Nutball Scrawl Wall!

Don of the Dial

Ignore the doomsayers and handwringing 'oh, dear' crowd.

The supermarket strike offers golden chances to improve your life and ignore someone elses.

Like you really care if someone making 30 bucks an hour for overscanninjg your food and putting eggs at the bottom of the bag gets their health benefits cut back. Boo hoo. And I don't need any help to my car with 2 bags of groceries, pal.

If you wanna help me, drive my car home for me and carry my stuff up two flights of stairs and then have the cute female bagger come over and cook the food, do the dishes and then sleep with me. Then I may have a passing interest in your problems. I didn't see you marching around the last time I got laid off or fired.

And don't forget that Charlie Foo and Jose Lopez both have very nice markets I can shop at. Not to mention Trader Joe.

Tune in later for Part Two of "Supermarket Frolics of 2oo3"!
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A scouring fire shall avenge us and return our forsaken freedoms!
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Join my secret society! http://www.secretsociety-doh.com

Don of the Dial

This is a great strike which will cave quickly, so you must act quickly.

1.) Time to get the car repaired...free! Just make sure your insurance is paid up. Got some dings and dents or worn tires? No problem! Park really close to the picketers and just stroll in laughing. When you come out, you may be lucky and find that your tires have been punctured and your car all banged and scratched up. Yay!!!! File that claim!!! Free body work and new tires and a new paint job, all for spending a few bucks on marshmallows and bottled water.

2.) If confronted by strikers, tell them you are going in to steal things, not to buy them. Go in and grab what you need, pay for it, don't get bags, just have the checker throw the stuff in your cart. Then come running out like a mad person and race the cart to your trunk and then just toss the stuff in. Drive away quickly with the trunk unclosed and giving the strikers the 'high five' sign and a big smile as they cheer you on. Honk the horn for good effect. When the strike is over, they will remember that you were a bold and flaming sword for their cause!

3.) Need some quick cash? Get yourself a preist's or a nun's outfit and collect some funds in a tin cup 'for the needy'. Affect a Latin accent for the Latino strikers and an Irish accent for the white folks. When you have what you need, drive over to Stater Brothers and spend it.

4.) Gotta have that Pavilions Peach Punch? Put a paper bag over your head that says "Local (whatever) rocks!" and tell the strikers, you are going to buy a lot of stuff and then come back and return it all just to 'screw with 'the man's mind'. Do your shopping with the bag inside out where it says "Local (whatever) sucks!". Get good prices and kudos for supporting 'the man' from 'the man'. Then. drive home and forget it all.

5.) Actually afraid to cross a picket line? Three options :

A.) Pretend you are retarded. Slobber and jabber a lot and try to feel up some cute chick. They'll let you pass just to get rid of you.

B.) Pretend you are crazy. Laugh like Richard Widmark in "Kiss of Death". Nobody wants to deal with that. Use beady eyes at all times.

C.) Become a religious zealot or pretend you are Jesus. Praise all the strikers, quote bible verses or make them up, just rant on and on.Ttry to cop a feel from that cute checker or bagger. They'll let you through.

5.) Feeling contentious and combative? If a striker gives you a hard time, just remind them that you shop at their store all the time and when the strike is over, you will remember them and make it a point to ruin their day each time you come in, "So, don't F with me!". Give them the evil eye on the way out. Point knowingly at them.

6.) Be creative and crazy at the same time. Pretend you are holding a gun in your clearly visibly empty hand. Keep looking around you and back into the store like Bogart or Cagney backing out of a bank they have just robbed while warning off the strikers. Use good dialog from Turner Classic Movies gangster films of the 30s. "Keep back, I'm tellin; ya!! You there! Get away from that door. Ok, fatstuff, don't make no bad moves, see? Yeah, yeah, that's right. Keep your noses clean and no one'll get hurt, get me? I'll plug the first one a ya's that makes a move". Then just back into the market. shop, and come out the same way. Hold your 'gun' on one of them and get them to load your stuff in your car. Drive away laughing.

7.) Pretend you are blind and didn't know there was a strike. Act pathetic and cry. Then ask one of them to help you shop.

Yes, there are many ways to have fun during the strike! It's fun for all!
_________________
A scouring fire shall avenge us and return our forsaken freedoms!
~
Join my secret society! http://www.secretsociety-doh.com

Crimson · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2003 9:55 am Post subject:

Cheryl · "Mouse Management" Member Joined: 26 Aug 2002 Posts: 2630

Don of the Dial · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2003 6:49 pm Post subject:

Strikers dropping in people's estimation?

