The top five really annoying things about supermarkets

What drives you mad in supermarkets? Priscilla Pollara lists her bugbears

These days we all use supermarkets for every type of purchase. Punnet of pears? Tick. Rib of beef? Tick. Jumbo pack of plasters? Tick. Petrol? Tick. Insurance? Go on, why not. But despite offering us all we might ever want under one roof, supermarkets come with they’re own annoyances. These then, are my top five bugbears:

1. Trolley trouble

Why is it that when you arrive at a chain of trolleys, they always seem to be the sort that only function with a coin? And what if you don’t have loose shrapnel in your pocket?  That said, trolleys are even more maddening when they don’t work – or worse, when they break down mid-shop.  A trolley with a wheel on the blink, which leaves you helplessly swerving into those to your left, and to your right, behind and in front, is guaranteed to fray tempers and make enemies out of everyone else around.

2. Lack of choice

Most people are quite finicky about which supermarket they use. Why? Well, some believe there’s fresher fruit in certain places, friendlier customer service in others, and perhaps sometimes, shoppers become accustomed to a particular range of prices/special offers.

That said, first choices aren’t always guaranteed. Up and down the country, we all know of towns and cities that are unfairly monopolised by one large chain – whichever that may be. Where’s variety when you need it? It’s in these moments we ought to regret the way in which supermarkets have slowly done away with the vast swathes of characteristic local butchers, fishmongers, bakers, etc, which once made up our high-streets.

3. Self service hell

Self service machines in supermarkets are a complete waste of time – there, I’ve said it.

What exactly is the point of using a machine which cons you into thinking a transaction will be swift and simple, when almost 90% of the time, requires a shop-worker to bail you out of a loud, time-wasting and soul-destroying ‘please wait for assistance’ screen?

If it’s not because you’ve placed a bag in the wrong area, scanned something that’s ‘on offer’ or are attempting to buy booze of any variety, the ‘self-service’ (a contradiction of sorts) contraption will undoubtedly make the experience of buying food and wine a longer one. Why sign up for something swift, only to watch others fly by with ease at the human-operated till? 

4. Car park rage

If you’re the sort who shops at a supermarket that comes with its own theme-park-sized car park, have you ever wondered why it is so big? Because of their size, most shoppers like to park their cars as close to the shop’s door as possible – except everyone else will want to, too. Have you ever been gazumped and wanted to go crazy like in this clip? You're probably not alone.

Occasionally things get even more outrageous, like the pensioner who somehow flipped his car over.

5. Not finding what you want

I really dislike supermarkets that constantly change their layout. Do they think us all potential shoplifters and hence attempt at outsmarting our every move? Who knows, but it’s because of this ever-growing trend that a ‘quick dash to the shops’ can often mean that you may be some time.

Another bugbear of mine would have to be discovering that something has been discontinued. Supermarkets often do away with an item that their shoppers have loved for years, switching it either for a non-supermarket-brand version, or simply stopping its production once and for all. Isn’t their job all about trying to get us to come back for more?

What about you?

Perhaps it errs you when you pick up an item and it’s covered with the juice of some broken, spilt nearby package? Or do you feel like screaming when you see crates worth of perfectly-fine food carted away in the back because it’s past its ‘sell-by’ date? Or do you not bother visiting them anymore and do everything online via mysupermarket?

Supermarkets are infuriating. What do you think are their worst traits?

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Images by Frankie Roberto and Alex Martin used under Creative Commons