Trader Joes... Please, just ring up my groceries.
There's a new Trader Joes by my house (Queens) and I've been there 3 times now. I like their food just fine, but at the checkout, the clerks always want to give me commentary about my groceries
"Say, you really like cheese, huh?"
or
"I like these too! Have you tried the almond ones yet?"
About half my items get a review or a comment, and the clerk never stops talking (about my food). I'm just there to buy groceries, not to make new friends. I don't mind a little small talk but it's a little embarrassing to think that they are inspecting your food (and then want to comment on it).
I live in NYC where the clerks are often sullen and won't say thank you (even after the customer says it) so believe me, it's not that I don't appreciate friendly service. I just don't like the "play by play" Howard Cosell "What, ANOTHER bag of frozen blueberries, WOW" kind of commentary, by someone who is ringing up my groceries.
Are ALL the Trader Joes like this? (I commented about this in another TJ thread but I decided to give it it's own topic.)
-
Das Ubergeek
Sep 12, 2011 10:51 AM
This is an old thread, but I want to add that there's a genuine reason to want to engage in conversation with the cashiers.
I've been going to the Trader Joe's in the University Center plaza in Irvine, California, since I moved to Orange County. It's part of my Saturday routine—coffee at one of the coffeeshops, the farmers market, and then Trader Joe's. My daughter's been coming with me since she was three weeks old, and we make conversation with the Trader Joe's staff, who give her stickers and listen politely to the wild stories she makes up ("and there was a MONSTER behind the wild rice, but I smacked it with a bag of pasta and it ran away...")
One day recently, my daughter (who's 4 now) wanted to make a wish in the fountain in the centre of the plaza. I gave her a coin and she ran off to go put the coin in the fountain, which was maybe twenty yards away. Someone moved a big pallet of equipment across the sidewalk as I was heading to meet her, and when I got there, she was gone.
Panic, horror, etc. I couldn't find her at all, even having enlisted the help of the owner of Kochee Kabob, who got the (sleeping in his vehicle—urgh) security guard to help me.
After about half an hour of looking and searching with the security guards, Peter, one of the employees at the Trader Joe's, came running through the plaza to tell me that they'd seen my daughter wandering around by the store and had corralled her in the service desk with a piece of candy. She knew who they were, they knew who she was, and so she didn't freak out about being "penned up" to wait.
Had it just been the usual "ring up your groceries", I don't know if it would have been the same outcome. I'm sure someone would have found her, but the employees knew who I was and so could send someone to look for me.
›3 Replies-
-
re: chris2269
Das Ubergeek
Sep 12, 2011 12:35 PM
The point really was that I wouldn't have known them even casually had we not had these conversations that the OP dislikes. Sure, they might have recognised me if they'd seen me, but they wouldn't have put it together with the small child whom they found wandering round outside the store.
-
re: Das Ubergeek
meatn3
Sep 12, 2011 03:12 PM
I'm so happy the staff as there for you and your daughter. You must have been out of your mind with worry.
I misplaced my mother in the grocery when I was your daughters age. Suddenly I was surrounded by a sea of legs and terrified. Someone realized I was lost and brought me to the supervisor cage (it was an elevated area near the registers that looked like a prison yard guard station). I was scared and confused - I was having strangers talk to me, but they seemed like they could help. How much better it would have been if we "knew" each other like your TJ situation.
-
-
-
-
so TJ's is much cheaper than whole foods, but to make a comparison: the TJ cashiers where we are make lots of comments about the food and push us through a lot faster than at whole foods. the comments they make always seem a little forced, maybe that's bc they are rushing so fast? sometimes the comments seem creepy, sometimes they just seem like nice people that are super rushed.
-
As sort of an epilogue to this thread, I attempted to make conversation with the cashier at the La Jolla, CA Trader Joe's last week. In particular, I was commenting on all the space they've just added, and how it almost looks like a grocery store now (seriously, I have never EVER seen a TJ's with aisles as wide as it has). The cashier joked about how you can get lost in there, and how it is difficult to get a price check now, but I picked up the signs that he wasn't interested in *too* much conversation that day.
So there. :)
-
inaplasticcup
Aug 1, 2011 03:29 PM
My friends and I used to joke that TJ employees take pot, not cigarette, breaks because they're mostly so friendly, helpful, and sometimes just a lil goofy, if you know what I mean...
I'll take TJs peeps over the bitchy hipsters of both genders over at WF any day. :)
›4 Replies-
-
re: Isolda
inaplasticcup
Aug 1, 2011 05:01 PM
LOL, Isolda.
I think hipsters are everywhere, and I certainly know my fair share of nice ones. But my Whole Foods experiences are limited to LA and Orange counties (CA), and I will admit we probably have (or had - I'm now in San Diego county) a disproportionate share of hipsters with baditude. :)
-
-
You know, if you don't want human contact and conversation (as if the store clerks were, as others have noted, HUMAN BEINGS), there are plenty of places you can go and successfully avoid it. Kind of falls under the heading of "if you don't like it, don't do it / don't go there."
Thank you, TJ's staff, for making shopping a pleasant experience. Many of us appreciate you very much.
›1 Reply-
re: lifeasbinge
The Professor
Aug 8, 2011 12:19 PM
Absolutely right.
I only just stumbled into this thread and was left incredulous by the original post.All I can say is, if _that's_ what living in Manhattan does to you, I'm very glad that I didn't move there when I had the opportunity 35 years ago. I hope I never get so cynical that I start to view friendly human contact as a negative thing.
Sheeessh!
-
-
-
susans
Aug 1, 2011 12:48 AM
I've been shopping at Trader Joe's since there were only a few stores in the Pasadena area. There is no better staff at any food retail chain, at least not in my experience. Those questions a clerk may ask about what you've bought could help them answer the next person who buys the same thing and wants to know about the product. I have asked TJ workers many times if they have tried something I'm buying to get a personal opinion.
