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Adventures in the Grocery Store - A Real Estate Allegory

For me, there has always been something comforting about the grocery store. Maybe it's because my first paying job was as a sacker in the Minyard's store in Waxahachie, Texas. Maybe it's because my grandfather worked for H-E-B Grocery for 38 years until he retired in the early 1970's, not long after I was born. Whatever the case, I like grocery shopping, unless of course it is with three cranky children in tow.

Today after church, we needed a handful of items from the store, so I decided to go in and grab them while Pam waited with the kids.

Two gallons of 1% milk - check. Rotisserie chicken for my mother-in-law - check. Blue Bell Ultimate Neopolitan ice cream which will swiftly defeat the purpose of buying 1% milk - check. Ready to check out.

Here in Austin, almost every big store has gone to a "self checkout" system these days. I would imagine that this is the case elsewhere, but perhaps I am wrong. I have noticed this at every grocery store and recently I saw it at Home Depot as well.

They typically limit the self checkout area to 10 or 20 items.

Today, I was happy to use this method, since I only had four items, all of which were clearly marked with UPC codes. I haven't tried it yet with produce, since there is a complicated-looking book of codes for that.

All four of the registers were being used, and there were only two people waiting. This will be fast, I thought. Wrong.

One lady had ONLY fresh vegetables and fruit (see reference to book of codes above), then she proceeded to pay with one dollar bills and coins from a small change purse that she produced.

Another lady made all of us silently roll our eyes, and even caused me to remark, "I guess they don't require an IQ test for this, huh?" to the woman in front of me, who was clearly peeved. Yes, I really said it. No, I am not really proud of it, but I was ticked. Frankly, it wasn't that far off the mark.

Each time this lady scanned an item, she was instructed in a loud computerized voice to "Please place the item in the bag on the carousel." She did, then she picked it up and put it in her basket. The system is weight-based. This means that it is waiting for you to place something on the carousel that weighs the same as the product you just scanned. It might not be obvious THE FIRST TIME.

However, this particular woman was instructed at least three times by three different people about how to operate the machine! Two employees came over, then a well-meaning fellow consumer tried to help. She would not be dissuaded from her erroneous ways. She was convinced that her way was correct, although EVERYONE could see that it was simply not the case. She had about 10-15 items total. However, I think I was probably not only out of the store before her, but home safely with my family before she defeated the infernal machine. Clearly, the complexities were beyond her experience and/or abilities.

So, what is my point here? Sometimes it is simply best to let the professionals handle things. Buying groceries is not nearly as challenging or complex as selling a home, especially in today's real estate climate.

This woman reminded me of so many "for sale by owners" that I have seen over the years, who are absolutely determined that their rules are correct, despite all of the indications to the contrary. It doesn't matter how many agents and/or neighbors try to help them with sound advice. Their way is going to work eventually. To an extent, this is true, but how much time is it worth? In the case of selling a home, it is not simply time, but money that could be lost. Call someone who does this every day, rather than going it alone.

My comment about the IQ test was harsh, to be sure, but I feel even more strongly about FSBOs who are utterly misguided/deluded with regard to pricing. Market value is not arbitrary, nor is it determined by what someone feels their home "must" be worth.

If you are looking to sell your home, I would love the opportunity to assist you with your sale.

I have been selling homes in the general Austin area for over 11 years now, and I have developed a reputation among my peers and past clients as an honest broker/agent. There are certainly others who have sold more homes than I have, but you would be hard-pressed to find an agent with more integrity than me. I would rather talk you out of an offer on your home than to assist you in making a bad decision.

Call me anytime at 512-796-7653 or email jason@austintexashomes.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon! My Austin real estate website is www.austintexashomes.com.

If you enjoyed this post, why not connect with me in these other communities?

If you're looking for a home in the Austin area, you can visit my primary Austin real estate website at www.austintexashomes.com. Thanks!

Posted by Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653) on 05/05/2008 12:29 AM

Comments (65)

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Originally posted at: Cool Austin Texas Real Estate Blog : Adventures in the Grocery Store - A Real Estate Allegory

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65 Comments on Adventures in the Grocery Store - A Real Estate Allegory

MAY

2008

Jason... Great analogy! Another "on target" perspective! Thanks for sharing!

Love the camel photo! Love the FSBO sign riveted with bullet holes! Must have been a shotgun with buckshot or what ever they shoot over there in TX! Think a frustrated real estate agent or buyer shot holes in that sign? :)

Jason, I like your take on this, good post! - Carla

Jason, so I think your suggestion with the FSBOs is, "Have you ever taken an IQ test?" That should win me some points with them :) Seriously, they almost unamiously drastically overprice the home. Love the bullet riddled sign. Tough neighborhood some FSBOs live in. Or was that YOU doing target practice? : )

Jason, what a funny perspective! Personally, I have almost always found the "real" checkers to be faster than the self service, and I think I am reasonably intelligent! (THough maybe I am deluded about that!)

