In store prices that do not match online prices

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1 replies
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Dr. Caesar
October 15, 2009 8:59 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@JohnQPublic: #1: Or when the store does a similar announcement but try to keep it super secret from the customers (\"Congratulations to Jane for another code 666...who's doing the next one?\") We are on to you.

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malarkey21
October 14, 2009 8:17 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

When on an ad/coupon, it says in big letters \"SAVE $5\" but in small letters at the bottom it states \"When you purchase 5 units\" or whatever, so the actual savings per unit is only $1.

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JohnQPublic
October 14, 2009 8:18 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Consumerist should compile the top 10 answers and provide a matrix that compares major store's practices against the top 10 answers and leave it bumped on the front page.

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BlueEyesTM
October 14, 2009 8:18 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Businesses that depend on your forgetting that you signed up for a \"30-Day Free Trial,\" and then charging your credit card for services you may not even know you still have.


This is a predatory practice that, in particular, victimizes ELDERLY and disabled persons -- people who are more likely to forget that they have to call someone in the future to cancel something.


Also, I don't like having to give my credit card number and personal information to company that may never need to even use it. The fewer companies that possess my credit card info, the better -- especially if I cancel and they have no need for it. If they actually need to charge my card, then fine. But they shouldn't require that you provide credit card information for \"possible future business\", even if it is only 30 days away.

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3 replies
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XTC46
October 14, 2009 8:46 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@BlueEyesTM: Actually, the practice preys on stupidity, not the elderly. While the elderly are more likely to forget, they are also less likely to sign up for something they see on tv. The porn industry uses this method, and their target audience is not the elderly or disabled. And it works very very well.

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Buckus
October 14, 2009 9:13 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@xtc46 - thinksmarter on twitter: Are you sure about porn's target audience? I mean, if you're over 150 years old you can get access to \"Ultra Porn\" (obscure Futurama reference complete.)

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nbs2
October 14, 2009 8:44 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@BlueEyesTM: While I agree on the elderly, how does it victimize the disabled?

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DefineStatutory
October 14, 2009 8:20 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

The rebate game.

Let's face it, companies count on a certain percentage of people not to ever redeem their paperwork for the rebate. So, instead of a marketing push that costs 500,000 dollars, they're counting on only 78% of that 500,000 being redeemed.

Just mark stuff down if you want to discount it. Make it simple, and people will give you their business.

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Anjow
October 14, 2009 8:22 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

ASTERISKS. When a product makes a claim, then has an asterisk. An asterisk has come to mean \"disregard this claim - it is false\". Of course, you can see this when you find where they hide the corresponding asterisk and small print - that is if they are courteous enough to actually include it. So many times I have seen examples of asterisks that are dead ends.

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1 replies
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Several
October 15, 2009 8:31 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Anjow:

Amen!

I, too, am pretty skeptical when seeing an advertised *. But twice last week I simply gave up giving either company money after seeing an advertised * and not being able to find out just what said * was supposed to imply/restrict on any of the twenty pages of the flier. Absolutely nuthin'.

Sorry, I'm not wasting time or gas to phone/see three employees in two departments to be told that this might be something I don't want to commit/pay extra/purchase additional items/require a signup to get.

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Klaus_Kinsky
October 14, 2009 8:24 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Items placed on the shelves near price tags that don't have anything to do with the actual price of the item.

I'm tired of deciphering and matching up UPCs so I don't get screwed at the checkout.

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1 replies
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P_Smith
October 15, 2009 6:23 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Klaus_Kinsky: By law, if the price in front of the item on the shelf is less than in the store's compter, they are obliged to sell it to you at the lower price; maybe I'm mistaken, but I have heard in some cases they must give the item for free.


Putting the wrong price on an item is considered fraud, and the burden lies with the store to mark it correctly. Stores can and have been charged for doing this. Unfortuately, it also requires vigilance on the part of the consumer.

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Shadowman615
October 14, 2009 8:28 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Overbooking of flights and hotels. I think no further explanation is necessary.

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2 replies
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lmarconi
October 14, 2009 9:51 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Shadowman615: I'll add to this, overbooking of buses - here's looking at you Greyhound. Your shitty, overpriced service only keeps you in business because outside of NYC you're the only game in town.

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speedwell (!)
October 14, 2009 9:25 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Shadowman615: As a business traveler on a shortish leash... +1000

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morlo
October 14, 2009 8:32 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Sales with ridiculously inadequate stock.
The Shrink-ray!

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jbrecken
October 14, 2009 8:32 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I hate it when stores rearrange their layout just to make you have to look at more stuff. You can't just go back to the same shelf you'd previously gotten the thing on; they make you spend more time in the store tracking down its new shelf.

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RandomHookup
October 14, 2009 8:32 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Being expected to tip EVERYONE. Tips at fast food joints, tips for my barista, tips at the take out place, tips for the shuttle driver, tips for the ice cream scooper, tips for my tour guide, tips for my subway driver. Charge a fair price and build the tip into the pay of the help (I deliberately leave out wait staff as that is a truly tip driven occupation now -- it's too late to fix).

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4 replies
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Copper
October 14, 2009 9:56 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@RandomHookup: I agree. I hate tipping. As a customer and as a former server, tipping sucks. I really hated not being guaranteed the amount of my paycheck.

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TechnoDestructo
October 14, 2009 9:34 PM
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@RandomHookup:

There are plenty of countries where wait staff are paid a decent wage, and tipping is not customary.

And it isn't too late to fix. Individual businesses can do things however they like, they could put up big signs stating their policy to actually pay their employees.

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JohnQPublic
October 14, 2009 8:58 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@RandomHookup: I hate tipping, and I hate tipping wait staff because I don't want my money going into a tip pool.

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Crovie
October 14, 2009 9:30 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@RandomHookup: Wait staff who let you know they are expecting a tip. I always leave 10-20% depending on the service, but if a waiter flat out asks for one they're not getting a dime.

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BlueEyesTM
October 14, 2009 8:34 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Grocery stores (like Vons) that AUTOMATICALLY present you with a \"DO YOU WANT TO DONATE TO ....\" button when you are entering your debit card authorization for your groceries. While this is certainly for a very good cause, it shouldn't be included by default. Catch me at the door outside of the market as I leave, but leave the donation plea out of my grocery transaction.

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goodfellow_puck
October 14, 2009 8:36 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

- Asking for my phone number or email.
- Not being able to return \"sale\" items.
- Minimum purchase requirements--especially on credit cards (which we all know they aren't supposed to do).

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KyleOrton
October 14, 2009 8:38 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Making it impossible to price shop because of slightly different specs or bundles or rebranding etc.

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gerbilsoutofexile...is cheap and easy
October 14, 2009 8:38 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Having to wade through the clouds of cigarette smoking employees to get through the front door of a store. JCPenney, I'm looking at you, and it happened again today. Get your damned employees a place to puff their carcinogens where I don't have to choke my way through it and end up smelling like a freaking ash tray.

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1 replies
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econobiker
October 14, 2009 8:58 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@gerbilsoutofexile...is cheap and easy:
You'd either probably hate or like the song:
\"Smoking in front of the building.\" By the stupid morning radio show Bob and Tom

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cornobill
October 14, 2009 8:41 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

1. Binding arbitration
2. Grocery shrink rays
3. Binding arbitration
4. Airline fees (especially checked baggage!)
5. Binding arbitration
6. Everything* sales (* except all that stuff in the fine print)
7. Did I mention binding arbitration?
8. Shady camera/electronics dealers that advertise low prices, try to upsell you after the order is placed, then don't deliver your order when you decline the upsell
9. Binding arbitration!

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LMacConn
October 14, 2009 8:43 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Mail-in rebates (I have no problem with instant rebates or other types of rebates that require no additional work on my part than a normal sale would.)

Scroll over ANYTHING on a website. Just because my mouse went over something doesn't mean I want more information or ads.

Anything that adjusts the browser placement or size. If I have to readjust my browser back, I am certainly not buying from or visiting your site ever again.

Ads that move the other text that I am trying to read (usually a large ad at the top of the page, that shrinks after a few seconds, dragging the whole page up as a result.) I started seeing these on wikis a few weeks ago, but have since seen them on some online stores.

Businesses that do not post their sales fliers online.

\"Sales\" that require bringing in a postcard, coupon, mentioning someone's name, a print out from the web, etc. If it's a sale, you want my business. If you want my business, don't expect me to jump through hoops.

Customer reviews from morons with superiority complexes.

Stores with signs that say \"Bathrooms for Customers Only\", particularly cafes where the owner feels compelled to tell the story of a homeless person who was in their bathroom for 45 minutes...

Store clerks who tell me I should quit when I am buying cigarettes from them, and assume I don't already know how much they cost and the associated health risks.

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kingtimm
October 14, 2009 8:43 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Credit card total minimums at bars. \"Can't I just have one beer on my card?\" \"No, you need to buy 5...then drive home.\"

Reply
1 replies
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boogermike
October 14, 2009 10:39 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@kingtimm: That is specifically against the vendors credit card agreement. Printout a wallet size outline of the rules here: [www.nontoxicreviews.com] and present it to whatever vendor imposes minimum charges on a credit card (and report them if necessary).

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Elcheecho
October 14, 2009 8:46 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

i hate it when online retailers charge your card before they ship, especially when they don't have a notice anywhere on their site.

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theyoungandthebetrayed
October 14, 2009 8:46 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Bulk/multipack \"deals\" that are actually more expensive per oz/lb/unit than normal/single pack items.

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webwbr
October 14, 2009 8:49 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

IKEA... 90-day return policy; ONLY if you can fit the item back INSIDE it's original packaging. Seriously, like anyone can get IKEA products back in the package they came out of?

Also, nowhere does IKEA specifically state this \"rule\"; not in store, not on their receipts. Everything just shows the hug pillow with a \"change your mind is OK\" message.

They give the Swedish a bad name.

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1 replies
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speedwell (!)
October 14, 2009 9:28 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@webwbr: Do they really do this? My whole house, practically, is IKEA and I've never run into this. They have a very generous \"fix\" policy, too, if you call. I had a dresser with a scratched drawer front once, and they overnighted me a replacement drawer front.

