Help me! Kroger cashier training in store

Date: Sep 22, 2014

Help me! Kroger cashier training in store

NutritionWhore · Guru

Use your right hand to grab items, and the left hand to scan and move them down the belt.

If an item isn't scanning, rotate around different ways. If it still doesn't scan, then look down and see where the barcode is.

If an error shows up and you have no clue what it is, call your supervisor or ask another cashier closest to you.

Be polite to customers, no matter how much of an ass they can be. This is Kroger, they value the customer above the employee.

Baggers are your friends, not servants. If you see them busy with a pile of items you've just scanned and you've finished, help them out. The sooner you finish, the quicker you can be paid to stand around and do nothing.

Always ask for ID's if you get a check as payment. In addition, ask for anything else your store requires.

Your supervisor will train you regarding policies in your store (coupons, deals, prompts, etc.)

NEVER FORGET TO ASK FOR ID REGARDING ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO PURCHASES. Some states would require you to ID everyone, or that might be store policy. Either way, if you're not sure about someone's age AT ALL, ask them to show an ID.

Yes, military IDs are real and valid. And so are driver licenses that don't have pictures.

FESlaveHouston · Veteran Member

That is false about driver's license with no picture, as I've never even heard of one that didn't have a picture. But ID with no picture is a big no no, no matter the state in regards to tobacco and alcohol, or even checks/credit cards, as how would you be sure the license actually belonged to the person in front of you presenting it?

FrontEndSlave · Guru

FESlaveHouston wrote:
That is false about driver's license with no picture, as I've never even heard of one that didn't have a picture. But ID with no picture is a big no no, no matter the state in regards to tobacco and alcohol, or even checks/credit cards, as how would you be sure the license actually belonged to the person in front of you presenting it?

We had a Canadian come through with his driver's license last week.
I showed the cashier where on the Canadian DL was his date of birth.

Date: Sep 22, 2014

Valid IDs are dependent on state laws. They'll tell you about it.

I know a foreign DL wouldn't fly here. Passport would be fine.

NutritionWhore · Guru

FESlaveHouston wrote:
That is false about driver's license with no picture, as I've never even heard of one that didn't have a picture. But ID with no picture is a big no no, no matter the state in regards to tobacco and alcohol, or even checks/credit cards, as how would you be sure the license actually belonged to the person in front of you presenting it?

You, sir, need to get yourself educated with state laws regarding identity.

States DO allow driver licenses without photo. You can read more about them here: http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/electionlaw/litigation/documents/LWVJ.pdf

Don't worry, it's only 18 pages. Hopefully that won't hurt your head. Here's a tl;dr for you: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driver%27s_license_in_the_United_States#Use_as_identification_and_proof_of_age

Yes, OP, the license will say "valid without photo ID" or something similar. And since it is STILL a valid state ID, you can accept it. But, if you are worried, ask a supervisor.

NutritionWhore · Guru

FESlaveHouston wrote:
That is false about driver's license with no picture, as I've never even heard of one that didn't have a picture. But ID with no picture is a big no no, no matter the state in regards to tobacco and alcohol, or even checks/credit cards, as how would you be sure the license actually belonged to the person in front of you presenting it?

Also, what in the hell are you going to do about a Military ID, which, by the way, can omit the bearer's photo for security reasons. Are you going to make him turn around tell him to go to Chuck E. Cheese?

Lord_Uboat · Guru

When in doubt, YELL over the intercom for a supervisor. The louder and more obnoxious your voice, the faster he will come to you.

But seriously, you should make sure you know how to do the following after they "train" you.

How to...

1. Accept cash

2. Accept check

3. Accept card

4. Do a drop

5. Change receipt tape

You'll learn produce codes and WIC as you go, but for now try to remember those five things.