And of course FSBO's overprice their homes! They want more money, which is why they are doing it themselves in the first place!!

My IQ isn't high enough to handle those darned automated machines!

Now that I've changed the way you think about me, I'll share a related story:

Walked into a model home with my mother in law in a 55+ neighborhood this afternoon. The sales associate quickly grabbed a card and had her fill it out. When I asked if she should put down the name of her agent so her agent could represent her in the potential purchase, the sales associate said she didn't need an agent. "We help with all the color selections, so you don't need an agent." I feel a blog coming on...

Nice. Not the snarky comment, but the point of the post. Some of us might indeed be able to 'check ourselves out', so to speak. But most people who want to sell FSBO don't understand that it's complicated selling a home.

Even more complicated then putting the scanned item on the scale instead of in your basket!

Just let the check-out girl help you, ladies and gentlemen.

Great comparison Jason. I wasnt sure where you were going with it but love the ending and the way you tied it all together!

Susan

MAY

2008

Jason:

I know that I am a strange bird....

However, I liked this post very much. Consumers know that Realtors(r) are human too. We say things that we sometimes shouldn't. We think things that we probably shouldn't A LOT more! You're human and this story is real. I am of the opinion that lots of people will respect that.

Thanks for the laugh.

Jason, I'm glad to see that I am not the only one who gets behind those people who have problems with technology. Although, once in awhile, that person is me!:)

I actually heard an employee of Albertsons tell a customer...... "You cannot use the self checkout anymore"

I don't know what she did because I walked up at the tail end of what I am sure was a fine display of stupidioitery.

Hi Jason-Great analogy. FSBO's beware! They may just end up with a "customer" like the lady at the store. Then they would be ready to check out. Great FSBO sign.

What I've noticed at our local grocery store is that they always put the new cashier trainee at the "express" checkout. I guess the managers think they can't mess that up too bad. So much for "express"! -Scott

I don't like the self check out. Partly because they don't seem to work right and partly because it's a job lost. The ice cream only negates the milk if consumed by the same people. So, don't drink the milk and you'll be ok. hahaha it sounded good. :)

Jason, I admit. I can't read one of your posts without laughing heartily! Then I looked up and saw Doreen's remark and I'm laughing again. Now, I know you were ticked...it just doesn't do much good.

I get that way too when I've been waiting for 20 minutes in a long line and I finally get to step up next. The person inevitably pulls 47 coupons out of her purse and a Lone Star card. Jeesh. It happens more than not! If that doesn't happen the register breaks!

I too love to shop when I can take my time. Great feature! Later in the rain~Deb

Jason - you never cease impress me. I abslutely love the way you tied 'do it yourself' check out to FSBOs.

PS - I never use self check out - it's my way of saying I'd rather deal with a human than a 'machine' and I hate the fact that the 'machines' are causing folks to lose their jobs.

I don't like those self-checkout lines either. I tried them once or twice and always get frustrated. Glad to hear I'm not the only one! I never thought about that either .... that it's taking a job away from someone. Thanks for the post!

Most impressive you are. Well woven. Must borrow your shot-up FSBO sign. That is too funny.

JASON - Good points about trying to go it alone when selling your home. With regard to pricing, there is one other point that I think is important to note. Homes sold by professionals are exposed to more potential buyers, and thus, generate higher selling prices. Anyone selling on their own is not likely to generate the same types of offers, so even if they used proper comparables (which they usually don't), they would still likely be overpriced.

They just recently put self checkout machines at the commissary (military grocery store), and I thought it was cool until I tried it. After that experience I just go to the regular express line with the cashier. It took forever doing it by myself.

Jason, no offense but I hate those things. I always get stuck, for me it is faster to just check out. Can't ever get them right. LOL

I'm not sure my IQ is high enough to run those machines that is why I always use the professional. Really good points.

Jason, such a simple analogy, but such a good one. In fact, I went back to my post on mistakes home sellers make and added a link to this one. I think this is an example I'll use in future appointments. Thanks much!

Too funny but all too true! I recently had an appointment with a home seller that feels Realtors don't deserve their commission and it's easier to do it on his own. I wished him Luck!

You said a mouthful! I like to grocery shop but refuse to use the auto check out. I don't like 'humans' being replaced by machines/computers. Perhaps if we all refuse to use them they will go away?

I like the point you are making.

Jason,

I use it at Home Depot and or Lowes. I haven't seen it in Publix...but sometimes it is faster and sometimes it isn't. Especially when there is only 4 of them and everyone uses them at the same time. I think they'll have to go with it real soon in the grocery stores here.

