Scotmid-What's it like?

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 25 Aug 2004, 17:44

Nothing else, is the answer I would give. In some ways its almost a quaint way of supermarket shopping, in other ways it is immesley frustrating. It is always bizarre. One of my favourite things in SM is;

When checking out, notice the conveyer belt. It has a tiny little shelf running along it. Now just in case you were wondering what the purpose of that tiny little shelf is? They have gone to the trouble of printing "Next Customer Bars" on the shelf.

How useful is that?

There are 2 sets of people who may wish to pick up a "Next Customer Bar"

1) A Customer, who can surely see where the "NCB's" are located particularly as the NCB's have "Next Customer Bar" clearly written on them and are located in the same place in every other major Supermarket.

2) A Checkout Operator. Even SM Checkout Operators don't need a sign telling them where to put the NCB's . They do it dozens of times a day.

I wonder who thought of adding the word "Bar" on the end?

Share your Scotmid experiences/observations with us please.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 25 Aug 2004, 17:51

Not going to complain because their bargain DVD bin has a great selection or pre-war rarities at silly prices. It also used to be a great price to get Scrumpy Jack buy-one-get-one-free. But I agree shopping in Scotmid is a bit like stepping into a time machine.

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 25 Aug 2004, 19:26

I don't have much to say about Scotmid that's positive or nice.
I don't find it quaint or charming. I invariably find it depressing and annoying so I shop there as rarely as possible.
My biggest problems?
Empty shelves that should be filled with the most basic, obvious produce/goods, negotiating down aisles where the floor space is blocked by boxes of stock yet to be shelved, shop busy and only one or two of the checkouts open with huge queues blocking aisles or the worst is early in the morning when they don't even bother to open any checkouts at all and you are made to unload your trolley and pay at the fag kiosk.
Management who don't give a toss when you complain about these points, blah, blah, blah.

I must admit to being a bit addicted to their own brand toffee and fudge yoghurts though, they're a bit fab!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 25 Aug 2004, 19:40

I can only assume that the bizarre product range reflects the clientele. In which case we are a pretty mixed bunch! However, in general terms there has been a move away from tartan shopping trolleys and obscure baking ingredients towards organic produce and expensive wines. On the other hand, the rear of the shop seems to belong in Big W, so I think there's a bit of an identity crisis going on there, and perhaps in Portobello generally.

Beach Babe · Post by **Beach Babe** » 25 Aug 2004, 20:12

d'you know, only yesterday whilst I was in there, I was thinking to myself that I should start a Scotmid thread here

my main gripe is the tills. The checkout operators scan everything through as quickly as possible so that the person in front of me never has time to pack their bags before paying. Thus they're still standing at the till packing their shopping away as my stuff is being scanned as quickly as possible and chucked into the further away bit which I can't reach as the area is still being blocked by the person in front of me (who is still packing). And then it's my turn to pay and I still haven't been able to even reach my shopping (bearing in mind I also have the buggy to get past the poor person in front), let alone pack it.

So now I painstakingly slowly pack my shopping, load it onto the buggy and then pay in the hope that my general pissed offedness has been registered

however, now that I have a baby, I do find it useful to have the Scotmid within walking distance and their range has improved over the years (even if they never seem to have any bread)

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 25 Aug 2004, 20:21

Scotmid is ok for basics and they do a nice range of fresh breads such as cranberry and rosemary or sunflower seed and honey, and they stock organic brown rice but for luxuries its far behind other stores.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 25 Aug 2004, 20:23

You're right - my main gripe is the tills too. Contrast it with Tesco, where they offer to pack it for you, and give you a cheery smile.

bellybabe · Post by **bellybabe** » 25 Aug 2004, 20:28

They do have someone pack for you sometimes. She seems to be there to do it for me when i'm alone and very able, but never when I have a buggy and an older child and nowhere to put the bags.

Bizarrely, the checkouts were better before the refurb - at least then the table where you sort yourself out was not put exactly where people need to get past. Whenever i go in at the obviously quietest times, they have two or more checkouts open as well as the fag kiosk, but never when it's busy.

Over the years i have developed a fondness for Scotmid in all its oddness, but if I didn't live so close I would avoid it as much as possible.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 25 Aug 2004, 20:31

ecm/anyone else with a gripe, I wouldn't waste your time complaining to the Store Mangager. The person you want is the Head of Retail for Scotmid Group. Email him at: gmurray@scotmid.co.uk

I've always found that this generally produces results.

I think we should also remember that Scotmid has a pretty good record of supporting local community events. OK, they are far from perfect but better than a Tesco that would put everyone else out of business?

