Gonzo vs. Big Retail

[Gonzo]

Whoever thought this process was a good idea needs to be hung by their eyelids...

A few days ago I needed to purchase some applewood discs for my electric Bradley smoker so I could smoke a turkey for an office thanksgiving party. The following is the chain of events that took place at this large retail sporting goods store: I'll not mention the name of said store but for the ease of storytelling, we'll call it Cadella's.

I enter Cadella's at approximately 09:45 CST for one item, a box of Bradley Applewood Smoking Biscuits. Upon entry, two elderly gentlemen (approximately 65 years old) look at me with a ravenous, predatory smile. Both of them were wearing upland hunting gear, (blaze-orange hats, bird vests, plaid shirts and burr-proof pants) which always baffles me.

My feeble attempts to ignore them and not make eye contact proved worthless. The first geriatric greets me with a, "Good morning sir, do you have a Cadella's club card?" I reply with a polite, (yet blunt) "No, I don't."
The second 'greeter' then asks me if I would like to sign up and save 25% on today's purchases.
To this I give another stern, (yet polite) "No thanks."
The first gomer then says, "Really? It only takes a few minutes."
I reply with, "I don't have time nor am I interested., thank you."

It was like I kicked them both in the testicles. They couldn't understand why I wouldn't want to sign up for their awesome ****ing 'Club Card'. I felt as though I was going to get tackled and forced into a dark room for "Reprogramming" i.e. A Clockwork Orange. It took an amazing spin-move that would remind some of a young Earl Campbell to get by these two elderly statesmen. I'll never be able to prove it, but I could've sworn I saw one of them talk into the cuff of his plaid shirt and say something like, "The rooster is in the henhouse, all units converge." Meh, could've been my imagination.

I began progressing to the rear of the store when I decided to take a slight detour and check out the used gun area. (I am a collector of Browning Automatic Rifles and older Ithaca/SKB shotguns.) Behold, there was a 12 guage Ducks Unlimited model Ithaca XL900 for sale. (Of which I have two but I need to prep for the upcoming apocalypse, right?) Pricetag?
$550
GET THE **** OUTTA HERE...

I move on, not even tempted to try haggling with these douchers.
Eureka! Found what I needed. One box of applewood left. Time for a strategic exit.
Now then, what year is this? 2012...right?
This is the age of instant gratification and self check stations. Amirite?
NOOOOO, **** no.
I figure Cadella's must recruit their cashiers from the local VFW post or the Omaha Lutheran retirement home. These guys are older than the two "Greeters" by a good 10 years.

A side note...
Listen, I respect my elders. Especially our greatest generation. But these guys don't need to be operating today's sophisticated registers. They really don't.
Anyway, back to business.
I assess my situation. Three open registers, (out of at least 20 that could be running) and all three of them have a line of at least two people waiting and one processing. The lag was excruciatingly slow. I picked my line and waited... And waited...
Someone slid in line behind me and I asked them if they packed a lunch.
FINALLY! My turn. I place my one item on the table and Edward, (my spry, 80 year old cashier) asked me if I found everything ok.
"Yes."
He then picked up the box and went to scan the bar code. Before doing so he flipped the box over and read the label. "Applewood Smoking Biscuits, what are these fur?" (He said 'for' like 'Fur')
"My electric smoker." I replied. I figure about now my face must be almost purple with anger.
"Huh?" Edward tilted his head so I can speak right into his hearing aid.
"MY ELECTRIC MEAT SMOKER!" I was almost yelling.
"Oh, those werk purty good?" He asked.
The heat coming off my head could be used to defrost a walk-in freezer by now. I could see a seizure in my future.
"It does alright." I muttered. At this point, a seizure would be welcomed.
Finally, ol' Eddy scans the box. He turns to me and asks, "What's your phone number?"
WHAT. THE. ****.
Right?
Screw it, I'm not going to fight anymore. I give him my fax.
He enters it, (after I repeat the last four digits, twice).
Then it happened.
"Are you a Club Card member?"
I could see a slight grin and I knew instantly. Those two bastards from up front had me ID'd and told old Eddy to give it the old college try, one more time.
I could smell burnt matches, 'must be having a stroke.' I thought.
"N-N-No, I'm not." I sobbed.
"Well, if ya got a few minutes, you could save 25% on this here." He said.
Well friends, let me say. If I had been armed I might have been on the 10:00 pm news that night.
I don't condone acts of random violence like that, but I understand it.