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ovalseven
October 14, 2009 8:49 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I've said this before, but it seriously irritates me when cashiers lick their fingers before counting your change, or opening a paper bag. It's disgusting and unsanitary. It's especially annoying if the cashier has a visible cold or other illness.


Note to cashiers: You don't know where that money has been. Plus, countess others have wiped their own spit on it in the same manner. Do you really want to handle it, then put your fingers in your mouth? Do you really think customers want to handle anything you've wiped spit on?


Just put a damp sponge next to your register. They make them for that sole purpose.


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5 replies
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ScarletsWalk
October 14, 2009 11:25 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@ovalseven: One of the nastiest customers I ever had as a cashier *shudder* came over to me. He was gross enough already when I was looking at him and then when he got his cash I almost threw up. Why?

Because this sweating, dirty beast pulled a soggy bill out of his shoe.

blech.

(I do get the money in shoe thing, but if it gets soggy, then that's really not a good idea. How about a baggy first?\"

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kateblack
October 15, 2009 2:16 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@ScarletsWalk: Oh, that's FOUL.

Parents often think it's really f'ing cute to give their kids the money to hand to the cashier. It's really not cute when we've seen the kid picking their nose or grabbing at their diaper. And I once had a parent do this with a kid who had been rubbing at *impetigo* scabs all over her face.

(I apologized to the line of customers behind this jerk, shut down and washed up.)

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pixiegirl1
October 14, 2009 9:56 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@ovalseven: When I cashiered I would hate it when people would put their money/credit cards in their mouth before handing it to me. They always got the fake cough on their change/card when I gave it back along with a big smile. The other thing that would gross me out is when women would pull money out from their bra and it's damp. *gags*

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lmarconi
October 14, 2009 9:53 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@ovalseven: When I worked at a bank, I kept a monster bottle of Purel near me. Money is absolutely the dirtiest stuff on the planet.

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econobiker
October 14, 2009 9:01 PM
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@ovalseven: From the other side of the checkout, I used to hate to see people approach with money between their lips such as a woman struggling with a small baby and loading the checkout belt who would put a $20 bill between her lips to not lose it - for the same reason.


Some cashiers now wear gloves...


Any guy who has been to a bachelor party or strip club knows not to put money near his face...Same goes for anyone who has worked law enforcement drug busts...

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Sanshie
October 14, 2009 8:49 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

No, I don't want you damn store credit card today! I'm not really interested in saving 10% on a $25 purchase.

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mrgenius
October 14, 2009 8:52 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

C'mon, no one said RECEIPT CHECKERS yet? I don't care why it's done or if I happen to have $200k in cash in my cart, I just hate standing in line so as to feel like a criminal after I just spent money in your store. I refuse to patronize any store that does this, full stop.

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2 replies
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Outrun1986
October 14, 2009 9:28 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@mrgenius: This isn't a problem in my area except for stores who are under liquidation, and for obvious reasons I am not shopping at those stores anyways. The only stores here that do it are member clubs and you sign the agreement when you open your account. I haven't seen receipt checking done here at any store in about 5 years or more outside of membership clubs.

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Several
October 15, 2009 8:46 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Outrun1986:

Great, let me know where you live.

Local to me, Wal-Mart has been the rudest about it, and Best Buy is the worst (guaranteed 100% chance of receipt check, even a defective exchange or online order pickup.)

They've got it set up now so you have to lug your newly-purchased crap twenty feet to Checkpoint Charlie just to get a bag... they don't keep them at the cash! You'll get one there though, once you finish juggling the half-dozen irregular, plastic shelled packages and fishing your receipt from wherever it got crammed.

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UrbanShocker
October 14, 2009 8:52 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I *hate* doctor's offices that send bills months after you were actually there. Yeah, yeah, I know part of it is that the bill is submitted to insurance first. So I hate them too. Best health care in the world!

Reply
2 replies
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henrygates
October 14, 2009 9:08 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@UrbanShocker: I hate that sometimes they tell you that you owe nothing when you leave the office, then send you a bill months later...after they sent it to collections.

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Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!)
October 14, 2009 9:59 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@henrygates: I just paid the last bill for the birth of my almost-five-month-old today! (Well, I hope it was the last bill.) The hospital assured me my balance was paid in full two months ago. Then more insurance shenanigans occurred. Grrrrr.

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TheRedSeven
October 14, 2009 8:53 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

