I just happened to run across your web site while looking for the Corporate Offices of Meijer. I have an experience I want to share with you.
While shopping at Meijer, I purchased a 24-bottle case of Aquafina water. There was a “hand written” sign above the water. Written on the same style paper as the other signs. The sign said, “Aquafina – $3.99 24-16.9 oz bottles.”
When I arrived at the checkout, the water scanned at $5.99. I asked the clerk why it was scanning this price and she replied in a very unfriendly way, “because that’s the price.”
I told her about the sign. She called the manager and the manager said the water was not on sale and $5.99 was the price. I explained to her about the sign and she said, “Well, the manager said it was not on sale.” She refused to have someone check the price, so I personally left the checkout and went and brought her the sign. She finally rang up the water at the $ 3.99 price. However, there was no apology for the mistake. She just said, “I don’t know who wrote that sign.”
I had an appointment so I did not have time to take this up with the manager. Perhaps one of the employees did put the sign there and the checkout clerk or the manager did not know about the sign. I certainly did not appreciate the rudeness of the clerk.
~Shanique
I am a Cashier for Meijer and would like to take a moment to comment on your post. I do understand that you thought the item should be rang up at the sale price. It can be frustrating at times, but mistakes do happen.
As far as the sign, it was probably a different grocery manager who put up the sign, but never changed it in the system. This happens quite frequently at my store. If the cashier told you it was not on sale after she called, I would have suggested to you that you pay for the item, and then take it to the service desk.
The service desk clerks have “more” time to spend with each of their customers. Did you know that Meijer cashiers are timed at how quickly they get people out of their line? In fact, cashiers can and do face penalties including termination if they do not meet these quotas.
Back to the service desk. I commonly work at the desk, and have no problem walking back to grocery with the guest to find the problem. If I see the problem, I can correct it. In the cashiers’ defense, he/she did contact the manager in that department and they were told it was not on sale. The cashier feels that a competent person had taken control of the issue. You can’t begin to believe the kind of complaints a cashier gets on an HOURLY basis.
In your defense, you thought it was right. BUT, cashiers see many times a day where the customer is wrong. It can be very frustrating. I think if you would have a little more patience with the employees that they would have been nicer to you. Just think what it is like on their end, they just cashier, and they don’t place the sings, make the prices or determine who is right or wrong. Just something to think about!
Dear Matt,
Appreciate your comments. I had no idea that cashiers were timed and sometimes penalized for not getting people out fast enough.
I always thought Meijer was just a knotch or two above Wal-mart. Guess I was wrong. You would think these stores would want their clerks to provide good service, not just fast service.
Looks like these stores have become the McDonald’s of grocery stores.
It’s a shame. Thanks for giving us a look at the other side of the coin.