Bad, Lidl, Bad!

[steve69]

I recently lost (misplaced) my wallet. The last place i remember using it was at a Lidl store, visited as part of my motorhome journey.
So, many miles down the road, I tried to phone the branch of Lidl that i had visited to see if it had been handed in there.
The only phone number is purely automated - press 1, press 2 etc.
I pressed the relevant number for lost property, only to be told that I had to return to the branch to enquire if my wallet - or anything else for that matter - had been handed in. You cannot speak to any branch of Lidl over the phone!
So, what if the branch had been 50 miles away ? (which could happen when your motorhoming).
Luckily I did find my wallet in the end after turning the van inside out. But surely that is not the point.

If this is the way the world is going, I fear for a future where nobody is allowed to talk to anyone that you depend on for your lifelines i.e. groceries, utilities, mysteriously emptied bank accounts. The robots are taking over and not allowing the human race to interact with other humans. That is how I see the future. Thank god I probably don't have more than 10 years left on this planet. Though that may prove to be too long.

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

There are lot's of place's when you try to phone to see if they have something in stock it's just a call centre at best.

 

[TDub49]

I recently lost (misplaced) my wallet. The last place i remember using it was at a Lidl store, visited as part of my motorhome journey.
So, many miles down the road, I tried to phone the branch of Lidl that i had visited to see if it had been handed in there.
The only phone number is purely automated - press 1, press 2 etc.
I pressed the relevant number for lost property, only to be told that I had to return to the branch to enquire if my wallet - or anything else for that matter - had been handed in. You cannot speak to any branch of Lidl over the phone!
So, what if the branch had been 50 miles away ? (which could happen when your motorhoming).
Luckily I did find my wallet in the end after turning the van inside out. But surely that is not the point.

If this is the way the world is going, I fear for a future where nobody is allowed to talk to anyone that you depend on for your lifelines i.e. groceries, utilities, mysteriously emptied bank accounts. The robots are taking over and not allowing the human race to interact with other humans. That is how I see the future. Thank god I probably don't have more than 10 years left on this planet. Though that may prove to be too long.

It's what happens when accountants rule the world . . . . My current pet hate is the growing number of pubs that demand that you order your drinks from someone stood by a machine into which he/she inputs your order and sends it to the bar staff who complete it. No more stroll up to the bar, check out what's on offer, chat to the bartender etc - just simple processing of the customer as a commodity. Progress I'm told.

 

[chaser]

I am always amazed that I can still ring Lloyds Bank in uttoxeter, always expect to be diverted but no you can get straight through.
Well you could last time I tried.

 

[Driventemple]

That is how I see the future. Thank god I probably don't have more than 10 years left on this planet. Though that may prove to be too long.

I enjoyed your 'rant' very much. As someone on a similar timescale, I feel for you!

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[scotjimland]

This is just one of the reasons I use NFU insurance,
.. you speak to a friendly professional agent who knows their stuff.. great service.

None of the>>> press buttons, you are number 12 in the queue, listen to inane music, then 20 mins later speak to a bot. or a knob end.

 

[Rapido666F]

It's what happens when accountants rule the world . . . . My current pet hate is the growing number of pubs that demand that you order your drinks from someone stood by a machine into which he/she inputs your order and sends it to the bar staff who complete it. No more stroll up to the bar, check out what's on offer, chat to the bartender etc - just simple processing of the customer as a commodity. Progress I'm told.

So what are your thoughts on pubs (other establishments are available) which expect/hope/insist that you order via their app on your phone?

Gordon

 

[houdini]

I recently lost (misplaced) my wallet. The last place i remember using it was at a Lidl store, visited as part of my motorhome journey.
So, many miles down the road, I tried to phone the branch of Lidl that i had visited to see if it had been handed in there.
The only phone number is purely automated - press 1, press 2 etc.
I pressed the relevant number for lost property, only to be told that I had to return to the branch to enquire if my wallet - or anything else for that matter - had been handed in. You cannot speak to any branch of Lidl over the phone!
So, what if the branch had been 50 miles away ? (which could happen when your motorhoming).
Luckily I did find my wallet in the end after turning the van inside out. But surely that is not the point.

If this is the way the world is going, I fear for a future where nobody is allowed to talk to anyone that you depend on for your lifelines i.e. groceries, utilities, mysteriously emptied bank accounts. The robots are taking over and not allowing the human race to interact with other humans. That is how I see the future. Thank god I probably don't have more than 10 years left on this planet. Though that may prove to be too long.