My biggest business pet peave is companies (bricks-and-mortar OR online) who take/collect/maintain/use/sell/etc my personal information without my knowledge, or by use of a buried line in a fine-print privacy policy.

~~~~
My personally identifiable information should be controlled by ME. Nobody else.

It is NOT a good to be bought/sold/traded so that I can be sent marketing materials. This is ultimately my TIME, which is worth money.

This includes, but is not limited to:
Name
Address
Email
Phone
Age
Sex
CCard info

If I authorize a payment via a credit card, that does NOT give you the right to hold onto that information beyond the length of time necessary to process the transaction.

You may NOT collect information about my shopping/purchasing habits for your database without my Express Written Consent.

You may NOT sell/lease/give or otherwise provide my personal information to ANYONE else, regardless of your business relationship with them.

If my information is collected/held by my consent, there must be a quick, easy, and clearly described manner by which I can be assured that my information has been removed from your site. I also expect that if I have allowed you to sell/lease/give my information to anyone else, that when I remove it from your system, you tell your buyer/lessee/recipient to remove it from theirs as well.

I know I live in a fantasy world. I wish I didn't.

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2 replies
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econobiker
October 14, 2009 9:05 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@TheRedSeven: When I have the option, I put the company name in the 2nd address line to see if they pimp my info. It often ends up looking like this example:


MR. E.C. BIKER
PO BOX 9999
TIME MAG SUBSCRP
ANYTOWN, ST
12345-9999

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speedwell (!)
October 14, 2009 9:34 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@econobiker: I do something like this, except I use a code based on the purchase as my \"middle name\" so it won't get edited out. It comes out looking like (using your example) \"Speedwell Timemag Colliberry.\"

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eskimo81
October 14, 2009 8:54 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Stores that won't let you look at something before you pay for it.

I wanted to buy some headphones at Best Buy, but I needed to make sure the cord wasn't coiled. I took it to the register, and they would not let me open it until I paid for it.

After I did, I had to go and stand in the long returns line to return it, because it was coiled. Waste of my time, and theirs.

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1 replies
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pixiegirl1
October 14, 2009 10:01 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@eskimo81: I had that happen to me with a watch at walmart. I wanted to try it on first but they wouldn't let me open it with out paying for it. So I paid for it with a atm card, opened it up and guess what it didn't fit so I returned it. But the worst part was the register didn't have enough money to pay the refund (only $13) so I waited nearly 20 minutes for a manager to bring the money.

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cameronl
October 14, 2009 8:55 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Missing or incorrect shelf price tags.

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henrygates
October 14, 2009 8:58 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I hate that they keep hiring kids and dropouts. There's a huge market now of older, unemployed professionals who need part or full time work to get them by. Fewer brain-dead 20-somethings who hate their job and care less about what they are selling and more mature adults will increase sales.

You know, if you hire some of these people, production will go way up, sales will go up, and salespeople will be knowledgeable. They may not stay long and they may not put up with a dimwitted manager's BS, but they'll do a damn fine job.

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2 replies
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TheTaoOfMeow
October 15, 2009 2:58 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@henrygates: \"There's a huge market now of older, unemployed professionals who need part or full time work to get them by.\"

Yes, there is...but aside from wanting to get paid the type of salary they were used to getting, they also want to have nights, weekends, and holidays off too. Which is a BIG problem when you work in retail.

FWIW our FT employees - what's left of them, that is *sigh* - are ten times more mature, knowledgeable, and dependable, regardless of age and years of service. Probably because, unlike the vast majority of their PT counterparts, this job is their primary responsibility, and they treat it as such.

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Karita
October 15, 2009 3:10 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@henrygates: I can't imagine many professionals taking such jobs on with much charm. When you have 20 years of education and years of professional experience, you're much less likely to put up with all the bs that comes from customers and upper management. I have TONS of respect for the cashiers that are \"deadbeats and dropouts.\" I did it for years before getting my law degree, and I know what they go through. I also know I wouldn't be able to put up with it for 5 minutes now without walking out or telling off the first customer that treated me like a lowlife. If someone is a total jerk, I get annoyed. But I see that in maybe 1 or 2 of every 100 transactions. I don't see most out-of-work professionals looking for that kind of work. Yeah they do it anecdotally, but I don't think it's a huge trend.

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custommadescare
October 14, 2009 8:58 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Ugh, this just happened to me with Toys R Us...

Providing a coupon to the general public, having said coupon accepted via your website, then negating that coupon with \"it was a technical glitch\".

This goes along with all the fine print on the bottom of a coupon that can only be applied to a few items. Why waste the paper to print out the circulars if they can't be used??!

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MickeyMoo
October 14, 2009 8:59 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Costco's habit of using different unit breakdowns on similar products (cheese x is .84/oz vs cheese Y is $8.63/lb) I'm trying to shop effectively not audition for MathWiz.

Rebate Prepaid cards - rebates in general

Solicitations for donations when they won't give you paperwork to prove overhead vs actual dollars that go to the intended recipient - instant fail.

Pizza places that scrimp you on toppings when you use their coupons - I'm looking at you Irving Pizza.

Sleazy oilchange places that show you how dirty your airfilter is (Gee - my airfilter is square not round and takes 10 minutes to remove since it's practically under the car, can I have the name of your regional manage please?)

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RecordStoreToughGuy_starcommandseries.com
October 14, 2009 9:42 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@MickeyMoo: Lol. Bonus points if you just changed the air filter before showing up to have your oil changed. This happened to a friend of my mom's.

I've only had a jiffy Lube pull that on me once. I just told them thanks for letting me know, I'd pick up one on the way home. It's not that hard to change one yourself (depending on the make and model, of course). I'd say most people could easily change an air filter, unlike oil. ^_^

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Trai_Dep
October 14, 2009 9:01 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

The most pernicious business practice in this day and age is the decoupling of price from items in an attempt to game online comparisons.
From airline tickets and their mushrooming fees, to shipping & handling that far exceed cost, to bundles. It's quite widespread and varied in form.
It's as though they're trying to take one of the best (for consumers) features of online shopping and strangle it in its crib.

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1 replies
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liz.lemonade
October 14, 2009 9:36 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Trai_Dep: On a similar note, manufacturers sending identical products with slightly different model numbers to different stores, so that you can't comparison shop. For example, Lexmark making the exact same printer that Best Buy advertises as \"Model 563XG2\" and Office Max advertises as \"Model 563XG4\". Since the numbers don't match, you can't get a price comparison discount.

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mojoesque
October 14, 2009 9:02 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Something that always annoys me on principle is the widespread practice of merchants claiming that they're \"unable to accept\" credit card payments under a certain amount. this is misleading at best, and fraudulent at worst.

what frustrates me is how many consumers (myself included, before i educated myself) spend more than they intend to at a store because they're paying with a credit card and the merchant's \"policy\" makes the implication that they are legally and logistically unable to process a payment under a minimum amount.

don't get me wrong - i understand the position of small-business merchants on this issue, but it's the cost of doing business, and i'd love to see a store just be honest about it with their customers - maybe try to educate them on the WHY - rather than trick/intimidate them into thinking they NEED to spend at least $10 or they can't accept payment.

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henrygates
October 14, 2009 9:06 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Also Target...and their credit card. I honestly shop at Target often, and I'm tired of being offered a credit card every time I need to buy a pen or a ream of paper.

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2 replies
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bohemian
October 14, 2009 9:55 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@henrygates: No. What is worse is when you stand in line and then the person in front of you decides they want to sign up for one of these freaking cards. Then you get to search for a new check out or stand there while some dimwit fills out a paper credit card form, the cashier punches it in and gets a response. Whomever at Target thought this up needs a severe and extended beating.

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Snarkysnake
October 14, 2009 9:23 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@henrygates:

Be careful if you ever accept their offer. Target's game is to sign you up with one set of terms and conditions and change them very soon after your first billing cycle (which they gave themselves the right to do when you signed up). I have seen this happen twice now. The bait that they leave in the trap is the immediate 10% off the first time that you use the card.

I always wait until they have a giant closeout on outdoor furniture ,grills ,firepits and such(these are some of their bigger ticket items) and sign up for the card and get another 10% off the closeout price .This makes some deals so compelling that it's scary. Then I pay the bill off immediately when due and two months later cancel the card.(No , it has not affected my credit score because it never really makes it in the mix of available/utilized credit). But I ALWAYS get a notice of change in terms and conditions soon after signing up.This is how they screw you. Hasn't worked so far with me ,but I have saved literally hundreds of dollars by not keeping the card after the 10% discount is long gone.

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dwasifar
October 14, 2009 9:09 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Dealer ads for new cars. Anyone who's ever shopped for a new car knows that every one of them - EVERY SINGLE ONE - is a lie. This isn't even fixable; they should just be banned, like TV cigarette advertising.

And while we're on car dealers: ad fees and doc fees. These are normal parts of doing business and should be part of the final price. In fact, you could say that about most fees everywhere you go. So, just fees.

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esthermofet
October 14, 2009 9:10 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Here are a few:
- Extended warranty nonsense: You say, \"I'd like to buy this model\" They say, \"Great, we have one in stock... would you like to buy the extended warranty?\" \"No, thank you... just this product.\" They come back a few minutes later with, \"Oh, we just sold the last one -- you're out of luck.\"

- Constant attempts to upsell. Granted, some people want bigger, better, stronger, faster, but many of us don't. Just the product as advertised, thanks -- I'm on a budget. Or treating customers like they're stupid (or playing on a customer's legitimate ignorance) to either trick them into buying something they don't need or don't want.

- Receipt checks at the door! Did you observe me selecting a product, attempting to conceal it, and bypassing a checkout? No? Then don't treat me like a criminal after you clearly watched me go to the checkout lane, pay for my items, and had the clerk bag everything.

- New and used car salesmen (and women). I dread going to car lots. The sales staff is like vultures and they often try to use number tricks to bilk customers out of hard-earned money.

- \"Would you like to donate $x to wonderful charity Y?\" No. If I wanted to donate to them, then I would donate to them -- I will not give you my money and trust you'll pass it along.

- Uneducated employees. Do you have a clue what it is that you're selling or not?

- Uneducated consumers. Let's spread the responsibility around here a bit. Do your homework and research a product before you go shopping, folks. If you're so worried about your money, then make some effort.

- Combination waffle maker, coffee grinder, nose-hair trimmer, internet-enabled, two-ounce, 27 megapixel (with 400x digital zoom) cell phones (or any other combination device). \"Because you asked for all these features and we think you're gullible enough to think that one device will be perfect for all of your desires... except that ONE thing you want to do with it\".

Yeah, there are others, but that pretty much covers it.

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Snarkysnake
October 14, 2009 9:11 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Requiring a minimum purchase to accept credit/debit cards.

This is flagrantly contrary to their merchant agreement that the signed to be able to accept the cards.I won't shop with a merchant that practices this.

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MickeyMoo
October 14, 2009 9:12 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Costco (again, sorry) GINORMOUS table of shirts (a 6 deep by 8 wide matrix) different sizes mixed in each stack with black print clear labels in a 16point font alternated front to back so you have look at every freaking shirt up close to find a specific size.

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pgh9fan1
