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You know how you enter the store to get some milk, only to see the shelf full of pinot grigio right in the way, staring at you with no place to hide? This moment of pure impromptu is basically the essence of the “decisions were made here” meme that shows the lonely product (one intended to buy) standing in the midst of the indulgence section, whether it’s beer or ice cream.

But no matter how funny it may be in the joke format, the reality is a tiny bit different. It turns out, it’s one of the most annoying things customers do while shopping, according to supermarket employees—not even mentioning taking a thing out of its package and leaving it lying out somewhere.

Below is the list of seriously annoying stuff we should all quit immediately if we ever want good shopping karma.

#2

When People Stop In The Middle Of An Aisle And Act Like They're The Only Ones In The Store

When People Stop In The Middle Of An Aisle And Act Like They're The Only Ones In The Store

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#3

"If You Let Your Kids Do This, [screw] You."

"If You Let Your Kids Do This, [screw] You."

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Bardhi's Dad
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is really annoying. What kind of parents are them? How do they educate those children?

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Back in the 1950s and '60s, the vibe at supermarkets was totally different. According to author Blake Morgan, “brands treated customers like they didn’t have brain cells and used loud and obnoxious voices and obviously exaggerated print.”

It all changed with Ogilvy, the father of advertising who said that you gotta treat customers like you treat your family members. Because, essentially, they’re potential clients.

Then, the now-famous phrase “the customer is always right” was pioneered by successful retailers named Harry Gordon Selfridge, John Wanamaker, and Marshall Field. This approach stuck with us for many years to come, and it’s still in use today. But critics claim it doesn’t work in the current times.

#4

If You Really Love Your Heros, Consider This

If You Really Love Your Heros, Consider This

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Laugh or not
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, calling people 'heroes' for doing their jobs is a good way to pat them on the back, congratulate them and avoid thinking about work conditions and salaries.

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#6

Getting Told The Same Joke

Getting Told The Same Joke

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In the times of consumerism, customers are no longer the perfect beings worthy of praise. According to the author Alexander Kjerulf, sticking to the “customer is always right” mantra has multiple adverse effects.

It makes employees unhappy, it gives abrasive customers an unfair advantage, it results in worse customer service, and it ignores the fact that some customers are just plain wrong.

Even if being customer-centric is part of the customer experience, that doesn’t mean brands and companies have to follow it blindly. They should rather seek a smart balance in making both customers and their workers equally happy.

#7

"Working In Retail Is A Special Type Of Hell"

"Working In Retail Is A Special Type Of Hell"

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Martha Meyer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was a kid, customers had to pay for stuff they dropped and destoyed. Doesn't seem a thing anymore.

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#9

Customers Who Don't Say Hi

Customers Who Don't Say Hi

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cybermerlin2000
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always say Hi and I'm very cheerful about it because I feel like they have taken the time to be nice

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#10

When They Act Like Masks Don't Apply To Them

When They Act Like Masks Don't Apply To Them

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#12

All The Employees Have To Do Is Put Stuff Away...right?

All The Employees Have To Do Is Put Stuff Away...right?

"If you do this, f**k you."

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lara
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not only do they do this, they come into the store in nasty shoes, put on a pair of clean, new, good shoes, leave the nasty shoes in the box and walk out. Happens in outlet stores all the time.

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Yoshie Inara
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This gave me anxiety just looking at it... *shudders* I feel awful for whoever had to clean this up

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Michelle C
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I won't even go into one of these...I don't even work there and the customers piss me off

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JustAWeirdoGirlChild
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

me and my family put the shoes back into the boxes and try to put it where we found them

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Freya the Wanderer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Certain people ought to be culled for the good of the human race - and the planet.

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The Harry Potter person
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let’s all hope the prison sentence is as short as possible. But I think the minimum is 30 years for murder. 😟

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Xandra, The Little Hufflepuff
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate this, it's part of my job to do this! It's terrible, even the higher up employees do it!

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Harleen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Must be nice to be so entitled that you feel no shame for this whatsoever. I'd LOVE to go to their home and trash it, then shrug and go 'you live here, so you clean it, that's your job!' I used to work in a really upscale store and people would throw $1000+ outfits on the floor and leave them in piles. One day, I was like "Seriously?! Do you do this in your own home?!" To which a co-worker pointed out, "Actually yes, because they probably have staff cleaning up after them." Touche.

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Adrienne Doyle
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anyone who has worked in retail knows that people really do this.

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Sara Salisbury
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You people have lives that don't evolve around you and what you don't put back. Walk a mile in these people's shoes.

