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Post Info TOPIC: Lets Compare The Service Station Of Yesteryear With Meat Depatments?


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Lets Compare The Service Station Of Yesteryear With Meat Depatments?


What ever happened to Full Service Gas Stations? The gas stations of yesteryear put todays filling stations to shame, actually they are not even filling stations, they are mini-food-marts that sell gas. Growing up during my teen years my dad owned and operated a Texico Service Station where I pumped gas (at .18 cents a gallon), checked oil, added water to radiators, wiped windows and checked air pressure at no extra charge to the customer. There was interaction between the customer and the business. I guess the demise of the full service gas stations started in the 1970's during the oil crisis. At that time oil companies thought that consumers wanted to pump their own gas in exchange for saving  few pennies per gallon. Not long after attendants were gone. Furthermore they thought, nobody wants to wait 10 to 15 minutes for that kind of personal service anymore as life was beginning to get more fast paced. (Can you relate this to butcher shops vs. todays self-service meat departments)!

Today consumers have no brand-loyalty when it comes to gasoline. Consumers make their buying decisions based on price or convenience. Needless to say, those are the hallmarks of commodities, not brands. As an example from yesteryear, Texaco's customers were asked to "trust your car to the man who wears the star." Today, consumers pump their own gas, check their own oil, and wipe their own windows. Companies encourage customer loyalty through cash discount rebates and attempt to differentiate their brand by speed-of-payment claims, fuzzily defined additives, and advertising that speaks vaguely of their commitment to "think differently about saving energy". Regardless of their efforts to create brand differentiation, gasoline has become a commodity in the eyes of consumers. No brand is recognized or different from one other. The brands differ only in their names and in their logos. (Similarly, beef, pork and poultry) have lost any traces of brand loyalty)!

According to one gasoline marketing executive The reason for this is simple, although it's also short-sighted if the company's true goal is to create relationships and not merely process transactions. At gas stations, the employee-customer interaction is just about dead. That's because organizations find these interactions complicated and cumbersome to control -- or because they deem employees an expensive luxury. Making customers responsible for serving themselves certainly saves money for the station operators. But these savings come at a cost, "the death of customer/attendant connections. (Sound familiar?). Banks have been driving customers away from their branches -- and from interactions with their tellers -- to reap the lower cost per transaction of service through telephones, ATMs, or Web sites. Airlines have reduced employee headcount by outsourcing their customer interactions through subcontracted call centers and have minimized human contact by establishing computerized flight management systems and airport kiosks. Hotels guide their guests to Web sites and self-service check-in and check-out stations, eliminating any need to interact with hotel personnel. Grocers provide checkout lines where shoppers bag their own groceries and pay for them without ever having to come face-to-face with an actual employee. (Does this sound familiar?)

While banks, airlines, hotels, and grocery chains talk about their commitment to providing excellent customer service and building customer loyalty, they are all taking steps to replace employee-customer interactions with systems that are more cost efficient. The ultimate objective is to improve bottom-line performance. But does the enhanced efficiency and reduced headcount affect customer relationships? And if it does, does management notice -- or care? (Spot-on)!

Is the trend toward self-help and self-service  happening simply because customers like it this way? Or is it because today's hurried customers want to reduce time-consuming personal contact? Personally I don't think that supermarkets really know. In my mind I think consumer want the best of both worlds. Speedier transactions but they also want good customer service. Just like in the old butcher shops, customers want businesses to address not only speed of transactions, or good customer service, they want their emotional needs (as it relates to meal planning) attended to also! I don't think supermarket executives care about emotional needs any longer due to  the quest for better bottom -lines which takes precedence.

A good counter butcher could keep their customers coming back, in todays world it is the "weekly advertising". When it comes to engaging the customer, an organization's employees are essentially irreplaceable. As one advertising executive said; It takes more than advertising to build a brand and keep it from deteriorating into commodity status -- and an automated phone line or a self-service kiosk sure won't help. The yesteryear butcher shops were "their own brands" and they focused on simple" blocking and tackling"; fair prices, good quality and good customer interactions. This was the hallmark of "brand loyalty". Why? Because  any piece of naked meat, is simply a commodity, its the store that truly is the brand!

The first supermarket opened in 1916, a Piggly Wiggly store and from that point on it was the beginning of self-service which really got rolling between 1947 and 1970, all within  a short time span of 100 years. And unfortunately this was the beginning of the demise of the interaction between customer and business. However, going back from this period for centuries  customer interaction was the norm. What will happen as we move forward at supermarket level. Will all meat cutters eventually be eliminated? Walmart has accomplished this already and many more companies are trying to move in their direction.

Will the supermarket meat departments of today  end up as the Service Stations and butcher shops of yester year? It certainly looks that way. Is there anything that can change this from happening? I believe there is, but it could only come about if today's consumer demands it. Personally, I can see changes coming although ever so slowly. All you have to do is look at the popularity of farmer markets, and the increase business activity of local home grown produce and meat sources. And the trend has gone viral, as consumers are voting ‘local’ with their dollars and having a profound influence on the nation’s food systems. Their enthusiasm has led suppliers, grocers and restaurants to change and adapt by adding locally produced goods to their offerings year-round.

As for the meat cutters I believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel and it isn't a freight train. Our trade will slowly make a comeback, it will someday flourish again, it isn't dead. If you are a betting person put your money on the consumer, because it is the consumer that is demanding that old-fashioned interaction of yesteryear. Embrace the consumer, they have been and will always be our life-line. It is the consumer that allows us to make a living, not the supermarket companies, they simply are money exchangers. Don't be afraid to engage your customers because the more you engage the more you are cementing your future. It is and will be the consumers that will bring back the trades, and it has already begun. Economist from around the country say that the trades is the missing link to strengthen our economy and apprentice programs are beginning to pop up  in colleges and institutions across the country. All of this is driven by the consumer.

