The people behind you in line...

**greekislandgirl** · 12-12-2011, 05:53 AM

I'm no extreme couponer, but my supermarket has been running coupons recently where, if you spend €15, you get €6 off - which is a great deal, since it's not limited by product. The only thing is, if you have more than one coupon, you have to do multiple sales receipts. And each one has to come to €15 or more, so you kind of have to know what you're doing (I divide up my cart beforehand into €15 groupings using my calculator, so I'm doing my best here).

Today I had four coupons to use. I always go at the quietest times, but the supermarket only opens two registers (one of which is the 10 items or fewer lane) and there is just no way to avoid taking forever - also because after each coupon, they have their little bureaucratic business where they note down the amount and run it through a printer that always jams...). I always feel bad and if someone comes up behind me with a just a few items I warn them and suggest they go to the express lane. But once they are ringing me up, I'm bagging my groceries, I'm at the other end of the lane, I can't be apologizing to everybody multiple times and warning them off.

I hate how people manage to make me feel like I'm holding them up. I'm not going to stop using my coupons (HECK NO!), but I'm getting tired of getting the evil eye from everybody. Especially the ones who are buying one item but are not in the express lane. I *am* holding them up, but it's the supermarket's fault for not allowing me to do one sale and give them all my coupons at the end. How hard can it be to just apply coupons on a €15 * x basis?

Just venting.

**Kitten20** · 12-12-2011, 06:18 AM

You do more than I do. :p I just ignore people who huff & puff while behind me in line. They are free to find a different line or use self-checkout (if in a grocery store).

When I grocery shop for work (typically spending between $300-$400 per trip and needing multiple carts), my transactions always require something to be keyed in by a manager (something with the card I use for work). I am pretty used to people getting annoyed while we stand and wait for a manager! ... not my fault! I try going at "off" times. This works because I am a night owl, but then I get dirty looks from cashiers working the night shift who do not want to open a lane to ring me up. Can't win.

I was in Sears the other day, purchasing Christmas gifts for the clients in one of my group homes, and I had to do 3 separate transactions for each (using different peoples' funds and needing separate receipts). The person in line behind me was NOT happy. Oh well.

**mssingtime** · 12-12-2011, 06:34 AM

You should'nt feel bad about that at all! As a customer, you deserve exactly how much time is needed to complete your purchase. I'm sure you have had to wait for other people who also had complicated purchases. Just smile (I've always found that to be very effective at disarming grumpies). and keep saving money!

**FrabjousDay** · 12-12-2011, 01:32 PM

I'm usually huffing because the store only has one lane open. Grrr.

I don't mind organized coupon users. It's the people who are like lalalala....oh, that's my total? I forgot the stack of coupons in the bottom of my gargantuan purse....lalalala....oh, haha, where could they be?...there they are!...what do you mean I didn't buy anything listed on that coupon?...I'm sure I did!...lalalala....can I write a check?

**Ramona** · 12-12-2011, 03:32 PM

Keep on doing what you're doing and don't make the mistake of looking them in the eye ♥

QM · 12-12-2011, 03:36 PM

I know how you feel. I find that some cashiers at Wal-Mart are rather slow when it comes to ringing in coupons or price matching. They can't do quanitites, so when I'm price matching or buying in quantity they have to ring them in individually. Plus I have flyers everywhere even though I'm pretty organized. I try not to focus on the people behind me. If they realize that the cash is going too slow for their liking then they can go find another cash. It's not my fault they can't do quantities or go faster. I don't apologize because if it's anyone's fault it's the stores or the cashiers.

I'm just doing what I'm allowed to do.

**shoiji** · 12-12-2011, 05:22 PM

Yup, had one lady bumping me with her shopping cart. I told her I was still in line which she stated that she was trying to make the line go faster. This of course just made me go even more slowly and take up more room so she had to back up so I could pay with my card. Truly is ridiculous how people can act some times.

Don't worry about what you are doing at the register. Would not be any different than if there were three people ahead of you.

**oct2667us** · 12-12-2011, 07:28 PM

I would think the ones that huff and grr are not couponers. I just say sorry but I need to save every thing I can. I have stoped couponing for now but I am soon to start back up. Just keep saving and dont pay no mind to them ...

**mndtrp** · 12-12-2011, 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by Kitten20

When I grocery shop for work (typically spending between $300-$400 per trip and needing multiple carts), my transactions always require something to be keyed in by a manager (something with the card I use for work). I am pretty used to people getting annoyed while we stand and wait for a manager!

