Old Mother Hubbard's cupboards were bare, so you know what that meant: the dreaded journey to SAM'S CLUB.
Before I had kids, I was one of those people who used to love to wander up and down the aisles of SC. I'd spend pretend money in my head on this and that, I almost never needed a shopping cart, but sometimes I'd get one anyway "just in case". It was leisurely and peaceful.
Fast-forward (not quite) a couple of decades and here I am, schlepping into the door with small kids in tow. And that's when my irritation starts: "Ma'am, I'll need to see your membership card." Stop, dig through my wallet, flash the stupid card for
.01 seconds, and then I'm "allowed" to come inside and spend money with them. What?! I despise this rule. It's stupid, and it's a speedbump in my already busy schedule. It's not like we're trying to get into the Pentagon--we're just trying to get 8 lbs. of butter for $3.00. Heaven help you if you happen to arrive simultaneously as a handful of other people, 'cause ain't none of y'all going ANYwhere until you show your Card. :(
So, what do I do? I call Sam's front desk when I get home to ask why? I cannot be the only one who wants to know. The Manager was "on break", an unable to take my call, so I got to talk to a very kind lady named Patricia. I told her that I had a 'friendly' complaint and she laughed. Boy, I was ready with my argument because I had an EXCELLENT point to make: you CANNOT check-out at any register or make a single purchase without first SHOWING THAT STINKING MEMBERSHIP CARD! So, I politely told Patricia that, as a mother-shopping-with-my-kids, what an annoyance it was to have to stop 2 steps into the front door and show that card, then put it away for the next few minutes, only to have to get it out again! I reminded her that I couldn't buy anything without it, so why the double-shakedown?? She laughed, and said, yes she could appreciate what I was saying, but there was actually a good reason. "You pay a membership fee in exchange for the benefit of shopping with us. By asking everyone to present their members card at the door, it keeps out loitering people who do not have any business being in the building, and crowding up the store while you are trying to shop." Well, crap. That seemed logical. Of course I had to reiterate that I still didn't like it one bit, but that now I understood.
Anyway, that's my rant for the day. I hope I have successfully answered all your Sam's Club questions. I'll be here all week....
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About Me
- Gault Girls of LA (that's lower Alabama, y'all)
- I'm very happily married and have three daughters. Since moving to Mobile's Eastern Shore, I've also become a full-time artist and I am in heaven when I paint.
HAHAHA - I hate it too! But I'm sick of this having to wait for 30 minutes to check out. It's called the busy time for a reason. HIRE MORE CASHIERS!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI can understand showing the card at the door and at checkout. It is reasonable to keep people out that are not members. But I have arrived at times the door greeter was busy and could not check my card, and I have seen greeters that would allow some to pass without showing, particularly if they appear to be with someone else with a card.
ReplyDeleteWhat I don't understand is why, after showing the card at the door (maybe) and presenting it at the register (always), why you must stop at the door and have your cart checked, like you are stealing something.