After nearly blacking out, I exited the facility at 10:30 a.m.
10 minutes of legitimate shopping, 35 minutes of waiting, being hassled, harassed and just verbally beaten. You just cannot possibly run in and out of this place to get what you need. You have to go through hell for a 20 dollar box of applewood.
But hey, I saved 25% which is cool.

[Gonzo]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Basically the story is:

A greeter at a store asked me if I wanted a store card to save 25% off of todays purchase. I said no.

I bought what I wanted.

I got in line and had to wait a few extra minutes because of a poorly trained elderly checkout person who also asked me if I had a club card.

Tarantino probably wants to buy the movie rights.

Not a fan if subtlety/sarcasm or descriptive writing?

The story was more about how it took me nearly an hour to get in and out of the place with just a single purchase.

[loochy]

WTF man? Calm yourself. They always ask me about the card when I go to Cadellas OR Cass Pro. All you need to say is "no sir" and they shut up.

Also, for what it's worth, the Cadellas here has excellent customer service and is almost always a very quick in and out. I picked up some bead heads and a hackle neck the other day and I was in and back in my car in less than 10 minutes.

[MITCH]

Gonzo.. I think the problem is old people do not rush anything. I am in mid 40's and sometimes being around my dad can be pain in butt. My goal is usually to get something done that day. His goal for same task would to be get it done that week. I believe time is just different as people age.

[Deberg_1990]

I feel your pain somewhat...

Last night i closed the door in a Kirby salesmans face after i had already told him no and i wasnt interested twice, he continued to try and sell me one. I figure saying No 2 times is more than enough.

No means No....something salespeople cant and refuse to understand.

[Strongside]

For what it's worth, these people hate asking as much as you hate being asked. They are pressured by their management and, in some cases, have a quota to hit. Most big box retail stores have a set # of credit apps that must be approved every month before management teams can receive profit sharing, bonuses, etc.

Just remember that they are just trying to do their job...as inconvenient as it may be. I worked in retail while in college and had to ask about credit cards. I'd say 70% of the people who applied were denied...which always left me feeling guilty. If you're going to be mad at someone, be mad at the guy behind the desk at corporate headquarters.

[patteeu]

Good story, but I'm not sure Earl Campbell really had much of a spin move. He had a little-sidestep-and-if-you're-still-in-front-of-me-I'll-just-run-through-you move though.

Here's a highlight video of Campbell. His only spin is at 0:51 and in reality he's getting spun. Check the video starting at about 2:45 for what Earl Campbell really did well though. Holy moly.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by cdcox

Don't forget the 20 minutes to bitch about it on CP.

Ya spin a good yarn thar, fella.

I have to agree. I was captivated.

[tooge]

shoulda got a real smoker and you could just go out into the woods and cut some oak

[Iowanian]

It must be "shark week" at your house because friend...you seem to be a little backed up.


While frustrating, this appears to be a pretty standard store interaction in almost any chain. Be it Lowes, Home Depot, Bass Pro, Tar-Jeah, Sheels......

You want a lid blower.....install a gas insert fireplace that requires 8 tech visits over the first year and have a "delayed ignition combustion" a few feet from your kids. You think you had a bad day...you didn't want to be that retailer.

[Inspector]

65 years old?

Elderly?

Geriatric?

Really?

I think your perspective is a bit whacked there sonny.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Iowanian

It must be "shark week" at your house because friend...you seem to be a little backed up.


While frustrating, this appears to be a pretty standard store interaction in almost any chain. Be it Lowes, Home Depot, Bass Pro, Tar-Jeah, Sheels......

You want a lid blower.....install a gas insert fireplace that requires 8 tech visits over the first year and have a "delayed ignition combustion" a few feet from your kids. You think you had a bad day...you didn't want to be that retailer.

You're not supposed to install gas fireplace in your trailer, dude.

[Iowanian]

Well, technically that there, is an R. V. ...Clark.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Iowanian

Well, technically that there, is an R. V. ...Clark.

[Bwana]

It's a culture thing with Cadella's, they do the same thing at the one here in town. Those guys must get some kind of spiff for signing people up. I do have one of their cards that I use for business and used the points to get a big Yeti Cooler this summer.

With that being said, I went several years without having one and they would pull the same thing. When they would ask at the door, I would just tell them "Yes I do." The problem ended with those three words. Just be glad you weren’t in there on black Friday. My guess is you would have needed a shave by the time you would have been able to escape.

[Lumpy]

This is why I never go to Cadella's w/ Gonzo.