Please don’t ask me again
Unfortunately, cashiers have no choice
No, I won’t be using my President’s Choice Convenience Card today. Or tomorrow. I don’t have one, don’t want one. Frankly, I’m not sure President’s Choice would want me either. But still they ask.
About a year ago, I figured this was a short-term campaign at one of several grocery stores I frequent. Cashiers would routinely ask, as your groceries went across the scanner, if you’d be using your President’s Choice card that day. I didn’t mind it at the time, but now, a year later, it’s starting to grate on my nerves. In fact I think I’m starting to get a little nervous twitch in my neck as I approach the checkout.
The other day I had several twenty dollar bills in my hand, extended toward the cashier, when she still asked, “Will that be your President’s Choice Convenience Card today?”
Does this look like my President’s Choice Convenience Card?
I know, it’s not their fault. Like questions posed at other retail organizations, the cashiers are required to ask this of everyone. Maybe they’re trying to wear us down, hoping that eventually, we’ll say, “YES! OK? YES, SIGN ME UP!”
But here’s the rub: There’s no escape. You get asked either way.
I’m thinking of maybe pre-empting the question next time. When my groceries are halfway through, I’ll lean in and say, “Excuse me, but I just wanted to let you know that I won’t be using my President’s Choice Convenience Card today.”
Or, each time I go to this particular store, I could wear a homemade button that says, “No, I’m not using my PC card today.” Then I could just point to it as I walk through.
But these options might cause trouble. I don’t want to get the cashiers in hot water by preventing them from fully doing their job. For now, I’ll hope this “campaign” soon runs its course.
I don’t mean to pick on the fine people at President’s Choice. There are plenty of other offenders out there. Like the folks at electronics chains who want me to take out an extended warranty on everything I buy, from a computer monitor to earphones.
The other day a fellow tried to sell me an extended warranty, good for two years, on an $8 computer cable. It would have cost something like 80 cents. I refuse to get sucked into this money-making scheme.
Firstly, I’ve had computer cables last five years or more without any trouble. If this one can’t last 24 months, I’ll find somewhere else to shop. Secondly, what are the chances that, if I have trouble with the cable down the road, I’m going to remember where I bought it, remember the extended warranty, and find the warranty receipt? I have trouble remembering to file my taxes.
However, if they’re willing to offer me a two-year warranty on the batteries I just bought, I’d be willing to talk.
At these stores, I find you have to give an unequivocal “no” in response. If you waver, they’re going to go into a lengthy sales pitch on the merits of the warranty.
Sometimes, that unequivocal “no” can lead to other benefits. Last year I bought a leather sofa at a furniture store. The salesman wanted to sell me an extended warranty for $199, good for on-site repairs including parts and labour for five years. I actually considered this one, considering we have three kids and a large dog, but my aversion to purchasing warranties got the best of me and I declined.
Later that day, after placing my order, the guy called me at home with good news. The “boss” had authorized him to sell me the extended warranty by reducing the price of the sofa by $200, so my actual cost would remain the same. How could I refuse? I’m sure the deal was offered because I hadn’t bickered for a lower price on the sofa, and the sales guy makes a big chunk of his income from warranties.
Now, a year later, some of the stitching is coming loose on that sofa. Remembering the warranty deal (but with no documentation to back it up) I called the store for help. No problem, I was told. They had my warranty information in their computer database. Cool. A repair person is on the way.
In short, the only time an extended warranty has paid off for me (excluding vehicles, of course) is when I declined it. So I’m going to stick to that policy.