One person's annoying cashier is another's friendly, engaged communicator. When I shop at TJs and want to talk to a chatty clerk, it's good and when I don't want that and make that clear, they respect that, too.
›14 Replies-
re: TJsFinest
Awhile back, there was a "sour apple" customer in front of me at TJs...the clerk tried being friendly, then backed off, was still quite polite, but the customer continued to huff and puff. When he was gone and I was next, I just said "someone must be having a bad day, huh?" and the poor clerk gave me a giant smile. Made my day. You never know what the sour apple was facing, but doesn't make it right to dump it on an innocent check out guy.
-
-
re: AnneMarieDear
Not sure if you're implying that I didn't try to engage the Sour Apple, but I smiled, said hello, and he turned stonily away. Is that what you meant? Gave it the good ole' college try, but no go. Again, maybe he just got a terrible medical diagnosis that morning, who knows, but how we handle things is very telling.
-
-
re: pine time
Yeah, and judging by the people I've worked with through the years, this is how (most of us) we like to think of people. There's a song by a band called Everlast called "What Its Like" that adresses this issue, and taking Sociology in college, I learned about Empathic Intelligence. Basically we as humans are very bad at looking at things in prospective of other people. Those who can truly put themselves in other peoples shoes can go a long way :) If I were to let myself be affected by the few but consistent rude people I deal with everyday, I would be miserable. Instead, I like to remind myself of points in my life during hard times when I might have reacted identical. Either way, I'm glad you appreciate the hard work we put in for a good customer experience and I try not to bother myself with those that don't understand life is tough for all of us at times. Also, sounds like you got a wise cashier and finding wise people in life is rare :) Cheers and I'm glad i brought this old topic to life. Thanks again for your input.
-
re: TJsFinest
Hey, other than posting on CH, I'm a psychotherapist, but in my own life, I've been the Sour Apple more times than I want to remember, including shopping when both parents were dying and just couldn't "get" other people's happiness. So, we all live and learn and hopefully apply what we've learned!
-
re: pine time
NYCkaren Aug 2, 2011 11:13 AM
I was the sour apple the other day. The checkout guy wanted to know in considerable detail how my weekend was going. I told him I'd gone to visiting day at my daughter's summer camp and he wanted to have a whole long disccussion about the merits of summer camp. I just wanted to get my groceries and go, but I was trying not to be openly rude. I usually appreciate the TJ friendliness but sometimes it's a bit much.
-
re: NYCkaren
I detest being asked what I'm 'doing this weekend' or for the rest of my day, or some such nonsense, unless it's in the context of what we're already conversing about, because I know that they truly don't care. Talking about the food, though - that's another thing, and that seems sincere.
-
re: cyclecat
-
re: Manassas64
I always use the self-checkout at my grocery store. There are 6 self-checkout kiosks, but a cashier is always on hand to help out with items that won't scan, codes or coupons. One of the regular cashiers on duty is really chatty, but she is not interested in customers at all. She only wants to talk endlessly about what's going on in her life, and tells her stories in a way that demands responses from me, which can be awkward when the stories are a) personal, b) boring, or c) odd. She is a nice person, but I never asked for a single detail of her life. I don't mind (in theory) that she wants to chat, but I think it's kind of tacky that she never inquires about me, not that I necessarily even want to talk about my life. One more annoying quirk of hers is that she occasionally comments on my groceries. I try not to feel "on the spot", but at the same time, I think her commentary borders on passing judgement. For example, I once bought a few ready-made baked items, and she made some comment to the effect that I was too lazy to bake my own goodies. She was smiling in a wink-wink kind of way, but I still bristled at what seemed like an accusation. Hey, I just grabbed those items because I was having a junk food craving. I didn't really want to share that with others. I sure as hell wasn't looking to bake something from scratch just to satisfy a sweets craving I was having at that very moment. It made me very angry that she had said anything at all.
There's another cashier that has occasionally commented when I buy whole fish or seafood that she "can't do fish" at all. Pardon? Why do I care what the cashier eats or doesn't eat? She also occasionally asks what I'm going to do with the oddball produce I'm buying. I don't get annoyed at that, because she genuinely wants to know how to use said ingredients. It's a huge pet peeve, though, when I get a remark from a cashier along the lines of: that's a heck of a lot of butter you've got there! What could you possibly want with all that?" MYOFB is what is going through my head, though I occasionally invent a bizarre answer to amuse them, such as: I'm practicing my butter sculpting technique. That usually shuts them up.
The absolute worst was when a cashier picked up some imported cheese from my bag, looked at the price, and was aghast. "$12 for a wedge of cheese?" It made me furious, because I had already come to terms with the price and decided to make the purchase. I WILL NOT feel embarrassed by my choices at the grocery store, no matter how decadent, frivolous or creepy the items are. What if I had been purchasing aerosol whipped cream, condoms, hot pepper jelly and a giant coil of salami? Imagine what the cashier would be thinking then. Would she be able to keep her mouth shut or would she just HAVE TO comment on the freaky combination of basket items I had?
I'm all for friendly greetings, a few surface niceties and maybe a bit more if you know the cashier, but full conversations are inappropriate when other customers might need help from the cashier too. However, comments or probing questions about what customers are buying are not appropriate in my opinion, unless the customer invites such conversation.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Oh my gosh - there are no words to describe it really. My last cashier went so far as to ask me to let him know how the frozen foods i was buying turned out...he wanted me to come find him or leave him a note or something the next time I shopped. Do they tell them to do that on purpose? I think they're trying to keep TJ feeling like a smalltown thing
›1 Reply -
I go to the NYC TJ's on 14th street and like almost all of the cashiers there... Once in a while I'll get an annoying chatterbox, but I can deal with it for the two minutes of checkout. I find that the prepared food can be uneven, so I like to know others' opinions anyhow ("ooh, I love the almond bark, have you tried the chocolate covered pretzels?") since I'm not planning to try every product in the store.
