Supermarket mayhem

Dressinggown · Post by **Dressinggown** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 1:30 pm

As usual, my poor planning left me in need of the basic stuff to get me over the Christmas period. I had to get the essentials such as cat food, bread, milk and vodka.

This meant a trip to the supermarket which was an experience in itself. Two females were smashing their trolleys into each other in the car park whilst their partners just had a cigarette and checked on their social media.

Inside was utter carnage. A man spotted a pack of leeks that had dropped from the shelf and proceeded to kick them in the direction of the bakery.

A potential crushing incident was averted by people throwing other customers into the low level freezer sections.

I managed to get to a till where the elderly lady in front of me had only a few items. Unfortunately, one of the items was a teacake which had been removed from a pack of four. The elderly lady was insistent with the young cashier that she should not have to pay the full amount because she didn't need the other three. A manager was then called.

On the adjacent till other events were unfolding. A bloke got to the point where you put your items on the conveyor. He looked in serious physical trouble as he hoisted two baskets piled high with value brand tins of processed peas onto the counter. Gasping for air he got to the till and said that he didn't want them and walked off. 3 more members of staff had to clear the crap that he had left behind.

claret wizard · Post by **claret wizard** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 1:35 pm

Went to Aldi on Tod Road as I had forgotten a bottle of port and their Fruit and Nut Chocloate is the best.
Paid at the scanner thing, and I noticed a security sticker on the port, they did the verification thing I nodded to the security sticker and the cashier just ignored it. I made sure I got a receipt. I went out and the security warnings all went off, I waited, no one came, so I wandered off. I guess no one is going to be shoftlifting sprouts at 8p a bag but looks like they don't care what you walk out with.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 1:36 pm

I nipped into Tesco late morning for just a few items - the basic stuff without the cat food or vodka. Was very busy, hard work getting round, but scanned as I went round and was out in no time.

Row x · Post by **Row x** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 1:56 pm

I Don't do shopping, makes life easier

Claret Toni · Post by **Claret Toni** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 2:15 pm

Went in for some teacakes. Saw a packet of 3 so told the cashier I didn't need to pay as an old lady had already paid for them. A manager was called, but I don't what he was called as I left.

bfcjg · Post by **bfcjg** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 2:40 pm

Can't be bothered reading the previous posts, but it's never been the same since Dale Winton died.

chekhov · Post by **chekhov** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 2:58 pm

I was in my local co-op this morning. Friendly, smiling staff, same as the customers. A very calming experience.
Happy Christmas!

Jakubclaret · Post by **Jakubclaret** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 3:02 pm

I try to time things when I know it'll be quiet I just blitz it with no aggro. I've experienced how stressful things can be at peak times.

Clovius Boofus · Post by **Clovius Boofus** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 3:36 pm

Went shopping at half seven on Saturday morning. Today we had our meat and delicatessen treats delivered from the local butcher.

There is no way I'd venture into a supermarket during the last couple of days before the 25th, even if we had forgotten something. I don't like supermarkets at the best of time. In any case, we all have fridges and freezers, so there's no need for mixing with the frenzied crowds of uncouth if you have the time and gumption to plan ahead.

Dressinggown · Post by **Dressinggown** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 3:41 pm

I'm on a rant now.

Only the other week I was next in line for the checkout when the lady in front watched a large amount of her items being scanned but making no attempt at putting them in bags.

Once all the goods had gone through she then requested that a number of the items be paid on one debit card, some others to be paid on another debit card and the remainder in cash.

She then started to split the items according to which payment method was to be used.

The bloke behind me looked like he was going to murder her.

I played it cool, walking calmly away without paying as the poor lass on the till was sobbing uncontrollably and the bloke was hacking at his throat with a pack of scouring pads.

fatboy47 · Post by **fatboy47** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 3:58 pm

Simple enough on the Scillies....only one little food shop with bugg*r all on the shelves..did'nt really eat properly till about late March.

Bosscat · Post by **Bosscat** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 4:11 pm

Next time you're at the checkout and you hear the beep, think of the fun you could be having on Supermarket Sweep!

Go wild in the aisles!

kentonclaret · Post by **kentonclaret** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 4:34 pm

Went out for a few food items today and you can almost see the stress in people’s faces as they are scouring the shelves not wanting to miss any items off the list. A couple in their 50’s passed me with the husband saying “Calm down dear, just calm down.”
Christmas is the only time of the year when supermarkets can charge shoppers upwards of £15 for a Swiss Roll by sprinkling it with some icing sugar adding a few red berries on top and renaming it a Yule Log.

As I left the store I was reminded that they would be reopening tomorrow at 6am.

