First of all - I have been a Costco member for a dozen years. I love their bread, organic products and El Grande sized hair products. I line up in December for the fresh turkeys and scrap with other members over the size 3 kids crocs in the Spring. But despite the love I have some hate for the Costco crowd.
First of all - parking. Why do Grandmas and truckers lose their sh&t in the parking lot? People seem to lose all sense of the linear concept of parking lots. They weave in and out and drive in the middle of the parking lot. It's like the comment rules of the road cease to exist the moment you merge into the parking lot from the non Costco world. I have seen senior citizens chase pregnant moms and toddlers out of the blank space of a parking space so they can turn in. I have watched huge Ford F 350s barrelling down the causeway of the entrance. Really people? There is LOTS of parking. So maybe you need to play chicken with the crazies behind the wheel in order to get to the entrance of Costco - but seriously it must start with the understanding that all the people piling out of the Costco are probably not taking the bus... which means that they are going to a parked car. Cut them some slack and let them get to their cars alive... its a win win! You can park there after they clear out.
Costco even acknowledges that they have a parking lot mentality problem! They have added 'bumper' spaces between the spaces! Bliss! Its like every stall is a handicapped stall. Except they are all not close to the entrance. But you can swing those doors open and you are not likely to whack anyones paint job! Sweet!
Once you get through the bouncers at the front of the store (really Costco? Is this neceesary for the double check for the card? I can't tell you how many times I have taken my card out of my wallet to show the Stasi at the door, only to lose it when I need to pass the second security check! And don't get my started on the THIRD check of my bill at the door. UGH! Next it will be retinal scans) it is a free for all during the gaunlet run of the 'specials' till you get the real store. All the while dodging Costco sized grocery carts and lookiloos - just trying to get to the granola bars. How many injuries are susatined in this process? Costco parking lot drivers turn into grocery cart maniacs once in the store.
All the rules about grocery shopping seem to go out the window. It might be the books in the middle of the store. It might be the overwhelming numbers of chocolate bars in close proximity. All of a sudden I am playing dodge ball with my cart trying to go through the ailes. And to add to the Olympic / Herculean effort being exerted you are rewarded with a further challenge of negotionating the sampler people! I swear multiple families plan their trips to Costco based on the sampler days. I should just turn around the first aisle I see these folks on... it always ends with a very strong urge to smack.
Finally I am done my shopping, have shelled out 30% of my paycheck and it is time to battle the parking lot and get home. Costco is a necessary evil for me - I have 2 boys who will likely manage to suck away my RRSP contributions for the next 15 years with their empty pit stomachs. But soon I am going to come prepared wearing full hockey gear (stick included) for the wilds of the Aisles from Hell.
Recommendations for Costco - more cashiers, less security points and more staff on the floor and parking lot directing traffic. Thanks! Love the biscotti!
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Thursday, July 5, 2012
MOAs - not all just the crabby ones
My #1 kid sees a pediatrician... well all three children do and they happen to have different pediatricians due speciality (ADHD, prematurity & respiratory). I have been around medical offices quite often. I ADORE my GPs receptionist (Karen you are a gem).
However since December 2011 I have been dealing with am MOA from HE double hockey sticks. She gives you attitude on the phone (lots of Pffts, sighing, etc). I just know as I sit there with my mom sized calender she is going to offer me every crappy appoinment or conflicting appointment she can think of (as I am sure she is clairvoyant & trying to create the most amount of dialogue in to secure one appointment so that she can pratice her bitch tone), she fails to forward on messages to the doctor about prescriptions, she fails to call when she is delayed doing something about your appointment.
But today she went off the bitch reservation and called my house after an appointment to yell that I had confirmed that I would change my appointment today by 15 minutes. Irony is that my sweet Mennonite mother in law answered the phone (and not hag me). So she yelled at the wrong woman. My mother in law meekly told her that she would pass on the Holwer message. Cue 1 hour later when I get home. MiL does her best 'bitch' impression (which she hardlyhas any pratice at and can in no way due this MOA justice).
I sit and muse for about 30 minutes about what I am going to do.... 1) call her back and give it back to her, b) write a letter to the pediatricans and advise about the hellion that have on the phone, c) sit and stew and blog about it. Turns out I am not so good at sitting on it and decided that I can call her back AND blog about it! Win win!
Discounted the letter to the pediatricians unless I could find a way to send a letter to them which by passed the front desk.
Like all bullies she turned and ran when I called back... apologies and sadness.... me thinks that someone was lectured before hand because she was all puppies and balloons when I debated with her the importance of professionalism not withstanding the huge breach of confidentiality speaking about out appointment with someone who she did not bother to confirm was a family member. As she tried to defend her douchiness by saying that she called our hous this morning to change to appointment I had to remind her of technology and the fact that we have call display and the last time she called our house was on July 4th to confirm the scheduled time.
So a big kick in the shins to people who work in public but hate to deal with people. I quite like our pediatrician so I will endure her Asshole act.... but maybe when I see her next time I will make sure that I bring her a starbucks card because obviously karma is a bitch and she is about to get a beat down.
However since December 2011 I have been dealing with am MOA from HE double hockey sticks. She gives you attitude on the phone (lots of Pffts, sighing, etc). I just know as I sit there with my mom sized calender she is going to offer me every crappy appoinment or conflicting appointment she can think of (as I am sure she is clairvoyant & trying to create the most amount of dialogue in to secure one appointment so that she can pratice her bitch tone), she fails to forward on messages to the doctor about prescriptions, she fails to call when she is delayed doing something about your appointment.
But today she went off the bitch reservation and called my house after an appointment to yell that I had confirmed that I would change my appointment today by 15 minutes. Irony is that my sweet Mennonite mother in law answered the phone (and not hag me). So she yelled at the wrong woman. My mother in law meekly told her that she would pass on the Holwer message. Cue 1 hour later when I get home. MiL does her best 'bitch' impression (which she hardlyhas any pratice at and can in no way due this MOA justice).
I sit and muse for about 30 minutes about what I am going to do.... 1) call her back and give it back to her, b) write a letter to the pediatricans and advise about the hellion that have on the phone, c) sit and stew and blog about it. Turns out I am not so good at sitting on it and decided that I can call her back AND blog about it! Win win!
Discounted the letter to the pediatricians unless I could find a way to send a letter to them which by passed the front desk.
Like all bullies she turned and ran when I called back... apologies and sadness.... me thinks that someone was lectured before hand because she was all puppies and balloons when I debated with her the importance of professionalism not withstanding the huge breach of confidentiality speaking about out appointment with someone who she did not bother to confirm was a family member. As she tried to defend her douchiness by saying that she called our hous this morning to change to appointment I had to remind her of technology and the fact that we have call display and the last time she called our house was on July 4th to confirm the scheduled time.
So a big kick in the shins to people who work in public but hate to deal with people. I quite like our pediatrician so I will endure her Asshole act.... but maybe when I see her next time I will make sure that I bring her a starbucks card because obviously karma is a bitch and she is about to get a beat down.
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