The new KFI guy took a few phone calls and most of them were anti-strikers more than anti-strike.

They said...and this is confirmed by me...that strikers were blocking the exits and entrances to various supermarkets. I must have passed 6 or 7 markets today. Radio listeners said that strikers were harassing potential customers, callingthem names and trying to dissuade a guy who needed late night medicine for his baby.

Worse, I saw numerous strikers parading back and forth in front of the driveways to markets and mini-malls.

Worse yet, there was one stupid, selfish a-hole of a woman who had her little 3 or 4 y/o girl walking back and forth with a picket sign in 90 degree SGV heat...AND....she was letting the child walk back and forth in the driveway entrance to the store. This was up in La Canada or Sunland on Foothill Blvd. I almost turned the car around. I should have called the police. That child was in danger.
_________________
A scouring fire shall avenge us and return our forsaken freedoms!
~
Join my secret society! http://www.secretsociety-doh.com

Crimson · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2003 6:56 pm Post subject:

It was 90 degrees today...that's shameful Shame on you

Reminds me of the little mexican kids holding up signs re: drivers' licenses and "rights" for illegals...WTF is wrong with these parents?

Cheryl · "Mouse Management" Member Joined: 26 Aug 2002 Posts: 2630

Yep, I saw the picketers outside the Ralph's in San Marino, they were pacing back and forth across the parking lot entrances/exits too. Then they'd wave, and flash peace signs, like we're so nice, don't enter...

I didn't understand at first how they could choose one chain to picket, now I think I understand. The unions targeted Vons and Pavillions, but the Ralph's and Albertson's chains united w/Vons and locked out all union employees, once they started picketing Vons, so it's all stores that have the picketers. They will probably get some enthusiastic support from alot of people for a few days, maybe a week, but once the days and weeks drag on, people will grow tired of the inconvenience, and they'll return to their local stores. Those that have a regular store they shop at, and know the checkers, will probably go to another, that's nearby, but where they don't know the employees. That's human nature, they'll get tired very quickly. I feel a win for the supermarkets on this one.

Stele · Mental Patient Joined: 19 Sep 2003 Posts: 141

Yeah, I tend to go to A1 Foodstore because a lot of produce there is tons cheaper. Ralphs and Albertsons are a block away and I only go to them if I HAVE to and that won't change even if there is a strike or not. Sorry, I've got problems too and my priority is me. It's just a fact right now, I can't give up everything for someone who has more than I do. That sounds really self centered, I know, but it's reality. I feel for them but I gotta feel for me first.

MagiCat · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2003 9:35 pm Post subject:

Since I was driving the company car with all the logos on them, we went to Food 4 Less. I guess even though it's owned by Ralph's, there's no work stoppage, in fact there's a sign on the front of the door that there's no work stoppage, that all the employees are their regular employees.

I did notice that the prices there were lower than usual, they seemed to have a lot more "Green Tag Specials" than usual. Wonder if they know a lot of people will go there and figure they want to keep them coming back by showing how low the prices are.

One thing about Food 4 Less, bagging your own groceries means you get the same quality that you get with the scabs at Ralphs

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Crimson · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2003 9:58 pm Post subject:

What Food 4 Less?

You went all the way to Panorama City? Ugh Mad

Transverz · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 1:44 am Post subject:

Horrible supermarket-strike experience:

Went to the supermarket today. Didn't think a thing of it. Pathetic excuse for a strike happening outside the Ralphs. Just a few women and men (mostly young, some almost adolescent) holding signs. Not a big deal. Made my way in the store ALMOST without any hassle (couple of girls approached someone walking out while I was walking in and humorously tried to lay guilt trip to us while I said, "SORRY, I'M HUNGRY".

Found exactly what I needed (a can of freakin' soup). Went to the check out line (3 was about 7pm). Got behind old lady who was behind some dude. Apparently they were having trouble ringing the guy up. Not a big deal. Waited about 5 minutes or so, then the checker next lane over invites me to get rung up. This was cool, or so it seemed. He scans in the soup, asks for my club card. Punched in number on club card (I hate those damn things) and proceeded to enter ATM information. The register wasn't responding. Young, inexperienced checker kept trying different things. He closed andd the register at least 15 times. Couldn't get the scanner to scan my soup again. In the meantime, same old lady got tired of the other line who was STILL trying to ring up same original dude she was behind and now faced the same behind me. about 15 minutes later, my checker finally calls over a "superior" but is just as inexperienced as him. Tries all kinds of things, to no avail.