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 25 Aug 2004, 20:32

Bellybabe

My mum when she is over loves visiting Scotmid, thinks its a unique shop, she did visit the Gorgie one also when I lived there.

bellybabe · Post by **bellybabe** » 25 Aug 2004, 20:42

Sandra,
My mum phones me up and says "Ooh, our co-op has Matthews Turkey Drummers on special offer, 2 for 1, does yours? You should go and see and get some!". I try to resist the urge to vomit, and the next time she calls, I lie and say "I looked but they didn't have them". But she's coming up next month for only the second time since I moved here; she's still disappointed that Farmfoods or whatever it was shut down, and that we now only have two greengrocers' instead of three, in spite of all the other shops selling veg - last time she visited, she used to go to Porto news for her papers and cigs every morning, then come back and say "Banana republic's bananas are only 14p a pound today; they were much dearer than that at the other two grocers' you know...". But she never bought them.
I'm glad your mum likes Scotmid, though; they do seem to be trying to copy Tesco's world domination plan with one of their own - aren't there ow three on Easter Road?!
BB

Post by **wangi** » 25 Aug 2004, 20:54

The worst thing was to be the muzak... OMG, why can't they they just turn it bloody off or pay a few more pennies and get the original artists!?

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 25 Aug 2004, 21:30

I love Scotmid with passion for all the wrong reasons.

In Moscow when McDonalds opened, the mayor of the day (Yuri Luzhkov) decided that instead of fighting it he would compete with it and funded a showcase Russian fast food restaurant, which Muscovites predictably avoided in their thousands. I've seen it, and it's a bit like the Portobello Scotmid - good intent but the detail makes you cringe.

My favourite item in the whole store is in the deli counter nestling amongst the pate and the brie. Cold deep fried black pudding in batter, lovingly clingfilmed on a bit of polystyrene. It's like when Mrs Dadaist's granny was first taken to a Chinese restaurant and tried to order a cup of tea and a scone.

I'm disappointed that nobody has mentioned the divvy number.

mr magnolia · Post by **mr magnolia** » 25 Aug 2004, 22:14

16 bottles of lager for a tenner and milk and bread at 9:59pm - you cant beat them! (and its a COOP).!

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 25 Aug 2004, 22:16

Bellybabe wrote:Bizarrely, the checkouts were better before the refurb - at least then the table where you sort yourself out was not put exactly where people need to get past. Whenever i go in at the obviously quietest times, they have two or more checkouts open as well as the fag kiosk, but never when it's busy.

This aspect has intrigued me for years. I have been constantly amazed by how they can have multi Tills open when Im the only one in and the opposite when there is hunners of people in.

I am astonished that someone has accused SM of helping pack ones bags. I have never witnessed this, never. "Would you like help with packing your shopping" are words that Ive yet to hear. Another major hurdle for checkout staff is when a product like the "Delice de France" Baguettes etc dont have a barcode: Its lottery time. You know you are about to get the bargain of the century or totally ripped off.

Why oh why do they wrap freshly baked baguettes in non perforated cling film?

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 25 Aug 2004, 22:18

mr magnolia wrote:16 bottles of lager for a tenner and milk and bread at 9:59pm - you cant beat them! (and its a COOP).!

No way! The only reason I started this thread was because at 8:55pm last evening. I went to get Maltesers and Revels for my chocaholics. They were closing the big gates! WTF?

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 25 Aug 2004, 22:20

I love Scotmid on Hogmanay. It's like the Dunkirk spirit. Even the security manny is smiling.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 25 Aug 2004, 22:24

Actually Scotmid should get an award for innovative thinking when it comes to creating the impression that customer service has radically improved.

I can just see it now at the Co-op brainstorming session. "How can we make our Customers feel like they are having a better experience?" -

"I know, open a Post Office in the same building, everything will feel better after that"

bellybabe · Post by **bellybabe** » 25 Aug 2004, 22:26

I think Mr M is in for a shock when he meets the PORTOBELLO Scotmid. It's like no other. Not if he has one that still sells stuff just before closing time, as opposed to ours, which closes before closing time, and opens after opening time. And occasionally changes the opening hours without letting anyone know.

As for the bag packing, well, if I heard "Would you like help with packing your shopping", I would probably faint. She doesn't offer, she just does it, glaring at your shopping (Oh god, I hope she's not a forum member). I feel guilty if I have no children with me and always mumble my thanks but she never acknowledges the customer. I think perhaps she's been threatened with torture if she speaks to us? But it's really true.

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 25 Aug 2004, 23:28

think I know the SM Lass you are talking about who helps pack folks shopping.

<Moderator edit - privacy grounds>

bellybabe · Post by **bellybabe** » 26 Aug 2004, 08:22

I know that <person> and I didn't mean <them> - quite a few times it's been one of the women normally on checkout and she just glares the whole time - makes you desperate to pack your own shopping!

<moderator edit - privacy grounds>

Gedge · Post by **Gedge** » 26 Aug 2004, 14:08

Top thread!

Scotmid is a fantastic institution. I love the way they continue to ignore all advances made by other supermarkets regarding staff training, customer service, store design etc. Do they have a manager? Are the assistants trained? I love the way it's a lottery whether there will be staples such as bread, milk, tins of tomatoes etc. Makes shopping so exciting.