I thoroughly agree - the time I’ve wasted trying to find a local number for an organisation. It’s frustrating and very sad the way it is all going.

Think going to be finally forced to do online banking as NatWest leaving town and can’t see any other option.

Glad you found your wallet.

 

[Emmit]

As a result of this OP I went back to a site I haven't used for ages.

Saynoto0870.com

steve69, I'm not saying 'your'? Lidl is there but at least some are listed.

As an aside and in support of your feelings with regard to this, yesteday I rang
P&O Cruises.

The phone was answered almost immediately but it was an AI generated conversation
that went around and around in circles until I disappeared up my own funnel!!!

You have been warned. They? will not speak to you.

 

[Verteuil Man]

Whilst we were isolating after returning from Spain in 2020 I needed to get a replacement windscreen wiper for the motorhome. Just down the road from us is a motor factor called General Traffic. Googled the number and ended speaking to HQ in Bury. I asked to be put through to the Kidsgrove branch and they said i could talk to them direct. He said he would sort the order and i could pick it up. I told him i was in quarantine and could they drop it off. No he replied you are not a business customer. I told him their vans went passed the end of our drive every 10 minutes or so. He still said no. Sod you i said, Amazon will get the order.

If i could have spoke to the local shop it would have been sorted.

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[TDub49]

So what are your thoughts on pubs (other establishments are available) which expect/hope/insist that you order via their app on your phone?

Gordon

The same.

 

[chaser]

Whilst we were isolating after returning from Spain in 2020 I needed to get a replacement windscreen wiper for the motorhome. Just down the road from us is a motor factor called General Traffic. Googled the number and ended speaking to HQ in Bury. I asked to be put through to the Kidsgrove branch and they said i could talk to them direct. He said he would sort the order and i could pick it up. I told him i was in quarantine and could they drop it off. No he replied you are not a business customer. I told him their vans went passed the end of our drive every 10 minutes or so. He still said no. Sod you i said, Amazon will get the order.

If i could have spoke to the local shop it would have been sorted.

GT deliver to us in uttoxeter.
And atoz and another couple I can't remember the names of.

 

[jockaneezer]

The missus ordered a phone from Amazon, guy turned up, but needed a pass code to hand it over. The missus was out, so the guy did a couple more deliveries in the village, then called back by which time I'd found the code in her emails. We were expecting the phone, so I put it to one side. A few days passed and she opened the package only to find it was some supplements that she'd ordered for the dog !
Checked emails and the phone seller had actually cancelled the order, but the money had gone through and Amazon's online "help" was no use, as to them, they'd received the pass code, ergo, the phone must have been delivered ? Mastercard's online "help" wasn't much better, we ended up having to pay for it as it was on our statement and are now waiting for a refund. A simple phone call to a human might have sorted it out a lot easier, especially as the online tick boxes didnt cover that scenario ?
Another company I was using was Cromwell Tools, I usually just to to the counter for consumables, but this time I called my Carlisle branch on their local std landline number and got speaking to some bloke in Leicester, he was worse than useless and I ended up driving to the local branch, who had every sympathy and said it happens all the time !

 

[Ingwe]

I recently lost (misplaced) my wallet. The last place i remember using it was at a Lidl store, visited as part of my motorhome journey.
So, many miles down the road, I tried to phone the branch of Lidl that i had visited to see if it had been handed in there.
The only phone number is purely automated - press 1, press 2 etc.
I pressed the relevant number for lost property, only to be told that I had to return to the branch to enquire if my wallet - or anything else for that matter - had been handed in. You cannot speak to any branch of Lidl over the phone!
So, what if the branch had been 50 miles away ? (which could happen when your motorhoming).
Luckily I did find my wallet in the end after turning the van inside out. But surely that is not the point.

If this is the way the world is going, I fear for a future where nobody is allowed to talk to anyone that you depend on for your lifelines i.e. groceries, utilities, mysteriously emptied bank accounts. The robots are taking over and not allowing the human race to interact with other humans. That is how I see the future. Thank god I probably don't have more than 10 years left on this planet. Though that may prove to be too long.

Your evident frustration is justified in my opinion. It is a sign of the times, I’m afraid. A totally useless bot costs the business nothing and never needs time off. if your issue fits within their algorithm, you may get a response that assists.
About 10 years ago, they started introducing self-cash desks at my supermarket. One of the women who normally worked the tills was standing there to offer advice to old farts like me who might struggle to use the self checkout. She said what a boon they were. I asked her whether she realised this would see the end of her job. She said “nah, they’ll still need me.” She was gone inside two months.
We all like dealing with people. We are people. You can explain to a person. They can empathise, sympathise and explain. But that boat has sailed long ago. Welcome to the new world.