Oddly enough, the employees at the TJ's I used to go to in Northern CA (Emeryville) were much less friendly and helpful, seemed kind of like disgruntled grad students getting through their day. I'll take the sunshiney New Yorkers... Did I just say that?
-
Hey, OP, here's a thought...Either don't shop at Trader Joe's, or buy yourself some 'soft foam' ear plugs and shove 'em in your ear canal and pretend your deaf!
I like the fact that Trader Joe's employees are friendly and courteous and comment on my purchases and ask if I've tried simillar or like products that I'm buying. I guess it's different back East. But out here on the West Coast I've found it's just the opposite. That Trader Joe's shoppers here like it when TJ's employees show and interest and are friendly and ask about their purchases and make suggestions.
-
neil
Dec 24, 2007 05:16 AM
While I usually prefer the efficiency of a low-chat transaction, I have learned a lot from the TJ staff during the "play-by-play". In San Mateo, maybe 2-3 of my items warrant a comment. It reminds me to ask if the lite coconut milk will ever return... and I usually do like the almond version (of anything!).
-
Newest incident relating to this thread.
First of all, these checkout people have the memory of freaking photographic elephants. I was there 3 days ago and bought several bags of dried apple crispts (which by the way are freaking delicious). Went back today and bought 5 more bags. The reaction was:
"Wow, you ate all those already, looks like you really are into them"
Ive defended the friendliness of these cats, but that wasnt necessary, was it?
›3 Replies-
re: yankeefan
Ruth Lafler
Dec 20, 2007 02:00 PM
I've defended them, too, but someone needs to tell them that commenting on how much or how fast people eat is rude. For all s/he knows, the buyer gave them away. Basically, I think it's okay to comment on the food, but not on the behavior. "Those are great, have you tried the almond ones" is fine (by me) , but comments like "you really like cheese" are getting a little personal.
-
re: yankeefan
No, of course not. To be prepared for such moments,practice a withering half-smile combined with a subtle eye roll at home in front of the mirror until you get it exactly right. If done properly, and without any verbal comment, it'll silence most people, other than the most extremely socially clueless.
-
-
I wouldn't mind the chattiness of the staff/clerks if my usual TJ's (Union Square) was a more pleasant shopping experience. It's not through any fault of the staff, but the place is always a cluster_ and after spending a half hour climbing over people and another half hour waiting on line, I just want to get the heck out of there.
I wouldn't even mind so much if they ever talked to me about my food. Maybe it's because I'm usually close to their age (mid 20s) but they're always asking me what I do for a living and where I live (Brooklyn, I have an hour commute ahead of me so please put my peppermint bark in the bag!) and what my plans are for the weekend...and it's honestly none of their business. Not to be mean, but my relationship with them should only last as long as it takes to check out in a busy place like that. They're not my hairdresser.
›4 Replies-
re: indiemaven
I'll say a similar thing to you, indiemaven, that I said to a previous poster. If you're going to complain about how long you have to wait in line, it would really speed things up if you bagged your own groceries. TJ's clerks have to take all the stuff OUT of the carts for you - instead of just standing there watching them do everything, grab a bag and put the peppermint bark into it yourself. It's a win-win.
-
-
-
I'm from California but have lived in New York long enough to find Trader Joe's-style chattiness grating.
An aside: Those of you outside of New York may not know that the wine store has to be separate here because it's against the law to sell wine in a food store. I don't know how many other states have that law. And the oddest TJ's experience I had was at the wine store in Union Square, where the perky clerk was an ultra-Orthodox Jewish guy who couldn't touch my hand to give me my change because I'm female. He had the same cheery demeanor along with a little plastic device he used to place my change into my hand.
›1 Reply -
marmite
Dec 15, 2007 10:09 AM
This morning when my friend and I were in Trader Joe's, one staff member rolled past with some stock boxes and said "HEY! LADIES! You haven't been here in a while! Where've you been?" When we got to the checkout, our favorite cashier said she's going on a long vacation and needed to give us hugs before we left since we won't see her for so long. I immediately thought of this thread and wondered what some of the posters would think of that..
›10 Replies-
re: marmite
tatertotsrock
Dec 15, 2007 11:47 AM
I think it's wonderful.
2 nights ago, I had a little "experience" with a jar of marinara sauce...it ruined my whole dinner...you know, those non-chewable onion skins? Well, they were throughout the whole jar but I didn't notice it until I had already made my dinner...added a whole bag of baby spinach, crimini mushroom, 1/2 a wedge of parmesan, and boiled my spinach and chive noodles...my dinner was ruined so I called and told them about the jar...
The guy on the phone was so understandin and said, please come in and I'll be happy to give you a refund. I asked him If I should bring in the jar and that I'd bring the sauce but that I had loaded it up with all the goodies (I told him what I had added).
When I came to the store, he refunded me for EVERYTHING that I had mentioned and I didn't even bring my receipt with me...he never asked for it, and he was sweet and apologetic.
TJ people are nice and it's a good thing.-
re: tatertotsrock
Cheflambo
Dec 16, 2007 08:43 AM
That question "Did you find everything OK?" during the checkout process irks me at times. Im my regular grocery store, a busy place and usually with people behind me, they ask this question and then when I tell them I couldnt find something (one day it was oven cleaner) they tried to send the sacker back into the store to find it for me. A thoughtful gesture, Im sure, but to the people behind me, who were then forced to wait while sackerboy looked for the oven cleaner, I dont think this generated a whole lot of good will. If the staff is going to ask this, it really should be as I approach the cash register, while I can still go back and find it if I want it (whatever it is).
Im looking forward to getting TJs here in Texas someday. I read about it here in Chow all the time, but have never visited one of their stores. Houston (where I live) is quite saturated with grocery options, however, so they may not see this as a viable market for them. But I love the idea of friendly cashiers, although I really dont want too many comments about how much wine I buy! LOL
-
re: Cheflambo
Trust me. Houston doesn't need a Trader Joe's. Houston's been ground zero for flagship, amazing grocery stores since the early 80's(at least). I grew up there and consequently virtually every other American city's markets come up far, far short. I remember when Whole Foods was a stinky hippy, vitamin-reeking joint on Alabama(and look at 'em now).