I needed some crumbly cheese the other day but could only find 10 different kinds of cheddar.

Someone once tried to pack my shopping for me but I accused her of stealing my stuff so they've probably withdrawn the service. Sorry everyone.

And they are tremendously friendly. One assistant once asked me all about my partner, hadn't seen her for a while, was she over the operation etc and then found out she had mistaken me for someone else.

Although behaviour sometimes borders on sullen/ rude/ uncooperative I think i prefer it to someone who has been trained to ask me how I am.

And if you think you're being given poor service get along to the Easter Road Scotmid, London Road end. Scarey scarey bunch of assisatnts there!

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 26 Aug 2004, 15:57

Getting very slightly off topic (

will I be shot at dawn?)
Some Porty shops have always had a reputation for awful staff. Greggs (who never, ever, ever want to change anything over a Ã‚Â£! coin and whose catchphrase is 'got anything smaller?'!) and the old R.S. McColls where quite franky you were afraid to shop for fear of interrupting their conversation! In defense of Scotmid staff - some of them work long hours!!

mr magnolia · Post by **mr magnolia** » 26 Aug 2004, 16:27

whats going on here? I am living in fear.... if I'm going to be let down by Greggs too then life will be OVER. Where else can I get a high fat snack like a cheese savoury softie (on brown of course - think of your health) and a fudge doughnut for Ã‚Â£1.67?

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 26 Aug 2004, 16:37

I believe the worst Co-op manifestation was the former Manager at Piershill then Porty. He was a nice man but was a perpetual whistler. Used to drive me bomkers. His name was Stuart I think.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 26 Aug 2004, 18:53

mr magnolia wrote:whats going on here? I am living in fear.... if I'm going to be let down by Greggs too then life will be OVER. Where else can I get a high fat snack like a cheese savoury softie (on brown of course - think of your health) and a fudge doughnut for Ã‚Â£1.67?

Don't fret Mr M! You can still buy it but only after you've waited in a HUGE queue for the ONE person serving and only if you have the right money. See! No probs!

Check-out_Chick · Post by **Check-out_Chick** » 28 Aug 2004, 14:22

Hey as u prob figured by my username i do in fact work in scotmid..its not that bad!! we do have reasons for sum of the things we do ....dont blame us check-out people for everything sumtimes its not our fault!

Hey mum *waves*

bellybabe · Post by **bellybabe** » 28 Aug 2004, 15:17

Welcome, check-out chick!

I think we're mostly not blaming the people who work in Scotmid - it's usually the way the store is managed. One of my friends worked there for a long time. She was always fed up because the customers were often fed up about things the floor staff have no control over.

But I have had my bags packed by four or five different people and have never had a smile out of any of them... LOL.

Bellybabe

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 28 Aug 2004, 18:44

Check-out_Chick wrote:Hey as u prob figured by my username i do in fact work in scotmid..its not that bad!! we do have reasons for sum of the things we do ....dont blame us check-out people for everything sumtimes its not our fault!

Hey mum *waves*

Hello dear!

So glad you've joined us. Now I can moan about you in public

I'll presume your spelling mistakes are laziness

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 29 Aug 2004, 02:01

I guess there is no chance that COC will ever say "Mum, Im going to pack my bags and leave"

xxxx · Post by **xxxx** » 29 Aug 2004, 08:41

I give scotmid 9 out of 10, the staff are pleasant, the location is handy and positively discourages car use.
I would put it in a list of things to like about Portobello

It is a shop however, if you don't like it , don't go there, Portobello does (still) have other options. Start a campaign for a 'proper' supermarket in the meantime.

One other reason to like it is that it is a mutual society, something of an endangered species, and one one which enrages its detractors delightfully, a good example being:

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/business ... 19,00.html

bear in mind that the hack had a serious financial interest in that particular crime being successfully perpetrated.

Check-out_Chick · Post by **Check-out_Chick** » 29 Aug 2004, 10:40

Maybe it was me who served you

i dunno ....its hard to smile at EVERY person you serve in an 8 hour shift....and also PLEASE dont blame me if the cans of soup dont scan .....

.....supid soup

And yes mum im lazy n therefore dont spelll thing properly

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 29 Aug 2004, 13:11

Porty wrote:I guess there is no chance that COC will ever say "Mum, Im going to pack my bags and leave"

Think I'd probably be quicker packing my own !!

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 29 Aug 2004, 13:15

Check-out_Chick wrote:And yes mum

And stop calling me Mum! I have a reputation to uphold on here.....

bellybabe · Post by **bellybabe** » 29 Aug 2004, 20:45

Were you working today, COC? Spotted someone I thought might be you on the other checkout. I was served by a very nice young chap who did indeed smile, and helped me pack my bags too, of his own accord, for which I was extremely grateful.
BB