I would tell the cashier that they are going to need the manager when I got to the register, that way one could be on their way while you are being rung up.

People have too little patience when it comes to the grocery store. I used to get a little worked up, but then realized that the waiting was only costing me a few minutes. In the day of instant gratification, waiting even a few minutes can seem like a lot. I just use the time to check out the hotties on the magazines.

**greekislandgirl** · 12-13-2011, 05:23 AM

I totally agree that people have no patience - and considering that there are about 900 mini markets and convenience stores in this town, I don't understand that all. If you just want a pack of gum, DON'T go to the huge supermarket and choose the non-express lane and then grumble at me, when I'm doing my weekly shopping trip!

**leighcat** · 12-13-2011, 06:07 AM

Originally Posted by shoiji

Yup, had one lady bumping me with her shopping cart. I told her I was still in line which she stated that she was trying to make the line go faster. This of course just made me go even more slowly and take up more room so she had to back up so I could pay with my card. Truly is ridiculous how people can act some times.

Don't worry about what you are doing at the register. Would not be any different than if there were three people ahead of you.

If someone was purposely bumping me with a shopping cart they would be very sorry. You must have a lot of patience. I probably would have cracked an egg on her head.

**greekislandgirl** · 12-13-2011, 06:19 AM

Originally Posted by leighcat

If someone was purposely bumping me with a shopping cart they would be very sorry. You must have a lot of patience. I probably would have cracked an egg on her head.

I agree. That is just NOT okay. A lady bumped my mom with a shopping cart a few months ago and she was in pain for weeks. She is waiting for hip surgery. It's the exact wrong place to hit an older woman who might have hip issues. It's also just incredibly rude.

**Libby** · 12-13-2011, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by shoiji

Yup, had one lady bumping me with her shopping cart. I told her I was still in line which she stated that she was trying to make the line go faster. This of course just made me go even more slowly and take up more room so she had to back up so I could pay with my card. Truly is ridiculous how people can act some times.

My word, IF that were to happen to me and by IF I mean the first time, ok....was by accident but a continuance of this, I'd have no problem pushing the cart back into HER and stating that this is MY personal space and that she's infringing on it. Plus I'd have no problems reiterating that I took the time to get into line before her. If she was in such a rush, she should've left wherever earlier to allow more time in THIS store. I really do not have patience for people like this.

As for the whole coupon/price matching thing - I try to be organized about it but there comes a point where you're held back by the cashier as QM stated previously.

I had held up the line once at the Super WalMart b/c the granola bars I wanted to buy were on sale $3.29/box - I had a $3 off coupon = hello bargain! They were scanning at $3.99

The lady 3 people behind me said 'Christ, I'll give you the $3 to get out of the line and stop wasting everyone's time with the coupons!' The woman in front of her had some loudly hushed words and turned to me and told me it was 'ok' to wait for the price check. Turns out my granola bars were completely free b/c of the scanning code of practice

In the parking lot, the woman who hushed the whiny woman told me what she said to shush her. "If you can afford to pay this lady $3 to get out of the line so you can rush through, why do you shop here at WalMart? You CLEARLY can afford to shop at the less busy over priced larger chain supermarket right? Yet you chose to come to WalMart to buy your groceries."

I just about died laughing in the parking lot and thanked that woman numerous times. She had a point, EVERYONE is trying to save money with this economy. Its all a matter of how one goes about trying to do so. That woman made my week!

GI Girl - take your time, try to be organized and do NOT apologize for being smart enough to figure out how to save you & your family money. Ever.

**greekislandgirl** · 12-13-2011, 10:40 AM

Libby, WOW! I cannot believe how rude people can be! That nice woman made a very good point - there ARE fancy shops and supermarkets for those who think they don't need to watch their money. Here in Greece, even if the person behind me is rich, they KNOW that there's a darn good chance that I'm either unemployed (38% unemployment in this city), poor (over 50% of people under 35 here only make minimum wage), or somehow affected by the economic crisis (99% of this country) so you'd think they'd be able to understand wanting to save money. I truly believe that they are just mad that THEY don't have coupons. Because €6 of a €15 purchase is a GOOD deal. And having said that, I am this very moment going out to use two more of my coupons. Just two this time

**Libby** · 12-13-2011, 10:42 AM

You use as many coupons as you please. When they see you laying out your order on the counter in groups - they should get the hint. If they have an issue with it, thats THEIR problem

That IS a super great coupon/deal you're getting and I can understand why they're jealous. What baffles me is the non frugal minded people never bother to ask you where or how you got your coupons. Ever notice that??