What to tell customers?

[snugglegirl05]

I work at the fuel center of a *well known grocery store chain*, and customers ask me “Is the fuel center closed?” when they see that the reach in merchandisers outside are locked up even though customers are pumping gas.

The fuel center has 6 reach merchandisers outside that I lock up when I go on my break, which is usually between 7:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. when I work from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.


2 p.m. to 10 p.m. is the closing shift

When I return from my break, I do not unlock the reach in merchandisers because 1) not many customers buy anything from them after 8 p.m. and 2) it is one less closing duty that I have to do before clocking out at 10 p.m.

But I have been asked by customers if the fuel center is closed while I am working outside

These customers do not want any product from the reach in merchandisers. They just want to know if the fuel center is closed even when customers are pumping gas

What is a good way to answer that question?

[Ironclad Alibi]

Hmm... That is a puzzler. I think in that situation I would say "no."

[snugglegirl05]

Hmm... That is a puzzler. I think in that situation I would say "no."

Yeah.... The answer is obvious, but sometimes when I say that, the customer then says "but those *the reach in merchandisers* are closed, and so I was wondering if the fuel center is closed

This is while I am working outside, and other customers are pumping gas.

So, that is a puzzler too

[csquared]

Customers will climb over barricades, duck under sign and ripped locked does off their hinges and not realized that you are closed. But lock a reach in merchandisers...

We are open until 10:00 PM. We lock the reach in merchandisers because:
1. Theft is high at this time of night.
2. I can't watch the reach in merchandisers while I am doing closing duties.
3. Any additional excuse of your choice.

[RealUnimportant]

The public is not known for its common sense. A simple "no, they're just closed because nobody uses them at this time" should be plenty. Or even "they're closed to prevent theft" because everyone's used to things being locked *inside* the stores nowadays, so why wouldn't things also be locked *outside* them?

[Nunavut Pants]

Whatever you do, I think you need to end it with "Here's your sign".