Jewel-Osco and Dominick’s are the two main grocery store chains in the Chicago area, despite being owned by faceless non-local conglomerates. I rarely shop at these stores, thanks to Super Target, Trader Joe’s, and Whole Foods. But I stopped in to Jewel over my lunch the other day to pick up a couple of things. I was looking for something in an aisle when a man started to approach me.
“Excuse me, sir?” he said.
“Yes?” I replied, figuring he’d ask if I needed help finding something like they always do at Target.
“Would you like to open a TCF Bank account right now? We have a location right in the store and we’ll give you $50…”
“I’m not interested,” I said, annoyed.
“$50… today. There’s no obligation! Just open an account and…”
“No thanks. I’m not interested.”
“If you change your mind, you can come visit us up at the front of the store. My name is Joe.”
“OK,” I said, flustered.
Yes, Jewel now has roving salespeople for its bank partner! This really, really annoyed me. A lot. In fact, it’s so annoying that I won’t go back to Jewel. Bye bye.
Posted in Consumer Commentary
COD May 25, 2012, 1:22 pm
I’ve been irritated at BJs for the same thing. The window replacement guy roves the aisles and tries to corner you into a conversation. It’s been the same guy for a couple of years so he must have some success.
Jo June 26, 2012, 7:14 pm
I was just at Jewel and went to complain at the customer service desk. I let them know I come to the store for food, not to be hassled! Then I came home and googled, just to see if I’m the only annoyed one. They already have a table set up by the entrance, now they’re roaming the aisles. Is this actually good for TCF’s business? I don’t imagine anyone suddenly being interested in banking when they’re just stopping off after work and trying to get home. It can’t be good for Jewel’s business, especially with Dominick’s right up the street. I go to the store on Broadway & Berwyn. They also have a creepy security guy who stands in the parking lot singing loudly in…arabic? Am I a bad person for feeling uncomfortable? Wish the prices were lower at Dominick’s.