Ok so I've just recently been hired as a bagger and I started training today. I know I should probably ask these questions at the training center and I most likely will but I feel like the trainers probably won't answer my questions thoroughly enough and will probably just half answer me. Anyway I'm anxious for my first day of work and I just want to be adequately prepared so I don't go in the store acting like a total clueless idiot. The questions I have are basically just scenario questions and what ifs?
1.) I've read in the job description that it is the bagger's job to walk with the customer to the car. In my own personal shopping experience, sometimes the baggers won't do this or even ask if we want to be helped to the car. Is there some type of specified occasion when it's not always necessary to walk with the customer to their car?
2.) If I do walk a customer to their car, what about the customers that were in line after the customer I'm helping to the car? Who will bag their groceries? What if there's no one around who's available to help those customers will that be a failure on my behalf that they were not helped?
3.) I've noticed the baggers will bring out these special carts to place the customers's groceries in. It's like a small half cart that's the only way I know how to describe it. Sometimes they'll just place the groceries in the baggers original shopping cart. Does it really matter which cart is used? Can't I always just place the groceries in the customer's original shopping cart?
I always ask the customers if they want help out.... The baggers are suppose to rotate check lanes and for the special carts I can't answer that question because we don't have those carts at my store....
Good luck. You won't be totally clueless after you get 40 hours under your belt.
1. Ask the customer if they want help. Most customers will probably turn down the offer. If an elderly customer or a large purchase, then they may need help.
2. You will learn how to juggle that situation after a week.
3. We have large carts and half carts. I don't think it matters which cart you use, as long as all the groceries fit without damage. Use whatever has wheels.
I have never been a bagger and not sure how it works upfront. I am sure the Customer Service person, Cashier, and other baggers will help you along.
The vast overwhelming majority of customers do not want help out. Unless you have a cripple or the elderly, they will not want help out. If they want help, they will actively ask for it.
If you are helping a cripple or a decrepit old geezer to their car, it's just too damn bad for all the other customers. Oh well. You're busy doing your job. It happens, and maybe you will get a tip. The only failure involved is that of not scheduling enough help to be able to cover a single courtesy clerk being busy for a few minutes.
It doesn't really matter which cart you use. If the customer has their purse in their cart, don't touch it. They may flip the hell out if you do. If they have a large order, get another cart since they will take longer to unload it than you will to bag it.
if it's a big order, help the customer unload the cart. don't just stand at the end waiting. i get dirty looks from baggers when i have to prompt them to do it. it's part of the job. some will get a clue when i go around start doing it myself. every thing cashiers do is timed so they need most of those orders on the belt before they start.
best practice is to have an exchange cart and always put things in the empty cart. this is because something might get left behind and not paid for. ALWAYS check the cart and ask the cashier is something was scanned. Some customers will have shopped with a cart but not want one. Others will have used a hand basket and want a cart. Some will use a 'small' cart to shop but need a big cart for take out. You'll learn as you go.
If it's one of those special carts for kids to ride in the front, feel free to reuse it. if you can see the cart is for sure empty, reuse it if you don't have an exchange cart. don't move a customer's purse or child.
Customer carry out is an operational risk on the front end. It's customer service but, as the other poster said, it can mean a service disruption for the next few customers. We don't staff sufficiently to do all that's required or requested and they won't give us enough hours to do so.
The best things you can do is dependably come to work on time and clear the lot when its your turn.
Offer carry out service to those with small kids, larger orders, the elderly or disabled. Most who want it will ask, generally people will decline.
Hey, I have a question based on one of the questions asked here.
If we do help someone out to their car and they want to tip us, are we aloud to accept that? I have never been told if we are aloud to or not.
I've been told that baggers can't solicit tips (as in ask for tips). But if the customer offers them a tip, I see this as doing their job well, and I see no reason not to accept it.
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Hey, I have a question based on one of the questions asked here.
If we do help someone out to their car and they want to tip us, are we aloud to accept that? I have never been told if we are aloud to or not.
I think you need to have all your English teachers fired for not teaching you the proper spelling of allowed. Aloud means loud enough to be heard; not in a whisper. Allow means to permit.