Bow · Post by **Bow** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 4:51 pm

I need to get a few final bits tonight, booths is open until midnight so hopefully if I go around 9 it will be quiet.

Clovius Boofus · Post by **Clovius Boofus** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 4:51 pm

I wonder if people sit outside supermarkets on Boxing Day morning waiting for them to reopen. I mean, it must be scary for some folk knowing that, apart from Aldi and Lidl, they'll all be closed for 24 hours.

Clovius Boofus · Post by **Clovius Boofus** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 4:55 pm

Bow wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 23, 2024 4:51 pm
I need to get a few final bits tonight, booths are open until midnight so hopefully if I go around 9 it will be quiet.

But what if there's nowt left. How will you bear ruining Christmas? I think you should go right now, just in case. Or at least camp outside the doors overnight in a sleeping bag.

dougcollins · Post by **dougcollins** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 5:08 pm

Clovius Boofus wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 23, 2024 4:55 pm
But what if there's nowt left. How will you bear ruining Christmas? I think you should go right now, just in case. Or at least camp outside the doors overnight in a sleeping bag.

There'll be plenty left at Booth's, have you seen their prices?

Jakubclaret · Post by **Jakubclaret** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 5:12 pm

dougcollins wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 23, 2024 5:08 pm
There'll be plenty left at Booth's, have you seen their prices?

If it's quality some people aren't adverse to paying a premium. I can't fault my local garstang branch.

warksclaret · Post by **warksclaret** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 5:31 pm

Sainsburys in Market Harborough was carnage at 9.30am. The queues went all round the store for both tills and check-outs. I witnessed something for the first time in store-a mobility scooter with wheel spin, when one of the tills came free

Marney&Mee · Post by **Marney&Mee** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 5:34 pm

I’m still working through the 24,000 toilet rolls we bought at the start of Covid…

sjb · Post by **sjb** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 5:38 pm

Morrisons in Great Harwood was nice and quiet early this afternoon - unlike the cheese shop further up the main street where people were queuing out of the door. They didn't have a bouzouki player though (one for the teenagers there).

fatboy47 · Post by **fatboy47** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 5:39 pm

Jakubclaret wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 23, 2024 5:12 pm
If it's quality some people aren't adverse to paying a premium. I can't fault my local garstang branch.

Yeah....their salmon is awesome...way better than the stuff in Sainsburys at less than half the price.

Bosscat · Post by **Bosscat** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 5:46 pm

sjb wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 23, 2024 5:38 pm
Great Harwood cheese shop further up the main street where people were queuing out of the door. They didn't have a bouzouki player though (one for the teenagers there).

Do they have any Venezuelan Beaver Cheese?

CaptJohn · Post by **CaptJohn** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 5:51 pm

About 1400hrs today my wife uttered the dreaded phrase, "We need to pop to the supermarket to get a few things." At this time of year you don't pop anywhere near the shops if you have any sense. Anyway we went to a garden centre to take back an outdoor deer illumination that was missing an antler. No issues there. Then we managed to find a parking spot on the big Broughton shopping centre near Chester and managed to visit M&S, Tesco's, Mountain Warehouse and Lush and still get home for 1700hrs. It was busy but M&S were directing shoppers to the tills quite effectively and the Tesco "Scan & Shop" is perfect for times like this. Now enjoying a cup of tea and didn't see a single fight or argument

I do have to pick up the turkey from the local butcher tomorrow though

JohnMac · Post by **JohnMac** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 5:53 pm

The young of today know nothing of developing piles through camping on concrete for 5 days and nights in order to secure a 24" Colour TV with wired Remote at a knockdown price in the January sales.

First customer only mind...

Jakubclaret · Post by **Jakubclaret** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 5:58 pm

fatboy47 wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 23, 2024 5:39 pm
Yeah....their salmon is awesome...way better than the stuff in Sainsburys at less than half the price.

I don't usually buy that in there I go to Aldi roughly £4 for 2 fillets I don't even know what booths charge. Aldi have started doing trout fillets so I've changed to that. I give most supermarkets some form of my custom & don't use just 1 it depends what I want & where I am.

holdyourfire · Post by **holdyourfire** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 5:58 pm

sjb wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 23, 2024 5:38 pm
Morrisons in Great Harwood was nice and quiet early this afternoon - unlike the cheese shop further up the main street where people were queuing out of the door. They didn't have a bouzouki player though (one for the teenagers there).

The cheese shop I went into,didnt have any cheese whatsoever.I blame John Cleese!

holdyourfire · Post by **holdyourfire** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 6:05 pm

holdyourfire wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 23, 2024 5:58 pm
The cheese shop I went into,didnt have any cheese whatsoever.I blame John Cleese!