I like the camel photo. Great point and I never would have thought of this comparison but it works.

Jason - You are right, she does remind me of most FSBO's. THey are absolutely convinced that they can do a better job that anybody else, and you have no chance in persuading them.

Jason,

Our grocery store has taken it one step further. They give you one of those bar code scanners and as you put things into your cart, you scan them. Then at checkout, you just scan a barcode at the register and pay.

My kids love this, however, I have some friends that end up spending even more time at the store. They leave it to the professionals.

Ok I have to vent. Yes I see the need for these little self check out area and yes you are right about some people not being qualified to use them. In our tech savvy world the older people are being left behind so you have to kind of take a deep breath and just say patience iv a virtue.

Here goes my venting. Why does Home Depot only have 1 lane open which forces you to use the self checkout. Are computers replacing jobs? Of course they are yet at Home Depot most items can't be placed in the bag. I watched poor elderly couple have the self checkout option FORCED on them since only 1 lane with 10 parties in line existed. 3 associates stood at the lane with the checker and chatted about life while these poor couple tried to understand how to put a metal pool that was 6 Feet high in the bag. The asked and asked for help only to be ignored. I proceeded to do my best to help them while also proceeding to tell that manager that he needed to hire employees who actually work.

Nice post. Those self checkout things can really get on a girls nerves. They have made me have a completely different opinion of Home Depot where we use to shop almost daily. I prefer Lowe's these days. I think they work at stores where you actually get the option for a pro to help yet I worry about the stores that are forcing them on us for their bottom line.

I hate Self Checkout. The companys are trying to save money and service is gone.

Nice allegory. I actually dislike the self checkout most of the time. No matter how much I try to do it correctly, sometimes the machine refuses to accept it - I scan an item, drop it on the conveyor belt, and it's rejected, told to scan again...there are folks behind me, the cashier has to come over and rescue me, and I'll bet I'm not the only one wishing for the old fashioned days of actual cashiers.

Not all stores here in northeast pa have these u-check units, thankfully.

I too have fond thoughts of grocery stores - but only small stores. I met my husband while working as a cashier in a small corner market. I miss that place.

I actually like the self checkout, but do think it eliminates the service aspect. It seems the more people use them, the less checkout lines are open. This makes the ones that are open long and drives more people to self checkout. In the long run, it will eliminate jobs. So I guess we need to weigh the pros and cons. Sort of like self serve gas. Years ago there was 2-3 people working there since they had to pump the gas, run credit cards etc. Now in most stations there is only one and they are in a booth

This story takes me back to one day my boyfriend and I were in the self checkout line. Normally I've very good with these things (I used to be a cashier for goodness sake). I let my boyfriend handle the ringing up while I placed the groceries on the converyor belt. Well that "place items in the bag" announcement kept coming up but HE WAS placing items in the bag. Of course me being 'me', I told him to move over and let me handle it, same scenario, annoying announcement over and over again. We were laughing hysterically at the stupidity of it all. But guess what? I don't go through those lines anymore, except for the rare occassion that I allow my 5 year old to check us out - yep seriously :)

I wouldn't call FSBOs idiots though, they just don't know. Usually once they try it once they 'get it' unless they were lucky enough to sell during the peak, honestly they didn't need an agent to find the buyer. Obviously they still needed an agent for other issues, but in today's market buyers and sellers need an agent more than EVER.

Great post!

Great analogy. It's amazing that some people simply cannot believe the truth of the system. Systems are in place for a reason...productivity, cashflow and security.

I use the self check out sometimes, because I think it will save me time. It rarely does and is usually an exercise in frustration!

Clever way to make your point, Jason. If something as trivial as a self checkout station can easily get the better of someone with no experience with it, it is no surprise that the sale of a piece of Real Estate may have a few variables that make the process even more vexing than properly scanning cabbage. Regarding your uncharitable though for the lady ahead of you, we all have such moments of weakness. Here's mine. You can rest assured that she would not have been able to properly use the IQ testing station had that been a prerequisite ;)

The second grocery analogy I've read today - I like it!

Jasonizer, Great post and I'm glad it was featured. We love the self checkouts. The first time I ever used them I made sure there was no one around to wait for me just in case I messed up.

Ohhh yes. I even see that with agents. Why do agents think they are professional marketers or photographers? My hand made postcard on microsoft publisher doesnt look professional. :) Starts at the source of the stream if we want to attract others to think the same way!

Self serve is often self defeat! Great post and about the harsh comment - three different instructions and still did not get it. I know we would all be thinking that. Don't beat yourself up over it.

Jason- Great story and it really does parallel FSBO's. No matter what we want our homes to be worth they are only worth what someone is willing to pay.

I dislike the self checkout line sooooooo much......