October 14, 2009 9:15 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Car ads that say a $20K car is $11K. The fine print says that price is with the military discount, the recent college grad rebate, the owner loyalty rebate, $5K in customer cash or trade.

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Xerloq
October 14, 2009 9:17 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

1. Requiring print ads for price-match. Check the web, dangit!
2. Requiring in that the competitor have the item in stock to price match (If they had it, why would I be here?)
3. RECEIPT CHECKING!
4. Refusing to look up receipts.
5. Third-party insurance/warranties.
6. Customer Service/Employees who can't make decision to help customer.
7. Impulse buys at the register
8. Mail-in rebates.(Ok, I get that you want my info so you can market stuff, so let me give you me email and send it to me with PayPal!)

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Crovie
October 14, 2009 9:19 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

\"Doorbuster\" sales where they only have two or three of the item in stock, then try to sell you on a twice as expensive model. Yes it's illegal. The Best Buy/Future Shop here still do it all the time.

The endless upselling. Every time I went to EB they'd first try to sell a warranty, then a membership card, then tell you about their trade-in scheme. Keyword: went. I've since taken my business to a local game store that actually lets you pay for things you want to buy without hassling you.

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larrymac thinks testing should have occurred
October 14, 2009 9:20 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

\"We don't have it in stock, but you can order it.\"

Specific case in point - I'm looking for an additional lens for my Nikon DSLR. The camera store only has it with a Canon mount, but they'll be happy to take my money to order one with a Nikon mount. No, I want to hold one, put it on my camera, make sure everything works, snap a couple test shots ... If I wanted to order one, I'd just go to B&H's website, pay less than the brick and mortar store wants, and not bother going to the store in the first place.

If you want me to pay non-web prices, the offer something I can't get from the web - personal service!

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rachaeljean
October 14, 2009 9:21 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Minimum purchases on credit card or debit transactions!! GAH!

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RedCatLinux
October 14, 2009 9:28 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

* Price on display is NOT the price of the item in [current trendy color]. Granted, it is the manufacturer that is setting the price, but the store should post clearly any price differences.


* Salespeople who spout bullshit technobabble. The sad thing is they do this because so many people eat it with a spoon who didn't do their homework first. It just frosts my undies.


* Re-shrinkwrapped anything.


* Mail in or online rebates of any kind.


* Poor stocking habits. Price marked on shelf is not the item actually sitting on the shelf above the price. Ancient stock room heiroglyphic shorthand makes it nigh impossible to determine what item the price is for without squinting at all the barcodes on the box.


* Price in the store higher than the price online, or discount/sale online/in-store not honored in the store unless you had the foresite to print out the website and present it to the manager.


* Website available for browsing in the store not the same as the public-facing website.

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3 replies
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Outrun1986
October 14, 2009 9:38 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@RedCatLinux: Along with this I would have to say that stores who say their corporate website is run by a different company than what the store is. Case in point Toys R Us. They claim their website is NOT connected to the store in any way, yet it is branded all over with the Toys R Us name.

Its fine if you won't honor website prices in the store, but you need to say that on the website and with signs in the store so consumers don't get confused, because as far as I am concerned if the website bears the same name as the corporation, then its the same. If it says \"online only price\" or \"website prices not valid in store\" on the item page you are looking at then its perfectly acceptable. I understand there is a reason why the website price is lower (which is a lot more than most consumers understand). I would assume that most consumers would think the same way.

Just stop trying to claim that a website branded with your company's name does not belong to your company.

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RedCatLinux
October 14, 2009 10:03 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Outrun1986: Good to know. I rarely shop at Toys R Us, and I would get caught by that one.


However, I *don't* understand why the web price for an item that is ALSO sold in the brick and mortar store should be different for any reason other than cashing in on customers who wouldn't think to check both places.
I would understand if there weren't any physical stores to the company or if that particular item was not available in the brick and mortar store. If they stock it for the store, they are only increasing sales visibility by listing it online as well.


I do understand that they have to compete online with online-only stores, but these are the times, and they entered the online market knowing the lay of the land.
Newegg closed all it's brick and mortar stores to go completely online. I still shop there.

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Outrun1986
October 15, 2009 1:43 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@RedCatLinux: Its cause the website costs less to run than the retail store does. Your paying a higher price to shop in the retail store and for the ahem, customer service offered. I assume they also make money on the shipping costs, so that is probably where they pick up the difference in the price. This pretty much goes for all retailers.

I am not sure if TRU is still claiming that their website is a different entity entirely than the store, but the last time I called them out on a price difference between B&M and their website that is the excuse they gave me. Note that the website at the time had nothing on it saying that the price wouldn't be the same in the store.

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RedCatLinux
October 15, 2009 3:16 PM
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@Outrun1986: This only makes sense to me if they are not already stocking it for the retail store. They have accrued no additonal cost.


All it seems like is an attempt to snag a less aware customer's money.

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RedCatLinux
October 14, 2009 9:31 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@RedCatLinux: ...and I almost forgot:


* \"...and your phone number?\" Stop it. It's creepy. One cashier actually caught an attitude when after she claimed \"oh we don't use it to call you,\" I responded \"Then you don't need my number.\"

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Hanshiro
October 14, 2009 9:33 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

The word \"FREE\" that really means either 'with purchase' or the BOGO foolishness that actually means two-for-one.

Restore the word to its real meaning.

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3 replies
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cordeliapotter
October 14, 2009 10:06 PM
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@Hanshiro: This. If it's \"free\" with purchase, then it's not free.

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Crovie
October 14, 2009 9:36 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Hanshiro: When stores use BOGO to mean Buy One Get One... x% off

No dangit it's not BOGO25% it's Bee Oh Gee Oh period!

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floraposte
October 15, 2009 2:34 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Crovie: I'm waiting for the store that uses \"BOGO\" to mean that the one that you buy is the one that you get.

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TechnoDestructo
October 14, 2009 9:36 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

House-brand toaster pastries, 10 boxes for 10 dollars!
18 ounce bottles of ketchup, just 30 for 45 dollars!
Ripe avocados, 300 for 300 dollars!

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ldavis480
October 14, 2009 9:38 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I would have to say my biggest turnoff is discovering that the marked price for an item is actually the price after mail-in rebates. I for one am through with mail-in rebates -- I've been burned one too many times on them.

My second biggest pet peeve would have to be store exit receipt checks. I have actually had receipt checkers yell at me and threaten me for failing to show my receipt. For this reason alone I am not a member at Costco (yes, I know it's parcel to their membership agreement, and since I don't agree I am no longer a member).

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gacompguy
October 14, 2009 9:46 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Asking me if I want to save 10% so you can offer me a credit card with a 35% interest rate. No... I don't want your stupid credit card.

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SunsetKid
October 14, 2009 9:49 PM
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Two:

Tip jars

Pushes to buy extended warranties.

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princesspineisendangered
October 14, 2009 9:51 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Taking credit card applications for store cards in the regular check out line. Too time consuming and not secure

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vladthepaler
October 14, 2009 9:52 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Receipt checkers

Being asked for personal/demographic information

Employees who aren't knowledgeable about the store's products

Long lines

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Quatre707
October 14, 2009 9:57 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Unobtainable Black Friday sale prices.

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lmarconi
October 14, 2009 10:01 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

- Being asked for personal/demographic info
- Car dealerships that talk down to women. Also employees who talk down to young adults or the elderly.
- Overbooking flights, buses, trains, hotels, restaurants etc
- Restaurants that purposely lie about the wait time
- Being asked to get a credit card at the register. Also on the spot charity upsells at the register.
- Rebates, they're a waste of my time
- Employees who have no clue where anything is
- Stores with little to no return policy (i.e. Forever 21)
- Keeping only one checkout open when there's a long line
- Hiding items on super sale on remote end caps, in the back, etc so that you have to specifically ask for them. Putting an item on super sale when you only have a limited quantity, knowing the ads will draw people in.
-

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Dr. Caesar
October 15, 2009 9:14 PM
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@lmarconi: You can't really blame Forever 21 for not accepting returns. I don't go there often anymore but as I recall 99% of their inventory is incredibly cheap club clothes. Once a broad has gone out in an outfit and the pictures have been posted to facebook, it's tempting to just return them. The business has to protect itself and it really doesn't dissuade their base market.

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Laura Northrup
October 14, 2009 10:02 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@johnva: Oh, that's not the half of it. A newly built grocery store here has \"expectant mother parking\" spaces.

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Kenotic
October 14, 2009 10:03 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Things I haven't seen as much:

1) Having to say \"No\" numerous times to get through the line. No, I don't want your card. No, I don't want your card even if it's free. No, I don't want to sign up for free emails of coupons and release dates. No, I don't want the free 6-month trial. No, I don't want an extended warranty. No, you don't need my address. If people's memory of their shopping experience is having to say \"no\" a bunch of times just so they can leave, they will less likely to come back.

2) Pestering salesmen. There's a clear difference between someone who greets you when they walk by and someone who has to follow you around reciting the latest sales pitch. If someone is walking away from you, they probably don't want your help at the moment.

3) Lazy salesmen. If it's in \"the back room,\" but the website says you have it in stock, please don't just shrug and go back to flirting with the girl at the checkout half your age.

4) Bizarre coupons or sales. The grocery store printed off a coupon for me that said I could buy two gallons of milk and get the third for 1/2 price. Yay?

5) Legalized Bait and Switch. A now-defunct electronics store clerk told me they rarely got more than one \"Door buster\" item -- if that many.

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RandomHookup
October 14, 2009 10:05 PM
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Cashiers hanging out doing other things while the line grows longer and longer (sometimes even standing in line on their break to buy something). Combine that with a system that doesn't handle cashier changeovers well (the Darwinian system of whoever happens to notice the new cashier gets to be in the newly opened register line).


And let's not forget all the things a manager/supervisor has to come over to approve/access:


* Returns
* Cigarettes
* Coupons over a certain amount
* Transactions with a $0 balance
* Transactions with a negative balance (you used your bottle return slips to pay for something)
* Alcohol purchases
* Price mistakes
* Problems with the receipt/coupon printer
* Cashiers who can't figure out their own advertised policies

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pinecone99
October 14, 2009 10:08 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

While shopping, being asked at least once by every employee if I'm \"finding everything I need\"

Being asked to show ID for a credit card purchase

Being asked for my address when making a purchase

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cordeliapotter
October 14, 2009 10:10 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Not enough cashiers at the cash registers - I'm looking at you, Safeway.

And no cashiers at all on an entire department store level - I'm looking at you, Macys.

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johnmc
October 14, 2009 10:10 PM
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Top 3:

Requiring ID for credit card purchases, which is not allowed by either Visa or Mastercard (Requesting ID is, requiring is not).

Minimum purchase requirements for credit cards, which are also not allowed by Visa or Mastercard.

Receipt check at non membership stores. If I haven't signed an agreement to shop at a store which allows this practice, then I refuse to abide by it.

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vastrightwing
