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Grocery stores are not usually a matter for inspiring high passion... at least not for me.
But the Kroger across the street (well, okay, down my street and then across the big street) is more obnoxious than most.
First, they plopped what was supposed to be a 24-hr Kroger in the middle of what was (at the time) a residential area, one mile from another large (competing) grocery and about four miles from another Kroger. We didn't need another grocery store out here, but "ZOMG we can't let Marsh have all the customers!" so they built it anyway. Over the loud protest of the surrounding neighbors... including me. (And yes, I did my protesting in person at the town council meetings... not just random bitching.)
Then, they managed to hire what must be the dirtiest, most inconsiderate construction workers known to man, because for a solid six months, I picked up lunch trash out of my yard on a daily basis after bags from Wendy's and other takeout places blew across the street and lodged against my trees.
It should have gotten better once construction was over, right? No... apparently the customers are slobs too, 'cause now what I get are plastic Kroger bags blowing into the yard. Oh, gee, _that's_ an improvement. (Not!)
They started off being open 24 hours a day. They did that for long enough to siphon off enough customers that Marsh, my grocery store of choice, had to cut their hours back because they couldn't afford to stay open that late. This mean the late-night shoppers (like, oh, those of us who have rehearsals 'til 11 p.m. and then realize we need milk and toilet paper) are stuck with Kroger.
Tonight, some dim bulb in the Kroger front office decided that they really didn't need both front doors open after midnight. So they locked the "IN" doors. No signage to say to try the clearly marked "OUT" doors. Also no signage anywhere stating the actual store hours. No people visible anywhere. After practically bouncing off the non-opening "IN" doors, I walked almost to the "OUT" doors (looking for the aforementioned missing posting of store hours), but apparently didn't get close enough for the doors to sense me, since they also gave no indication of being open (but then I wasn't really expecting the OUT doors to open for me to come in... silly me).
Went home. Looked online. Sure enough... store's supposed to be open 'til 2 a.m. (Oh yeah... after causing Marsh to cut their hours back, Kroger ended up cutting theirs too. Oddly enough, our area doesn't generate enough traffic for them to stay open 24/7... awww... poooooooor Kroger.) Called the store. Let the phone ring 20 times. (Yes, I counted. I'm cranky and tired.) Finally got an answer. Asked if they were open. Got "Yes, 'til 2 a.m." Asked "Well why in the heck don't the doors open??" Got told that "Oh... you have to use the OUT doors after midnight." Mentioned that signage might be in order. Got agreed at in the tone of voice that said "I'll say anything if it will make the crazy lady leave me alone."
Got back in the truck... went back to the store... encountered pissy-looking staff member taping a hastily penned (and almost illegible) "Use Other Door" sign on the locked door... gathered milk, toilet paper and light bulbs (because my house has suddenly decided to become the Cave of Doom... I've had three bulbs blow in as many days)... go to the one open (according to its little lit-up number) checkout line and discover, oh surprise, no actual cashier.
*sigh*
Consider timing them to see how long it takes somebody to notice. Get bored with standing. Say (loudly, because yes, I'm really cranky now), "Excuse me, could I get some help?" in the general direction of the _three_ people visible restocking aisles. Get ignored by all of them. Go looking. Finally meet cashier (remember the guy posting the illegible sign? Yep... it was him) ambling towards the front. He's taking his time... apparently his passive-aggressive revenge for having been forced to actually DO HIS JOB! Finally get to pay for groceries and leave.
I hate Kroger.
But the Kroger across the street (well, okay, down my street and then across the big street) is more obnoxious than most.
First, they plopped what was supposed to be a 24-hr Kroger in the middle of what was (at the time) a residential area, one mile from another large (competing) grocery and about four miles from another Kroger. We didn't need another grocery store out here, but "ZOMG we can't let Marsh have all the customers!" so they built it anyway. Over the loud protest of the surrounding neighbors... including me. (And yes, I did my protesting in person at the town council meetings... not just random bitching.)
Then, they managed to hire what must be the dirtiest, most inconsiderate construction workers known to man, because for a solid six months, I picked up lunch trash out of my yard on a daily basis after bags from Wendy's and other takeout places blew across the street and lodged against my trees.
It should have gotten better once construction was over, right? No... apparently the customers are slobs too, 'cause now what I get are plastic Kroger bags blowing into the yard. Oh, gee, _that's_ an improvement. (Not!)
They started off being open 24 hours a day. They did that for long enough to siphon off enough customers that Marsh, my grocery store of choice, had to cut their hours back because they couldn't afford to stay open that late. This mean the late-night shoppers (like, oh, those of us who have rehearsals 'til 11 p.m. and then realize we need milk and toilet paper) are stuck with Kroger.
Tonight, some dim bulb in the Kroger front office decided that they really didn't need both front doors open after midnight. So they locked the "IN" doors. No signage to say to try the clearly marked "OUT" doors. Also no signage anywhere stating the actual store hours. No people visible anywhere. After practically bouncing off the non-opening "IN" doors, I walked almost to the "OUT" doors (looking for the aforementioned missing posting of store hours), but apparently didn't get close enough for the doors to sense me, since they also gave no indication of being open (but then I wasn't really expecting the OUT doors to open for me to come in... silly me).
Went home. Looked online. Sure enough... store's supposed to be open 'til 2 a.m. (Oh yeah... after causing Marsh to cut their hours back, Kroger ended up cutting theirs too. Oddly enough, our area doesn't generate enough traffic for them to stay open 24/7... awww... poooooooor Kroger.) Called the store. Let the phone ring 20 times. (Yes, I counted. I'm cranky and tired.) Finally got an answer. Asked if they were open. Got "Yes, 'til 2 a.m." Asked "Well why in the heck don't the doors open??" Got told that "Oh... you have to use the OUT doors after midnight." Mentioned that signage might be in order. Got agreed at in the tone of voice that said "I'll say anything if it will make the crazy lady leave me alone."
Got back in the truck... went back to the store... encountered pissy-looking staff member taping a hastily penned (and almost illegible) "Use Other Door" sign on the locked door... gathered milk, toilet paper and light bulbs (because my house has suddenly decided to become the Cave of Doom... I've had three bulbs blow in as many days)... go to the one open (according to its little lit-up number) checkout line and discover, oh surprise, no actual cashier.
*sigh*
Consider timing them to see how long it takes somebody to notice. Get bored with standing. Say (loudly, because yes, I'm really cranky now), "Excuse me, could I get some help?" in the general direction of the _three_ people visible restocking aisles. Get ignored by all of them. Go looking. Finally meet cashier (remember the guy posting the illegible sign? Yep... it was him) ambling towards the front. He's taking his time... apparently his passive-aggressive revenge for having been forced to actually DO HIS JOB! Finally get to pay for groceries and leave.
I hate Kroger.
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![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2007-11-16 02:40 pm (UTC)I'd go postal if I had to do it your way.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-11-17 02:15 am (UTC)The idea of a delivery service sounds nice, but I'm sure they wouldn't deliver groceries to my house out in the boonies. Plus, I can't believe that a delivery service could pick my produce for me. I'm picky about my lettuce and bananas.
If I could get myself to believe that saving a trip to the store is actually worth $10-$20 a week in paying too much for products because I didn't go to the right store and get it on sale, I would probably be happier.