 

[andykim]

YODEL are the same, online chat for lost parcel. Its been delivered, no it hasn't! The driver left it in your rear porch, he couldn't as we don't have a rear porch and the rear of the house is locked up. Please look round your home for the parcel. It hasn't been delivered, we have 2 cameras and the driver didn't appear on either and it's impossible to walk on our property without being picked up by the camera. Contact the sender and ask for a refund. Why has the seller got to reimburse me for a parcel you still have? ROUND AND ROUND AND ROUND AND ROUND. Just take a look at Yodel reviews and make your own assumptions as to where the package might be. You can yodel and yodel but you never get an echo of truth.

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[Tea Bag]

I enjoyed your 'rant' very much. As someone on a similar timescale, I feel for you!

Hi You two.....
" SNAP "...
Tea Bag.

 

[mikebeaches]

I recently lost (misplaced) my wallet. The last place i remember using it was at a Lidl store, visited as part of my motorhome journey.
So, many miles down the road, I tried to phone the branch of Lidl that i had visited to see if it had been handed in there.
The only phone number is purely automated - press 1, press 2 etc.
I pressed the relevant number for lost property, only to be told that I had to return to the branch to enquire if my wallet - or anything else for that matter - had been handed in. You cannot speak to any branch of Lidl over the phone!
So, what if the branch had been 50 miles away ? (which could happen when your motorhoming).
Luckily I did find my wallet in the end after turning the van inside out. But surely that is not the point.

If this is the way the world is going, I fear for a future where nobody is allowed to talk to anyone that you depend on for your lifelines i.e. groceries, utilities, mysteriously emptied bank accounts. The robots are taking over and not allowing the human race to interact with other humans. That is how I see the future. Thank god I probably don't have more than 10 years left on this planet. Though that may prove to be too long.

Broadly, like most others, I agree about the frustration of not being able to phone businesses up. It annoys me no end.

However, I sort of understand when it comes to an individual Lidl store. The reason their prices are so competitive is that they cut costs to the bone.

And if they published store phone numbers they'd have people ringing up all day, have you got this in store, have you got that in store, what time do you open; is there any space in the car park at the moment, do you have height barriers or can I park my motorhome...? Oh and have you got my wallet by any chance, I think I might have lost it at the shop? And so it would go on.

Annoying you can't ring, but I sort of get it in the case of a Lidl shop in 2023. They usually offer outstanding value, which is no doubt why you shop there.

Sorry.

 

[The Wino]

Blame the consumer who choses based solely on price and in many cases orders online if it's cheaper. It means businesses with premises are at a disadvantage straight away and haven't the margin to employ staff to chat to people.

 

[mikebeaches]

Blame the consumer who choses based solely on price and in many cases orders online if it's cheaper. It means businesses with premises are at a disadvantage straight away and haven't the margin to employ staff to chat to people.

I agree and in the last year or so we have found the service from local small businesses when buying significant items has been far superior to the experience of just getting the best price on line.

Last year we needed a new big TV for the lounge at home. Typically, the sort of thing we might have bought online from - probably - John Lewis. But instead, purchased it from a specialist TV and electrical store a couple of miles away. Service we received was amazing and all installed and set up, at the same time fixing some aerial booster issues that had been frustrating us for a while - no extra charge. Also sorted out another TV we had in the house that had some issues - again no charge.

And now we have just purchased a new and quite expensive Bosch dishwasher from another local small retailer that previously repaired a fridge-freezer for us. The price for the dishwasher wasn't the cheapest, but the service and installation (including taking away the old broken 12-year old one) all went like a dream on Monday.

Realised it's sometimes worth paying a bit extra for personal reliable service.

 

[The Wino]

I agree and in the last year or so we have found the service from local small businesses when buying significant items has been far superior to the experience of just getting the best price on line.

Last year we needed a new big TV for the lounge at home. Typically, the sort of thing we might have bought online from - probably - John Lewis. But instead, purchased it from a specialist TV and electrical store a couple of miles away. Service we received was amazing and all installed and set up, at the same time fixing some aerial booster issues that had been frustrating us for a while - no extra charge. Also sorted out another TV we had in the house that had some issues - again no charge.

And now we have just purchased a new and quite expensive Bosch dishwasher from another local small retailer that previously repaired a fridge-freezer for us. The price for the dishwasher wasn't the cheapest, but the service and installation (including taking away the old broken 12-year old one) all went like a dream on Monday.