October 14, 2009 10:15 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

HIDDEN FEES!
Imagine, just removing hidden fees would give us the most bang for the buck. If the advertised price was the price you paid, then you could comparison shop, you wouldn't get stuck paying for junk you didn't want. People would fly again because you could actually know what your final cost was instead of being ripped off at the airport. Europe even includes the tax as part of the final price. The price you see, is the price you pay. Even restaurants include the tip. Free offers would go away because the offer is not really free! People could make a more informed choice how to spend their money. Free offers should not obligate you to pay and not require you to sign up with a credit card, otherwise, it's not free.

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samspot
October 14, 2009 10:17 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Robocalls (except for something like a recall), Sexualized Advertising, Fake Sales, Intimidating/High Pressure Highway Patrol & Firemen Charity calls.

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TheDude06
October 14, 2009 10:22 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

1. door checks for reciepts
2. extended warranty offers
3. asking for personal information at the checkout
4. commission based sales staff

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Gracegottcha
October 14, 2009 10:25 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

The rebates, which all seem to be a scam!

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Gracegottcha
October 14, 2009 10:26 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

How about in-store help that knows even less about their product than I do!

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Chris H
October 14, 2009 10:28 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

The price/fee distinction. It makes no sense to advertise services like wireless access as being \"49.99\" when it really is 62.34 once taxes and fees are added. We all have to pay those taxes and fees; they should be bundled in the advertised price.

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Outrun1986
October 15, 2009 1:47 AM
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@Chris H: This is probably because different states have different taxes, so if a company releases a national ad there is no way to predict what the taxes will be in each state. In fact I don't think they can predict that until you get the actual bill, try going to buy a cell phone and asking about how much taxes will be, they won't be able to give you an answer.

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seishino
October 15, 2009 7:11 AM
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@Outrun1986: Yes, but the great majority of those fees are federal fees that the companies choose to pass on to consumers. They should have no trouble figuring those out.

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greg2me2
October 14, 2009 10:29 PM
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All the pretense that we are friends. These are financial exchanges, not a new avenue to make life long friends. They want my money, not my friendship. Shout out to ING Direct

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Chris H
October 14, 2009 10:29 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

\"Free.\" Free is almost always a scam and should be restricted to situations where the transaction is a pure gift, with no requirement for personal information, credit card numbers, shipping and handling, etc.

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boogermike
October 14, 2009 10:34 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Here is an unusual one.

I hate when I ask for the location of something, and the clerk answers \"let me show you\", then walks me over to the location. It is very uncomfortable for the 60 seconds you are walking with the clerk.

Clerk, just point me to where I need to go, and leave me be. I think some stores think this is extra good customer service, but it just creeps me out to walk with the someone I don't know all over their store.

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webweazel
October 15, 2009 1:38 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@boogermike: Some stores REQUIRE the employees to do this. I once worked at Kmart, and this is what they required. So, I'm stocking shelves, I'm rotating stock, so I've got a pile of boxes near the floor, in the FOOD section, and some schmuck asks me where the hair dryers are. So, I'm forced to leave the tripping pile there, and show this idiot EXACTLY where it is.


I have actually SEEN people walk into the store, walk DIRECTLY up to the first employee they find, and ask where something is. Like laundry detergent. DUH. This usually means that the employee will be doing the shopping for the customer, leading them around by the nose, rather than the customer shopping on their own.


But I always loved the ones that asked where something blatantly obvious was, and standing right in front of it. Happened a lot more often than you would think.

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Karita
October 15, 2009 3:22 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@weazel662: When I worked at a record store, our shelves were all alphabetical. I was always amazed at the people who would walk through the door, go directly past the A-C section to me at the register, and ask for Chopin or something, without even making the slightest effort to look first. Many would get mad if I pointed, despite the fact that I was not allowed to leave the big box-o-cash to walk the customer ten feet to the C rack.

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Caveat
October 14, 2009 10:35 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

1. Giving priority to customers that telephone in, while I have made the effort to go into the store and am waiting.
2. Blower hand dryers in the bathrooms. Since lots of people don't bother washing after using the toilet, I presume that they clean their hands on the door handle while going out. What is the point of washing my hands and blow drying them if then I have to grab the contaminated door handle? Whenever I have the luxury of a paper towel, at least I can reuse it to open the door. I try to to think of the food handlers in the stores that think their hands are clean because they washed and used the hand dryer.

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Crovie
October 14, 2009 11:34 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Caveat: On the subject of washrooms, automatic bathroom implements of ANY kind. Towel dispensers you have to wave at 5 times to slowly dispense one too-small towelette, motion sensors on the sinks that shut off if you try scrubbing your hands, flush sensors on the toilets that splash your derriere if you bend over while using the john (even just in inch)... hate them all!

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elaborate bacon (princessprissypants)
October 14, 2009 10:36 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Moving plus sized clothing collections to online only so that I have to buy things just to try them on and then return them (also ONLINE ONLY!!) if they don't work out. It doesn't help that plus sized clothing sizes are wildly different from store to store, either.


Being ignored by sales people at stores like Victoria Secret because my breasts are larger than the clothing products they sell. I am willing to drop $$$ on nice smelling body lotions/wash and they're missing out by not helping me find what I'm looking for.


Kiosks at the mall with pushy sales people that will walk right up to you and follow you for a bit as you walk by. No, I don't want some shitty sleep mask or to have my eyebrows threaded, thank you.

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6 replies
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KianteWench
October 15, 2009 2:28 PM
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@elaborate bacon (princessprissypants):

I'm sorry you are running into such trouble getting sizes you fit into. That sucks hard core. I wish stores sold plus size and petite clothing a lot more.

About the kiosks, WOW I totally get you there. Dude, those people are horrible. I rush by and turn my head hoping they don't see me. Its ridiculous! And when you say no, they keep trying.

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kateblack
October 15, 2009 2:24 PM
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@elaborate bacon (princessprissypants): This.

It's unfair to treat a certain class of customers differently. I live relatively near one of those Old Navy stores which used to have the plus size section in store. It was ALWAYS ravaged. Sold out. Picked over. In retail terms, this is a good thing -- it was obviously hugely popular. I'm not sure why they stopped carrying plus size clothes in their stores.

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liz.lemonade
October 15, 2009 1:14 AM
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@elaborate bacon (princessprissypants): AMEN re: the first one. And is it just me, or has Old Navy sizing blown up again? Last month I ordered several shirts in my usual Old Navy size, but they're way too big on me. I'm pretty darn sure I haven't suddenly dropped two sizes. So I had to send them back on MY dime or else have $6 deducted from my refund, and this is after already having paid $7 for shipping on a $35 shirt order. I suppose I should just be grateful that they're one of the few stores that even offers plus sizes. Sigh.

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Outrun1986
October 15, 2009 1:52 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@liz.lemonade: Hmm perhaps Old Navy and Sears are conspiring to increase clothing sizes. Yes I have lost weight, but I have not lost 20lbs in a month or anything drastic like that. I have pants in one size that fits me. I go to the rack and pick the same size, only to find out that it is truly GINORMOUS. There is a clear difference between that size last year and that size today. So I had to bring about 5 pairs into the dressing room to find out the correct size, only to find out that I had to go down at least 2-3 sizes just to get something that fits. Men if you are wondering why all us women take so long in the dressing room, this is why.

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lmarconi
October 15, 2009 1:28 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@liz.lemonade: Btw, it's not just you, Old Navy is notoriously weird with their sizing, it's never been uniform in my opinion.
Once I tried on 3 pairs of shorts and one color fit but the others were huge - and they were all the same size!

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lmarconi
October 15, 2009 1:27 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@liz.lemonade: On the flip side (and not meaning to belittle your complaint, but I think there's a lack of specialized sizing in general), I'm an extremely petite person and it's nearly impossible to find \"short\" pants in store or petite sizing. Even the smalls seem to be gobbled up so fast - lately I feel like everything I \"oooo\" at is only left in large and up.
I also really hate walking into clothing stores and having the greeter immediately ask me if they can help me with anything. I even hate that the Gap now asks for your name and writes it on a chalkboard outside the dressing room door when you try things on. Please, leave me alone unless I ask. Clothes-buying is uncomfortable enough a process for my tomboy self without you in my face.

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elaborate bacon (princessprissypants)
October 15, 2009 1:49 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@lmarconi: I get that it sucks for other sizing groups when things like petites, tall or plus size move to the Internoodles, I share in and feel your pain.


Sadly, it also means that I shop at places like Old Navy WAY less than I used to because it's such a hassle to order stuff, pray it works out and then return it. Old Navy's stuff is just cheap enough for me to feel OK about buying something that is going to fall to pieces in a year and they make good tees that I really enjoy wearing. Now their sizes are all over the place for plus size stuff on top of everything else. I am a fiercely brand loyal fattie but having to jump through a bunch of hoops to get tees, tanks and the occasional sweater that fits (and isn't totally, Lane Bryant ugly) isn't worth it.

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PSteele
October 14, 2009 10:43 PM
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WalMart, when they raise the price after a coupon comes out. I've known this to happen at my local store more times than I can mention. For example, a coupon came out for $1/1 on an item that was $1.29. One week after the coupon came out, the price went up to $2.29. A week after the coupon expired, the price \"went down\" to $1.49 and remained there until this day. Or another item that a coupon came out for that was $2.25/1 with the price of the item being $3.29. A week after the coupon came out, the price went up to $4.09. A week after the coupon expired, the price went down to $3.29.

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2 replies
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Johann
October 15, 2009 1:55 AM
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@PSteele: A good number of years back, I used to buy 2-liter bottles of Dr. Thunder at WalMart, (it's their store brand of pop that tastes similar to Dr. Pepper.) I'd been buying it at, say $0.69 for awhile. Then one day they had a new sign up that proclaimed they had a NEW LOW PRICE! It was now $0.69! The price I'd always been paying. It said it was formerly $0.99. Maybe it had been priced that at one point, but not recently...

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Outrun1986
October 15, 2009 2:19 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Johann: Which reminds me I have to send a tip to consumerist about our Walmart who had the \"was\" signs up on the first opening day, how could a price be higher previously when the store wasn't even open???

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morganlh85
October 14, 2009 10:46 PM
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Asking me to sign up for email lists

Asking me to apply for a credit card

Continuing to ask me to sign up for these things even after I refuse

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morganlh85
October 14, 2009 10:48 PM
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Oh, and gas stations, convenience stores, Chinese food places, etc. that require a minimum purchase to use a credit/debit card, even though they aren't allowed to do so.

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2 replies
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speedwell (!)
October 15, 2009 12:01 AM
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@morganlh85: Many times you can use the credit card anyway, if you have to. Plead \"I don't carry cash\" and offer your card. What are they going to do, throw your order away?


I only say this because the cafeteria on the first floor of my office building has a sign like that (it says \"Please cash only under 5 dollars,\" IIRC) but if you pay with a card anyway, they take it without comment.