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Bob Belcher
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At a Nordstrom of all places. You'd think people spending that much money would have better manners.

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Shirley Heyn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

. . . and these people are breeding and raising the next generation, showing their kids that this is expected and okay behavior. The blame is on the parents, kids do whatever they can get away with, at least until the police get involved. This should be considered property damage, and the culprits banned from the store. . . if only that could be done without the store getting sued for discrimination. How do we make the world a better place instead of promoting this scenario? I don't have the answer, but I do clearly see the problem.

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P.A.B.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why would discrimination be involved? Are you attributing this behavior to a certain group or certain groups of people? If so, you are sadly mistaken. I have WITNESSED this kind of entitled behavior from folks from many walks of life. Obviously you do not clearly see the problem. Perhaps you should get out more.

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Shellia Ventura
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel so bad for the employees at all stores that have to deal with this crap. Shame on people for doing stuff like this, it only takes a few seconds to PUT IT BACK WHERE YOU GOT IT!

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CharliAnn Olney
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OMG How RUDE! Where do these morons live? I don't want to go there?

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Dina Voormey
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I saw that a lot in the States.....here, we don't do that....(the Netherlands)

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Marnie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The store should watch and kick people out. You lose customers - oh well.

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Mike Mischak
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some blame goes to the store for having a lousy, poorly designed setup.

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Gerry Higgins
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Two things going on here. 1: rude customers. 2: Management has understaffed the store to save money. Need more people to keep on top of this so it doesn't get this bad.

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Steve Cruz
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now this scenario I know, and it goes both ways. I doubt this happened in one day -- this area looks like it's never in good nick. Also, Nordstrom Rack makes it difficult to find sizes.

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Patty Leaton
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yip poor staff always have to pick it up worse thing customers drop thing on the floor in front of you pretending they don't see it then walk of

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TimesNewLogan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are times where you feel like it would be easier to just burn the place down and start over.

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Mittens Wiggum
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bloody animals... haha... I spent ages folding up jeans the one day and this woman watched me doing it - instead of asking for my help when i smiled and said hello - she went round to every stack of jeans - yanked one from underneath (the bigger sizes), looked at it, frowned and tossed on top of the pile, then moved to the next one and repeated. After she did three I started to refold and put back and started waiting nearby to fix what she was doing. It took her around 15 pairs of jeans to realise that I was literally cleaning up after her (and acknowledge I was there) and I asked if I could help again - when she said no and walked off - not even buying anything

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23AClark
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the worst that I've seen so far. It takes no time at all for you to put stuff back where you found it. I often wonder what their homes or apartments look like.

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Boopie Dew
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, ppl are pigs and have no concern for anyone but themselves.

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Hollie Newton
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At my work place we have a separate team that work 7pm - 11pm just for the purpose of tidying the store

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Stephen Taylor
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Soap...seriously? You don’t know people actually do this? Wow!

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KT
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've never seen a store in this condition this is just nuts

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Ashley Harrold
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Saw something similar in a Kohls, like how hard is it to put something back where you got it from

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Andrea Delden
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OMG you poor employees! I hope that they are paying you enough!

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Jasmine Donald
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

oh god, that is terrifying... I feel bad for those who have to pick up the stuff.....

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Blue
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why I always put the shoes back in the boxes and on the shelves. Unlike these hell-sent demons that just leave them on the floor.

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Opal4eva
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

:0 THAT IS SO RUDE CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR KIDS WAIT ACTUALLY MAKE YIUR KIDS CLEAN UP AFTER THEMSLELFS WHY DO PPL DO THIS!

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#13

When Customers Leave Stuff From Other Aisles In Places They Shouldn't Be

When Customers Leave Stuff From Other Aisles In Places They Shouldn't Be

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postboredom
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You don't have to work in a supermarket to hate this...I feel for you all.

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#14

"I Think We All Can Relate. Am I Right?"

"I Think We All Can Relate. Am I Right?"

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Tiari
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of the things I really like about Germany. A simple „NEXT“ is common and completely sufficient.

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#15

When They Tell Employees Their Whole Life Story

When They Tell Employees Their Whole Life Story

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup, I have heard about a women having a colonoscopy, a woman being a prostitute and that the fella with her was her pimp and bf, a guy with a big bandage telling me about his infection that was literally oozing pus etc. Some things we just don’t need or want to know.

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#17

When Guests Forget The Entire Reason Employees Are In The Store

When Guests Forget The Entire Reason Employees Are In The Store

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S.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But, the customers are only there because the store is open...? Then isn't it the fault of the management?

