Do you ever say anything to the people who take too many items to the express counter at the store?

Question

For instance, the people who take 30 items to the 15 items or less register. Taking one or two items more than is allowed isn't really a problem. But what about the people who take a whole cartload through the express lane. Do you ever say anything to them?

I never have.

Answer 1

I don't think I would because i have done it by accident. I honestly didn't even realize it and when I did, trust me I felt like a big enough @ss without someone having to point it out.

Answer 2

Wouldn't it be nice if the register would automatically total after the "Express lane" limit? I have been in this situation to many times to be tolerant. People do make honest mistakes, but most are just trying to beat the system. Please, when I am going through the express I count my items before hand . I know the limit, so why be ignorant. I am not talking about being bumped into the lane by a cashier, or 1 or 2 items above. I am talking about people in the busiest time of the day, disregarding other people to get an edge.
I do believe that it is the employee's place to point out this error so as to not cause fist fights in the parking lot.

Answer 3

I haven't because it should be up to the cashier to handle it. I have taken a couple of extra items into the express lane without realizing it and I said "Oops, I'll go to the next line" and people behind me told me to go ahead and stay in the express lane. Also, I wanted to add, that if stores do not want people using the express lanes they need to open more regular checkstands. It is really irritating when there are 10 lanes and only two being used...kind of like going to the bank.

Answer 4

I was once in the non-express lane and the person ahead of me dropped a jar in line and so the cashier told me to go to the express lane. When I did, no one got behind me until the cashier was half way ringing me up. This lady who came up said to the cashier that I didn't have less than 15 items (as if I wasn't even there). The cashier didn't say anything to defend me even though she knew I was told to come to her lane because of the broken glass in the other aisle. So I ended up having to explain to this lady and everyone else behind her that I didn't come to this line deliberately. I was kinda mad that I had to explain because I was getting nasty looks. So to answer your question, I don't say anything because the person ahead of me may have a good reason.

Answer 5

NO i have not, but i have often heard the cashier say "Ma'am/Sir you have too many items" in the instance that they have just a few over the allowed amount usually they let them pass, becuase its happend to me.. having 27 in a 20 or less lane.

Answer 6

I admit, I'm passiv aggressive. I don't say anything to them personally. But sometimes I'll make a loud comment to the cashier or person next to me about it.
The only exception was when I worked as a cashier. We were allowed to politely remind offenders that they were in the wrong line.
However, just so everyone knows, cashiers often CAN'T say anything to customers about this for fear of losing their jobs. I worked at two different locations of a chain grocery store. At one, we were allowed to, at the other we were absolutely positively not.

Answer 7

I have said something on the few occasions this has happened to me (especially if it looks like they're doing it on purpose), but make exceptions if it's an elderly person or something.

I don't wait for the cashier to say anything, because the person may have his/her stuff loaded on to the belt by the time the cashier sees what's going on, and then it would be more difficult to remedy the situation.

Answer 8

Yes, I say "I think you may be confused - this is the line for 15 items or fewer."
If they are ahead of me, I get an employee to help them to the correct line. If they are behind me, I just leave it at the statement and let the people behind them decide what to do about it.

Answer 9

If you can afford to wait the extra 5 minutes, then be courteous and patient! Grab a magazine and enjoy the opportunity to relax for a few minutes.

If, however, you are in a hurry, and it is extremely obvious the person ahead of you is well over the 15 item limit, then it is okay to say something. The key is to be friendly while informing the person they are in the express lane of less than 15 items.

Ex: "Excuse me honey, I hate to be rude, but you see, this is the express lane meant specifically for less than 15 items, and i couldnt help but notice your cart is filled to the rim. If you wouldnt mind, I'd really appreciate it if you moved to a regular lane-- And actually the one just three over from here seems the shortest. Thanks!"

Answer 10

No...at least not directly to them, if I'm with someone, depending on my mood, I may say something about it loud enough to be heard by the offender or I'll just give them a nasty look and if they make eye contact with me, I'll look at the '15 items or less' sign so they undertand.

Answer 11

I ask them if I can get infront of them since they clearly cant read the english signs posted around the check out. That usually draws the attendant who then kicks them outta the line!