Chuck L.'s Profile

This QFC store has self check-out stations -- which I'm a "big" fan of...

Here's a link to my review of "self check-out" stations http://www.yelp.com/bi...

SELF CHECK-OUT STATIONS:
(The Silver Bullet of Pricing Integrity)

Self check-out stations enable you to scan in your own grocery items, and confirm each price, in real time, "before" you move onto the next item.

The best thing about a self check-out station, is you control the "pace". Whenever you dispute a price, just pause, and call the cashier to your station, to have them either correct the price, or remove the item. Then you scan in the remaining items from your shopping basket.

You pay the machine only "after" you have confirmed each price, and omitted any disputed items. Without ever being rushed.

Customer service is available if you request it, but it's not mandatory, and rarely needed. As with ATM's, the more you use self check-out stations, the more you like them.

Many people wait in line for a station, if necessary, rather than be served immediately by a cashier. And the line moves along quickly, because it feeds 4-8 self check-out stations, all monitored by one super-cashier.

CONVENTIONAL CHECK-OUT LANES:

The cashier's job at a "conventional" check-out lane, is to scan in your items quickly. Their "pace" is so fast, that verifying each price is tough enough, even at stores with plain pricing.

SHOPPING-CARDS "TIED" TO PRICES:

But when stores "tie" a shopping-card to their prices -- at a conventional check-out lane, it's impossible for you to verify each price. Because of the extra details stuffed into the same amount of time. You must now consider their inflated "regular" price, then make sure that a so-called discount even took effect, let alone for the correct amount -- all before the next item zips by.

In the quandary, you can't help but miss some details. And when you "misinterpret" items "tied" to a shopping-card, most ring up at unexpectedly higher prices. You are denied any time to decipher the complex receipt -- until "after" you've been pressured into paying, and are moving into the crowded exit area. At that point, they ridiculously offer to carry out even small bags -- under the guise of customer service, this policy is a polite way of saying, get out. But after leaving the store, food items can't be returned. So you're stuck with them, at the higher prices you were manipulated into paying.

REFUND DETERRENTS:

But if you prevail, and catch disputes before leaving the store, to add insult to injury, your punishment is to wait in the customer "service" line. To grovel for an adjustment, on items you would never have chosen at the deceptive prices. Finally, after you've jumped through their hoops, a frowning supervisor slaps some coins into your hand -- for more manipulation.

To avoid such tactics, patronize grocery stores with self check-out stations -- the Achilles heel of fraud.

INDUCED "MISTAKES":

These examples describe how customers are fraudulently manipulated into choosing "mistaken" items, often in cahoots with a shopping-card:

1) Sale signs prominently located near inapplicable, but confusingly similar, higher priced items -- outrageously, with no sale items in sight.

2) Sale signs put up before, or removed after the effective dates.

3) Missing or ambiguous small print on a sign.

4) No WARNING if you exceed a quantity limit.

5) When a cashier typo enters your phone number, you pay full price for everything, with no WARNING.

INTENTIONAL FRAUD:

Have you ever pointed out a bogus price sign, even gotten a refund, returned a day later, but to find the sign still there? Ever wonder how many others fell for the same "mistake", with no price adjustment? If you asked that supervisor, why a known bogus sign is still there, with no correction on day three, it can't be passed off as an oversight.

Observe these situations enough times, and intentional fraud becomes obvious, with employees corrupted into participating. Sadly, fraud is their job.

And when numerous stores in a chain engage in organized fraud, It's a conspiracy.

FRAUD JUSTIFICATION -- ONE LINERS:

1) "Everybody else does it" -- This is criminal logic. It's an admission.

2) "Read the sign, stupid" -- Just because they tricked you into selecting fraudulently priced items, does not entitle them to demand immediate payment, without verification, or to scorn you.

SUPERMARKET RECOMMENDATIONS:

BEST: Patronize stores with self check-out stations; Kroger owned (Fred Meyer, QFC, and others). And some Albertsons.

EXCELLENT: Shop at stores with plain pricing, and no shopping-cards; SuperValue owned Save-A-Lot, employee owned WinCo, and Walmart.

WORST: Reject grocery stores that "tie" prices to shopping-cards, but have no self check-out stations;

WHISTLE-BLOWER HARASSMENT:

When I ceased this whistle-blowing in Q4-2007, my daily harassment ended. Months later I resumed, and so did the harassment.

It's an abuse of power when law enforcement resources are "used" to harass a whistle-blower. They ought to go after crooked grocery chains, and their paid harassers, not be a source of aid to their illegal activities.

Free bi-weekly tabloid with unique coverage of North Portland. I read it in the food court of the Jantzen Beach SuperCenter http://www.yelp.com/bi... -- You can also have it delivered for $12 per year.

Areas covered are Arbor Lodge, Bridgeton, Cathedral Park, Hayden Island, Kenton, Linnton, Overlook, Portsmouth, St Johns and University Park.

It's similar in appearance to The Lewis River Review http://www.yelp.com/bi...

There's no shortage of free weekly tabloids in this area, but I can't resist flipping through this one. They're as opinionated as anybody, and the http://TroubleTown.com political satire cartoon is always a knee slapper.

I found this free monthly tabloid in a Vancouver entrance-way. At 28 pages it's huge; 2/3 local news, 1/3 advertising for "Woodland, Kalama & Points All Around". There's a lot of substance. It's delivered to the locals for free. For others a subscription is $25 per year. I wish they'd say "who" authored "each" article.

Authentic Mexican food. I highly recommend that you try out the tacos, they're the real thing, unlike corporate restaurants. Order at the counter, and they'll call your name out. Lots of seating and 2 TVs. Posted hours are 6am to 12pm, all 7 days.

Free weekly tabloid found in Portland and Vancouver paper machines, restaurants and lobbies. It contains articles and opinions I don't find elsewhere.

Good pizza, great fish and chips, large establishment, with lots of seating. Order at the counter, and they'll deliver to your table. FREE Wi-Fi, plus two web PC's for customer usage. Large additional room suitable for semi private get-togethers.

This is where most of the major conferences in Portland are held. It's right on the MAX Red and Blue lines (light rail), and just East, within walking distance of the Rose Quarter/Rose Garden and the MAX Yellow line.

Free monthly-sometimes-quarterly magazine. It focuses roughly 80% on Vancouver, with 20% about nearby photogenic destinations. The articles are well edited, with lots of glossy pictures. It can be found in local paper machines, or signup online and have it delivered for free. Nice web site too, informative without clutter.