1x6+2x4+3x7+4x5=12?

[BigBird]

I got to experience this little gem yesterday at the grocery store.

I'm in line with my 11 items (yes, I counted them) in the "12 items or less" aisle. I see the lady in front of me has considerably more than 12 items (40 or more) in her cart, but I'm too polite to say anything. Besides, sometimes you just have to sit back and watch the fun.

So she gets to the teller, who politely points out that she's way over the limit of items for the aisle. The customer, (obviously a math savant), uses the logic that since she has multiples of most items, for example five containers of the same yogurt, and three bags of the same kind of chips, that each group of items should only count as one. She goes on to say that she assumes the teller will ring each group of items at once (like 6 cans of soup @ $1.25 each), so it will be like ringing up 12 items.

Since Mr. Spock was not here to argue the logic of this train of thought, the teller just gave in and rang her order through. Our math genius pays, then asks where her bags are. There are now ten or so irate customers/witnesses behind her that can attest to the fact that she didn't ask for bags, but whatever. The teller just gave her some bags (normally they cost 3 cents each), and we got to wait while she bagged all 40+ items one.at.a.time.

So much for the fast lane!

[Cassiepeia]

Yikes! If I were that teller I would have refused and told her to go to another register. What a pain in the butt some people are.

[JLRodgers]

I would've kicked her to another line!

And to think I won't go to a X item or less lane if I have X+1 items (I count my things 2-4 times just to make sure). The few times I miscount, like if something sticks to another and I forget, I apologize to the person.
Those lanes are "no more than X items -- and pay in cash (or credit as the signs may say)" as far as how I treat them.

[rerant]

Ugh when I worked at IKEA this was a constant struggle once the "express" lanes were put in.
Having a multiple of something does NOT make it count as one item, I don't care how you try to justify it. It's just not. End of story.
If the cashier starts counting your items and gets above 12 (or whatever the limit is) then you move to another lane. Period.

[Chromatix]

At IKEA in particular, it's quite possible to stack a heavy-duty trolley to the limit with just a few types of item. I did it with a shelving system. That took a while to process, simply because the cashier had to count everything in situ as it was too heavy to unload conveniently.

[JoitheArtist]

I swear, it's the stupidest thing, but EVERY time I see someone with more stuff than the limit, I think of this one episode of Rescue Rangers. This mad scientist guy had invented some sort of evil weapon that ran on prunes (I think it was an aging machine? Or maybe it turned people into babies. I don't remember.)

He goes through the express lane with a whole cart full of boxes of prunes. The cashier says, "I'm sorry, sir, but this line is only for 10 items or less." "But I only have one item: PRUUUUUNES!"

I haven't even seen that show in 15 years or more...and every single time, that's what I think of. Funny what sticks with you...

[Skeksin]

The customer, (obviously a math savant), uses the logic that since she has multiples of most items, for example five containers of the same yogurt, and three bags of the same kind of chips, that each group of items should only count as one.

Ok the customer said it themselves. They have groups of items that number less that 12. Total items still over 12. Talk about a logic hole big enough to steer a stellar system through.....

[Jester]

And to think I won't go to a X item or less lane if I have X+1 items (I count my things 2-4 times just to make sure).

2-4 times? Okay, I have to say that that is a bit much just to worry about whether or not you qualify for the express lane!

Honestly, I don't think ANY cashier is going to give you too much grief if you get in the 10 items or less line with 11 items, and it's an honest mistake. It is in no way being an SC like the Math Whiz in the OP!

[JLRodgers]

2-4 times? Okay, I have to say that that is a bit much just to worry about whether or not you qualify for the express lane!!

I'm slightly obsessive/compulsive about some things -- not others; not that you knew of course (but may have thought )

[PepperElf]

now personally... if it was maybe 40 items and they were all the same item, or maybe even two different items, I could understand that logic.

but it sounds more liek she was being a cs

[Imogene]

now personally... if it was maybe 40 items and they were all the same item,

Perhaps, if the cashier has a quantity key... having worked in a craft store where we had a quantity key, but absolutely had to have a manager nearby to use it... it's not fun, let me tell you.

[Gerrinson]

Actually, the old grocery used to count X items of the exact same type as 1 item. So, if you bought 30 single cans of <store brand> soda and 9 other items, you could go through the 10 items or less register.

Then, they banned the use of the quantity key and wanted EVERY item scanned individually, even if it was a hundred of the exact same item. Needless to say, this change - which was made known to customers individually as they were pulled out of the express line - caused a LOT of problems.

And if the SC had been to one of those types of stores previously, I could understand the mistake.

[MystyGlyttyr]

Is it sad that I actually solved the equation in the subject line before I read the story? (55, I hope, or I need to go back to remedial math.)

On the other hand, if I were in line behind that, I gotta admit I would be razzing the person, loudly, and for as long as they were in front of me. Maybe even after they left. They're just such easy targets.

[JoitheArtist]

Is it sad that I actually solved the equation in the subject line before I read the story? (55, I hope, or I need to go back to remedial math.)

I did that too. And yes, I got 55.

[MannersMakethMan]

Is it sad that I actually solved the equation in the subject line before I read the story?

Nope, I did it too. And thank goodness, I got 55...