Why?

[lurker17260]

When the express line in woollies is halfway to the back of the store why do they turn around and serve people at the cigarette counter the moment they come through the door?  It makes my blood boil.

[*crikey*mate*]

That's far too logical crikey.  Not very friendly of you to stop me in mid rant like that X-(:^O

*looks ashamed*

sorry about that Lurker, but it's just part of the whole marketing game. The idea is to get you in the shop and to make you spend money - any shop, not just Woolies. This concept dictates everything from product placement to strategic pricing as well as who gets served when.

similarly in restaurants - the aim of the game is "bums on seats" so if there is someone waiting to be seated, they will get preference over someone who is already seated and they are waiting to give their order - and if there is someone who is seated and has not got a drink (or a breadroll or their serviette put on their laps etc) or is waiting to place an order, they will get served before the meal in the kitchen for another table is served. 1) Meet and Greet. 2) Lap Sip and Roll 3) Order 4) Feed

Another reason is too, is that because the cigarette counter is at the front of the shop, if customers are left to wait there and the area becomes crowded, it may make the store look too busy and crowded and potential customers may not even come in.

[cherry*135]

I don't go for that idea crikey.:-D We only have 1 supermarket in town, if you don't buy your cigarettes there isn't anywhere else nearby to buy them.

[cherry*135]

What about in a large shopping mall.. with one supermarket... that would be the only place that sells cigarettes? I have had to wait at Coles for ages at the service desk after being overcharged and waiting to get a refund, in line  with the hordes waiting to buy cigarettes.

I can think of 2 tobacconists, 1 in town and 1 in the mall but they have closed down in the last couple of years.

[*crikey*mate*]

*shrugs*

it's basic strategic marketing 101 - I didn't just make it up LOL

newsagents sell cigarettes, so do our corner stores and petrol stations here...

[2106greencat]

I am ashamed too lurker 😞

I should have more self control :-x

Just don't get between me and my next cigarette X-(

Are we clear ?? X-(  double angry face, steam, lava yadayada

[lurker17260]

:^O

[catsnknots]

--No ones serving them selves---open a couple more registers--how easy.

I love the self serve... no more laundry products in with my food... no more cracked eggs..... and other great stuff like that... 

most of my shopping is done at Aldi where you have to pack your bags anyway... they don't sell smokes so maybe go there instead OP??? 

[lurker17260]

Nup.  Small regional towns don't have the luxury off multiple shops to choose from. 

[toon_town_nutter]

Doesn't bother me, I always allow plenty of time to shop. I never go in shortly before I have an appointment or work or picking the kids up from something just on the chance I get stuck in a long line that way I don't get frustrated.

[happyroo_bunji]

Lurker where I work, we have customers that stand in front of closed signs at the smoke counter when I'm trying to serve in the express lane.  Now you'd think that seeing the closed sign, they would join the express line?  Nope, they stand there like dumb sheep and if I leave them there too long the boss will rip me a new one.