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Crovie
October 14, 2009 11:40 PM
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@morganlh85: I live in a predominantly Chinese city and there's several Asian local businesses that require a minimum to use credit. But on the other hand it keeps costs down and these stores generally pass the savings on to the consumer (Only at asian buffets can you get a dinner plate-sized cube of food for five bucks). So I don't mind that so much. But it's annoying when big corporate chains do that and pocket the savings.

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grithfang
October 14, 2009 10:56 PM
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Does it have to be a brick and mortar store? Cause the thing I hate most is Terms of Service and software licenses. You know where they take your money and tell you they can you from using whatever the next day by the legal terms.

Consumers never read the things all the way through. You need to be a trained attorney to be able to read the things, let alone understand the implications of what you are reading.

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Geell
October 14, 2009 11:03 PM
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Up-selling at the bank. No, I don't want to open a new credit card. Yes, I know about the features. No, I do not want them. No I do not want to open another account. Please let me leave.

Thanks Wells Fargo!

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kwheless
October 14, 2009 11:04 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Not having enough cashiers. I realize this can be a temporary problem (employees out sick, unexpected crowds) but when there are never enough cashiers, then hire more people! You're driving away more sales than you're saving by cutting back on staff.

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Crovie
October 14, 2009 11:43 PM
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@kwheless: Oh god this. When I worked in retail the corporate overlords were on our case for spending too much money on labour. So they made us cut about a third of the shifts we'd normally have one weekend. It was hell, service was terrible, customers were unhappy and everyone who worked those days seriously contemplated quitting. Turns out we ran about ten percent under budget and got a pat on the back for saving a couple hundred bucks.

Then the next week corporate was on our case for not meeting our sales targets...

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jpdanzig
October 14, 2009 11:17 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Phew, where to begin. How about:
1) Chains that run a promotion without getting all their outlets on board. The KFC debacle was the classic example.
2) Any doorbuster promotion with limited quantities. Hey, if we're going to make the effort to go to the store for a deal, these stores better give us rain checks on the items on sale!
3) As others have said, all the upsells and register pitches for donations, magazine offers, and credit cards.
4) All the direct response companies who charge your credit card before your FREE trial period is over, and then duck your calls for refunds or make stupid excuses.
5) FREE sample offers with fine print limiting the amount of the cost of the item. Mars did this -- they offered free chocolate bars, but I couldn't find a store in NYC that sold the bars for the price allotted.
6) Savings clubs. These are SO annoying!!! NO -- I don't want to carry yet more cards in my already bulging wallet and NO -- I don't want to have to answer in the negative whether I'm a member every time I checkout. EVERY consumer I know would prefer stores with EVERYDAY LOW PRICES!!!
7) Ill-informed sales personnel in the chain stores. (Best Buy, I'm talking to you!) The customer's chance of getting accurate information from one of these kids is less than 1 in 20, in my experience.
8) Surly counter people in fast food stores. I know these kids are criminally underpaid, but a customer might hope for a pleasant demeanor at least, rather than constant frowns and, yes, super-size pitches.
9) Sales help when you don't want it and no sales help when you need it. Best Buy excels at this: their sales kids are in your face constantly when you're browsing, and when you're actually ready to buy something, they're nowhere to be found! It's like ESP...
10) Not enough checkout people. Here in NYC, lines can form very quickly. An adroit store will call up store personnel to handle a jam, but most stores ignore the problem or install those automated checkout machines that never seem to work properly.

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vk2tds
October 14, 2009 11:21 PM
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When I visit the USA from Australia, I hate not knowing how much things will cost. How about some truth in advertising, including all sales taxes! It is how we do it in Australia, and it is illegal for anyone to advertise a price to a consumer that is not all-inclusive. And to a business, it must have the all inclusive price at least as big as the price without tax.

As for asking for address and postcode, just say you are from Australia. Works well.

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Karita
October 15, 2009 3:29 AM
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@vk2tds: I LOVED how the VAT was included in the price of the purchase when I lived in Europe. It took me a few months to realize that when I had 20 euros with me, I could actually buy an item listed at 20 euros. (I also loved getting my VAT back at the airport when I made VAT-free purchases in the days before going back to the US for a visit. Was always a nice chunk of money.)

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XianZomby
October 14, 2009 11:24 PM
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\"Loyalty cards\" That means two prices on the shelf: One for people that have given the store their name, home address, telephone number and e-mail address; and the increased one for people that don't think it's anybody's business where they live and what brands they buy.

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Straspey
October 14, 2009 11:49 PM
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One of the things which annoys me to no end are cashiers who ignore you at the check-out - either by chatting with another employee (sometimes in their native, foreign language), or by listening to music or even talking on their cell phone. The cashiers do not realize they are the \"face\" of the company with whom I am doing business at that moment and how they treat me goes a long way in my decisions on doing business with them again.

Also, regarding the issue of being asked to supply one's personal info (zip code, phone, etc) at the checkout, I simply counter their request by asking, \"Is that a requirement in order for me to make a purchase at this store?\" That usually ends the conversation right there.

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PhilFR
October 15, 2009 12:10 AM
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Department stores where the exits (in particular, the one you came in through) are impossible to find.

Fragrance counters.

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PhilFR
October 15, 2009 12:11 AM
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\"Add to basket to find price\"

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bobloblawsblog
October 15, 2009 12:16 AM
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ok, i only went through 2 pages of comments and didnt see this one yet - i HATE , HATE, HATE when there are 5 employees, 5 ppl standing in line, yet only one of the employees is serving customers and the others are stocking, chatting, etc. and dont event bother to stop what they are doing. happeend today at the deli counter - litterally 5 customers waiting, 1 employee serving - 4 employees stocking meat, cleaning knives, standing in the doorway, etc. GRRR

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kaceetheconsumer
October 15, 2009 12:22 AM
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1) Anything that involves fakery, trickery, or an outright lie. This includes sales of limited-number items to get you into the store just to find that they're out of the item (car dealers are particularly bad and will have one VIN on sale in the ad, if you read the fine print), advertising something as a special when it's really the regular price, or advertising a special cost that then has a catch like a rebate or having to buy something else without making that clear up front.

This category also includes fake product reviews, fake \"staff picks\", or other lies meant to imply that others were happy with the product when they may have an ulterior motive or not have even used it.

2) Bad/ignorant service. If I'm asking for advise it's because I need sound advice, not an upsell, not a load of crap, and certainly not gender-based stupidity (the last comes into play at computer/electronic stores, where we've noticed my requests for information get brushed aside while my husband gets good answers).

3) Marketing to my kid over and above me. I get that it's fair enough to market some things to kids, but when ads/stores actively try to get kids to pester their parents or not accept \"no\" or even \"later\" as an answer, this pisses me off. Kids are going to do that on their own and don't need encouragement. Any brand that I catch doing so is one that gets banned from the house.

4) Not taking product safety seriously. The recent Fisher Price/Target stories here are a good example. The ongoing BPA thing is also a good example. I need to trust companies to not lie about the dangers in their products, not cover it up when it's found to be a problem, and bloody well let us know right away when there is a problem (like Nestle did with the cookie dough this summer). When a company puts bottom line above safety, I don't want to buy from them ever again. I have a LONG memory!

5) Greenwashing. I make a very serious effort to buy eco-friendly products, from manufacture through to end use. I do not like being lied to in this. I do not like poison sold under eco-friendly labels.

6) Re-arranging the store all the time to make me hunt for what I need in the hopes that I'll buy something new. This is just irritating and makes me want to find another store.

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PhilFR
October 15, 2009 12:25 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

Supermarkets that have SOME of their organics in an organic section, and some scattered throughout the rest of the store. Forces you to check both areas for each item to find the best deal.

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GeorgeO
October 15, 2009 12:26 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

The inability to cancel and online membership without a phone call!

If you can sign up for a service online, without a phone call, you must be able to cancel that service without a phone call. THIS SHOULD BE THE LAW!

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Jesse in Japan
October 15, 2009 12:40 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

Unless I'm talking to a doctor or an auto mechanic whom I can trust, I really, really don't like being told by a business about the horrible things that can/will happen to me if I don't buy their products.

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donathome
October 15, 2009 12:45 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

I hate it when the advertised price does not match the ACTUAL price. That is when hidden fees, taxes and surcharges are added.

There should be a federal \"Truth in pricing\" law that simply says, \"The total price including all fees, surcharges and taxes must be less than or equal to the advertised price.

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Difdi
October 15, 2009 12:56 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

One of my pet peeves is the Hot Dog Stand. To raise money for some charity, local grocery stores often run a Hot Dog Stand (or Pizza, or whatever) outside the front door. Big name stores often get into the act (Safeway, for example).

I'm always really tempted to ask to inspect the store employee's Food Handler card.

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Serenefengshui
October 15, 2009 1:07 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

I experienced insane upsell when trying to buy a watch battery recently. I just wanted a new battery installed. I did not want a 5 year plan, a special cleaning, a special waterproofing, etc.

The first place I stopped wanted $35!! I said that's too much and he immediately came down, but the lowest he went was $19.95. I left.

The next spot wanted $24.95, but when I persisted in asking for \"just a battery\", he said that would be $11.99.

I have never experienced such insane upsell before. It was weird and unpleasant and I want it to go away.

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crutnacker
October 15, 2009 1:17 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

I've got three....

Visiting three different stores of the same retailer (I'm looking at YOU Wal-Mart) and finding three different prices for the same item.

Larger sizes having a higher unit price than smaller ones.

And finally, my least favorite:

Finding a great price at the online version of a retailer and being told it can't be matched at the brick and mortar version of the same store. This has happened to me at Best Buy and Wal-Mart.

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JohnQPublic
October 15, 2009 1:37 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

I abhor Verizon for trying relentlessly to sell me their DSL, FIOS, and long-distance service when all I want to do is get a technician over to relocate a jack.

I also hate Time Warner Cable for endlessly nagging me to switch my phone service over to Time Warner Cable.

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menty666
October 15, 2009 1:38 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

Coupons that require multiples or bundled purchases. Why am I going to buy 3 cans of brand name soup to save 30 cents when I only need 1 can? Even with doubling the store brand is usually cheaper.

Coupons that print after I purchased something, like at CVS. I buy cold medicine and a coupon prints for cold medicine. Honestly, if I still need it after I finish this box, I'm going to need medical attention, not Sudafed.

\"rebates\" in the form of future discounts. Staples offers money back for bringing in dead ink cartridges. They used to give you a 3 dollar credit you could use right then. Now they give it to you as 'reward dollars'. This means a) you need to have a staples card, and b) they don't give you a reward check until you hit a certain amount.

Not pricing merchandise, being sloppy with shelf pricing and making me go find one of those stupid price scanners in the aisles. If I'm doing their job, why are prices going up?

Receipt checkers...hate their pointless nature.

While I'm at it...Sams club checking member cards on the way IN the store. You can't make a purchase without a card, what's the point of making me wait to get INTO the store?

Asking me my phone number before ringing in my purchase. My number? 555-555-1212

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RandomHookup
October 15, 2009 12:39 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@menty666: At least Staples accepts all kinds of ink cartridges. With the old program, the choices were very limited.

