Jewel's New Cart Policy is "Awkward," "Intrusive": Readers React

Earlier this week, Patch told you about the new Jewel policy that requires an employee to follow you and your cart from the bagging area to your car—whether you want one to or not.

The announcement provoked a strong reaction from readers, who took to our comment section and Facebook to share their thoughts on the new rule.

Here's a roundup of what readers had to say:

La Grange Patch Facebook

For Healthy Foods: Seems like that would get kind of labor intensive (expensive) and impossible to enforce on a busy Saturday morning. In light of Jewel's desperate financial situation, it kind of makes you wonder what they're trying to accomplish. Especially if customers perceive it as being intrusive or creepy!

Valentina Washchuk: It would make sense if they were providing this as a courtesy on a rainy day, such as at Mariano's grocery stores. Employees there will escort you with an oversized umbrella so you & your groceries don't get soaked going to AND from your car. I like the idea of a drive-up service rather than this new offering.

Stephanie Lynd: I shop there all the time and I think it's ridiculous. I was standing in line behind a woman who was very capable of not needing help and she took the offer. Mind you her cart was not very full. The woman was probably mid 30s and the bagger was probably about 20 years older. I was appalled.

Carla Albrecht: Interesting. Now if they'd just help me put them away too...Haha just kidding.

Christine Goettl Maslan: Another reason to shop at Dominick's!

Rita Kuzmenko: I find it awkward and it makes me feel rushed. Don't the suits at corporate have anything better to do then make these arbitrary decisions? Between being stalked to my car at Jewel & having the cashiers at Dominick's slaughter my name because they are required to say it after the transaction, I prefer to shop anonymously at Trader Joe's.

Western Springs Patch Facebook

Laurie Rehwaldt Moeckly: I live in Arizona (originally from LaGrange) - my grocery store here has been doing this for years! I love it!! When my kids were younger - I could concentrate on getting them in the car while my groceries were being loaded. I have since gotten to know many of the baggers by name - great shopping experience from start to finish!!

Marcy Dean Rossi: I think it should be optional. I would be up for valet parking at the Countryside location -- that parking lot has a funky layout!!

Cindy McDowell Abrahamson: I was just at the Countryside location yesterday and they asked (as usual) and I declined. They need the baggers at the checkout rather than following customers out.

Paul McDowell: Seems way over the top and completely unnecessary to me. I'd rather they send their employees out to the parking lot to ticket people who park their cars in the handicapped spaces for their convenience.

Patch

Gina Bacci: I would NOT like the service.... I can see them offering it, but if the customer (who is always right) does NOT want the help they should not force it. I like to load my groceries the way I like them and I don't want to feel rushed, don't want help and don't need an audience. The store (not a Jewel) that I work for has always wanted the baggers to tell the customer "I'll take that to the car for you" rather than ask if they would like help, but if a customer doesn't want help we don't force them. If it is really about the carts they should just install the quarter things like Aldi has on their carts. It would save them a lot of payroll dollars in the long run. I didn't care for the quarter carts at first but now I LOVE them because they save my car from carts. Once I got used to used to having a quarter in the car for the cart and actually remember it, now it is really great.

Dave Smith: Jewel is a CLIP JOINT. I do not shop there unless I absolutely have to. Their quest to save carts will cost them far more in Man/Hours then their carts are worth.

Joseph R. Martan: I haven't had any problems at the Jewel in Countryside. When I've finished paying I'm asked if I want help to my car. I say it's not necessary - end of matter. No coercion, no following me out to my car.

Tell us: What do you think about the policy?