Come on someone, put the cheese shop sketch on!

JanetM · Post by **JanetM** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 6:20 pm

Thought I'd bought everything and was feeling quite smug until I realised I hadn't bought frozen parsnips. (I can't be bothered with peeling and roasting fresh ones). I'm not that bothered but daughter says we might as well cancel Christmas then.

Jakubclaret · Post by **Jakubclaret** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 6:26 pm

JanetM wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 23, 2024 6:20 pm
Thought I'd bought everything and was feeling quite smug until I realised I hadn't bought frozen parsnips. (I can't be bothered with peeling and roasting fresh ones). I'm not that bothered but daughter says we might as well cancel Christmas then.

You could let her cancel her Christmas & you just carry on as normal. It seems abit OTT over some parsnips.

Bosscat · Post by **Bosscat** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 6:46 pm

holdyourfire wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 23, 2024 6:05 pm
Come on someone, put the cheese shop sketch on!

Just google it and copy the address ... God some folk are so lazy

...

But here you are just for you.

https://youtu.be/Hz1JWzyvv8A?si=_91kumLlf4Q8VpkZ

Dressinggown · Post by **Dressinggown** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 7:16 pm

CaptJohn wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 23, 2024 5:51 pm
About 1400hrs today my wife uttered the dreaded phrase, "We need to pop to the supermarket to get a few things." At this time of year you don't pop anywhere near the shops if you have any sense. Anyway we went to a garden centre to take back an outdoor deer illumination that was missing an antler. No issues there. Then we managed to find a parking spot on the big Broughton shopping centre near Chester and managed to visit M&S, Tesco's, Mountain Warehouse and Lush and still get home for 1700hrs. It was busy but M&S were directing shoppers to the tills quite effectively and the Tesco "Scan & Shop" is perfect for times like this. Now enjoying a cup of tea and didn't see a single fight or argument
I do have to pick up the turkey from the local butcher tomorrow though

That is quality stuff. I bet the garden centre was not within walking distance. Did you not notice that the illuminated Reindeer had less than a full complement of Antlers when you made the initial purchase ?

Dressinggown · Post by **Dressinggown** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 7:25 pm

An outdoor deer illumination ?

Definitely a bit posh round your neck of the woods.

If I was to put such an object outside my house you could guarantee that within a matter of seconds some local scrote would be riding it bareback down the main street whilst smoking a big green one.

GetIntoEm · Post by **GetIntoEm** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 9:00 pm

Sure people of a certain age go just to get in the way. Blocking the aisles buying tea bags and too many loaves of bread. Stay at home

ClaretinJapan · Post by **ClaretinJapan** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 9:08 pm

Dressinggown wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 23, 2024 1:30 pm
As usual, my poor planning left me in need of the basic stuff to get me over the Christmas period. I had to get the essentials such as cat food, bread, milk and vodka.

This meant a trip to the supermarket which was an experience in itself. Two females were smashing their trolleys into each other in the car park whilst their partners just had a cigarette and checked on their social media.

Inside was utter carnage. A man spotted a pack of leeks that had dropped from the shelf and proceeded to kick them in the direction of the bakery.

A potential crushing incident was averted by people throwing other customers into the low level freezer sections.

I managed to get to a till where the elderly lady in front of me had only a few items. Unfortunately, one of the items was a teacake which had been removed from a pack of four. The elderly lady was insistent with the young cashier that she should not have to pay the full amount because she didn't need the other three. A manager was then called.

On the adjacent till other events were unfolding. A bloke got to the point where you put your items on the conveyor. He looked in serious physical trouble as he hoisted two baskets piled high with value brand tins of processed peas onto the counter. Gasping for air he got to the till and said that he didn't want them and walked off. 3 more members of staff had to clear the crap that he had left behind.

It sounds like complete societal breakdown

claretblue · Post by **claretblue** » Tue Dec 24, 2024 1:18 am

Bosscat wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 23, 2024 5:46 pm
Do they have any Venezuelan Beaver Cheese?

language Timothy!

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Tue Dec 24, 2024 1:28 am

Claret Toni wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 23, 2024 2:15 pm
Went in for some teacakes. Saw a packet of 3 so told the cashier I didn't need to pay as an old lady had already paid for them. A manager was called, but I don't what he was called as I left.

Al - I heard him

Taffy on the wing · Post by **Taffy on the wing** » Tue Dec 24, 2024 1:44 am

GetIntoEm wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 23, 2024 9:00 pm
Sure people of a certain age go just to get in the way. Blocking the aisles buying tea bags and too many loaves of bread. Stay at home

What a charmer!
as I'm not allowed to say Asshole on here.