Best,

Scott

I had no idea where you were going with this one but it wrapped up perfectly and without the need for the loud automated voice saying a word to me...let alone repeating it. This post reminds me of flat fee MLS sellers the most.

My husband hates using the self checkout because he says he doesn't need anything else nagging him--especially a machine. I agree. Nobody nags hubby but me.

Jason - interesting analogy. Did you know some of those machines won't accept coupons? For that, you need a cashier's help GRRR!

Jason, I thought this was a great post. I hate self check outs. It takes me twice as long to get through them. I want things done by people who are trained to do them so they are done correctly, like installing a wood floor or tile.

For Sale By Owner's have to think about security, forms, advertising, who's going to show the home, etc. That is why most of them (about 85%) turn to an agent after they have tried it for a while.

Why not just do it first so the home sells faster!

Some people like to use technology and the speed aspect of self-check out, others need more help and prefer the service aspect of getting a live person. Same as when you call tech support. In real estate we'll have some clients who like looking at properties online and others who want to eliminate them in person. We can give them the choice and work with them in their preferred manner. You make very good points here and it's always great to have this type of food for thought.

Jason,

Is it easier to push a camel or pull one??? :) Thanks, Fran

I shop at Trader Joe's - always a nice conversation, always help when I need it, always offer to go look in the back if we don't see it out front, always advising on ways to create new yummy dishes. I love good customer service. If I am giving you my money, give me your time, assistance and expertise -- like a good agent would :)

Man Jason, what an awesome analogy! Thanks for sharing!

Jason,

I have to say you make a great point. However, today's FSBO sellers are a bit more tech savvy than they have been in the past. But, a lot of FSBO's lack the marketing skills to properly market their home. They do well to get their listing onto websites, but fail to draw interest with proper pictures, descriptions, open house banners, etc, etc. I always do all I can to help a FSBO, but for the most part, they always seem to call me back. Of course, I am more than happy to assist them in "getting their house on the market."

Great post! I learned quickly the first time I went through the self-checkout with more than 10 items that I really want to leave it to a bagger. :) There is certainly something to be said for people who have gone through training...

HA! LOL! I, too, have spent WAY too long in a self-checkout line. Great spin, man. You're absolutely right. Just because you CAN represent yourself, doesn't mean you SHOULD. Great post....

Jason - I've not read the other comments, but I do want to say I detest those self check out aisles and I refuse to use them. I figure until the grocer lowers their prices enough to justify me ringing up and bagging my own groceries, they can do what I'm sure is built into the price of my merchandise.

FSBO's - In my experience, unfortunately, too many of them think they can continue to build into the price without truly understanding there is much more to selling a home than placing a sign in front of their home and opening their doors on Sunday afternoon.

Great post.

Jackie

Jason,
Very clever and interesting analogy. Nicely done, my friend. BTW, you think the bullet holes on the sign were because of people who didn't read the sign, and tried to go "without an appointment?"

HAHA.....I always use the self check out. Usually the people that use it know what they are doing. My first job was working in my grandfather's grocery store stocking shelves then as a cashier. I hate the way some people bag things now! I won a bagging contest too! LOL....yes they have contests for such. Well, at least they did.

This sounds like the lines I get stuck in so I sort of always try to end up going through the lines where there are "real" register people. Easier in the long run.

Featured again! Well done Jason. This reminds me of my post from a few months ago - "le't sell some more cheese". I like the food analogy!

Those self check-out lines always seem to take longer!! It's amazing how many people keep doing the same thing with the same or no results like the lady at the grocery store or FSBO's!

Great anology Jason. On the job learning, selling your own home, can be a very expensive lesson.

Jason - You said all the right things in your blog. Use a professional for your real estate transactions. Use the self-check if you have items with a bar code. Forget it if you have fruits and vegetables (it takes too long to look up the codes, that is if you can find them). These retail stores will soon make you bring you own bags to sack your groceries (going green).

MAY

2008

Oh, man, I hate those darn self-checkout things. I mean get serious. Stores want me to check myself out and bag my own groceries. Uh, no. The one time I tried it the machine wouldn't scan squat. Forget that madness. Now the pro's can do it. Who wants to memorize all those produce codes and such anyway? No sir, not me.

Well, at Whole Foods where we shop most of the time, they have the best customer service and full service check outs. We go to Publix for shorter trips to the market and they have full service plus they take your groceries to your car for you and put them in your car for you and NO Tips are allowed. Now that Publix has more of the organics and all those fresh fruits and vegis your first lady had! :)

The best clothing service is at Nordstrom's. Do you have a Nordstrom's in Austin?

Self-checkout certainly isn't goof proof. But some clever marketing person sold these systems to store chains, communicating the illusion that they would save scads of money by not having to hire humans.

It's the same in real estate. The process looks so simple. Until the homeowner tries to attempt it themselves.