No way to get out of some supermarkets! (NETTO for example!)

Tizz

My local Lidl also always has a queue of people with a trolley full and only one checkout open, but its always the one at the end nearest the wall, so there is space there to get past. I've never managed to fill more than a basket there although I am currentlly harvesting a terrific crop of cornichons from a 48p packet of seeds I got there in the spring. And as for checkout staff and the speed they chuck your stuff off the conveyorbelt, a couple of women in my local Sainsburys used to be devils for that, it would stack up, squashing everything, faster than I could grab it .... but they could throw it as fast as they liked, I pointedly didn't give them my payment cards until I had finished packing. But it doesn't happen anymore.

Altarf

In suggesting various options that customers can take to be able to leave the store, people seem to be missing the point that Lidl (and others) have taken the business decision to stop customers leaving easily if they have not bought something. Installing 4 foot high gates with locks shows that this is not an accidental situation, Lidl have deliberately done this.

I do not see why I should need to sneak out the entrance, go and find a member of staff or do any of the other things suggested. I will go to the tills and if there is an open barrier walk through it, if not I will open a barrier. If Lidl don't want the gates forced open, they should warn customers that they are locked and display clear instructions about how to operate the hidden locking mechanism or directions to an alternative exit.

The customer should not need to find a solution to Lidl's poor customer service.

Wig

Tizz wrote:

My local Lidl <snip> I've never managed to fill more than a basket there

Baskets? in Lidl? not in the ones near me, I have to use a cardboard box from one of the products.

although I am currentlly harvesting a terrific crop of cornichons

Whats a cornichon?

I pointedly didn't give them my payment cards until I had finished packing.

That's what went through my mind when I read that above too.

Wig

Altarf wrote:

Lidl have deliberately done this.

Yes they have, so they don't need a security man on the door.

I do not see why I should need to sneak out the entrance, go and find a member of staff or do any of the other things suggested. I will go to the tills and if there is an open barrier walk through it, if not I will open a barrier. If Lidl don't want the gates forced open, they should warn customers that they are locked and display clear instructions about how to operate the hidden locking mechanism or directions to an alternative exit.

You ain't sneaking out, you're leaving the store by the easiest method.

You said you would push or unlock the tills, well that's fine, I've done similar stuff to get out. However, I assume you're replying to Ivan who suggested if you damage it you will be liable, I'm afraid this is true, so It's best not to force, but to push and work out logically what the locking mechanism is.

The customer should not need to find a solution to Lidl's poor customer service.

Ok, so now you know what they are like, don't go there, or use one of the afore mentioned ways to get out.

Tizz

Sorry I meant the equivalent to about a basketful, or in reality, a good piled between my arms full.

A cornichon is a little gerkhin or if you let them grow big, I believe they're sometimes known as "Wallies" down here in some parts of Bristol (my husbands territory) I've got three jars worth sitting in salt on my worktop getting ready to be pickled, that i picked today, and you have to be out every other day picking or they get too big.

bluckaneyr

Members here and the main comsumer groups should now demand that stores respect their customers' welfare and not corral them in like sheep, as if they were all suspect shoplifters.
After all, these stores have a legal obligation to supply a safe environment for their customers.

Thats why I feel there is a serious "Health and Safety" issue behind the growing practises of some stores in deliberately closing or obstructing exit routes.

If a store had to be evacuated in a hurry, all exits should be open. Having only one till area as the sole evacuation route is not in compliance with normal fire-exit standards for venues where people gather.

These stores probably have some form of evacuation plan, including where staff are supposed to open all exits in emergencies - but, even if they have, this seriously delays and restricts the evacuation.

In an emergency situation, these stores must expect and plan for panic - there would be a rush towards all the closed tills, people falling over barriers etc, possibly in the midst of a power failure and semi darkness.
Stores should not be allowed to deliberately obstruct exits that create such risks for the public, whatever about the effect of shoplifting on their annual profits.

Perhaps it's now time that legistation is enforced more strictly and Health and Safety officials inspected each store to identify where there are unacceptable restrictions on exit.
Stores should be closed down until they comply with fire-exit requirements.

Stores should also be required to display their EVACUATION PLAN more prominently than their oneliners about prosecuting shoplifters.

Wig

You just made me think about this again, and I suspect, that the barriers are probably required to be designed to give way when pushed.

The poster way above said it made a god awfull noise when he did push it open. I suspect it is designed to make noise but also to give way, so shop assistants will hear it if it is opened.

Someone might want to ask a store manager about this.

Altarf

Wig wrote:

You just made me think about this again, and I suspect, that the barriers are probably required to be designed to give way when pushed.

They are not designed to give way. It took all 15 stone leaning against it with all my force to get it to move. It didn't sound well as it opened. As an aside, an assistant at the next till didn't bother to assist or offer any advice as to how it should open, even when asked.

I now know that there is a hidden unmarked catch, which needs to be lifted, before the gate will open. In an emergency I severely doubt that it would be discovered in time, and I also doubt that many customers would be able to shift the barrier in its locked state.

Wig

Fair enuff, how about asking the store manager to comment next time you're in there.

I was just in Tescos they have barriers which if you want to open properly, you lift and swing them, but I was curious, and gave it a shove, it did move on a ratchet, making a loud click with each 4 inches or so but it was easy to move, it is also only 2.5 feet off the floor so you can step over too.

IvanOpinion

For goodness sake, the solution is simple .. if you don't like a shop or its layout go and shop somewhere else. If you feel a shop is a health and safety then you should point it out to the relevant authorities before you run away in fear. If you vandalise a shop then don't complain if they have you arrested and make you pay for the vandalism.

When I worked in a supermarket people discussed 'shrinkage' which was generally to cover loss through shop lifters (amongst other things). The figure for shrinkage was about 5% and this simply got incorporated into the prices. Therefore is everybody honest person happy that they pay up to £5 in every £100 to cover the dis-honest minority? If simple barriers can keep this figure lower then it makes sense ... particular for supermarkets who are now selling small high-value items (and they don't want to have to force their cashiers to have to leave the checkouts to get the product).

At worst it is a very very very minor inconvenience ... as I usually say, I just wish it was my biggest problem in life.

Ivan