FESlaveHouston · Veteran Member

washington state requirements for ID in sale of tobacco and alcohol: liq.wa.gov/enforcement/acceptableid

Vermont: www.uvm.edu/~vlrs/doc/liquorid.html

Ohio: codes.ohio.gov/orc/4301 specifically 4301.61

Texas: www.tabc.state.tx.us/enforcement/age_verification.asp

Kroger policy regarding tobacco sales, also applies to alcohol, found on greatpeople.me vpnb-cdc.kroger.com/wps/wcm/myconnect/e4a37b52-c744-4300-a528-b92dc9141ab8/,DanaInfo=greatpeople.kroger.com+Tobacco+Sales+Policy.pdf

every one of these links states a Valid Photo ID is required

FESlaveHouston · Veteran Member

According to Kroger policy regarding tobacco sales, which also applies to the purchase of alcohol (because both require verification of age):

Unless otherwise prohibited by state or local law, associates must require one of the following current and valid photo-ID cards to establish the legal age to purchase tobacco (and alcohol) and tobacco paraphernalia:

1. Driver's License;
2. State issued ID card;
3. Passport;
4. Military issued identification card;
5. U.S. Immigration Card.

If you wish to read company policy on this matter in full, you can go to greatpeople.me log in with your EUID, My Role, Policies and click the tobacco sales policy.

And, in addition, if you wish to verify your state's requirements, you can google "{insert state name here} tobacco and alcohol sales identification".

And in regards to military ID: http://www.cac.mil/uniformed-services-id-card/

And, yes I looked at your links, NW, however, that doesn't change my statement in the least. Kroger policy requires photo ID, as do most states, with regards to sales of tobacco and alcohol. Reason? A minor could conceivably "borrow" an adult's non-photo ID and pass themselves off as said individual. Which is the basis of my statement, which I firmly stand behind. And I didn't know that these types of legal Identification cards existed, but does not change one iota. If you are not apparently old enough to buy tobacco or alcohol, you must present me a valid photo-ID in the form presented above, before I will sell to you.

-- Edited by FESlaveHouston on Monday 22nd of September 2014 06:54:34 PM

NutritionWhore · Guru

FESlaveHouston wrote:
According to Kroger policy regarding tobacco sales, which also applies to the purchase of alcohol (because both require verification of age):

Unless otherwise prohibited by state or local law, associates must require one of the following current and valid photo-ID cards to establish the legal age to purchase tobacco (and alcohol) and tobacco paraphernalia:

1. Driver's License;
2. State issued ID card;
3. Passport;
4. Military issued identification card;
5. U.S. Immigration Card.

1 and 4 don't have to have an ID in certain states. And EVERYONE must accept any form of identification ANY state provides.

By the way, it's actually a "valid government-issued ID". Photo or not, it fits state laws regarding purchases of alcohol and tobacco. Besides, not even KROGER'S computer training feature a photo in certain ID's (like military). Believe me, I've taken those CBT's plenty of times.

If you'd stop pushing carts for once and pay attention, you'd know the difference. ;)

FESlaveHouston · Veteran Member

Who said that I pushed carts? I've been in grocery as a cashier since before most of these kids got out of diapers. And I have been through the cbt stuff too and probably more recently. And I'd bet that you didn't look at my link from the US government identifying military issue identification. Nowhere on there it's there one minus a photo. Debunks you yet again. And again I will tell you, I will not accept ANY non photo id for purchase of alcohol, tobacco or use of a credit card/check where identification is required. Too easy for someone to be using stolen identification

-- Edited by FESlaveHouston on Monday 22nd of September 2014 08:04:32 PM

FrontEnd Trooper · Guru

Anonymous wrote:
Next Tuesday I start cashier training, after being here as a bagger. The only problem is that I wasn't able to go to the training center so they are just putting me in store and having a supervisor train me on the spot. I know I am screwed, I don't need you to tell me that, but can anyone give me any tips I should know before entering so I don't look like a complete idiot.
I know nothing that I haven't learned from observation, so I don't know what buttons to press or anything. Pleese help!