-
re: aelph
zorra
Dec 21, 2007 03:27 PM
Oh aelph, sure we need a Trader Joe's. It's one of the few things I miss about my years in exile in California. Yes, you can wander the vast aisles at Whole Paycheck and eventually find most or all of the stuff you would have found at TJ's, but TJ's is more fun.
-
re: zorra
I was just using Whole Foods as an example of how entrenched *better than Safeway* :) supermarkets are in Houston. Regardless, of where I'm at, I tend to avoid them(WF's). I was actually more in mind of the other chain whose name escapes me at the moment; City Market, or something? Regardless, I've always considered Houston, comparatively, to have a great generalized supermarket "culture." So I'm not sure where Trader Joe's would fit in other than the novelty factor.
-
re: aelph
Cheflambo
Dec 28, 2007 11:55 AM
Aelph, you are probably thinking of Central Market, an upscale "gourmet" version of HEB (owned by them). They have several locations in Texas, with its flagship store in Austin. The food is wonderful and everyone who works there considered themselves a "foodie" (its even embroidered on their aprons). You can chat with any of the associates wandering the store and get good suggestions on what to cook with what you're buying. The cashiers are, for the most part, friendly too, but the younger ones can occasionally be sullen and quiet as they near the end of their shift. I'd like to have a Trader Joe's here just for the contrast. I agree that we have a lot of good stores in Houston, but all the more reason to improve them by adding a little more competition. I can get cheap bananas at Fiesta, but have to dodge entire families to get through the store (does is really require 6 people to buy a 12-pack of Pepsi?)
Yes, Whole Foods has certainly grown up from the hairy-armpit-and-nosering days, but their prices are still plenty high. There's nothing at WF that I can't get at Central Market, except perhaps their house brand grapefruit shampoo and body wash, of which I am a big fan. WF is still pretty "crunchy" around here (I can only imagine what its like in Manhattan.... oy!)
-
re: Cheflambo
thanks for the explication
I've traveled the Texas diaspora for nigh on 18 years, but sometimes get back to visit my entrenched relatives and am still impressed with Houston's supermarkets.
As nonplussed as I am with TJ's in general(tho' I do like the rapid turnover of new items...while lamenting the vanishing of favorites)...you're right that there's always room for competition.
-
-
-
-
-
re: Cheflambo
I used to work for an upscale grocery chain, and we were trained to ask "did you find everything ok?" to every customer who came through our checkout line. We had to ask it, but sometimes checkers would forget and ask at the very end of the transaction just because they just remembered that they hadn't asked yet. Another occasional occurrence would be checkers asking customers twice, because it had become such a part of the shtick that they wouldn't be able to remember if they had asked or not at the beginning of the transaction.
-
re: Humbucker
MikeG
Dec 18, 2007 10:42 AM
"it had become such a part of the shtick"
Just out of curiosity, since you mention, what were you supposed to say if they say no? When I've been asked this occasionally my internal reaction is "kinda late to be asking that, isn't it, I'm not about to go back and start digging around now that the floor clerks couldn't help and I've finally made it to the register!"
I always make polite noises of some sort, treating it as a throwaway line, but I am curious if there's supposed to be a stock answer other than "oh, I'm sorry to hear that" ?
-
re: MikeG
Ruth Lafler
Dec 18, 2007 11:20 AM
I've said "no" at Trader Joe's, and sometimes they send someone to go look for me, either on the shelf or in back. Or they'll tell me when they expect it to be back in stock, or (unfortunately) if it's discontinued.
I think that's a difference between Trader Joe's and other markets -- the patter isn't just "shtick" -- they actually want to know, did you find everything, did you like what you bought, have you tried the new products, etc.
-
-
-
-
-
-
There's one really useful aspect of the TJ's chatter: I find that most times they'll ask you if you found everything you were looking for, and if the answer is no (which is practically inevitable, given how TJ's stock work--especially in Boston), they generally make an effort to find out when they might be getting it, or if it was discontinued. At least in my local branch, they tend to scale it appropriately depending on busy-ness, so it doesn't hold things up too much if they're quite crowded. And when favorite things get discontinued, they're often consolingly sympathetic. (Then again, I'd like it even better if things weren't out of stock or discontinued so often!)
›5 Replies-
re: another_adam
trolley
Dec 11, 2007 08:41 PM
I think 99% of the time I don't mind the TJ chatter. I originate from a land (tokyo) where checkers are not sullen but upbeat and professional. meaning they don't engage in ANY chatter but all cashiers are friendly and say welcome and crap like that but never ask personal questions. it's efficent and lines sure go faster in japan. it's nice BUT the 1% when i do mind is the guy at my TJs in pasadena who asks just about everyone what they do for a living. and when you give him a vague answer he'll prod for details. i've heard him ask all his customers and i can tell some really get annoyed by him. i've been out of work now for close to 3 months and i just dont want to announce to the entire check out line that i'm out of work and feel like a loser. i just avoid his lines from now but i think he's an isolated case. most of them keep it general which is fine.
-
re: trolley
But Trolley! Just think . . . what if you told him your profession & that you are out of work for 3 months . . . and his Brother in Law owns a biz that is hiring & is the same type of work you do? Think about it! There is no shame in being unemployed, it happens to the best of us! You may be closing down opportunities without even realizing it!
I so wish we had a TJ's in N.O. Are they a franchise or all stores company owned? We only have Whole Food.
-
re: Isabella
Ruth Lafler
Dec 12, 2007 08:16 AM
All TJ's stores are company owned. People who've never seen one might be a little surprised: they're small and they don't carry full product lines of most things (although their selection of dairy products is quite good, and their dried fruits and nuts are exceptional). I always think of their fresh foods (produce, meat, bread) as mostly a convenience, as I can get better elsewhere. But for their shelf goods, what they do carry is a very high proportion of stuff you might want: things that are fun, or interesting, or convenient, at better quality and/or lower prices than the average supermarket. They are in no way a Whole Foods equivalent (which leads a lot of people to be very disappointed when they finally visit one after all the "hype").
