Seriously. I really believe that management sits around their big conference table drinking spiked egg nog and decides what will annoy customers the most. Disgruntled workers...check. Not enough cash registers open during peak shopping times....double check. Having cashiers answer the phone to answer questions stopping any form of service they were giving you at the moment...triple check. And a brand spanking new one to add to the list ......a big invisible sign that says "Line Forms Here or Not depending what time of day you come in and who happens to be working"
So, it's my second to the last stop before heading home with the boys. We perused the aisles, grabbed needed items as well as not so needed items, made an emergency trip to the potty and finally head towards the cash registers. After standing in front of the endcap debating whether Carlos should get Swedish fish or M&M's and grabbing the last package of Ghiradelli peppermint bark chocolates (which by the by are to die for....) we turned the corner and plopped our stuff down on the counter.
Of course, the cashier immediately disappeared....family emergency? Bathroom break? A fire? Who knows. While waiting for her to return, I was told by the nicest couple that there was one line to wait in. Really? I turned to the now present cashier and said where's the line? To which she vaguely pointed and said "over there." I turned to look for the sign indicating that there indeed was a line in which everyone was waiting, but all I saw was a row of shelves with christmas floral and scented candles. Befuddled, I then asked her when this new line business started. While giving me a blank look, I hear this snippy little voice from the next register, "we've been doing it for a month." Really? A month? Because, that's funny.....I've been in this same Michael's three times over the last week and not once did I form one line. So as to not cause any more confusion and delay, as Sir Topham Hat would say, I walked over to the nonexistent sign that would indicate one needs to form a line. I asked the lone person in the line how she knew she was supposed to stand there given there was nothing to indicate that this was even a place for a line. She said when she walked in she saw some people standing there. Retail peer pressure.
Ok. At this point, I honest to God thought someone was going to come out with a camera and "Punk" me. Now, let me tell you that a love the "form one line" concept. I practically, led the revolt at my neighborhood CVS to have them do a one line system after they did their remodel. People would aimlessly wander to the big bank of bored cashiers looking around at each other confused as to who was next, where they should go and why they were even there in the first place. I LOVE form one line. It totally make sense. However, you can't just decide as a group of cashiers on the fly that this is how you want it done without taking the proper pre arrangements. For the love of poster board, it's a craft store! There's got to be some paper and pencil somewhere to whip up a sign to tape to a shelf.....
Ok...are you still with me people. Good.
I finally walk up for my turn and nicely ask the young 20-something cashier, "Let's say someone walked in for the first time to this store. How would one know where to stand in line?" The look on her face clearly said "listen lady. I hate my job, I hate you. I hate your kids who are bouncing those damn noisy balls on the counter. And, I don't even like crafts. I'm just ringing up sales until I can get out of here, text my boyfriend and get on with my life." However, the actual words that came out of her mouth were "over there." I then responded with (very nicely, I might add) "over where? There's no sign. How is anyone supposed to know where to go?" as I pointed to the now empty line. She then sighed very loudly, and said "I don't know."
Sigh....
I hate you Michael's. I am never speaking to you again. I've had it.......I'll be by later tonight to pick up glue sticks and glitter. Love, Karin
