I read an interesting article this morning over at Coupons In The News about Jewel-Osco’s new owners implementing a mandatory cart-to-car service for your groceries. Meaning, after you check out, the employees are being instructed to take your groceries to your car, whether you want them to or not. From the story:
“Welcome to Jewel-Osco, where prices are low and friendliness is mandatory. Really, let us carry those bags out to the car for you. No, we insist. Seriously. Hand over the bags. Do it, now. Security!!”
Getting into an arm-wrestling match over your shopping cart is probably not the most pleasant way to end a grocery shopping trip. But some customers are complaining, after the Chicago-based Jewel-Osco chain quietly instituted a new “cart-to-car” service – and made it mandatory.
Baggers will now cheerfully take your groceries out to your car for you. And if you refuse, well, they’ll do it anyway. “We are doing it for everyone,” a customer service representative said, “to get customers and associates used to this new service.”
Sounds like a nice enough idea. How could anyone possibly complain?
But like a child forced to kiss grandma, or nudged to say “thank you” – is a friendly sentiment genuine, if it’s required? Some independent-minded Jewel shoppers say they appreciate the gesture, but they’ll carry their own groceries, thank you very much. “Two times this past week I have been FORCED to have a bagger help me take my groceries to my car,” one Facebook commenter wrote. “‘No’ means ‘NO’.” She complained that the bagger ultimately followed her to her car and watched her unload her own groceries, then whisked her shopping cart away. Another commenter claimed that, with the new policy, “you’re not going to win customers back, you’re going to chase them away.”
Has anyone experienced this at their Jewel? I’ve been to Jewel many times since the new owners took over, and (thankfully) I haven’t been forced to use this service. I like taking my groceries to my own car…
J.R. says
Shopping cart control?
bmgould says
This happened to me about two weeks ago, and all I had was two cases of pop. It feels like somebody is stalking you to your car. Not to mention, my personal space felt invaded! I think it’s a nice gesture but I like to take my stuff to my car by myself! I don’t think it should be mandatory and when you keep insisting No, you probably are making the bagger feel a bit out of place. This is no fault of theirs.
supersaver11 says
I went to my Jewel in Round Lake Beach on Sunday and was asked if I would like assistance with my bags. I declined and they accepted my response. Asking should be mandatory; however the customer should have the the final say so.
alesis_77 says
So, I have mixed feelings. I’m about to have a third child, my other two are 3 & 5. It would be nice to have someone else take the cart back, especially during winter or days when its raining I can just load the kids up while they load my groceries. However, if I only buy one thing or two things, obviously, not needed. But also, now I’m going to feel uncomfortable thinking that I need to tip the person.
Maybe self-check out is the answer as no one helps bag on those lanes….
EJ1008 says
…and this is what they choose to focus on. OK.
Not sure how my store will handle this as they never seem to have enough staff on hand as it is.
Just another reason to shop elsewhere.
eztupp says
has not happened to me. but they always ask me if i need help out. that has been going on for as long as i can remember. they just never forced them selves on me.
rangerdave says
I don’t often shop at Jewel, but I would definitely hate this. When I go grocery shopping, I put on my headphones and listen to music or podcasts while shopping. I don’t want to be bothered, nor do I want anyone handling my purchases after I leave the register. If this practice is indeeed in play at my local Jewej, I will probably limit my purchases there to the self-checkout lanes.
Coupon Maven says
I ran over to Jewel to shop (and check things out.) I was followed out by one of the young guys who works there. I said it’s okay, you don’t have to follow me. He said “Yes I do.” I laughed & said “Do you like this new policy?”
“No.”
“Do the shoppers like it?”
“NOT at all.”
LOL. And the funny thing was, they apparently don’t have them bringing the carts back IN the store. After I loaded my car, he put the cart in the corral and went back inside. O-kay.
ruizno says
How about little ones that are in the cart. My daughter sits in the cart all the way until I put her in the car. I don’t think either of us would like a bagger to push her in the cart to the car. Also, I know how to pack the back of my car so that things don’t roll all over the back, or fall and squish things. My baggers can’t even bag things up correctly, I don’t want to have to deal with them not loading the the bags right either.
NFriday says
Hi- I grew up in a rural area of Michigan, and they don’t anymore, but the grocery stores in our town used to routinely offer to load our groceries in our car if we wanted them too, and nobody expected a tip. Now we just have one grocery store, and if you ask they will help you load your car, but they don’t routinely offer. There are times during gardening season, that I buy large bags of compost or whatever, and I could use some help loading them in my car,
Does anybody here ever shop at Sunset Foods? I know they have somebody unload your cart onto the conveyer belt, and I believe you drive up to the side of the building, and they load your groceries in your car. I have not been there in years though, and so maybe things have changed. But at Sunset you are paying for those services with higher prices on food. I wonder if anybody tips at any of their stores.
Dominick’s always asks me if I need any help out to the car, but I always turn them down.
Hope this helps, Nancy
J.R. says
After checking out, wheel your cart into the bathroom, especially if the “escort” is of the opposite sex.
cmspacca says
My husband and I ran into the Bolingbrook Jewel and picked up a 1/2 sheet cake and some 2L pop on Saturday for a party at our house that evening. The bagger told us its mandatory that she walk us out to the car. We asked her why and she said it’s mandatory and it’s to control the carts. SO….my husband, me and the bagger all walked out to the car with the cart, she watched us load up the car, and then took the cart to the cart corral. We told both her and the cashier that we didn’t want help several times and she told us 3 times it was mandatory. Poor baggers. I feel really bad for them.
I will stick to Meijer across the street for normal shopping and might run into Jewel on the days that I don’t need a cart for one or two items.
kimpy says
Yes, I was at Jewel yesterday, when they offered the service I said “no thank you” mainly because I had a redbox to return and wanted to use the lotto machine. The poor bagger kept insisting, I do believe his supervisor was in earshot. So I nicely said I thank you so much for offering, but I simply do not want your help this time. He looked panicked. Felt bad, but really Jewel are you going to put your employees in this position? (most are teenagers, who do not how to react) This in my opinion is as bad as a cashier who has no clue about coupons. If this continues I will always do self check out,if the deals are good enough to get me there in the first place, but I am sure they will have someone hovering around to offer. Not loving this.