Grumble Thread

[Serial_Apologist]

Has that fixed copying as well as printing? If so, well done!

Well it was being used for copying an uploaded document, but ordinary photocopying under the printer's cover was never affected in any case.

[Dave2002]

Well it was being used for copying an uploaded document, but ordinary photocopying under the printer's cover was never affected in any case.

I probably meant scanning a document to generate an image or PDF. In the Mac world the Preview program can do this, and I bet there are ready available tools in Windows and Linux too. There isn't usually any need to use Adobe software for this purpose.

[Frances_iom]

...I bet there are ready available tools in Windows and Linux too. There isn't usually any need to use Adobe software for this purpose.

a very safe bet! - many under Linux - however this problem sounds as tho it is a hangover from the very early days when Adobe effectively owned pdf - the old tool from the 1990s or earlier was Adobe Acrobat that allowed some manipulation of pdf documents which at the time was being pushed as the only document format that would resist unauthorised changes and whose appearance was independent of the operating system.

[oddoneout]

Went to buy some soup in Asda. Thought I'd use the self-service tills to save time. Turns out you have to queue to use them . Actually quicker to queue for a cashier and be served by a real live human being. Meanwhile the self-service tills inspector general stands back with her arms folded , except to keep the queue in order.

The penultimate paragraph from this made me smile, albeit ruefully...

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/nov/30/stuck-in-a-post-office-queue-all-i-could-think-about-was-how-much-i-hate-self-checkouts

[Pulcinella]

The penultimate paragraph from this made me smile, albeit ruefully...
https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...self-checkouts

How true.
And there are never enough helpers to cope with the self-service till 'non-standard' items (alcohol, for instance), let alone the unexpected items in the bagging area!

[Serial_Apologist]

How true.
And there are never enough helpers to cope with the self-service till 'non-standard' items (alcohol, for instance), let alone the unexpected items in the bagging area!

WARNING: unexpected encounter in the de-bagging area - watch out for Sandra!

[Dave2002]

The penultimate paragraph from this made me smile, albeit ruefully...
https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...self-checkouts

Does seem like some form of stupidity - though maybe truly unavoidable. With only two staff, it might not make sense for one to be diverted to the machines - even occasionally. Packing up one counter in order to help with the machines would take a few minutes, and a few more if the reverse process were carried out, plus would also create some "hostility" as workers moved from one role to another. So in this example there seems to be poor management - there is a need for at least one more worker to help with the machines to increase throughput.

Another approach might be to somehow communicate with customers - persuade them to come back at less busy times.

One partial solution would be to have a numbered queuing system - which is a common approach which works quite well in Sweden. To get service you go into a queue - but it's not a physical queue as such. You take a numbered ticket, then estimate how long it will be before your number comes up. You can then do other things while the numbers keep increasing - such as going into another shop. When the time's up walk back to the counter when your number is displayed.

However, there is one more grumble possibility. Sometimes the numbers go faster than anticipated, and some people arrive back to the counters to find that their number has just disappeared!

[smittims]

Well done Adrian Chiles; never fails to cheer up my day.

How he stood being married to Jane Garvey I will never understand. It must have taken all his stoicism and patience.

[oddoneout]

Does seem like some form of stupidity - though maybe truly unavoidable. With only two staff, it might not make sense for one to be diverted to the machines - even occasionally. Packing up one counter in order to help with the machines would take a few minutes, and a few more if the reverse process were carried out, plus would also create some "hostility" as workers moved from one role to another. So in this example there seems to be poor management - there is a need for at least one more worker to help with the machines to increase throughput.

Another approach might be to somehow communicate with customers - persuade them to come back at less busy times.

One partial solution would be to have a numbered queuing system - which is a common approach which works quite well in Sweden. To get service you go into a queue - but it's not a physical queue as such. You take a numbered ticket, then estimate how long it will be before your number comes up. You can then do other things while the numbers keep increasing - such as going into another shop. When the time's up walk back to the counter when your number is displayed.

However, there is one more grumble possibility. Sometimes the numbers go faster than anticipated, and some people arrive back to the counters to find that their number has just disappeared!

