I am so glad I found organic Burdock root online because now I can completely avoid shopping at Vit Cott, Natural Grocers. The stockers for both grocery and vitamins are wonderful, truly wonderful, so it is difficult for me to rate the entire store for the consistent experience I have with Vit Cott checkers. But the experience checking out of the store is increasingly traumatic for me and colors my entire experience with the company. Again, my gripe is not with the stockers but the POS checkers. What's up VC?
I wondered if the checker rudeness was just at the Longmont store so I shopped at the Fort Collins store and the same thing happened! I've never experienced this at any other store and now I choose never to experience it at Natural Grocers again. Basically, when I get up to the checkout I smile at the checker who finishes tallying up my items. I pay and, if I don't say anything, neither does the checker. I haven't been greeted at the start of my turn. No friendly welcome. Nothing. Silence instead. This is so rude! Yes, I can cover up these people's rudeness with my own greeting and conversation, as I and we all do in most of our encounters in the consumer world. However, Vit Cott prides itself on integrity and ethical behavior. I wanted to see what would happen if I kept silent. Would the checkers provide inclusive leadership? No.
At the Longmont store, this happens with male and female checkers. My last visit to that store two weeks ago, a female checker even had the gall to say to me "You're welcome" after being silent the entire time and when I was walking away with my items. Why did she feel entitled to receive a "thank you" from me, I wondered? For the privilege of allowing me to go through a pay process that was void of greeting, welcome or polite conversation? For allowing me to feel guilty for paying for products available at your store instead of shopping anywhere else and, therefore, being a part of the contingent that pays your salary, measly at it is at Natural Grocers? The rude comment was only issued at the Longmont store but the silent treatment at checkout continued at my visit to the Fort Collins store last week.
Despite knowledgeable and caring stocking staff and because of the rude Vit Cott checkers, I choose not to shop at Natural Grocers again. I won't say never but chances are pretty likely that my $300 - 500 a month for organics and supplements will go elsewhere. There are plenty of other places to buy organic, natural foods. read more