I hardly ever shop at "regular" supermarkets -- I shop at TJ's, farmer's markets, "ethnic" groceries and my local "natural grocery" -- and when I do I'm always surprised (and depressed) at just how much dreck there is: aisles and aisles of products I would never buy. At TJ's, almost everything is appealing, and if I don't like it, I can bring it back for a full refund, no questions asked (except maybe "why didn't you like it?" because they do respond to customer opinions about their products).
-
re: Isabella
trolley
Dec 12, 2007 08:50 AM
i know, i know isabella. you're probably right and i should be more open about it. i was at first but after three months it's become harder especially since this is my first time being unemployed for this long. i wish the check out guys story was your scenario but it's not. i've heard his story over and over. he used to work in entertainment at disney but he was out of work so he ended up at trader joes...his nosey work questions are his platform to segue into his shpiel. as mentioned everyone else there is chatty but not too personal which is just fine and pleasant.
-
-
-
-
That's why I love self-checkout! Must be a reigional thing. I'm a NY native now living in TX. Don't get me wrong, I'm friendly, will smile, say hello and thank you but I don't want anybody commenting on my food either!
They are the same way at the Potbelly sandwich chain; "how's your day going?" good. "What do you do?" i'm in waste management. I find that making up crazy stuff works for me. It's harmless fun.
-
coney with everything
Dec 9, 2007 03:47 AM
My experience has been that it depends on the cashier--some are chatty, some are just pleasant. I've never gotten remarks about the food other than "have you bought that before--it's amazing" or "if you like that product x, you'll probably like product y", but it doesn't seem like upselling, more like they really like to share their knowledge (like us on these boards).
-
I've read every post in this thread & have to say . . . Ya'll are a trip!
Trader Joes title caught my attention & why I bothered to look in the first place, as we have NO Trader Joes! We would love to have one in New Orleans!That said, we all talk to each other in the grocery store, here in New Orleans. We often stop other customers too & ask them how they are preparing something we see in their basket, etc. Cashiers, stock clerks, other customers - we all intermingle. And we love it! It really can be a rich experience if you allow it to happen.
›1 Reply -
Midlife
Dec 8, 2007 07:55 PM
I really hate to say it (I was born and raised in New York City.... thru high school anyway) but my initial reaction was "typical New York reaction". That's not to say, of course, that friendliness can't be overdone. But a little interaction with the cashier is pleasant and very typical of TJ's here in SoCal. There are days when I'm in a hurry or it's been a difficult day, and I'm just not into the conversation, but on the whole it's refreshing.
›1 Reply-
re: Midlife
Miss Needle
Dec 11, 2007 07:02 AM
I'm also a New Yorker (born and bred). I generally go to the Trader Joes on 14th Street in NYC and have been to several in California as well. I do find it refreshing, especially since I've been ignored so many times by some of the Whole Foods cashiers when I say hello to them at the register.
-
-
Quine
Dec 8, 2007 04:37 PM
I am constantly amazed by people who want people to be their interface to a purchase, i.e server, cashier but who complain then they act like people. Is that a Duh?
I have found that folks know more/different/other than I know. SO when someone says "have you tried, X?" when they see me looking at/purchasing X I listen. I do not want to break new snow for each thing I learn. Then again I do comment on likes and dislike myself.
But then I do like to make new friends, no matter where. I DO hate scripts. i was in NYC for a year and I loved that a person spoke to me as a person in a store..i.e. as in "I see you in the park!"
ya know sometimes a cigar is just a cigar and comments are just that. Plain old interest.
›1 Reply -
tatertotsrock
Dec 8, 2007 07:53 AM
I love all 3 TJs that I go to in LA,CA. Depending on which side of town I'm on, I'll go to a different one...when I've been away from one too long, they notice...even the parking lot guy will say: "hello bella! It has been a long time since I've seen you. Have you been well?"
They are like that with everyone who is pleasant and will smile or make eye contact with them.
There is one fellow who had helped me with some mone one day who now keeps me posted on some great wine tasting events in Santa Barbara and Los Olivos.
Another TJ I go to, after dance classes has some funny guys...they'll notice when I'm super-sweaty and say "aren't you going to get your chocolate today, it looks like you've earned it.." because a couple of times I've gone through the line, paid and then came back because, yes, I forgot my chocolately treat...so now they remind me and I am glad! They are not trying to "up sell " they are just trying to keep me from running all the way back to the store to get it-cuz I've doen that several times.
I loe my friendly TJ cashiers!›3 Replies-
re: tatertotsrock
Oh. You just reminded me. Yes.
3 years ago, I was walking through the La Jolla Store, and looking at Chianti and put it in my cart and a nice young man (who worked there) walked up, said he saw me looking at the Chianti and that this other one, which was a dollar more, tasted better. I said I was making an Italian meal, and since it was my birthday, I could afford the extra dollar.
I continued my shopping and he brought me a small bouquet from the flower section, told me to tell the cashier that it was a gift from Eric and that it was paid for. I went to pay and told the cashier and she wished me a happy birthday also.
It was so unexpected. and so nice. I love TJs
-
re: Cathy
tatertotsrock
Dec 8, 2007 08:44 AM
Cathy,
I love that story.
I've been to the TJ in UTC La Jolla and even though it is small, they are so nice down there too.
How was the wine?
-
-
-
The TJs in DC and northern VA have friendly clerks but i don't remember them being overly personal about my selections....except one time when i said i was buying cheese to match the wine i had bought a few doors over at a fabulous wine store. The clerk was like "oh, don't you like our wine??" and so i was honest: "Sorry, no offense but 2 buck chuck is NOT my idea of a transcendent wine experience!" She just laughed. I always figure if they chat a little it's because we kind of ARE in the south....well kind of...
