Supermarket Shopping.

[chris49]

We use Pure Gold or a local supermarket. We don't have access to SM or Robinson's, but Robinson's is preferred if available. Pure Gold is also good if buying large volumes. But we usually go to the local one in Vigan City, quite a large supermarket.

Seeing "Trainee" on the badge is not a good sign, but they usually work with a partner or maybe the supervisor. In this case we got up to the checkout and notices she's a trainee. But we hold our place while she starts the process. We spend 6000-7000, try to stock for a month.

The process went on, and it was moving quite well. I moved away and let Gina handle it while I went to Generics next door. I even had a chat in Generics before going back to the market.

What's up now, the whole process has stopped.

We buy in bulk the laundry products, coffee in sachets and noodles for the kids. The order is 40 units of Lucky noodles at 7.75 pesos each, 20 beef and 20 chicken. So now I see she has already checked them through. But the bag boy has a recount before he puts them in the box because the customer might complain if there's any shortage.

So they line them up in rows of 10. So 4 rows of 10 units is 40 units. All are 7.75 and it's already rung up. Now she starts to rearrange and have a recount, which she does and it's still 40. Now she rearranges and I tell her, "Miss what is the problem?" Of course I am so patient because she's a trainee but this is getting tedious.

So now she says "Sir I know it's 40 units, but I am counting to see if it's 20 chicken and 20 beef" OK Miss but does it actually make a difference?

"Wait Sir, I am checking with our supervisor, but she is busy"

Gina won't say a word, that's not her style.

Supervisor comes over and they have a discussion in Ilocano for a few minutes over the count.

"It's ok now Sir, the count is correct"

Am I being negative again?

What's your experience? Btw I spun this off one of Sander's comments in another thread.

 

 

[Jack Peterson]

7 minutes ago, chris49 said:

Am I being negative again?

 Nah! Chris factual and to the Point of Positivity on this one.

[OnMyWay]

Chris, actually, unless you are in a hurry to get home and use the toilet, that situation is just worth a small chuckle!  

 

[MacBubba]

2 hours ago, chris49 said:

So now she says "Sir I know it's 40 units, but I am counting to see if it's 20 chicken and 20 beef" OK Miss but does it actually make a difference?

Just a guess here - they probably need to the count accurately for purposes of inventory.  Or, to determine which flavour moves faster.

[Sander Martin]

Not negative Chris. Its "Shopping in Philippines". God i hate grocery shoping here (allways loved it in Europe, Australia and New Zealand)... 

Stock is crap and thats ok (not western country/not for our tast), but how can they be five time slower with five to ten times more workers compared to Western  Countries... I used to hate those fake smiles and chitchat of "so how has your day been" i allways got in New Zealand and Australia. I miss them now ?. Atleast they came with a fast service. Had to go to a quick visit back home in Estonia 4 months ago. Shops were like they are supposed to be. Fast check out and no emotions what so ever. You are lucky to get a smile.

16 more days till me, Anne and our little Karl are on our way to Europe ??.

[robert k]

36 minutes ago, MacBubba said:

Just a guess here - they probably need to the count accurately for purposes of inventory.  Or, to determine which flavour moves faster.

 I'm sorry but this one belongs in the clean joke thread! From what I have seen when they run out they order more or they don't order more because it sells too fast and that makes more work.

[MacBubba]

You'll notice that I did not extrapolate as far as to say that they will order more or not. 

Maybe it is just a management checking exercise.  They just want to make sure that there has been no pilferage.

 

Edited July 3, 2016 by MacBubba

[chris49]

17 hours ago, MacBubba said:

Just a guess here - they probably need to the count accurately for purposes of inventory.  Or, to determine which flavour moves faster.

It would show on the system. I don't think the hand count has anything to do with it.

[MacBubba]

1 minute ago, chris49 said:

It would show on the system. I don't think the hand count has anything to do with it.

I would agree.  I don't know that it would stop them from conducting multiple manual counts. 

As I was careful to preface my initial response with, I was just guessing.  For all I know, it is a means of keeping up the appearance of long lines so the store hires more staff, or at least, does not cut back on the current number.  Again, that's just another guess.

[chris49]

15 hours ago, MacBubba said:

You'll notice that I did not extrapolate as far as to say that they will order more or not. 

Maybe it is just a management checking exercise.  They just want to make sure that there has been no pilferage.

 

Well yes that's part of it actually they do cross check to make sure when the customer opens the box the correct amount of items are there. I did not think it extended to whether the noodles were chicken or beef and 4 recounts.