A grocery store cashier has a high-pressure job. Their performance is often measured by their “items per minute” scanning speed. While they are there to help you, there are a few specific items that can make their job frustrating and messy. These are the products that will break their rhythm, dirty their station, or are just difficult to handle. Here are ten of the items that cashiers secretly cannot stand scanning.
1. Raw Meat, Especially Chicken
This is the number one most-hated item. The thin, plastic-wrapped packages of raw chicken or ground beef will often leak their contaminated juices onto the conveyor belt. When this happens, the cashier has to stop the entire line. They must then find a sanitizing spray and a cloth. They have to clean and to disinfect the entire belt. This is a major, unhygienic hassle for them.
2. Loose Produce (Like Apples or Onions)
When you place a dozen loose apples on the conveyor belt, they will roll everywhere. The cashier has to try and wrangle all of them. Then, they have to pick up each apple to weigh it and to enter the PLU code. This is a huge time-killer that slows down the entire line. It is much better to use a plastic produce bag.
3. Large, Heavy Bags of Pet Food or Salt
A 50-pound bag of dog food or a 40-pound bag of water softener salt is a major physical burden. The cashier often has to strain to lift the heavy, awkward item to find the barcode. This can lead to a workplace injury. Most cashiers would much prefer it if you used the handheld scanner for these items.
4. Greeting Cards and Magazines
The barcode on a greeting card or a magazine is almost always in a tiny, hard-to-find spot. It is also often hidden among the other text on the cover. The cashier has to stop their flow. They must pick up the item. They have to flip it over and over again to hunt for the one, tiny barcode. This is a very frustrating interruption.
5. Bags of Ice
A bag of ice is a cashier’s nightmare. The bag is cold, wet, and often starting to leak. This makes it very uncomfortable to handle. The plastic packaging of the bag is also often crinkled or faded from the moisture. This makes the barcode almost impossible for the scanner to read, which forces a manual entry.
6. Any Item Without a Barcode
This is the ultimate time-waster. An item from the bakery or a piece of local produce might be missing its barcode sticker. When this happens, the cashier has to stop everything. They must call a manager or a produce clerk for a price check. This brings the entire line to a complete and very frustrating halt.
7. Clothing on Hangers
In a superstore that sells clothing, the hangers are a major problem. They often get caught on the register or snag on the bags. They are just a clumsy and awkward item to handle. The cashier has to use one hand to scan the tag and the other hand to wrestle with the hanger.
8. Hard Plastic “Clamshell” Packaging
The hard, molded plastic “clamshell” packages for electronics or for some produce are a scanner’s enemy. The barcode is often on the curved, shiny, or recessed part of the plastic. This makes it very difficult for the laser scanner to get a good read. The cashier has to scan it over and over again.
9. Any Item That Is Still in the Cart
A cashier is not supposed to leave their register. When a customer has a hefty item, like a case of water, in their cart, they will often ask the cashier to “just scan it in the cart.” This forces the cashier to leave their station. They must grab the awkward, handheld scanner. This breaks their rhythm, and it slows down the line.
10. A Leaking Carton of Milk
A leaking carton of milk or a broken jar of a liquid is another “all-hands-on-deck” problem. It creates a mess on the belt. It can also get on the other grocery items. The cashier has to stop to clean up the spill and send someone to get a replacement item. This is a major and very sticky delay for everyone.
The View from the Register
The job of a cashier is a much more difficult and physical one than many people realize. They are in a constant race against the clock. These few, problematic items are the ones that always break their rhythm. They can turn a smooth and fast transaction into a slow, frustrating one. By being a more mindful and organized shopper, you can help to make their day just a little bit easier.
Have you ever worked as a cashier? What was the one item that you hated to scan? Let us know your stories in the comments!
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The post 10 Groceries That Cashiers Say They Can’t Stand Scanning appeared first on Grocery Coupon Guide.