No matter what, always look like you know what's going on, what you're doing, etc. Never demonstrate uncertainty or weakness: customers can smell that like blood, and will tear you apart if given the opportunity. Remember, while some customers are nice people, most are the sorts who would pay money to watch kittens and puppies fight to the death, and would gladly revel in your humiliation or degradation. Reducing you to tears would be the highlight of their day. It's you versus them. Take no prisoners, show no mercy.

As for pressing buttons, just press all the buttons. What's the worst that could happen? Really, in an infinite universe of possibilities, we are nothing but temporary and minor spasms of life. Nothing, in the end, matters at all.

-- Edited by FrontEnd Trooper on Monday 22nd of September 2014 08:31:33 PM

Ms White · Guru

You need to learn No Sale/96/Sign On - Kroger is obsessed with it.

FrontEndSlave · Guru

FrontEnd Trooper wrote:
Remember, while some customers are nice people, most are the sorts who would pay money to watch kittens and puppies fight to the death, and would gladly revel in your humiliation or degradation. Reducing you to tears would be the highlight of their day. It's you versus them. Take no prisoners, show no mercy.

This.

Today, I had a woman in line who bought four or five glass items.
Even though they were in boxes, they were the kind of glassware that had open sides.
She had a large cart. And more than $100 worth of groceries.
She was insistent everything could fit inside the cart. It did.
But then we come to her glass items, which are the last items coming down the belt.

So I asked her what she wanted to do, told her "I'm not sure where to put the glass items, I could put them on the bottom of the cart, but I want to make sure nothing breaks."

Guess what her lovely response was to that.

(in a huffy, superficial tone) "I can just pack my own **** [I guess!]"

So even though I am screaming in my head, I calmly explain to her "I just want to make sure we have a place to put everything."
I mean, she has glass items, a full cart, space on the bottom but if one falls off there in the parking lot or even in our store, it's in pieces.

"Just put them in the cart, that's what we have grocery stores for!" (huffing again)

And this was about ten minutes in to my shift.

Thankfully my cashier had been my Front End Supervisor at the time and he had just walked away.
I don't think he would have blamed me for anything, as I did the right thing, thinking of the customer and trying to make sure the items bought stayed intact to her car.

As I went into the lobby and watched her leave, my co-worker coming off the parking lot came inside.
I told him about what happened and in a lower tone said "I'm saying to myself in my head, if your crap falls and breaks, I'm not going to help you pick it up."

Our customers can be rude, insensitive jerks.
Anyone -- cashier, bagger, deli clerks, whomever -- needs to recognize that first and foremost.
Yes you have to stomach the Kroger BS of every face you see in every video smiling with teeth whiter than the fence in Tom Sawyer.
But that doesn't mean you have to forget about reality as well.

techelite · Guru

OP, never forget that our mandate to provide good customer service will never mean that a customer can just walk all over you or another employee. Just do your job right and politely and you'll be ok.

Also, you're not screwed just because they're training you in-store. Many/most cashiers train that way and it works out fine.

frontendpeon · Veteran Member

If your store doesn't require you to ask for an ID, NEVER EVER enter in your own birthdate as an override. This can result in an immediate firing. Until you memorize produce codes...keep a sheet of paper by your register and write down common produce codes for items that come through frequently. This will help speed up your times. ALWAYS ask for the Kroger Plus Card -- it can be entered at any time BEFORE the customer pays. If they don't give it to you before they pay, they'll have to go to customer service to get the difference back in cash.

Try to be as nice as is humanly possible to every customer.

Tip to speed up your cashier times (if your store sucks and is anal retentive about scan times), hit suspend total (purple button) and enter.....this will STOP the timer for 20 - 30 seconds an buy you time!

FrontEndSlave · Guru

frontendpeon wrote:
If your store doesn't require you to ask for an ID, NEVER EVER enter in your own birthdate as an override. This can result in an immediate firing. Until you memorize produce codes...keep a sheet of paper by your register and write down common produce codes for items that come through frequently. This will help speed up your times. ALWAYS ask for the Kroger Plus Card -- it can be entered at any time BEFORE the customer pays. If they don't give it to you before they pay, they'll have to go to customer service to get the difference back in cash.

