Store greeters
 

Yea or nay?

Actually, they are for theft deterrence. We think of them as "greeters" but really they are "watchers".
Out of curiosity, why do you ask? What has brought this to mind?

Milt, is this your new profession, you getting work as a greeter?

I like them. Especially when you see the same one repeatedly and get to develop a rapore.

+1, this is part of their job.

Also, if I don't want to talk to people during my shopping experience, I shop online. If I'm visiting a store, I'd rather have actual people there.

I don't use drive through windows if I can park and walk in.

Yep, I have been told and read over the years that if someone is greeted very soon upon entering a store, it's a theft deterent. I suspect this is the main driver for them.

I really don't care one way or the other. It is frustrating to go someplace like HD and NOT be able to find anyone to ask questions of (where is ___? Can you get ___ down from the top shelf? Do you have ___?) which is the norm.

I find them very annoying. They can watch me all they want...but don't make me talk to them.

Yea an 87 year-old great-grandmother with cataracts standing three feet from the door is going to keep someone from bolting out with a cart full of stolen loot. Okay. By the time she reported it (if she even noticed or was able to describe the incident without having a heart attack) the guy would be long gone.

I suppose they deter opportunistic thieves but anyone who's really motivated? They're gonna' get whatever they want just by marching it out the front door. I've seen people do it in Home Depot and other places too - it's impossible to get minimum-wage workers to really give a damn enough to chase after someone.

They don't particularly bother me - a few extra minimum wage workers on the payroll here, creating jobs in America isn't a bad thing. I seriously doubt it drives up prices very much by having them on.

It's sad that so many people work their entire lives and have rich experiences and loads of knowledge and this is the best kind of work we can provide for them in order for them to pay their heating bills and so they don't have to eat cat food. We're a pathetic society.

They don't bother me nearly as much as the folks clogging up my egress from Costco.

You walk in and they say "Thank you for shopping _______ how are you today?" If I tell them I have severe explosive anal leakage, which way to the auto parts isle they always steer me to the pharmacy, And that ain't no help.

1. Some senior citizens have to work. More and more each day.

2. I'll gladly pay $.01 more per item to have Grandpa up front.

3. having them up front keeps Grandpa off of the forklift, and keeps Grandma off of the cash register.

4. You should be able to say "Hello" to the store greeter. If you are too busy or too bothered or too socially inept to say "Hello" to a 70-year old man in the front of the store, YOU are the problem, not the old man.

SmileWavy

No this is not my new line of work. Last afternoon I was in the middle of a plumbing project when I had to make that 2nd trip we all make to the store to finish. I went to OSH. One of the long time cashiers was standing front and center in the first lateral aisle. We got to chatting as I do at the register when no one is in line.

I asked her about it and we agreed it was a total waste. I gave her the theory about working the aisles or less new hires and lower prices. She totally agreed with that and agave a hearty laugh. This gal is not making only minimum wage.

She does know the store fairly well, but I've never seen her work on the floor, only the registers. I doubt if I asked her anything more than where the tools were that I'd get much of an answer.

I don't need someone to say hi or welcome. The local supermarket did away with greeters after a few months. Now those I could see being a watchful eye as they were only a few feet from the door.

But I think we all know where the real eye is up there in the smoked upside down domes.

I want to be a greeter one day. Hell, I'd do it now.

A lot of times some of the smoked domes are decoys. Some are real - usually the ones by offices, cash stands and the high-theft displays (small electronics, cigarettes, etc). But not always.

Yup.

My local Walmart has Mac, he's there every Sunday morning with a smile and a big hello.

I always stop for a few to chit chat.

The thief wants to walk in unnoticed. The greeter looks you in the eye and talks to you. The last thing a thief wants is to be noticed. I expect the greeter thing works.

I know a Russian woman who is a concert pianist. Somehow she got lured to this area (I think the offer was in Branson MO; I can't understand every word she says but I love to listen to her talk). She makes ends meet by giving piano lessons to kids and working as a greeter in WM. I'm thinking she would be on a pedestal back in Russia.
Jim

Keep the greeters. America needs employed people.

They could be building a pipeline but .....................

We will but it will be going West... 欢迎,欢迎

As for the greeters, it's OK