Publix Super Markets

I love the Publix brand, but something is lacking in management here. Sunday I went to the deli around 12:30 — 1:00pm and only one employee was working behind the counter. Fortunately, I hit it when no one else was there. I felt sorry for the people that came after me. That wasn’t the worst of it. I went to the Express lane (10 items of less) to check out and one customer had several separate orders paying with Wic coupons. This took forever. When I went to customer service to recommend that they have a separate lane for Express customers using Wic payments, I was told by an employee that we have to treat all customers equally. I was not suggesting not to, I just expected an express lane to be express. Furthermore, when I turned to walk away the girl who told me this, started smirking to another employee behind my back. So this is how my opinion is treated here. Another mgr type, man, said we’ll take your suggestion into consideration, and turned and walked away as fast as possible. I never heard I am sorry from any of them. If you have time to waste, and get insulted at the same time, then this is the store for you.

Every single time I come in here, I have to wait about 20 or so minutes for a sandwich because they never have the deli meat sliced and ready to go or they are short staffed. Some of the workers look annoyed that I even came in here. If you’re a busy person who needs to go back to work, I wouldn’t recommend stopping in here for some food.

I’m a yankee from Ohio and moved down south just a handful of months ago. So, the joys of Publix are new to me and I have been, overall satisfied with them. The staff are relatively friendly (with one exception that I’ll get to later). The parking lot is regularly clear of shopping carts, and they’re always ready to help. One night my wife and I went in looking to buy some ice cream (Stephen Colbert’s Americone Dream by Ben & Jerry’s to be exact), but we were saddened to discover that it was all gone. It’s a cruel world. But, when we told an employee of our dire situation he took off to the back, only to emerge with the frozen, fatty nectar from the gods that is Stephen Colbert’s Americone Dream (we all have our vices here folks). Anyway, it was a great experience and I think it showcases the dedication of the staff.
Also, they always have an appropriate amount of checkout lanes open. Which is not something that we can say about every store… not mentioning any names though *cough* Wal-​Mart *cough*.
Now my complaint. The darn «I can take your groceries to your car for you» spiel. No, pleas don’t, because I’m 25 and a yankee and I can push my own cart. But seriously, it’s not that I want to be rude, it is a wonderful gesture. The problem is, that it tends to leave the customer behind us with nobody to bag their groceries. So, they either have to do it themselves, an action that is not encouraged by Publix staff, or wait for the cashier to finish ringing everything up and then bag it. And then, who will be there to push their groceries to the car? Nobody, that’s who.
Now, if all I had to say was «no» to this offer, we would have no issues and this wouldn’t be a negative. But when I say no, I get asked if I’m sure. Yes. Am I really sure? Yes! And then they seem offended when I don’t let them push my groceries out. But, you see, there is a sweet old lady behind me, and she could benefit more from the service than I.
Anyway, I’m really being picky here. Like I said, this place is great and the staff are excellent. Just don’t take offense when I want to push my own groceries to the car.