After 20 minutes or so, they eventually tell me they couldn't work the register and tells me to go to another checkstand! I go to another checkstand and is behind some guy. He checks out okay but of course, THIS GUY WANTS STAMPS! FREAKIN' STAMPS!!! They scurry around for minutes finding stamps, how to input it, etc, and finally, after at least 30 minutes, it was my turn. At first I was in cheery moods as I understand they are inexperienced. But at this point, I was pissed. They scan my blasted soup and ask for my club card. I punch in the number and guess what: IN-FREAKIN-VALID!!! I had it. I said just ring me up because I hate violence and was about to see some. The soup ends up costing me twice as much and my whole entire side purpose was to avoid an ATM and get cashback, entirely UNavoiding an extra fee to get money. By the time I got out of there, I uncharacteristically flipped off the strikers who had gotten louder by that time and drove away.

Point of this boring story: I have no opinion on this whole strike situation. They are probably fighting for some just cause or another, and the supermarket is in the situation probably also equally as justified. Who the hell knows or really CARES besides them. What I *DON'T* care for or rather maddens me is that the CUSTOMER is the one to get punished. Yes, you can fight for your cause, or have some operational struggles because of a labor dispute, but for goodness sake, don't push your troubles onto the very people that keep your stores(that is, besides the "marketing" fees you make your vendors pay, but that's a whole other story). This goes for EVERYTHING else in the world. People have a problem with this or that or the other, and rather than deal with the problem in a way that values who is really important, NO, the people always end up losing. What a crock and I'm really sick of it.

My non-expert opinion: Although I don't know how economically feasible this is (nor do I care), I think I would have appreciated it far more if the supermakets that didn't have experienced enough last-minute staff on hand just shut down for about a day. Yes, there would be less available supermarkets but it's not like there are NO choices. Yes, they would lose money for that day, but to what end? Enraging me and all those other people with me? And I'm sure this was going on even worse throughout the day...my story unfolded at night time! Don't punish the customer. This only makes me want to shop somewhere else entirely. If you can't hack it, bite the bullet, shut down for a day, train your people to a point where they at least handle checking people out, and keep your customers happy. Bah...ANYWAY, who cares.

Sorry, had to get that out. Thanks for reading! I swear, I will be back to my former, happy self.

But for now: Evil or Very Mad

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YOU *WILL* SUFFER ME!

Don of the Dial · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 2:52 am Post subject:

Grim saga.

My suggestion for small purchases - bring cash, add up how much it is. If the line slows to a crawl like that, announce that you have 4 dollars worth of goods, here's the money, give them the money, bag your stuff and walk out.

It isn't stealing since you gave them the money and they'll be some busy trying to fix whatever is holding things up anyway, that you can go about your business.

I have to go to the market in the next day or so.

I'll either go to my regular market or use the strike as an excuse to check out HOW's Markets or some other Asian or Mexican olace.

Hey...for anyone in the area - Howie's two markets in Sierra Madre and San Gabriel are likely I cant see that place ever having gone union. The SM venue is really cool and like shopping in a 1950's market. No great price deals there, but too cool to die.

Get SPRings when headed out of town.

Students living cheap? Ten pound can (at least) of Van DeKamps Baked Beans for 99 cents at the 99 cent store. Biggest can on anything I ever saw in my life. Wash it down with a 3 liter Shasta 99 cent Pineapple soda. Toss in a can of TREET. You can eat for days on 3 bucks.

Man, that's *real* eatin'!

*Try not to blow the covers off your bed at night.

_________________
A scouring fire shall avenge us and return our forsaken freedoms!
~
Join my secret society! http://www.secretsociety-doh.com

Crimson · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 10:21 am Post subject:

Oh noooooooooooooooooo, Don,

NOT the can of TREET, again?

That and a huge can of beans and some garlic should have you awake all night!

Sounds like a belly-bomber to me!

And I can't wait to hear your next grocery shopping story. They are almost as good as your reviews. The one about the auto parts store clerk.

Crimson · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 10:27 am Post subject:

Transverz,

Your story wasn't boring to me. It was realistic. Yet another reason to listen to your AM radio while waiting in line, instead of being aggravated to no end and watching all the checkout difficulty.

Can you just imagine what FUN it will be when the Food Stamp and WIC certificate customers hit the checkout and the "new" clerks try to deal with that? I'd hang myself.

