Angry cashiers do not make for happy customers

On Saturday 13 July 2024, I bought meat at Pick n Pay Lotus River (Qualisave Local). The club t-bone steak was on promotion at the butchery for R159.00, whilst the price on the pack was R185.00.

After the cashier rang up the t-bone steak, I asked her how much it showed on the till and oh my goodness, it was as if a torrent of pent up frustration was unleashed. She went off on a tangent telling me that the meat packs are all clearly labelled and that the prices are obvious for everone to see, including me. I should therefore not question her about the price of an item, as I can see it for myself.

During her ranting, I told her that if she gave me a chance, I would have told her that the reason why I'm asking is that there is signage at the butchery that the t-bone steak is R159.00 and I wanted to ensure that that is the price that was charged.

She then jumped down my throat again saying how the butchery must make sure that the pricing on the stickers are correct as that it is their responsibility and that prices shouldn't be questioned at the till. During her outburst, I pointed to posters in the store advertising products at reduced prices and asked her if she meant that I should not expect to pay those prices that I see, and, I kid you not, she said no, the price I pay is the price that is loaded on the till.

After this irrational reply, I told her to call the manager. She still proceeded to blurt out whatever she felt she needed to say but I insisted on speaking to her superior and had to make this request a few times before she obliged. She returned with the butchery supervisor who explained that the price of R159.00 that was advertised, is for the 1.2kg club t-bone steak and not for the 1.4kg pack that I had taken. She furthermore said that she was not aware that the stock that was on promotion was sold out, hence the poster was not removed. I accepted that explanation as such an oversight is common; in fact, I didn't even notice that the promotion was for the 1.2kg steak and not for the 1.4kg that I took.

However, what is not acceptable is the manner in which the cashier went off on a tangent and talked all over me while I had a reasonable question. She didn't even give me a chance to explain why I was asking about the price, I've had to interrupt her during her tirade.

Her behaviour was utterly unprofessional and irrational. It displayed a total disregard for customer care and should be addressed. The till slip shows the name of cashier as Mikyle Jaxa.