›1 Reply-
re: DCDOLL
Manassas64
Aug 8, 2011 11:59 AM
The first time I went to a 7-11 in Manassas I was greeted when I walked in the door. I don't recall every getting greeted in a 7-11 on Long Island ;o)
I went to TJ's in Centreville a while back and had a dim bulb checking me out. I was buying Voss water in bottles and asked her to please only put 4 bottles per bag because I can't carry them with more than 4). So she says, well, I can double bag them so that we can save some bags.
I just let my look say it all while she played that statement back in her head.
-
-
The 'chattiness' at TJ has been pretty consistent from store to store in L.A., in my experience. I know someone said that TJ just happens to hire friendly people, but I'd be very surprised if this isn't part of their corporate training. Like they're instructed to comment on at least one item per customer. It certainly seems that way.
(I don't really like it)
›7 Replies-
re: mehfactor
I think they may be told to interact with the customer in some way while ringing up. Far more, I have been asked if I am getting all of my errands done or what my plans are for the day (I try to go when they open at 8 a.m.). They have commented on the weather or fires lately. Not always at all on what I buy, unless it is something new.
-
re: mehfactor
susancinsf
Dec 15, 2007 12:40 PM
Indeed.
I heard a TJ advertisement on the radio this week which immediately made me think of this thread: the basis of the ad was that unlike the big mainstream grocery stores, TJ checkers are passionate about food and therefore will talk to you about their favorite items, recipes, what goes with what, etc.
I had to smile when I heard the ad, because like the OP, I am not fond of chatty checkers: just ring up my groceries quickly and efficiently and pay attention while bagging so you don't squash things, that is all I need.
So yes, I think it is corporate training, and a cultivated image, and one they think sells groceries.
-
re: susancinsf
southernitalian
Dec 17, 2007 08:09 AM
Wow. TJ's in Charlotte has no need for advertising. Both locations are so packed. I'd love to hear the ad though.
-
re: southernitalian
It is very subtle advertising; when they first came to San Diego there were small one inch tall in a column ads in te lcoal newspaper, surrounded with a dark black border...and still there are radio ads which seem to be on talk radio and are short (30-45 seconds), always ending with "thanks for listening"
-
re: Cathy
susancinsf
Dec 18, 2007 05:39 AM
not sure what you mean by subtle, and maybe it was because I noticed it more due to this thread, but the ad I heard (not on talk radio, which I never listen to, it was on a local rock station) didn't seem that subtle: it was fairly long, and specifically focused on how the checkers will actually talk to you....
-
re: susancinsf
Oh, no...short and talking about (ex) 'at Trader Joe's, you can buy papardelle pasta in a one lb package for $1.99 and top it with the vodka marinara for $2.49 and serve with X Chianti for $8.99 a bottle, and some par baked ciabatta for $2.39 makes for a quick, warm, inexpensive meal at home. Thanks for listening!
-
re: Cathy
Ruth Lafler
Dec 18, 2007 09:18 AM
I find their advertising relatively pleasant -- kind of folksy but not in a talking down kind of way. It really comes across more as enthusiasm for the product(s) then trying to sell you something for the sake of selling you something.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
stellamystar
Dec 7, 2007 12:11 PM
The TJ's in Chicago & Suburbs are very nice. Always smiling, and very helpful despite, what can be, sometimes a crotchety crowd. My friends who work at the TJ's on Grace in Chicago often comment on the loons that shop there. Can I get a witness - oh, man, that is the elitist Trader Joe's! My friend said they kind of have a "rally" before their shift, so they are pumped to work. I think that's nice, darn it. People should want to work at their jobs.
Now I am in KC, and I miss TJ's for some of their frozen items and soups!
›6 Replies-
re: stellamystar
Or, you could look at it from the "loony" shoppers' perspective that all those poseur, hipster kids working as cashiers are indoctrinated to view anyone over 30 as "elitist."
Moving on...sure there are genuinely friendly people working at TJ's and I respond to conviviality in virtually any social milieu(if someone smiles at me I'll probably smile back ;)...however, the whole "running commentary" as you checkout thing is sooooo obviously some bizarre, cultish directive out of Satan's indie-store training manual. No, sorry I don't feel bonded to you or your store because you just so happen to really dig my canned soup..."and since you like this one...you should REALLY try that one!"
Of course, implicit in my irritation is that I already know what's on the shelves(the stores aren't that big)
-
-
madgreek
Dec 7, 2007 03:53 AM
I used to work for a small local grocery store chain as a teen. They had a rule in the books that stated that the baggers could not talk to the cashiers in the presence of the customer, or get "chatty" with the customer (unless it was directly related to work-and only if it was very important). This was a ridiculous rule, which annoys me to this day. In fact, I always get the bagger and the cashier involved in conversation when I go now, because I used to find it tortureous to not be allowed to talk. It was like working for the gestapo. That's why I find it refreshing to talk to the cashiers at TJ's. They are friendly, can be very helpful, and are pretty well-informed foodies (at least in my area).
-
-
angelo04
Dec 6, 2007 10:50 AM
IMHO, this is just silly. Lighten up. I Love TJ's, no complaints here. Seems to me people are all too often looking to complain about something. Whoopee, big deal the cashier is offering unsolicited commentary. Would you prefer that they be rude? Cut them some slack and lighten up.
-
The checkout clerks tend to talk to me at my trader joe's. I believe the term I would use to describe them is "friendly." I always bag my own groceries and they always thank me for doing so. I consider people who work at grocery stores to be people, just like me, so I don't shudder when they speak to me.
-
marmite
Dec 5, 2007 09:50 AM
I really like the friendly staff at the Scarsdale/ Eastchester NY location. Our favorite checkout lady is super chatty, points out the new products, asks after my friend's mom when she's not with us, and gives me a balloon with a long string for my cat. The sample chef-man greets me with 'Hola, chica!' every week. I find it all a very nice break from the staff at ShopRite, for example, who would sooner hit me with a huge trolley full of boxes than say hello.
