I am not sure what is more impressive: that MM has so many posters who buy salami one piece at a time or that MM has so many experts on Deli Economics.
5 years in the Deli makes me an expert in all things meat and money.
Perhaps it wasn't the fact that it was a small amount but that it was 1/8th. That seriously seems like an odd amount to order. I could see saying "I'd like 4 slices of..."
I agree! Is there any reason you really needed 3 different kinds?
Who cares what the reason is? She wanted it, the store sell it and there is no policy against it.
I know she has the right to order her meat that way. I just can't think of how she is using the meat to make it worth her time to have them pull out and slice such a small amount. I guess I am usually in a rush in the grocery store so it's hard for me to imagine.
I dont think its rude but more annoying. I get where justkly is coming from. For each 1/8 lb, there is the first cut that may get thrown out, the plastic wrap, the tissue paper, the plastic bag that the meat or cheese goes in, the weighing, and the label. It is annoying to the workers and it is annoying to anyone waiting next for their order. But if the deli doesn't have a rule against it, then it's your right to do what you want.
I get buying only what you need, and I totally agree with those who said that the deli workers should just STFU and do it unless they have a posted rule in place saying that the minimum order is 1/4 pound or whatever.
However, I can see why this would be a pain in the ass for the deli worker, especially if there are more people on line. I've ordered small amounts of deli meat myself, since we never seem to finish it all (which is why I rarely buy it in the first place), but I avoid tricky orders if there's a line.
I also agree with the person who said that your H is going to find fault with you no matter what you do, so you shouldn't try to justify or defend yourself with things like this.
If 1/8 lb is really all you needed total then I don't see a problem with it, but you ordered 3 different types of meat at 1/8 lb each. I'd just get one type of meat with at least 1/4 lb and get another kind the next time if I couldn't finish it instead of getting a little here and a little there. That's just petty.
I agree! Is there any reason you really needed 3 different kinds?
Yes, it was for a recipe. It was a layered antipasto dish and three different meats was important for flavor.
If it isn't against a posted store policy I see no issue with it. Get what you want! If it is such an ordeal/loss/too confusing for remedial math students for them then they should ban it. If they don't, I don't see how you are being rude for taking advantage thee services and buying what you want.
Agreed.
Every now and then MrB wants a Reuben sandwich for dinner. There is no effing way I am ordering more Corned Beef than is absolutely necessary for that ONE sandwich as I am not going to eat it (sauerkraut?!? +o( ).
I say $$MM to order what you need. And to throw away the 1st slice... whut? That is absolutely not how it is done in GA. And you could eat off the floor of my Publix. Andplusalso... the fraction conversion. You work in a deli dept. How do you not figure this out within DAYS on how to divide to a decimal is beyond me. Get thee a calculator?
Post by heyrebekah on Nov 26, 2012 10:15:44 GMT -5
Goodness, I had no idea this thread would get so heated!
I bet for every person ordering 3 slices of salami there is someone else ordering a pound or two. It all evens out, and it would be ridiculous to turn down someone who wanted a small order today because who is to say they wouldn't have come back for larger orders in the future? Except now they've been turned off by snarky customer service.
1. I also want to know the other 3 ways delis lose money by slicing meat for customers.
2. Now I want to look up the deli slicing laws in my state, because the deli workers always offer a sample of whatever they're slicing for me, and I want to know if they're offering me the garbage slice. +o(
I'll go in and order 5 slices of cheese (one for each day of the workweek for sandwiches). I feel slightly ridiculous, but whatever. I've never had anybody be rude either.
What I'm learning in this post is that deli employees hate customers.
I work in a grocery store (not the deli) but our deli employees tend to be the ones with the most customer complaints for being rude. I attribute it to the fact that they are cramed into a tiny work space with 6 other employees for 8 hours a day. I think that would make anyone cranky, I know I couldn't do it.
Post by Miss Phryne Fisher on Nov 26, 2012 17:23:29 GMT -5
I used to work in a deli (in NY) and we did not throw away the first piece, in fact I have never heard of that before.
I can tell you why we were always testy in my deli. It was because we only had one slicer and when someone gets cheese or roast beef you have to sanitize the machine. Or bologna. So if someone was buying turkey, roast beef, cheese, and bologna, you would have to sanitize it between each item and take forever. MOST people ordered cheese by the slice and we had it pre-cut so the cheese wasn't a huge issue.
You're not 'wrong' but it's such a small amount, I would have just consolidated and gotten one cheese and one meat or something. The employee was wrong to give you an attitude but I can understand the side eye (not outwardly though).
I totally agree with this. I don't think it's wrong, but I could see how it would be annoying to cut tiny amounts of lots of different items.
Goodness, I had no idea this thread would get so heated!
I bet for every person ordering 3 slices of salami there is someone else ordering a pound or two. It all evens out, and it would be ridiculous to turn down someone who wanted a small order today because who is to say they wouldn't have come back for larger orders in the future? Except now they've been turned off by snarky customer service.
No kidding. And for every customer that just gets 1/8lb, there is a deli worker who consistently goes over on orders such that I get .65lb of cheese instead of .50. It isn't a big deal.
I agree! Is there any reason you really needed 3 different kinds?
Yes, it was for a recipe. It was a layered antipasto dish and three different meats was important for flavor.
ETA: There were no other customers waiting.
It makes more sense now that you explain what you used it for, and glad to hear there was no line.
If it was me I might have explained that to the employee. Something like, "I'm sorry it's probably a pain in the butt to do such small amounts but I am making a recipe that calls for exactly these amounts. I appreciate your patience."
Now of course it's his job and he is required to cut the meat, but I don't think it hurts to give him an extra thanks!