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locakitty
October 15, 2009 1:51 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

1) instead of making your employees say hello to every single person they see, maybe you could train them to look for nonverbal clues as to whether or not the customer has a question, like the vacant stare or if you notice the same customer walking around the same area for about ohhhhh two minutes or so. BETTER TRAINING!
2) giving of personal info (and this is not targeted at the cashiers, but to the companies, stop making the cashiers' lives miserable so you can have your precious demographic info)
3) upselling. stop. i hated doing it and i hate being asked. i know what i want to purchase because i have it in my hand.
4) rebates, instant is much better. make the retailer jump through the hoops. i'm very busy and important.
5) the 'no exclusions' coupon, with exclusions listed on the bottom

There is probably a lot more, but I can't think of any right now.

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StanTheManDean
October 15, 2009 1:53 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

Skip the price matching handjob BS .


If you can sell it for less you should farking sell it for less.... TO EVERYBODY.


As it is, the price matching offers make the consumer feel like they got farked without getting kissed. Ya gotta ask for it. Wait around for a \"supervisor\" to approve your request (often after you had to drop to your knees and give him one).


So just cut the crap out. Be honest with your prices. If you can sell it for less, then sell it to everybody (and that means everybody... black, white, latino, jew, muslim etc) for that lower price.

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TwoDog
October 15, 2009 1:55 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

I'm surpised no one has mentioned this first one- or if they did, maybe I missed it. Or maybe it's because most of us only do it once every couple of years-


1. Insurance companies that run your credit to quote a rate? Way too many things wrong with this. Ridiculous


2. Anything that automatically charges your credit card monthly without running through asinine hoops to get it to stop (one gym membership wanted the cancelation form notarized?) I don't recall having anything notarized when you started charging my credit card.


3. Any company that clears out your checking account while waiting for a debit charge to clear. (Looking at you Mobil, you do not need to hold a $250 dollar charge on me for a tank of gas)


4. The oil change upsell- I'm here for my oil to be changed- thats it. No, I don't want $63 per quart oil (slightly exaggerated) Nor do I want anything else but the oil change. And don't look at me like I'm a moron because I'm not taking your advice on have my transmission flushed for $149.

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arkangel
October 15, 2009 2:46 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

I hate it when employees push stuff on me, like Gamestop's extended warranties at the register. Borders is especially irritating for this - When I'm trying to browse, the salespeople try to recommend a book in the same genre I'm looking at. When I actually DO need help, they can't find the book I really want. Then, they try to upsell me on something on top of that at the register. This annoys me to the point where I try not to shop there at all.

I think it'd help if companies would stop using units per transaction as a mandatory sales metric.

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Al Swearengen
October 15, 2009 3:05 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

Trying to talk me into taking a survey and then turning it into an opportunity to upsell me into some storm windows. (I'm looking at you Sam's Club!)


Having to buy 2 of something to get half off a third item. Just give me 15-20% off of each item. I don't need 60 pairs of socks, I just want one package thank you. (Also works for the buy 1 get 1 half off. Just give me 25% off)

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TheTaoOfMeow
October 15, 2009 3:12 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

Malls/shopping centers that permit customers with small kids to rent these HUGE racecar-stroller contraptions to use while shopping...with which they invariably wind up running over someone or knocking over fixtures because most of the stores in said shopping center don't have aisles big enough for the godawful things to fit through. >_<

[www.csltd.com]

These are big, but I've seen bigger. (And I won't mention the dirty diapers left in the baskets or the ketchup-soaked french fries stuck to the seats either.)

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Holey
October 15, 2009 3:50 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

CASHIER: \"Do you have your ABCD card with you today?\"
ME: \"No thank you, I'm not interested.\"
CASHIER: \"If you get an ABCD card you can save 10% on your purchase!\"
ME : \"No thanks, I'm not interested.\"
CASHIER: \"Are you SURE?\"

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1 replies
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consumerwise
October 15, 2009 4:25 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Holey: Or, how about the snotty cashier who retorts, \"You don't want to save 10% off your purchase?\"

Can I hit these people?

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NickelMD
October 15, 2009 4:23 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

Being asked to donate to charities at the check out. I donate about 15% of my income to charities that I support already thanks.

Recently in Home Depot I have been approached by people with a clipboard in hand who are hard-selling me to redo my kitchen etc. Sorry, I am looking for caulk.

Websites (generally for higher end custom products or services) that refuse to tell you the cost, but instead want you to email them so they can 'give you a price quote' (and end up blocked because they refuse to take 'no' for an answer.)

And the perennial bait and switch in all its many forms.

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Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
October 15, 2009 4:30 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

Stores that have sales and *consistently* have items that are onsale scanning in at their regular prices. The cashiers always act surprised when you ask them to check the prices and when it turns out you're right they act indignant. I could see if this happened once or twice, but I've been some places (you hear me, WalMart???) where almost

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Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
October 15, 2009 4:31 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?: dunno why it submitted before I was finished. sorry - where almost HALF my order rang in incorrectly. I then went back a few days later to get something else that was on sale that I had purchased a few days prior and it was STILL ringing up incorrectly!! I swear its a scam and they are hoping you won't notice that hey charge you the full price!

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speedwell (!)
October 15, 2009 10:15 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?: I have indeed heard of stores getting busted for this. You can call your local department of Weights and Measures on them, IIRC.

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SisterHavana
October 15, 2009 5:25 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

-Stores that only sell plus sizes online (hello, Old Navy!), or completely and quietly stop selling plus sizes at all (Hello H & M - who had really great plus size clothes until they dropped that line a few years ago) If there's a store close to me, I would prefer to be able to go in, try things on, and buy them on the spot, rather than having to order, pay for shipping, and wait til the item gets to me before I find out if it actually fits well. Especially if I need an item in a hurry.

-Super pushy mall kiosk people who come up to me and get in my face trying to get me to come to the kiosk. I've had people from some of the nail kiosks come up and grab my hand as I'm walking by! I see your kiosk. If I see something I find interesting, I will come up to you. Accosting me as I walk by is the best way to guarantee I will never buy anything at your kiosk.

-Stores that have loads of registers but only have a few of them manned, especially during peak times. (There was a Venture store near my work that was especially notorious for this. They had something like 25 registers but only one manned during lunchtime - it was crazy.)
Similarly, stores with several registers, including a bunch of self-scanner machines, and only one manned register and all the self-scanners turned off.

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mcmunchkin
October 15, 2009 5:37 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

Every time I try to find my sizes (size 8 shoes, size 8 or medium clothes) they are sold out. Sometimes there are entire stacks of tshirts that are extra small or extra large. Is it really that hard to order more based on what sells out fast? I've basically stopped looking at certain stores altogether because they are so out of touch with what sells out the most.

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jp7570
October 15, 2009 6:08 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

I have given up buying any product that has a mail-in rebate. (Are you listening Best Buy, Office Depot, etc.?) This is a cheap, sneaky ploy, since most companies figure a large percentage of customers will either forget or not complete the necessary steps correctly. (Let's not forget those dishonest clearning houses that simply lie and say it was \"lost in the mail\".)


Let's simply make mail-in rebates illegal.


And when push comes to shove, a retailer may even relent and give it to you on the spot. I have had this experience with my cell phone provider on two separate purchases. WHen I started to walk out the door because I didn't want to mess with the mail-in rebate, they discounted the same dollar amount on the spot.


Don't give in. Boycott any manufacturer or store that uses rebates as a lure.

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RandomHookup
October 15, 2009 10:51 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@jp7570: I'm pretty sure Best Buy eliminated most of their rebate programs a few years ago ([www.bestbuyinc.com]).


They were trying to discourage \"devil customers\" who only shopped for deep discounts & deals.

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just_me
October 15, 2009 6:36 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

Making unit cost higher for \"Family Sized\" items..
Peanut Butter, Laundry Detergent, Jelly, Toothpaste, Dishwasher detergent... anything you would want to buy in a larger container.

To make it even annoying. They change the unit size to make it even more frustrating..

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Antiks
October 15, 2009 7:47 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

I had a younger Wells Fargo employee start asking me personal questions like where my wife and I met.

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nstonep
October 15, 2009 7:48 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

Those stupid register rewards at walgreens. Buy X get a coupon for 2 bucks off your next purchase. No really...I'm just going to make the cashier ring up the coupon after it prints.

My favorite are the cvs ones that result in perpetual coupons. They keep printing out when you buy the same stuff. Combine that with some crazy sale price for toothpaste or shampoo and you'll walk out with a crazy bag, a fat wallet, and an angry cashier...I forgot to mention...and more coupons.

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moore850
October 15, 2009 9:55 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

The \"special club\" monthly fee rider that accompanies some purchases, especially online. Many scams are known for this, but I was surprised that Vistaprint would do it. Buy some business cards and you're looking at a $15 per month fee for a \"club\" that gets you nothing unless you uncheck the right check box.

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Gragorin
October 15, 2009 10:02 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

Hmm, there only a couple that really annoy me...

1. Credit/Debit Card Minimum Amounts required for purchase.
2. Mail-in Rebates!!

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Velifer
October 15, 2009 12:11 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Self-checkout.

People in hardware stores that ask me what I want. Then, when told explicitly, ask what I'm going to use it for (fuck off!) Then, when finally told, have to ask what that is. Oh, and they still manage to get exactly the wrong part. I can only hope their not understanding the difference between male and female connectors means they're having trouble breeding.

Receipt checks. Accuse me of shoplifting and call the cops, or leave me alone.

Getting my name off my credit card then using it as if they know me.

Trying to sell me a car.

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gggtur
October 15, 2009 1:27 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

When they keep telling me about some group you can join, and then insult you when you refuse...\"so, I guess you don't like saving money, uh?\" Yeah, I'm looking at you REI!

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KianteWench
October 15, 2009 1:39 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

\"Asking for my phone number at the register.
Pushing lousy credit cards/magazines at the register.
Double the hate for doing it multiple times.\" --Totally agree. I spent a lot more extra time at the register during busy holidays because the cashier isnt busy ringing up people, they are busy upselling, asking for phone numbers, credit card offers, magazine offers, and charity. literally, a trip that should only take 30 minutes turns into an hour and a half just because of that. By the time we consumers hit the register, we are done and just want to be out.

Commissions Sales people. Ugh. I feel sorry for them really. They have to bugbugbug to get sales and that cant make them feel good at night and I hate it as a consumer.

Sales that are not actually sales. Why not just post the price people. I would be more willing to buy it if I didnt look at the \"regular price\" and want to gag.

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Chris H
October 15, 2009 1:54 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Puffing! In the US, puffing is legal, but it is prohibited in other nations.

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Chris H
October 15, 2009 1:54 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

DTC advertising.

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Martin-Lawford
October 15, 2009 2:07 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Upsell is bad--would you like fries with that? Would you like a hot apple pie with that? Fellow, if I wanted that stuff I would have ordered it.


Gimme your zip code, your phone number, your blood type, is nearly as bad. I was once asked for my zip code while attempting to purchase a 75 cent candy bar. When I objected to this rigmarole in such a tiny purchase, the clerk said, \"Hey, I'm just doing my job.\" I suppose that was true, if her job is annoying the customers.

