You Have To Take A Number

[max]

I went to the Western suburbs of Chicago for a funeral this afternoon. On the way home, I stopped at Bass Pro for a new pair of heavy hunting and snowblower socks. The shoe dept was near the firearms so I was looking around and 9mm ammo was not overly cheaply priced but reasonable, as I was buying other stuff, thought I would buy a box to add to the already considerable pile. One of the employees opened the locked case for another customer and was getting some ammo out. I politely asked if he would get me a box also. He said no "You have to take a number" and pointed to one of those electronic number things like bakeries and delis have. He went on and on as to how I had to have a number. The department was not crowded and the case was full of ammo so I wasn't trying to take ammo away from someone else.

I passed on the ammo and bought another $10 package of those small led flashlights they always have and headed on down the road.

 

[Salty RI]

Looks like you missed out on the cold cut.

 

[model70hunter]

They have been that way for some time. I went to buy something and was told to take a number. I did and waited while they B.S.ed more than work. I left. I taught them a lesson. They are still looking for #398,459 to pay for a bunch of stuff sitting on the gun counter..

 

[Aticus]

Bass Pro hires "associates" who are mostly college kids. They work cheap and don't have any experience in retail sales. They are given procedures and told not to deviate. They're in trouble if they do. Makes for a great customer experience.

 

[mstem]

When did workers stop being employees & become "associates"?

I would have dropped everything I had in the floor & left.

 

[Jack Flash]

Depending on how mouthy the clerk got, I probably would not have liked that treatment either.

But if that's the procedure, that's the procedure. Now you know.

 

[hoc9sw]

When did workers stop being employees & become "associates"?

That's a WalMart thing. Supposedly gives the employee a sense of participation in the company. Pity good companies are "emulating" them.

 

[Rastoff]

I would have dropped everything I had in the floor & left.

That's an interesting response. Why so harsh?

I see the number system as a reasonable way to handle items that are in high demand. This way everyone has the same opportunity to buy it. Also, by treating everyone the same, it keeps things fair.

Besides, had you taken a number, max, how long would you have had to wait?

 

[max]

The associate was no kid, probably in his 40's or more. I have no idea as to how long the wait would be. I just don't do well with silly rules. I could have gone to the counter, he locks up the case, walks back to the counter and tells me I am next. I would have understood if it was the last box and there were many people standing in line, but that was far from the situation. I would not have asked had that been the case.

I am glad it worked out the way it did. I went to Walmart this AM for windshield washer fluid and they had 9mm for $5 less per box. I got 3 boxes.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Yea we get a lot of that as we get older..............

Just wait until you have to go to the VA and get a refill on pills........................

GET a number, please..................

 

[roarindan]

"take a number to watch me walk out and buy my stuff at another store"

 

[Eagle 477]

Just think how long it may have taken if the associate didn't know how to read numbers.

 

[M3Stuart]

This may be hard to believe, but there are TONS of people out there, "customers", who have no knowledge of, or ability to wait in a, queue or 'line'.

The 'advanced' queue theory, where a large pile of people wait in one 'big' line, then go to the 'first available' cashier is particularly perplexing - and I mean all over the world. The U.S. is the only place I've ever seen it. Most people in the world can't wait in line at all. They just bunch up and try to crowd their way to the front.

So, you get the picture....they come here...perhaps to CHICAGO...and, VOILA, you're gonna 'take a number' from here on out....

 

[NZshooter]

When did workers stop being employees & become "associates"?

When "mail men" became "letter carriers" and "spokesmen" and "spokeswoman" became "spokesperson" and "waiters" and "waitresses" became "servers" and.... you get the point.

 

[gregintenn]

You discovered why I'm mostly an online shopper now. I'd rather push a few buttons than get out and mingle with what's left of society.

My mail deliverer and UPS guy are nice people.

 

[Bronco48]

Sorta related - Stopped by the Publix deli the other day. no one in line, stepped up and was asked for my number, stepped back, pulled a number off handed it over and then he proceeded to call off the 14 numbers before mine as he flipped the electronic sign. I forgot what I wanted...

 

[BigCityChief]

Sometimes the expression "The clerk is a jerk." is true. This is why I patronize businesses in which the owner is onsite whenever I can.


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