Try to be as nice as is humanly possible to every customer.

Tip to speed up your cashier times (if your store sucks and is anal retentive about scan times), hit suspend total (purple button) and enter.....this will STOP the timer for 20 - 30 seconds an buy you time!

???

I have given my Kroger Plus card to a cashier after everything is rung up and it still sets the difference.
Granted, I don't like using it, but when I do, I do try to give it at the beginning.
But the times I have used it at the end it still applies the differences.
Seemed to be as long as I did it before paying it still worked.

frontendpeon · Veteran Member

FrontEndSlave wrote:
frontendpeon wrote:
If your store doesn't require you to ask for an ID, NEVER EVER enter in your own birthdate as an override. This can result in an immediate firing. Until you memorize produce codes...keep a sheet of paper by your register and write down common produce codes for items that come through frequently. This will help speed up your times. ALWAYS ask for the Kroger Plus Card -- it can be entered at any time BEFORE the customer pays. If they don't give it to you before they pay, they'll have to go to customer service to get the difference back in cash.

Try to be as nice as is humanly possible to every customer.

Tip to speed up your cashier times (if your store sucks and is anal retentive about scan times), hit suspend total (purple button) and enter.....this will STOP the timer for 20 - 30 seconds an buy you time!

???
I have given my Kroger Plus card to a cashier after everything is rung up and it still sets the difference.
Granted, I don't like using it, but when I do, I do try to give it at the beginning.
But the times I have used it at the end it still applies the differences.
Seemed to be as long as I did it before paying it still worked.

I wasn't clear -- if the person doesn't give you their Plus Card until after payment has been made, you can't re-do the transaction without an over ride, and that gives the FES & managers another reason to fuss at you.

FESlaveHouston · Veteran Member

Ms White wrote:
You need to learn No Sale/96/Sign On - Kroger is obsessed with it.

some stores that is no longer possible. My store is finishing a remodel and we went touch screen. There's no longer the ability to check our performance at the register, that I have been able to dig up.

FrontEnd Trooper · Guru

FESlaveHouston wrote:
My store is finishing a remodel and we went touch screen.

Oh dear god. I hope that doesn't happen at my store.

GenesisOne · Guru

FrontEnd Trooper wrote:
FESlaveHouston wrote:
My store is finishing a remodel and we went touch screen.
Oh dear god. I hope that doesn't happen at my store.

We've had touchscreens now since September 2013. At first, very few of us liked them, but now? I couldn't imagine having to go back to the old-style keyboards and having to remember all the different key sequences. It's actually one of the few instances where I can actually say it was money well spent on Kroger's part.

The best advice I can think of for anyone that is just starting out as a checker is don't worry so much about speed (in the beginning), and focus more on getting comfortable with operating a register. Speed, and confidence, will come with experience. Also, even those that have years of experience as a checker still sometimes have to ask questions, so it's best to stop what you're doing and ask a nearby cashier (or pick up the phone and dial a register number that has a cashier and/or Customer Care/Self Scan, if you can visibly see that person isn't busy) and ask for clarification on a matter, or you could ask a supervisor too, of course. Something Kroger, and really, a lot of companies/people forget in general is we all learn at a different pace and, sometimes, different ways, so never feel like you should know everything within a short period of time. It's better to ask when in doubt than to assume and be wrong.

-- Edited by GenesisOne on Tuesday 23rd of September 2014 03:29:07 PM

FESlaveHouston · Veteran Member

FrontEnd Trooper wrote:
FESlaveHouston wrote:
My store is finishing a remodel and we went touch screen.
Oh dear god. I hope that doesn't happen at my store.

Your store is next, my friend.... mwahahahahahahaha

Date: Jun 4, 2020

Best. Advice. Ever