Sainsbury's apologises to mobile customer refused service

[Silver_Shiney]

Apparently a check-out operator refused to serve a customer who was using her mobile phone.

Personally, I think it is the height of bad manners to be talking on the phone when being served by someone else, and I think the check-out operator was quite correct in her action (although I don't necessarily agree with what she said to the shopper afterwards).

[Meg 50]

indeed!
I bet the customer would have been quick enough to complain if the checkout lady had been discussing last night with the next door check out operator

[Dark Knight]

I would not have served the ignorant woman on the phone until she put it down. Secondly, I would have backed my employee to the hilt and told the selfish, self absorbed mare to learn some manners and grow up

[qbman1]

Agree with all that - I am on record here as spouting forth my views on mobile 'phones but I know that the last thing Sainsbury's will ever do is to back up their employees in such circumstances

[Susan Watt]

The employees always get a hard deal as the companies usually side with a customer unless is something dire. When my husband complained at one supermarket about people parking in disabled bays that where not disabled he was told it was not "customer friendly" to have them moved.

[uknick]

Sums up the attitude of organisations today; customer always comes first, even if they are complete a*******s

I support the checkout girl, and, if asked I would tell Sainsburys they are more likely to keep my business if they made it clear to customers how rude it is to be on the phone whilst checking out.

[Dancing Queen]

I think it's the height of ignorance, you see it all the time maybe all supermarkets should have signs requesting customers don't use their mobiles when going through checkouts as it not only holds the operator up but also other customers, if they all did it then people would soon get the message.

Personally I would go one step further and state that the checkout operator has the right to refuse to serve them, why should people be inconvenienced because a few are inconsiderate

[david63]

It always baffles me why people have to walk around any supermarket with a phone glued to their ear, having a discussion about something trivial, whilst trying to do their shopping with an out of control trolley.

However I will concede that there may be the occasional time when there is an "emergency" phone call that requires answering.

[qbman1]

Our local branch of Nat West had "no mobile" signs displayed for a while but they soon disappeared - presumably following complaints from the ignorant pigs who like to call Great Aunt Augusta in Peru whilst paying in their giro cheque !

[qbman1]

It always baffles me why people have to walk around any supermarket with a phone glued to their ear, having a discussion about something trivial, whilst trying to do their shopping with an out of control trolley.

However I will concede that there may be the occasional time when there is an "emergency" phone call that requires answering.

If you listen carefully, most conversations go something along the lines of "do you want frozen peas or fresh?". Whatever happened to the shopping list ?!

[Dancing Queen]

Our local branch of Nat West had "no mobile" signs displayed for a while but they soon disappeared - presumably following complaints from the ignorant pigs who like to call Great Aunt Augusta in Peru whilst paying in their giro cheque !

The thing is if all banks, PO's, supermarkets etc did the same then the ignorant so and so's would have to comply

[david63]

The thing is if all banks, PO's, supermarkets etc did the same then the ignorant so and so's would have to comply

Nah - you got that wrong DQ - they would complain that it was in breach of their human rights

[Dancing Queen]

The thing is if all banks, PO's, supermarkets etc did the same then the ignorant so and so's would have to comply

Nah - you got that wrong DQ - they would complain that it was in breach of their human rights

Tough !!!

[Dark Knight]

what about my right not to have to listen to some muppet harping on and on about the most inane drivel , whilst holding up the line
it is just bad manners end of and they should be banned from using phones in shops, cars and supermarkets

END OF..........

[david63]

it is just bad manners end of and they should be banned from using phones in shops, cars and supermarkets

... and restaurants

Erm - they already are banned from using them in cars

[Dark Knight]

Smurfy
are you sure mobiles are banned in cars, coz it don't look like it when I drive about??

[qbman1]

But if you can't get it through to people not to use them whilst driving, which is plain dangerous, what hope do you have to stop them just being bloody annoying. It does seem to be mostly the under 30's who persist in making 'phone calls every waking minute of their sad little lives so I guess it is a culture thing and we won't change that easily

[david63]

Smurfy
are you sure mobiles are banned in cars, coz it don't look like it when I drive about??

I didn't say that the law was enforced.

Actually my last statement was incorrect - they are only banned whilst driving

[qbman1]

...or in control of a vehicle. You can be done whilst sitting at the side of the road with the key in the ignition. Trouble is, Plod don't have the manpower to enforce the law

[Dark Knight]

they are one of the worst things about modern life, I have a blackcurrant thingy for work and it gets turned off at 6.30 everynight...regardless and gets put back on in the morning before work

bloody things are intrusive and annoying and should be used politely and curtiously

[Quizzical Bob]

I applaud the operator for making a stand and I deplore the company for their obsequious response.

[Silver_Shiney]

it is just bad manners end of and they should be banned from using phones in shops, cars and supermarkets

... and restaurants

Erm - they already are banned from using them in cars

And a very effective ban it is........................n't

[Kendhni]

I too agree with the operator and Sainsburys should stand by their employee.

We are just back from holiday and it was amazing how many people spent most of the time around the pool or sitting in restaurants texting ... Their choice but seems a wasted opportunity to relax for a week

[Manoverboard]

In my view Sainsbugs should fire her.

Their staff training programs stress the importance of customer service and have done so right back through the mists of time. The checkout girl was totally out of order and would also be aware that the person with the phone ' could ' have been a mystery shopper, ie somebody who in part assesses the courtesy that is shown by the employees on behalf of Sainsburys.

Check-out girls at Sainsbugs are constantly reviewed because the company have high standards, if the checkout girl wishes to moralise or pick fights with her customer then go work for somebody who doesn't care what you do.

If I find myself in a queue behind that shopper then I will decide if I wish to make comment but I certainly do not expect the checkout person to do so on my behalf, after all it is me who is being inconvenienced by any resultant delay.

[The Tinker]

Can you let me know which branch of Sainsbury it was as I can never get a signal in any of their shops - always go shopping there when on call as I know I will get 5 mins peace from the continuous 'non emergency' calls made to an emergency phone