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#18

When They Walk In Just Before Closing

When They Walk In Just Before Closing

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WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just close the doors 5 to 10 minutes minutes before closing time and only let customers out. Common practice in the Netherlands.

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#19

When Customers Forget How A Store Works

When Customers Forget How A Store Works

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#20

When They Come .5 Seconds Before Closing Time

When They Come .5 Seconds Before Closing Time

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Csaba Hegedűs
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In my country it is mandatory by law to have 'online cash registers' everywhere, that works like sending all data directly to some tax office or anything. It means if a shop is officially open from like 9 to 18, they can't sell you stuff AFTER 18, because register will note the tax office that out of business hours this shop was doing business. Therefore, shops can legally tell people who come this late that sorry, if you can't make your purchase in the next ten seconds, we can't legally serve you.

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#21

"Black Friday As A Wal-Mart Employee."

"Black Friday As A Wal-Mart Employee."

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#22

When Customers Leave Their Dirty Trash In The Carts

When Customers Leave Their Dirty Trash In The Carts

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Vorknkx
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When one fails to understand the simple fact that the supermarket employee is not their mom, and therefore not there to clean up after them.

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#24

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Bardhi's Dad
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Well, let me think a bit about this generous offer you made... NO!"

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#25

Even Though Zebra Says 1 But Not Binned In Anywhere

Even Though Zebra Says 1 But Not Binned In Anywhere

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Bardhi's Dad
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You just go in the back, rest for 5 minutes and come back to tell him "No. We don't have it. I checked everywhere"

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#26

Things-Supermarket-Employees-Hate

Things-Supermarket-Employees-Hate

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A.M. Pierre
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And yet I did get charged twice at a bookstore once when this happened. Took forever to get my money back. I realize that's an exception, not the rule, but I am wary now.

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#27

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Nemopoint
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually... my wardrobe looks like this. But i didn't shop any outfit since a year so, it'just my wardrobe.

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#28

"Why I Hate Working In Retail."

"Why I Hate Working In Retail."

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#29

When Customers Disappear After Employees Go Into The Back To Get Something For Them

When Customers Disappear After Employees Go Into The Back To Get Something For Them

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Bardhi's Dad
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds me the scene with Rowan Atkinson and Alan Rickman in the movie "Love Actually"

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#30

Cough Cough

Cough Cough

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel awful for my son. He spits when he talks because of a few reasons. He has a lateral lisp which causes excess saliva and he has low muscle tone in his mouth which causes him to still dribble and not have as much control as most people do. I worry how that will impact him as he gets older.

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#32

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Something
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But sometimes people who don't work at a store can be found folding things because they unfolded them.

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#33

When People Leave Food In A Cart

When People Leave Food In A Cart

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Shelli Aderman
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Carts need a sign, like, “Don’t complain about rising prices of food when you do this s**t!”

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#34

When People Take Something Out Of Its Package And Just Leave It There

When People Take Something Out Of Its Package And Just Leave It There

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Tiari
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I admit: I did that once or twice. The packaging had no information about the fabric on it, but I need that info for my decision. Afterwards I really really tried getting the stuff back in the packaging, but gave up after 5 to 10 minutes. If the damn manufacturer is not able to print the f*****g type of fabric on the packaging and I have no chance getting the stuff back in the packaging because it was packed under a vacuum... sorry. And yes. I asked staff about the type of fabric, and mostly the answer is a blank stare and an „I don’t know...“

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#35

When They Beckon An Employee Over Like They're A Trained Animal

When They Beckon An Employee Over Like They're A Trained Animal

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#36

Things Supermarket Employees Hate

Things Supermarket Employees Hate

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.gas.
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Customers hate being asked this, too. Why does it matter? Is there a price differential?

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#37

Who Just Decided "No" On The TV?

Who Just Decided "No" On The TV?

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#38

When They Don't Recognize The Difference Between In-Store And Online

When They Don't Recognize The Difference Between In-Store And Online

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Tiari
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So the customer went the extra mile to check if the item he wants is still in stock before he makes the trip, with a service the store provides for exactly that purpose, and you hate him for it? Wow. That’s entitled.

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#39

"98% Of Customers Are Illiterate"

"98% Of Customers Are Illiterate"

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troufaki13
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sometimes this discount applies only to certain items and it isn't always clear which one

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#40

People Who Shop At The Absolute Last Minute

People Who Shop At The Absolute Last Minute

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In a way I wish we had coupons like they do in the US but as a past checkout operator I am also glad we don’t. Takes up so much time.

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