Is that all?

I noticed something today at McDonalds that I have experienced at a popular local convenience store chain every time I go in one of their stores.

Before I get too far into it, let’s go back more than a few years. It used to be when you went to McDonalds and whenever you ordered something, either at the counter or the drive through, they would always ask ‘would you like an apple pie with that?’

It was the way they were trained. They were trained to use the concept of suggestive selling to remind the customer of something they may want but didn’t order. Most people didn’t think of ordering a pie but when the clerk suggested it the customer thought that sounds good and said sure I think I’ll take one.

At the local convenience store chain I don’t think anyone has ever asked me if I wanted anything else specifically, like an apple pie. All I get when I walk up to the counter is the comment ‘is that all?’ when I put my items down to be rung up.

You don’t know how many times I want to say to the clerk after he or she says ‘is that all?’, ‘Oh I’m so stupid, I wanted one of every item in the store but I forgot to pick up one of each. Can you wait a few minutes until I get all those items? I’ll be right back.’  

I guess the stores I go to are too successful and they don’t have to suggestive sell anymore. It’s either that or they aren’t training their people to suggestive sell (maybe that is more annoying than saying ‘is that all?) or the quality of employees they hire has dropped off and they forget easily.

Just know that someday if you are at a convenience store and you have to wait in line longer than normal and there is some guy running around picking out one of every item in the store, it may be me.