-
JK Grence the Cosmic Jester
Dec 3, 2007 11:28 PM
The ones around here are quite chatty, but I consider it to be staff who are friendly and passionate about what they do... the kind of people I wish I encountered in the service industry every day. My favorite time this happened at TJ's was when they got one of their occasional deals on Ben & Jerry's, this time quarts for $3.99. She rang it up, saw the price on it, and her eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. I think from that point forward EVERYONE in the line found out about the deal. The customers at TJ's around here are usually pretty friendly too, and occasionally someone will strike up a conversation about something you just HAVE to try.
Just be glad the checkers at the grocery store don't do the same thing with hygiene products.
›1 Reply-
re: JK Grence the Cosmic Jester
Ruth Lafler
Dec 8, 2007 04:21 PM
I agree: the people at TJ's are just passionate about what they do. They love the products, they want you to love the products, and they want to know why you're buying the products so they can try them and/or suggest them to other customers.
No way they get bonuses for upselling -- they're more likely (as someone described above) to let you try the product without buying it or give you a refund on something you didn't like. I've also had the experience of having the clerk refund me for something I just happened to mention had been bad -- no return, no receipt, just "the last carton of cottage cheese I bought was spoiled" and she immediately took it off my bill.
If you really don't want to talk to them, just ignore them or don't make eye contact with them.
-
-
A sad commentary on our ever-evolving lack of human contact society. We text, we e-mail, we voicemail... we e-vite, blackberry and look the other way when someone is approaching us on the street.
My sister works at TJ's (usually the sample counter) and her upbeat attitude is not a result of training or corporate planning. TJ's makes it a point to hire friendly people.
"I like these too! Have you tried the almond ones yet?" If it was a product I already enjoy, then I'd like other options pointed out to me. Maybe being a so cal native, I'm used to friendly people. Good day.
›4 Replies-
re: Oh Robin
Gio
Dec 3, 2007 12:28 PM
"A sad commentary on our ever-evolving lack of human contact society. We text, we e-mail, we voicemail... we e-vite, blackberry and look the other way when someone is approaching us on the street."
So true! There are 5 TJ's within a 10+/- mile distance from me. To a person, all working in these stores are friendly, helpful, non-judgemental, albeit sometimes chatty. But, all this makes for a pleasant shopping experience, and the inclination to return.
-
re: Gio
annagranfors
Dec 3, 2007 11:11 PM
...and herein lies one of the differences between left and right coasts, I think. I shop at the Eagle Rock, CA TJ's, and the chattiness is pretty commonplace...between both clerk and customer. and while sometimes I'm raggy and don't particularly wanna chat, by and large I'm really glad of it. there's plenty of bare minimum clerks everywhere else, so I enjoy the difference.
-
re: Gio
I'm a regular shopper at the 14th street store in NY and I appreciate the friendly staff. Initially I was taken back by the chattiness and some of the commentary, but now I find it really fun. Last week I had a great conversation about the frozen organic veggie pizza I was purchasing.
-
-
-
Given a choice between overly chatty and being sullen and silent, I'd prefer the former.
I've never gotten the weird play-by-play, but most times I go it seems like the cashier will spot some trend or another in my order and offer some recommendation based on this trend. I always assumed it was something the cashiers are trained to do and is just a way for TJ's to make "offering the upsell" seem less obnoxious and pushy.
-
there are 2 trader joes in my area.
both of them are quite friendly.
but I guess it's up to worker's level of friendly-ness.most of the time they don't go too personal talk.
but few times, older female woker went bit further.
when I bought few blocks of white chocolate & butter,heavy cream.'oh, are you going to bake something ?'
'white chocolate...huh, I don't like white chocolate, I never liked'I just smiled. I needed it. not for you.
-
Funny stuff. I agree that they can be over the top but for the most part it is refreshing in the long run when you go back to the same store often and it seems like they actually do care.
An example is when Ive asked opinions of products, and next time in they remember your name and seem actually genuine when asking what you thought of so and so. They push you to return things if youre not happy- for the most part, its pretty good to have that.
However, there are days when Im flat out not in the mood but luckily havent had many comments on what Ive been buying outside of "ooh, I like those too" which I can handle. Nothing like the obnoxious waiter that says... cant believe you ate the whole thing, dont think Ive ever seen that.
-
southernitalian
Dec 3, 2007 05:40 AM
Very funny observation! I grew up in Brooklyn and have lived in Charlotte for 12 years now. One of the things that struck me when I first moved down here was that cashiers were nice and smiled at you and said hello. Very unlike what you'd get in the NYC area. I was suspicious of them. I've since that gotten used to it and now enjoy going to the grocery when I'm up in NYC to be amused at the contrast. We just got two TJ's in Charlotte. I am STUNNED and FREAKED OUT by the chatty chasiers. I often wonder if they receive bonuses for upselling? What is it about them. I think it's too much.
›5 Replies-
re: southernitalian
lynnlato
Dec 3, 2007 12:48 PM
Hey SI! I, too, am originally from up north and have lived in CLT for almost 12 yrs now. I have to say I love the chatty cashiers. My favorite Harris Teeter is @ Stonecrest and I love it b/c they call me by name, they say "hey" to my kids by name and I feel like I know them. The same is becoming true at TJ's. I miss that familiarity that I had "back home". It sure beats the obnoxious teenager snapping their gum and droning out "paper or plastic". I'm a customer service freak! :-)
-
re: southernitalian
MikeG
Dec 13, 2007 08:41 PM
Wow, and people think I'm surly? roflmao. I'm from NYC, still live here. I don't know where you lived, but cashiers here have gotten a lot worse since you left, IMHO. Having someone NOT act like they resent me for taking time out of their busy social lives to ring up my stuff is a pleasure, and since they're actually efficient, even the hyper-perky ones aren't so bad. I'd much rather deal with ueber-perky for 4 minutes than passive-aggressive surly for 15, any freaking day of the week...