I heard Jim Kramer telling Bill Handel this morning that the grocer companies are faced with trying to cut back due to an iminent doom of Wal
Mart coming and swooping customers. I didn't hear all of the details, but apparently there's a big mess going on in the South with Winn Dixie stores due to Wal Mart. (now they're getting into the grocery business, I guess)

Transverz · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 10:49 am Post subject:

Crimson: Thanks for the support

and I'm off to buy a trusty walkman just for that purpose (any affordable/portable C.Crane radios out there?

)

Anyway, yes WalMart is coming like a category 10 storm. L.A. (at least where I live) is so odd not having one. I've moved back since, but I moved to the Pomona area 4 years ago and the presence of WalMart is certainly alive and well there. T'was great. Some are 24 hours and you can get what you want, period. In L.A.? You get TRASHED up K-marts and the occasional rip-off that is Target. L.A. is going to get it and get it good.

Oh, and the presence of Stater Bros out east is also quite cool!

*in horrible country twang*
"In the heartland...of California, in the heartlaaand...Stater Brothers..."
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YOU *WILL* SUFFER ME!

Don of the Dial · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 11:38 am Post subject:

Crimson · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 1:19 pm Post subject:

Yes, the one about himng up his wallet to give you change.

Don of the Dial · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 2:02 pm Post subject:

Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2003 1:35 pm Post subject:

http://www.talkheroes.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=444&highlight=wallet .

Haha...Down the street a few minutes later, there was no such
distraction at Pep Boys and the guy cashier almost had a meltdown.

I bought three items that were on sale and he didn't charge me the sale
price. Then he realized that he had no idea what he was doing and
couldn't work the register and didn't seem to know that 50 cents x 3
totaled to $1.50 refund, plus tax.

At one point he was about to give me 5 dollars and change back for
some reason. The he realized that was wrong and his calls fro help still
went unheeded by the rest of the Manny Mo' Jack Koffs there.

Then he had me step aside as he rang up another customer as the line
grew longer!

He was about to ring up another customer when I stopped him and
asked him to complete the refund policy. Slowly, he unraveled.

And it was hot up there in the front of Pep Boys.

Hed his wallet (!!!) to look for some money (???) and then he
gave me $1.20 as a refund. I told him again that it was 50 cents back on
each item, so he gives me $1.50. And I said, "plus tax".

This is where he near fully melted down. He grabbed a whole quarter
from the register and near about slammed it into my hand.

I said to him, "Hey. Don't get angry at me just because you can't work
the cash register."

He realized he had crossed over into space out danger zone territory
with a customer and he said, "I'm not angry. I'm happy. Everything's OK."
He was working very hard to maintain.

Since everybody there in line had the same goal...to just get their stuff
and get the hell out of there....no one pressed the issue any further.

I was waiting for him to utter something behind my back as I exited, but
I heard nothing.

It was really too hot to fuss around, so the incident ended uneventfully.
His paperwork and register were likely a mess, but that was his problem
now.

I drove away 12 and one half cents richer for my time and trouble.
_________________
A scouring fire shall avenge us and return our forsaken freedoms!
~
Join my secret society! http://www.secretsociety-doh.com

Transverz · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 3:54 pm Post subject:

haha... it's really sad at the kind of people a business will hire. Don't they have some sort of addition/subtraction/multiplication test anymore? Even sadder, who are the people that they passed up to get THIS guy a job? Yikes!

Contrary to what a lot of people would have you believe, we should really start getting ahead in life based on skill, huh? Sorry, that story just reminded me of that.
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_________________
YOU *WILL* SUFFER ME!

MagiCat · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 6:26 pm Post subject:

Crimson · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 6:31 pm Post subject:

Oh, there must be another one....then. I only know about the one in Panorama City.

Cheryl · "Mouse Management" Member Joined: 26 Aug 2002 Posts: 2630

mmmm! Claim Jumper!

Love the food and those drinks, yeah!! Mango Margueritas are my favorite.
I always have enough left for lunch the next day.

MagiCat · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2003 6:52 pm Post subject:

MrKABC · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2003 8:04 pm Post subject:

Don, GREAT supermarket strike advice!! Once again, you had me rolling in the aisles!

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Stele · Mental Patient Joined: 19 Sep 2003 Posts: 141

MONOPOLY! People need to start playing Monopoly again to practice with money. Don't let the Democrats scare you out of playing the game as they might think it'll lead to leading "evil" corporations and such (Captain Planet). Heh, sorry I couldn't resist.