Dressinggown · Post by **Dressinggown** » Tue Dec 24, 2024 3:54 am

There is this assumption that all of our elderly citizens are ravaged by dementia, senility and other disabilities.

Are they fu*k.

They have sh*t all else to do other than cause a bit of chaos in their endless amounts of spare time.

There have been unconfirmed reports of a 'huge mass' of OAP5 heading towards the Trafford Centre and Meadowhall, near Sheffield is on red alert.

Military sources have indicated that this is a low key operation but
if there is any escalation from the Old Bags they will not hesitate in using the latest in ballistic technology.

GetIntoEm · Post by **GetIntoEm** » Tue Dec 24, 2024 8:16 am

Taffy on the wing wrote: ↑
Tue Dec 24, 2024 1:44 am
What a charmer!
as I'm not allowed to say Asshole on here.

Did you manage to find 17 loaves of warbys toastie?

Dyched · Post by **Dyched** » Tue Dec 24, 2024 8:30 am

We went to our local booths. Didn’t make it inside however. The number of parked cars at ridiculous angles in most parking spots indicated the number of OAPs inside.

Clovius Boofus · Post by **Clovius Boofus** » Tue Dec 24, 2024 8:44 am

At least Black Friday Mayhem isn't what it used to be. It changed when the supermarkets realised it wasn't worth the hassle and bad press. People kicking the shite out of each other in order to be the first ones to get their hands on the pallets of cheap, unbranded TVs.

colner · Post by **colner** » Tue Dec 24, 2024 8:59 am

Just been to Sainsburys in Colne,fairly dead and no Saga louts at it,came home disgusted

Clive 1960 · Post by **Clive 1960** » Tue Dec 24, 2024 9:03 am

shocked how busy it was at our Grand Mall supermarket here in the Philippines thought it would not be as packed as the centre..

Bosscat · Post by **Bosscat** » Tue Dec 24, 2024 9:06 am

As a Pensioner may I just say .......

Thhhhhhhhhhhhpppppppppt

The Shire Claret · Post by **The Shire Claret** » Tue Dec 24, 2024 9:11 am

I went Asda this morning at 7am as I got a home delivery and every year they say they don’t have stuff that they actually do have …

Ot was busier than normal at that time but no hasstle at all

I often wonder why people choose to go to supermarkets at peak time ls over Christmas - it’s no fun at all

That said - some people like a crowd and a bit of madness

dandeclaret · Post by **dandeclaret** » Tue Dec 24, 2024 9:28 am

Went to the local tesco's this morning.... piece of p*ss

hoosier-daddy · Post by **hoosier-daddy** » Tue Dec 24, 2024 9:44 am

As some are having a whinge, I'll join in.

Ordered a stadium photo for my cousin - posted on the 19th. Won't be delivered by Royal mail until after the 28th. What the hell is all that about.
Bought some Christmas cards off Amazon - will arrive on the 27th.
Bought a bottle of wine off Amazon - delivery driver didn't even attempt to deliver it, yet put it down as nobody home (ID needed). Will try again after Christmas, if he can be arsed.

Stockbrokerbelt · Post by **Stockbrokerbelt** » Tue Dec 24, 2024 9:54 am

Fantastic here in Spain, sunshine, a 9kg organic Turkey €22, 1.5 lt of absolute vodka €11 & I’m going to my local then 33 of us of for a curry! Boxing Day is Turkey & vodka day.

dandeclaret · Post by **dandeclaret** » Tue Dec 24, 2024 12:25 pm

hoosier-daddy wrote: ↑
Tue Dec 24, 2024 9:44 am
As some are having a whinge, I'll join in.

Ordered a stadium photo for my cousin - posted on the 19th. Won't be delivered by Royal mail until after the 28th. What the hell is all that about.
Bought some Christmas cards off Amazon - will arrive on the 27th.
Bought a bottle of wine off Amazon - delivery driver didn't even attempt to deliver it, yet put it down as nobody home (ID needed). Will try again after Christmas, if he can be arsed.

Between the 1st and 3rd of December I ordered bits to arrive here in Dublin....

Stuff from China - ordered on the 2nd, arrived yesterday
Stuff from America - Ordered on the 1st, arrived on the 15th
Stuff from Norway - Ordered on the 8th, Arrived on the 20th
Stuff from the UK - Ordered on the 3rd, posted on the 4th - no sign of it arriving any time soon. 20 days and no sign. Absolute shambles.