Stupidstore (or Loblaws in the East) - Part One

A weekly ritual of ours is to visit the grocery store on Wednesday evenings after work. I've actually spoken to friends many times about Stupidstore, but since this is my first writeup (with many more to come) about them, I've titled it "Part One"

There are three major grocery chains in Whitehorse: SuperValu, Extra Foods, and Superstore. All three are owned by the same company, Loblaw Companies Limited. There are a few other small grocery stores in town but their prices are usually more expensive. All three of the main stores have different fliers that get distributed weekly, but their prices are identical. The only difference between these stores is the variety of groceries they sell and their price of non advertised goods. Superstore usually has the most variety and the lowest prices for what we usually need.

So this last Wednesday we make our trek to Stupidstore. We usually print out a list of groceries to buy that are on sale (they have a weekly online flyer), but sometimes we are too busy and forget to do it during the day. In all the Stupidstores I've been to in Western Canada, they always have fliers in the front entrance. The Whitehorse Stupidstore usually does not have any in the front, so we always go to the customer service counter to see if they have any there. As usual, their excuse every week is that they ran out. It isn't a big deal if it happens once and awhile, but if it happens every week, management should fix this problem.

While I was looking for a flyer, my wife saw some nice potted Lilies on sale for $0.99. As usual, she likes to get some plants or flowers for the house, so we got two pots.

For some reason, every evening around 5:30pm, Stupidstore has the fewest number of cashiers, but the most people shopping during that time. The check out area has about 15-20 cash registers but approximately only 6 of them were manned. Each cash register had about 5 full carts waiting in line. Even the "10 items or less" cash register had about 8 people in the line up. We lined up in the regular check out and waited for about 20 minutes or so.

Stupidstore has a policy of giving you the item for free (under $10) if the label price is different than the number at the cash register. We've made it a game to spot the irregularities and have got quite a few items for free from them! When our items were being scanned into the system, I noticed that they charged us $5.00 for each plant...

Me: I think the plant is supposed to be $0.99
Stupidstore Cashier: Really? Ok, I'll subtract the $5 and then charge you $0.99 for it. (it's funny she didn't bother to confirm this!)
Me: Oh wait... you are supposed to give it to me for free since the price is different.
Stupidstore Cashier: Really? Ummm... I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do...
Me: Why don't you get customer service over here and they'll teach you how to do it.
Stupidstore Cashier: Ok... (she then screams across the store for someone to come over, but there was only one person in customer service, and they had a line up also)
Me: Looks like they are too busy to come... why don't you just charge me the $5 (times 2) and I'll go ask for a refund and get them for free! :-)
Stupidstore Cashier: Oh, ok. I guess that works.

After paying the cashier, we line up again at the customer service counter.

Me: This plant is supposed to be $0.99. You can see the price right next to you (the plants were selling by the entrance and customer service is right beside the entrance also)
Stupidstore Customer Service: Could you please show me your receipt and take the plants out of the bag?
Me: Ok.
Stupidstore Customer Service: Are you sure they are $0.99?
Me: Yes, as I just said, they are $0.99 and I already mentioned to you that the price is RIGHT BESIDE your desk... (I didn't say this, but I wanted to add, "...if you just turn your head!")
Stupidstore Customer Service: Oh yeah, you are right. Ok, here's your refund.

At the end of the day, we got a couple free plants that my wife likes. The money isn't a big deal as the game is more fun to me. At least once a month, we are getting something for free at the Stupidstore. It's like landing in Free Parking (in Monopoly) and collecting $500 every other time you pass Go. :-)