PSA: The way I pick a grocery line changed at the Safeway on 5th Street

I was there last Tuesday, stuck behind a person with a full cart while I just had milk and bread. I always used to pick the shortest line, but this time I looked at what people were buying. The guy in line 4 had a basket full of stuff with barcodes, no produce to weigh. I switched to his line and was out in under a minute. Now I scan for simple carts instead of just counting heads. Anyone else have a weird checkout trick that actually works?

3 comments

3 Comments

hall.joel16d ago

Scanning for simple carts is genius. My trick is picking the line with the most bored looking cashier, but I still always manage to pick the one where someone needs a price check.

jasonallen16d ago

Saw a study once that said the line on the left moves faster, but that feels like a myth. Honestly hall.joel, I'm with you, the bored cashier plan never works out. Tbh I just accept my fate and scroll on my phone now.

kelly.charlie16d ago

The bored cashier trick is a classic move. Always backfires though. I swear I have a gift for finding the line with the expired coupons or the check writer. It's like a curse. My new plan is just to stare at the carts and guess which one has the least produce.