The "line guiders" trying to chat me up, and the meth-freak floor clerks who take off on a mad dash - either solo or after grabbing your arm and taking you immediately to where things are when you ask a simple question do annoy me no end, on the other end. If I ask where the coffee is, all I really want is a polite "aisle 3."
If you're shopping at the one on 14th St in Manhattan and want your surly fix, just head to the Food Emporium or Walgreen's down the block after you shop at TJ's, that'll wipe the TJ's smile off your face faster than you can say "have a nice day yourself, xxxhole..."
-
re: MikeG
Das Ubergeek
Jan 3, 2008 08:24 AM
jfood once summed it up perfectly -- in the South (or in LA), a conversation might go:
"Excuse me, where can I find the applesauce?"
"It's on aisle 9, would you like me to show you?"
"No thanks, I can find it."In New Jersey (and NYC), where we both grew up, that goes like this:
"Applesauce?"
"Nine."TJ's folks aren't any chattier here in Orange County (CA) than anyplace else you shop. People actually interact with cashiers here. Interestingly, I find the chattiest store in NYC to shop at is Zabar's -- not because the cashiers are chatty (just the opposite), but because everyone has to have an opinion about what you're buying. ("Don't get that lox, it's cheap and flaky! Here, give her the nice fresh novy, not from the end, and see you slice it thin!")
-
-
re: jfood
Das Ubergeek
Jan 3, 2008 08:49 AM
I had my Zabar's fix last week. Now I'm happy to be back where there's fruits and vegetables that didn't have to be flown from Chile or Israel. Happy Newt Ear to you and yours. :)
-
-
-
-
-
The cashiers at the ones on Long Island are generally chatty, too, but I don't mind. It's a nice change from my local, surly Waldbaum's checkers.
›3 Replies-
re: irishnyc
Hi - I'm a TJ's employee and I can ASSURE you we don't get bonuses for upselling, or for anything else for that matter. Most of us just happen to be articulate, enthusiastic, somewhat intelligent individuals who want to help out the customers in an honest way. Not everyone can pick up on customers' cues, but I for one can usually pretty easily tell if someone doesn't want to be talked to, and I respect that. And if somebody asks me if a product is good and I don't like it, you better believe I'll tell them so, and possibly suggest something else as an alternative, but damn sure it's not because there's anything in it for me. Us small guys don't get the bonuses; it's our managers who reap all the benefits (except health insurance - at least we get that).
-
-
re: angelo04
monkuboy
Apr 16, 2008 10:36 AM
Yes, some people complain no matter what. I for one appreciate how most of the employees at TJ's are enthusiastic and enjoy their jobs, unlike so many other places these days. People who would rather have grumpy, uncommunicative clerks/helps have plenty of alternatives.
-
-
-
-
momof3
Dec 3, 2007 05:34 AM
I live in Westchester (the Northern burbs of NYC) and we are lucky to have 3 TJs here. Everyone has a very friendly, knowledgable staff. I always feel welcome there and don't get an attitude when asking questions/ or for help. The cashiers are a bit chatty, but I don't see that as a negative at all, quite the opposite.
-
-
re: vlad
Agreed. I like that they are chatty. I do my TJ shopping on weekends, and have time to spend. They always ask if my little guy wants stickers or a balloon and make sure I was able to find everything I was looking for.
Any of the TJs employees I've ever encountered have been cheerful, unbelievably helpful and knowledgeable. I'd rather this than the sullen checkout employee who is more interested in their phone than doing their job.
-
-
Eh, I am in Southern California and everyone is like that, the cashiers at Home Depot as well as Trader Joe's and other supermarkets. People out here say 'hello' and 'good morning' just in passing on the street or when opening doors. I do notice the TJ people don't talk about much other than your purchases, though.
The best part about TJ's is that if you do engage and happen to mention something, they listen. I will say I bought something to try and they will offer to open up a bag for me and tell me if I don't like it, I don't have to buy it....and once I mentioned that I tried something and didn't like it and would not buy it again (candied hazelnuts) and the cashier called over a manager and he took that charge off my bill- no receipt, just my word that I bought it and didn't finish it.
-
Glencora
Dec 2, 2007 01:00 PM
The TJs I've been to around the Bay Area aren't like that at all. The checkers are usually really busy and working hard. Rarely say more than hi and bye.
›3 Replies-
re: Glencora
Thank you so much, you took the words right out of my mouth. I go to the Trader Joes on 14th street and I hate how annoying the cashiers are. I always stock up on soy nuggets and the cashier always assumes that i am vegan and they comment on how cool it is. Meanwhile i like my meat rare, i just happen to like soy nuggets. God those trader joes folks are ANNOYING.
-
re: edbk
pitu
Dec 2, 2007 01:42 PM
I consider the perkiness as the price we pay for them not being sullen.
It's a price I'm willing to pay. I find them overall to be on the ball at TJs.
Plus they get health insurance - sounds like it's not a bad company to work for.Is chatting about specific purchases actually something the management encourages them to do?
-
re: pitu
I think Pitu hit it on the head.
"perkiness is the price we pay for them not being sullen".I used to find myself bristling at the chatty commentary. Then I moved to a town where the nearest TJ's was a 30 minute drive.
After dealing with the sullen, hostile apathy of the standard grocery store clerks for a 6 months a TJs opened up closer.
I was delighted to have their cheerful blathering to tune out again.
In some things there really just is no happy medium.
Lets face it... checking out people's groceries is a mind numbing and thankless task. If they can find a way to act like they're cheerful about it the least we can do is smile, nod, tune them out and be grateful.
-
-
-
-
For the most part, the clerks in Manhattan greet me with a smile, say "hello" and "thank you" and that's about it. I did get a chatty one once who commented on some chocolate I had bought and how he loved them and how much better the prices were at TJ, blah blah. I didn't mind it, but I think it depends on your mood and how rushed you are that particular day.
