Reach For The Gusto!

Photo Credit: Christina Rausch

OK, so here’s another post that I want to share with you.  I have this habit that some, especially my children, girlfriend and friends call an obsession. In fact, my girlfriend lovingly calls it obsessive compulsive.  Now, you ask what could I possibly be doing that would appear to be obsessive compulsive? 

Well, I have this habit of always reaching to the very back of a store shelf or to the middle rack of a refrigerated case when shopping.  In fact, I will even reach for the last copy of a magazine in the back of the rack. 

Some believe that this is the act of an obsessive-compulsive individual. However, this is more of an act of someone who demands quality for his hard-earned dollars. There are habits of shopping that you should have that ensures that you get the best possible product.

Several years ago, I was told by a friend who managed a grocery store that managers spend their first moments every day in a store checking the shelves.  This procedure includes arrangement, tidiness, quantity and most importantly “best used by date”.

Typically, as I was told, the older stock is moved to the front of the rack to better ensure that it is selected first.  Sounds rather nefarious to me!  But, it is the responsibility of management to ensure that the older stock is sold first.

Alright, I can see that, but here is my need as a customer; I want the best possible quality of anything that I purchase, including how long it lasts.  Perishable food by its very nature, usually has a limited shelve life (with some exceptions of course).  I don’t want to buy something that only has a week left before it’s quality or freshness expires.

This takes us to the cooler racks, where my manager friend explained to me that the optimum cold temperature is achieved on the center racks.  Why I ask?  Well, because the front racks and the rear racks are exposed to a more ambient temperature (the temperature surrounding the case).  The center rack is more likely to maintain optimum temperature.

Now, sometimes the newer products are on the back racks in a refrigerated case, this can pose a dilemma for sure.  In most cases I still opt for the newer product.  All of this, of course, requires careful inspection and determination, something that I did not do before I entered “the final stage” of my life.

When it comes to magazines, I have strong feelings about the first copy on the stand.  If you inspect it closely, you will often notice that it has been read by several people. I like my magazines unread and undamaged, I will read and damage them myself.  And let me say this; people who go to a newsstand and read an entire magazine then don’t buy it drive me crazy—–buy the damn thing cheapskate! 

I ask you, is this unreasonable, the act of an anal retentive or compulsive being?  Or am I just a customer who believes in getting quality products at the best value?  Let’s face it, we all work hard for the few dollars that we are paid, and it is important that we spend them wisely.  I am picky about what I buy these days.  Maybe it is a symptom of the “final stage” of my life but screw it, it works for me!

Talk to Ya Later!

The Grumpy Old Fart Customer @ 2018 All Rights Reserved