Funny that was kind of our thoughts at the time!
) - I wonder if the increased security guards is having a noticeable effect on shop lifting. It's a step up from the cardboard policeman often situated right by the entrance door.Back on topic (
I have gone back to deliveries. Everything in stock on what I got this morning save for a substituted brand of toilet paper.
I took to Tesco home deliveries (for the first time in my life) when masks were mandated. I get substitutions (or none at all) less than once per delivery, so the system works for me. I just don't let my supply run down to 'the last squeeze of toothpaste' before ordering, so any items unavailable one week I just put on the following delivery. Pre-COVID I shopped several times per week - two or three times to Tesco plus top-ups from the high street discounters when out and about. COVID guidance meant a single weekly shop for everything - which was too much to carry. Pre-Maskification I had to change from a daytime shop to early evenings (around 1900) to avoid the queues.
If I wanted a microwave in a hurry I'd go to Tesco, Asda or Argos. Same thing, cheaper, staff know just as much about them (or not), and no pointless arguments about extended warranties. And it brings us back on topic - hurray!
Alternatively, how on earth do other sellers get away with charging so much (for extra fripperies)? My Panasonic, quite expensive back in 1997, has so many features that I simply never use - all those fish, potato, gratin pre-programmes. Plus a combination grill I can't remember using beyond the initial novelty period.
Personally, I would take payment up-front for a three course meal (per person). Turn up and spend less, you get the difference refunded. Fail to turn up you lose the full amount. If there are legal / card issuer problems around this, then you could call it a booking fee, or a non-refundable reservation fee, or something similar.
The problem with that for the average restaurant is that if one does that everyone who rings and gets told the policy will just book somewhere else.
I would reply that I'm looking for an HDMI cable for my interocitor. If it's a contract security guard they would probably be too embarassed to ask what that was, if it's one of Currys' spotty youths, they'd know that HDMI cables are a good overpriced product in the shop, (but not want to get into a conversation because most of them don't know much more than that)!
It's not Tesco's fault that queueing customers don't keep the right distance.
This topic is slightly off for this thread, but I believe that the 'showroom mode' is the future for high street retail outlets. The days of stores having everything that they sell in stock have already gone, - especially in the white/brown goods market. Much of the floorspace in John Lewis stores is now rented by the manufacturers/distributors of the products, e.g. the TV department has a Panasonic stand, then there's a Sony stand etc.. Virtually none of the items are in stock in the branch, they are usually sent next day from their MK (for the south-east) warehouse direct to the buyer's home.
)Well it is as people didn't need to be queueing in the first place and also people had to stand close together otherwise they were in the road and car park. Unless we can all fly there wasn't any other option.
I would reply that I'm looking for an HDMI cable for my interocitor. If it's a contract security guard they would probably be too embarassed to ask what that was, if it's one of Currys' spotty youths, they'd know that HDMI cables are a good overpriced product in the shop, (but not want to get into a conversation because most of them don't know much more than that)!
I used to do it regularly until Hotels.com started doing 10th night free, but I am an outlier who often isn’t sure how far they will get until they get there.