Tired of always seeing 1 person working: anybody in retail???

[SolidSnake84]

Okay guys this is really a question here for anybody on ES that works in retail or the like, or has a spouse that does....etc:

My wife and I went to Walmart last night in Winchester, VA (The "Old One" for anybody who lives around there). It was not very late, only about 9:15 or so. We only had a few items, so we looked to find one of the express lanes. Needless to say, there weren't any that were open. There was only ONE register open, the one that sells the cigarettes.

There was about 8 people in line all with big carts, and a huge line was steadily forming. We looked around to see if ANYBODY was goign to come and open a new register, but nobody did.

I have encountered similar things at Martins, where only a few lanes have been open during peak times. Sheetz, no matter where you go, always seems to have only 1 or 2 people per shift.

So my question is to anybody who works at Walmart, or Sheetz, or the like. WHy does this happen? Is it just because the company can't afford to pay the extra person?? If that is so, then why are walmarts and grocery stores always built with 50 registers, but you'll never see more than 2 or 3 open?? This isnt a joke thread. This is an honest question about something that baffled me for some time....

[edgun88]

Well, it is Walmart. lol

[BALLz]

Yet they always have a greeter and goodbyer who sit there and do nothing.

[hockeysc23]

Its the hours you went. 9:15 are not peak hours. And it does deal with cost. They need to way the cost of checking you out quickly versus paying the salary(or hourly) and benefits for the customers that do come in.

Now if it had been 1p on a saturday or sunday I think you would have a point.

[sideshow24]

Yet they always have a greeter and goodbyer who sit there and do nothing.

Cart pimps who make sure you don't steal anything when the one clerk isn't looking.

[Kosher Ham]

Dont they have the self checkout lane ?

[No_Pressure]

Just open 5 self checkouts, put 1 person at a register to give the appearance that you haven't completely relegated your checkout duties to the customer and a computer that talks to them (you have), and keep the person at the door out to make sure the customers aren't robbing you blind.

Sounds like a fun business model.

[Painkiller]

Well if they hired another register employee, then they would only make 20 billion dollars a year in profits, as opposed to 22 billion a year. We can't do anything that might effect the living customs of the upper 1 percent right? They might have to sell their vacation home or something.

[Major Harris]

at least you're wise enough to not venture a few miles north to the martinsburg wal mart.

[Dictator]

how do you think WM gives you those cheap prices you crave?

[SolidSnake84]

The one on Rt. 50 in Winchester (The newest one) has self checkouts. The one we went to does not have them.

I never stopped to think that it had anything to do with their profit. I just figured they'd care enough to give you a half-decent customer experience.

The nicest WM i've ever been to is in Front Royal. Self Checkout lanes, and always 2 or 3 registers. Even at 10PM at night, they always have them both. it makes it nice for people with only a few items...

[PiLfan]

Well if they hired another register employee, then they would only make 20 billion dollars a year in profits, as opposed to 22 billion a year. We can't do anything that might effect the living customs of the upper 1 percent right? They might have to sell their vacation home or something.

wait...Walmart cash registers make $2B a year?


rushes to fill out a Walmart application...

[endzone_dave]

It seems like retailers are trying to push the envolope on providing as little service as possible. I've seen a change in restaurants too. They have fewer servers and it takes longer to get my food. I guess if we continue to let them treat us that way, they'll continue to do it.

[shuler74]

There seems to be 800 million managers that sit around and talk and act like they are doing something important with one worker with 100 customers ...why?

[Painkiller]

wait...Walmart cash registers make $2B a year?


rushes to fill out a Walmart application...

Nope, but if every Wal Mart hired another register employee...I mean, my god, the whole chain might go under.