Why Pre-Order Food Then Wait in Line
wsj.com
wsj.com
The problem is that Walmart underestimated just how angry its typical customer would get by seeing someone skip the line (even though there is a special line for app-based transactions). Of the three times I have done this, once I was called expletives by a couple of the people in line, and a second time a woman simply decided to come up at the same time I was called up and insist that it was her turn, not mine. Only after the cashier threatened to call security did she go wait her turn.
It turns out that the typical Walmart customer tends to already be stepped on by the rest of the world a lot during their normal lives, and being slighted in a Walmart seems to be a bridge too far for most of them. So while I enjoy the convenience of skipping the line, I won’t be doing it again. Stores that offer features like this need to consider how their clientele will react to others skipping the line, and engineer the experience in such a way that normal customers don’t feel slighted.
The bank transfer issue is another thing entirely. Zelle is suppose to fix that issue in the US, even though most other countries have this figured out:
https://penguindreams.org/blog/the-american-banking-system-i...
But from what I've read, Zelle has a lot of the same issues as non-bank services like Venmo.
So I haven't shopped at a Wal-Market since 2009. They offer some app/pre-order services, but they don't have a sign for pre-orders or on-line transactions? .. or they call out your name? How does their system work? How do you think it could be improved so it didn't look like you're jumping the queue?
Yes, and that’s what Walmart has (an “express line”) that is setup right in front of the cashier. But the regular line is several feet away and faces the express line. The signage is clear to those actually entering the express line, but not so clear to those in the regular line. All most of them apparently see is someone hanging out by the cashier trying to cut in front of them. I think a big part of the problem is having the main line face the express line...people are already annoyed by waiting in line, and that annoyance only grows by watching others go directly in front of them.
The bank transfer issue is another thing entirely. Zelle is suppose to fix that issue in the US, even though most other countries have this figured out:
I actually mentioned BofA by name because of how ridiculous I find this policy to be. My bank doesn’t yet have Zelle either, and Walmart is far cheaper than both the sending and receiving fees would be if I sent a wire.
Based on my money sending experience, I’d consider that a feature, not a bug.
A sign indicating the purpose of the booth I was escorted to would have helped.
Their justification is that I'm paying for the background check or whatever, but if that's the case why don't they just offer it for free for everyone and shift budget from personnel to that? If it's truly the case that I don't need to be searched because I've been "pre-checked," doesn't it make sense to do it to everyone?
Christ I can feel my blood pressure rise whenever I think about anything about DHS or TSA
Edit: ah some TSA pre check special people line. I haven't been observant enough to notice when I travel. I exclusively travel during quiet times/days so it's probably just an empty line I can't tell is present. I dunno... I can't afford the luxury but I'm not exactly against it. Flying is not some public transit service. They can commercialise it all they want.
We’ve never had complaints about the setup during our reviews with the staff that actually work the floor. This could be culture though. If someone preordered coffee and skipped the line, every Dane brave enough to question the act of skipping would be apologizing for asking once an explanation was given, myself included.
The fact that you can't just send money from your online banking to another person absolutely baffles me.
I could get myself a bank account at BofA for the specific purpose of sending her money, but I just refuse to give them a dime of my money because they suck.
Compare that to €5 to SEPA transfers in the EU between banks in two countries, or to €0 between banks in the same country.
Wells Fargo also had (maybe still does) an online banking "Money Send" feature where you type in the person's name and address and they physically mail them a paper check :-)
If I want to send money to family I go to my banks website tap in their account and click transfer, it's in their account (for a different bank) seconds later (technically it can take days but it's generally near instant). It can be done by the phone app too. Between this and cheques it seems like you guys are still living in the 80's.
I might add, in my country you can still deposit cash in any account, but the bank is required to declare cash deposits beyond $1,000 USD in the same month.
breeding resentment is usually bad.
I think if the 'pick up here' was a hole in the wall outside the store, it would be more like drive-through with MacDonalds where everyone understands its a distinct queue.
The way these pre-order lines work, it can feel like you've been put into the second-class citizen box.
Queueing at Airline desks is often similar btw. I have high status, but its a walk of shame to inact it sometimes. People in economy, 100+ deep, resenting my ability to get quick service because the airline doesn't pre-empt my queue to service them, in slack times. (some do, many dont)
Why are there slow lanes for people with less money in a government situation?
Can you pay extra to skip the line at the DMV? (actually, you can in California, by having a AAA membership)
To the question for government agencies to market they services, I absolutely think they should. Often marketing it's just informing people that something exist, so if they government wants people to use some service or change their behavior, they should do marketing.
It redirects through Facebook so you'll need a FB account.