Realised it's sometimes worth paying a bit extra for personal service.

We bought our new range oven from a local supplier which has pictures of the shop when it used to sell penny farthing bikes! They offered very good service and actually were cheaper than a flashy retailer on an out of town shopping area. I think as consumers we get what we ask for.

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[steve69]

Broadly, like most others, I agree about the frustration of not being able to phone businesses up. It annoys me no end.

However, I sort of understand when it comes to an individual Lidl store. The reason their prices are so competitive is that they cut costs to the bone.

And if they published store phone numbers they'd have people ringing up all day, have you got this in store, have you got that in store, what time do you open; is there any space in the car park at the moment, do you have height barriers or can I park my motorhome...? Oh and have you got my wallet by any chance, I think I might have lost it at the shop? And so it would go on.

Annoying you can't ring, but I sort of get it in the case of a Lidl shop in 2023. They usually offer outstanding value, which is no doubt why you shop there.

Sorry.

If we take your argument to the Nth degree, the public will never be allowed to contact anyone in any business because we are such a pain in the a***.

Sadly, I think you are right.

 

[mikebeaches]

If we take your argument to the Nth degree, the public will never be allowed to contact anyone in any business because we are such a pain in the a***.

Sadly, I think you are right.

We'll yes, and no. We are all driven so much on buying whatever we can at the lowest possible price. And I'm usually as guilty as anyone on that score. Meanwhile businesses try to meet that demand, by cutting costs. And answering phones is expensive.

But, as already mentioned, I also get hugely frustrated and annoyed when I can't speak to a human being.

 

[Rapido666F]

Lidl in Uttoxeter has self-service tills which could be a great idea. Unfortunately, as with all things like this, either the machines have problems or the person using it has problems and someone needs to fix it. Lidl, in their efforts to keep costs low, only had one member of staff working on the tills so he was jumping from putting items through his till and sorting out the self-service stuff: very frustrating for everyone!

Gordon

 

[mikebeaches]

Lidl in Uttoxeter has self-service tills which could be a great idea. Unfortunately, as with all things like this, either the machines have problems or the person using it has problems and someone needs to fix it. Lidl, in their efforts to keep costs low, only had one member of staff working on the tills so he was jumping from putting items through his till and sorting out the self-service stuff: very frustrating for everyone!

Gordon

I noticed that the other day in one of the Lidl stores we visited recently and I wondered if it was just a local staffing issue on the day meaning the cashier had to also look after the self-checkouts.

But from what you are saying - apparently not.

 

[gus-lopez]

I noticed that the other day in one of the Lidl stores we visited recently and I wondered if it was just a local staffing issue on the day meaning the cashier had to also look after the self-checkouts.

But from what you are saying - apparently not.

Here in spain where I live aldi & lidl usually only ja¡¡have a total of 3 staff members. shelf stacking ,on the till,unloading lorries. I used a new Aldi in France on my way home & in the time I was there there was only 1 staff member for assisting, on the till or stacking shelves

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[simbadog]

Aldi today, first time ever & all the checkouts were self service! I left the lot & walked out, when they start paying me to work there I'll do the checking out myself
Went to tesco instead, a much nicer shopping experience in all honesty.

 

[Rapido666F]

I regularly see one member of staff go from shelf stacking onto the tills then back to the shop floor when it goes quiet. But with the self service tills they were like a Jack in the box.
The people failing at the self service were annoyed; the people in the queue were annoyed. But it may be the future

Gordon

 

[Gaston aires]

Sadly we are becoming a faceless society. In 10 years you’ll just say, Alexa, can you get me a tin of beans, a packet of Yorkshire tea, etc, etc. Doesn’t bare thinking about.
Phil upmeshoppingbasket

 

[Barti Ddu]

Aldi today, first time ever & all the checkouts were self service! I left the lot & walked out, when they start paying me to work there I'll do the checking out myself
Went to tesco instead, a much nicer shopping experience in all honesty.

Times change and things move on. You probably felt the same 30 years ago as self-service filling stations took over from attendant service. You'd struggle to find places to fill up the car and motorhome if your not prepared to pump fuel yourself nowadays.

 

[rosalan]

Sadly many of us want everything at the cheapest price. Quality of service is expensive, the days of John Lewis as a result as with many other High Street stores could be numbered.
We may be the last generation to expect ‘service’ from knowledgeable staff. Look on the internet if you need answers and are internet savvy.

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