Tales from the Co-op - Vol 4

2.   Home delivery training

Last week, I arranged for home delivery of my weekly shop from the co-op.  When I got to the till and gave the cashier my bit of paper, she said “Sorry, I’m new.  I don’t know what to do.”

I informed her that she needed to ring her bell and call “Home delivery, till number 3”.  She did so, and the bell rang incessantly which seemed to distress her.  

Eventually a colleague appeared who informed me me that she was also new and had never dealt with a home delivery before.

I replied “Don’t worry, I’ve done it lots of times.” I helped her sort the groceries into bags according to whether they were fresh, ambient or frozen.  When it came to taking payment, the young woman on the till did not know how to scan the home delivery info.

I spotted a more senior member of staff on the self-checkout and suggested she call him over.  When he arrived, he said “I haven’t worked on the till for two years.”

After what seemed an age, between the four of us, we completed the transaction.  I joked that they should pay me for staff training!

1. Cash back saga 

Last Saturday I had a basket full of shopping when I remembered I had no cash on me.  I went back outside to use the cash machine.  It was not working so I crossed over the road to go to the bank.  I then decided to get bread from the local bakers.  I picked the wrong moment!  A woman got in just before me and spent ages buying half the shop.  Eventually I got served.  

Back at the co-op, I retrieved my basket and queued at the kiosk to pay.  The same woman appeared behind me and I heard her ask: “Do I have to buy something to get cash back?” She sounded indignant that the cash machine wasn’t working, as if it were a personal affront.  I almost pointed out that she had walked past a bank with a cash dispenser on the other side of the street but decided I couldn’t be bothered.  

The cashier replied, “Yes, you have to buy something”.  

She then asked “Is there a minimum spend?”  

It transpired there was not and she grabbed a pack of sweets.  

Back home, I marvelled at how a short pop to the shop had turned into an expedition!