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Alarm Bell
October 15, 2009 2:28 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

On the one hand, I'm loving the extra personalized attention I get when shopping for clothes, but DO NOT try to get me to buy stuff I don't want. I'm trying on walking shoes at Kenneth Cole, and while she's waiting for the guy to get them, she decides I'd like to try on STILETTO HEELS. I can't wear anything higher than one inch! She brings out 4-inch skinny heels, and tells me how much I'll love them. So I say I can't 'wear heels, I have a knee problem. She tells me to try them on anyway!!!

Then when I'm buying my walking shoes and some jeans, she chaperones me to the counter, staying with me the whole time, to make sure she gets the commission. It was horrible. Ugh, what I'll put up with to et Kenneth Cole stuff at 60% off.

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mythago
October 15, 2009 2:31 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@speedwell, avatar of snark: What do you think recovering from a C-section or being hugely pregnant are if not \"bona fide medical conditions\"? Do you think that Eyebrows is merely imagining her incision? Oh, wait, it's a female that breeds. Clearly we should just throw it into the woodchipper so you can giggle about MOOs on your 'childfree' listserv.

Lots of people are \"special\", i.e. suffering from physical conditions that make walking difficult, on a temporary basis, and should get handicapped parking until they're better. How does that mean \"no one is special\"?

I get that your surgeon was a cobag. So don't multiply his cobaggery by taking it out on the rest of the planet, 'k?

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Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!)
October 16, 2009 1:42 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@mythago: Yes, speedwell felt that temp hang tags would be fine.

Personally, I'm not sure pregnancy/postpartum is worthy of a \"handicapped\" tag, but I do like the \"honor system\" pregnant/infant parking spot. There are also a few medical places that designate spaces for seniors, who might not be able to as far. But it would depend a lot on the type of community you live in, whether such a thing would be abused or not. Where I am, people generally respect it and only use it if needed. But I've lived places where it'd be a nightmare.

Also, these aren't such super-full parking lots that I can't usually get a good spot anyway.

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johnva
October 15, 2009 3:06 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@mythago: The point is, we don't need separate classes of reserved parking for all kinds of people. Just give people temporary handicapped permits when they have a temporary need for one (such as recovering from major surgery or whatever). I'm not so sure that pregnancy is really a \"need\" for one, though (C-section recovery, yes, but not a normal pregnancy). I can *maybe* see it shortly before they give birth, but just merely from being pregnant? There are people who bike commute every day while pregnant until about the last month.

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Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!)
October 16, 2009 1:46 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@johnva: My biggest concerns were when it was icy in the winter and my center of gravity was shifted, and not all lots were cleared very well; and at my workplace it's a 15-minute walk from the lot I was in to the building. But they gave me a closer lot, so that was okay.

I have known several women who got temporary handicapped hang tags while pregnant. Me, I just wanted to not fall on the ice. :)

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angkroberts
October 15, 2009 2:52 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Obscenely long receipts and asking me if I would like to save 10% off my purchase of $10. No, I don't want to save a buck and I don't want your credit card! If I want one, I'll ask!

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aen
October 15, 2009 2:56 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Insurance: We got a letter from our dentist telling us that our insurance provider's rates had become too low for them and that we would need a higher co-payment in the future.

That same week, we find out that her total monthly premium is going up $280.

Double-you-tee-eff?

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maruawe42
October 15, 2009 2:57 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Being lied to because my hair is gray, young employees that think because you are over thirty that you have dementia and need to be treated like a child. I have two degrees and am very literate in new technology. So I know when I am right and the employee is lying to me because they do not know the correct answers and are unwilling to admit the problem and ask for help.

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mrs.bunnykins
October 15, 2009 3:28 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I hate when store employees are told to greet every customer, and interrupt their shopping experience by asking a million questions like \"Would you like to see that in another size?\" before I even tried it on, or \"We have that in blue, green, and red\" When I am obviously interested in the orange one and so on. I used to work at a place that did this, and I wound up quitting over the fact that I was always hassled by the owner to basically hold hands with customers. I just leave places like that, because well it's annoying, and I can also feel the pain of the employee being forced to do it. It's just awkward and sucks.

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MFfan310
October 15, 2009 3:37 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I'm awfully surprised that Neiman Marcus' store credit card policy hasn't been mentioned yet.

Me: \"I'll take that new, exclusive cologne.\"
NM cashier: \"Would you like to put it on your Neiman Marcus card or your American Express?\"
Me: \"Can't I just use my Visa to buy my freakin' cologne?\"
NM cashier: \"Sorry, we won't take that because of customer privacy reasons. Would you like to open a NM card today? It only takes a minute.\"
Me: \"I'll be right back.\" (runs to nearest ATM)

Funny thing is, Bergdorf Goodman in NYC, which is owned by the same company, takes Visa, as does the Neiman Marcus website. So much for customer privacy...

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randombob
October 15, 2009 3:46 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I hate HATE having to listen to up-sale spiels. Hate it. Look I just called to order a pizza, I don't want to try your new Flamin' Hot Buffalo spicy balls or whatever as a side dish, I don't want to add on a 2-liter F*CKING COLA YOU F*CK TARD, I'd have said \"oh and send out a 2-liter soda with that\" if I wanted a 2-liter soda.

Seriously. It grates on my nerves.

Had to call some place of business recently (can't remember exactly) that was doing flu shots; \"Thanks for calling your Flu Shot headquarters can I make an appointment for you?\"

… Well, since I just wanted to check and see if you carried XYZ brand of phone charger, SURE THING! SIGN ME RIGHT UP! SOLD! I wasn't gonna get a flu shot, but since you wasted 15 seconds of my life letting me know YOU'RE the flu shot headquarters and clearly I should get one today, well, - WOW - I'm sold. Great job sales lady.

I mean, what happens if I HAD gotten a flu shot there yesterday? I still have to listen to the same spiel?

I hate spiels.

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DoodlestheGreat
October 15, 2009 3:57 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I just think it's telling that this thread has 167 pages in less than 24 hours...

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yajjo
October 15, 2009 4:13 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Mail in Rebates.

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Villnius
October 15, 2009 4:51 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Rebates. More recently, on a Gigabyte rebate for a motherboard, I ran across a new twist on rebates.

The rebate processing company gives you two options for redeeming the rebate. The first (default) and most obvious on the form is a \"premium\" processing option. With that option, they give your rebate form priority, and cut you a check faster, or direct deposit to an account you supply. The catch being that they take 30% of your rebate.

The second is a standard processing option (in the middle of the second page, where you have to check a box to opt for it). This is what I've come to see as the more \"traditional\" rebate. I get the full amount as a check sent in the mail, but it takes 2 months for them to acknowledge receiving the form, and about 6 months before getting the check.

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bumpducks
October 15, 2009 5:33 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Retailers not storing credit card and personal information in a secure manner- hello identity theft!

DTC advertising by drug companies. Your doctor is trained to provide the appropriate care, and does not need you to demand the latest \"me too\" drug. It's just another reason why the cost of healthcare is so high. Drug companies like the makers of Abilify (the antipsychotic newly advertised as an add-on for depression) don't like to promote the fact that their drug costs around $500 a month.

Mail in rebates. I am still waiting for three from June.

Running out of a sale item day one of the sale.

A lack of bathrooms.

Not being able to compare mattresses from one store to another.

Being forced to listen to a recorded messages about card protection services prior to a credit card being activated.

Airlines overbooking.

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PhilFR
October 15, 2009 6:34 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Waiters who say: \"How does everything taste?\" instead of \"How is everything.\" I always feel like responding: \"Things taste fine, it's the roach on the table I have a problem with.\"

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polyeaster
October 15, 2009 7:04 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

1. minimum credit card charges
1. asking for my zip code
1. 3 item limit in fitting room
1. receipt checkers

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1 replies
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dru_zod
October 15, 2009 10:43 PM
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@polyeaster: They could probably do away with fitting room attendants as well as the 3 item limit. I know they are trying to prevent theft and all that, but of the few places I've shopped that has a fitting room attendant, they act like they couldn't care less how many items you come out with. I go in with 3 items and they hand me a little number 3 tag. When I come out, they're busy doing something else or talking to another employee and don't even see how many items I actually came out with. I just lay the tag down and they ignore me, so aren't they kind of pointless?

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profmonster
October 15, 2009 8:15 PM
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Don't know if this applies, this is a credit card company issue. The credit card bank put a hold on my credit card because the payment I just made is \"too big\". [Apparently paying off your credit card is a \"security issue.\"] My card was getting declined everywhere. The hold is for 14 days, from the day of the posted payment. Very annoying at the stores.

But also: how about when the sales staff linger at the front of the store and ask you immediately upon your entering if you need help finding a size, can I help you find something, how about now, do you need help now, are you finding everything ok? are you shopping for a particular occasion? (etc.) oh my god, it drives me out of my mind.

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dru_zod
October 15, 2009 10:57 PM
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Handicapped spaces that are as far away from the front door of a store as possible. I'm not handicapped, but I take my elderly grandmother out to shop from time to time and she isn't able to walk very far to get into the store. She has a handicap parking parmit, but some stores put their handicapped spaces so darn farn away from the doors that it would be useless to park in them. The local Cracker Barrell restaurant, which she loves, has all of its handicapped spaces way over on the right side of the building instead of right in front, so she has to push her walker around the corner of the building, then pass in front of about 12 rocking chairs before she reaches the front door.


Another related problem, which is really not the fault of the stores but I'll mention it anyway, is idiots parking their cars in the yellow striped areas next to handicapped parking spaces. My cousin is paralyzed and drives one of those vans that he can drive his power wheelchair straight into and out of. It has a long ramp that comes out of the passenger side and that yellow striped area next to the \"Van accessible\" handicapped spaces is where the ramp has to go. If some bleeping idiot parks his or her car in that striped area, my cousin's wheelchair ramp can't extend and he can't get out. Same goes for when people think that striped area is a shopping cart return.

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doobes
October 15, 2009 11:17 PM
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Microcenter here in Fairfax. No transaction without a name. Period. They tell me it's to keep track of purchases so I don't have to keep the receipt. When I use a credit card and refuse to provide additional information they just use the closest name in the database.....

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cccdude
October 16, 2009 12:03 AM
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Being excluded from offers/prices/rates for \"new customers only\" because you're guilty of being a loyal, long-term customer. Helllooooo DirectTV

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lacubsfan
October 16, 2009 1:55 AM
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The \"how are you today?\" at the drive thru. It's just freakin weird! Cuz then I have to ask how they are when we both don't care! It's fine in face to face transactions, but it's weird and throws me off at the drive thru. Or how about those recordings that ask if you wanna try the double western bacon mcheart attack, and then you start to order and they tell you \"hold on a minute please\" cuz they aren't ready.

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Dondegroovily
October 16, 2009 2:40 AM
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\"Free coupons\" whose max value doesn't actually cover the price of the product. Once there was a free 2-liter Dr Pepper, max value $1.59 - which I was lucky to find for that price on a half-price blow out sale.

Companies who do this are telling consumers that even they believe their products are overpriced.

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lacubsfan
October 27, 2009 2:58 AM
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\"Expectant mother parking\" .... I always park there cuz pregnant women need the excersize anyway.

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