Trying to juggle not enough staff (whatever the cause) will often lead to less than satisfactory outcomes. The counter service can do everything whereas the machines may not, so having to divert one person to manage them may not be the best (least worst) solution. Many years ago the main PO in town removed the inside stamp machine which dispensed single 1st and 2nd class stamps rather than the whole books from the outside unit. It removed the need to queue just to get a couple of stamps for letters or cards. At some point the PO decided to go into all sorts of "financial services" and removed the machine to block off one end of the space for desks etc. They were rarely used and meanwhile we all had to join the main queue (now squashed into a much smaller space) just to get something that previously was an in and out job. A nearby newsagents started selling single stamps from books they purchased from the machine or supermarket, agin the PO rules as it happened, but it was the PO's decision to shoot themselves in the foot on that one. I don't think the shop was ever taken to task over it.
My Lloyds branch has a free range person to find out what those in the queue are wanting to do. Where appropriate they can do some functions themselves independently of the counter, they can guide through use of one of the DIY terminals to get or pay in money, answer basic questions or arrange for another member of staff to deal with something that doesn't need to go to the counter. They are helpful, pleasant and non-judgemental so if you decide that you don't want to DIY even with help then that's fine, and if someone has problems standing and waiting they'll sort out seating and keep the place in the queue. It also means that if one of the DIY terminals causes problems then there is help at hand quickly - either sorting it out or arranging an alternative. I don't know how the economics stack up; the bank is always busy but as was shown by the Norwich and Peterborough branch down the road a few years ago that's no guarantee that Head Office will keep it open, it depends on the value of the accounts. There is considerable business activity so for now that perhaps is a shield, together with the location of the town.

[french frank]

I just get used to the local Coop system. I like the self service when it's available (it isn't at 8am). But I know to avoid it when I have a bottle of wine, firelighters or bleach because that requires an assistant to check my age. I do find the system quite endearing with its invariable final response: "Please wait for an assistant to [... pause...] Payment accepted."

But to remain on topic: Why does the Coop introduce me to nice things and then, after a few weeks, discontinue stocking them permanently?

[Bryn]

. . . Why does the Coop introduce me to nice things and then, after a few weeks, discontinue stocking them permanently?

On a par with the way supermarkets (all that I have encountered) arrange their wares and label their aisles with something approaching logic - you get used to the layout and that helps speed up your shop. Then they change the layout radically and you can't find anything.

[oddoneout]

I just get used to the local Coop system. I like the self service when it's available (it isn't at 8am). But I know to avoid it when I have a bottle of wine, firelighters or bleach because that requires an assistant to check my age. I do find the system quite endearing with its invariable final response: "Please wait for an assistant to [... pause...] Payment accepted."

But to remain on topic: Why does the Coop introduce me to nice things and then, after a few weeks, discontinue stocking them permanently?

To test demand, or to annoy you - take your pick!

[oddoneout]

On a par with the way supermarkets (all that I have encountered) arrange their wares and label their aisles with something approaching logic - you get used to the layout and that helps speed up your shop. Then they change the layout radically and you can't find anything.

The logic is entirely geared towards getting you to buy. Once too many customers can find their way to what they actually need the opportunity to expose them to stuff they don't need but might end up buying anyway is reduced. Change the layout and you force everyone to wander past goods they wouldn't otherwise see.
There are occasions when changes in the shop's retail offer (away from all food to part non-food for instance) will necessitate changes in layout, but that will still be with an eye to making customers go past as much as possible to increase the chance of purchases.

[RichardB]

In recent weeks I've been on 3 flights, each of which involved changing planes. In the first, I arrived at my destination on time after a sprint between gates while changing, but my luggage only arrived three days later. In the second, the first flight was late, the connection was missed and I had to wait four hours for the next flight. In the third, the first flight was late, the connection was missed and I had to stay overnight for the next flight. Something is going seriously wrong here. I think that previously such things happened to me maybe once a year: now, three times in a month. I know this is a "first world problem" par excellence, but is there really any profit for the companies in running things so badly? I guess they are saving by employing fewer staff or something like that.

[oddoneout]

In recent weeks I've been on 3 flights, each of which involved changing planes. In the first, I arrived at my destination on time after a sprint between gates while changing, but my luggage only arrived three days later. In the second, the first flight was late, the connection was missed and I had to wait four hours for the next flight. In the third, the first flight was late, the connection was missed and I had to stay overnight for the next flight. Something is going seriously wrong here. I think that previously such things happened to me maybe once a year: now, three times in a month. I know this is a "first world problem" par excellence, but is there really any profit for the companies in running things so badly? I guess they are saving by employing fewer staff or something like that.

They may well have fewer staff but it may not be due to current company staffing policies. Staff shed due to Covid haven't been that keen to come back which has a knock-on effect on staff cover for sickness among other things. https://www.ft.com/content/93736968-...5-fcd9736d37f6
Ironically Ryanair has been doing rather better as it took a different approach to the challenges of the covid shutdown. https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/air/...ctor-struggles