 

"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."—Thomas Edison

 

 

 

 

 

   



-- Edited by Coalcracker on Wednesday 11th of January 2017 09:21:54 AM

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RE: Lets Compare The Service Station Of Yesteryear With Meat Depatments?


Your post is pretty long. Didn't read it all. But I too have thought of some of the things you mentioned. I even brought it up in a conversation with a customer recently. 

I barely remember full service stations and I remember later when they offered the choice of self or full. I personally don't miss that. I don't really want other people messing with my car in any way. I also don't want to wait behind a car that won't get gas and move out of the way. The driver (if able) should have already checked their own oil, water, tire pressure, water. The full service station worked well in Mayberry North Carolina in 1965, when one car per hour came through the station, but I can't see it working in any station I've been at in the last 20 years. They all have about 4 pumps and there's usually two or more cars pumping at all times.

There are two states where it's illegal to pump your own gas. They are Oregon and New Jersey.  Maybe they should make self serve meat counters illegal? 



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Lets Compare The Service Station Of Yesteryear With Meat Depatments?


One mile up the road from the house I grew up in (where my parents still live) is a full service gas station and the only full service gas station I am aware of that is still in existence. It has been full service longer than I have been around (I am 40) and appears to be very successful. My mother currently works there as a cashier and my 18 year old nephew works there as one of the attendants who pump gas. His hourly wage combined with tips comes out to be more than I ever made per hour as a meat cutter. I am not kidding.

They do not check oil anymore, but they will put air in the tires or clean the windshield if asked. There are always at least two attendants on duty and they will often hop from vehicle to vehicle, filling up more than one at a time. Customers seem to appreciate this personal interaction. I know I do, especially on cold winter days when I would rather not get out my warm car.

I believe the more successful meat departments are the ones with full service counters, where the customers actually interact with the meat cutter. And these meat cutters are often better paid than meat cutters who work in meat departments without a full service counter. A return to this business model would benefit everyone; customers, meat cutters and the company.

It is my opinion that downsizing the work force to increase profits is an experiment that will back fire on the company.

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Lets Compare The Service Station Of Yesteryear With Meat Depatments?


im not a driver but i remember from the US houston there was one filling station that did full service it must have been for loyal and rich customers because every corner had a gas pump which was 20-50c lower so they sold themselves as service so people didnt get petrol on their hands. here its common just to drive up someone runs out asks how much they do the job without getting out and its common for large chains ie topaz with small shops to be self service. the thing that is different is you cant do self service at the pump and pay by card you have to go into the shop so they get footfall to pay for your petrol and see all other goodies on offer while youre in a queeue to spend more.

footfall is important.

in uk online supermarket shopping has soared so stores are getting less footfall and this has lead to more people having time to shop in smaller shops on saturdays and has lead to more butcher shops opening.

i guess that all adds u[ to face to face transactions and if free delievery is offered it helps too adapting to markets and consumer needs regarding a meat marketing point of view.



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Lets Compare The Service Station Of Yesteryear With Meat Depatments?


I have a few questions for you Irishdude.

1. Are most meat depts. in Ireland full service?

2. Is meat cutting a more respected and better paid trade in Ireland than it is in the U.S.?

3. Do the UK online supermarkets deliver the groceries or do they just get them ready for when the customer arrives?

Most the big stores in the U.S. allow customers to make purchases through the internet, but I have yet to find one that will deliver. I guess they just gather them for you and load them into your car at the curb side. I find this really annoying as my brother can't drive and always needs someone to drive him to the supermarket, that is not the annoying part. The annoying part is that he can actually order all his food online, but they won't deliver it, so what is the point of ordering it online? I had been contemplating how I could start some kind of service that picks up the orders and delivers them to the handicapped/unable to drive people like my brother. If UK has such a service I would be interested in hearing how they do it.

Does anyone else know of a U.S. supermarket that will actually deliver all your groceries you ordered online?



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RE: Lets Compare The Service Station Of Yesteryear With Meat Depatments?


fdarn wrote:

I have a few questions for you Irishdude.

1. Are most meat depts. in Ireland full service?

2. Is meat cutting a more respected and better paid trade in Ireland than it is in the U.S.?

3. Do the UK online supermarkets deliver the groceries or do they just get them ready for when the customer arrives?

Most the big stores in the U.S. allow customers to make purchases through the internet, but I have yet to find one that will deliver. I guess they just gather them for you and load them into your car at the curb side. I find this really annoying as my brother can't drive and always needs someone to drive him to the supermarket, that is not the annoying part. The annoying part is that he can actually order all his food online, but they won't deliver it, so what is the point of ordering it online? I had been contemplating how I could start some kind of service that picks up the orders and delivers them to the handicapped/unable to drive people like my brother. If UK has such a service I would be interested in hearing how they do it.

Does anyone else know of a U.S. supermarket that will actually deliver all your groceries you ordered online?


 I think Safeway delivers in parts of Northern California



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RE: Lets Compare The Service Station Of Yesteryear With Meat Depatments?


Burgermeister wrote:
fdarn wrote:

I have a few questions for you Irishdude.

1. Are most meat depts. in Ireland full service?

2. Is meat cutting a more respected and better paid trade in Ireland than it is in the U.S.?

3. Do the UK online supermarkets deliver the groceries or do they just get them ready for when the customer arrives?

Most the big stores in the U.S. allow customers to make purchases through the internet, but I have yet to find one that will deliver. I guess they just gather them for you and load them into your car at the curb side. I find this really annoying as my brother can't drive and always needs someone to drive him to the supermarket, that is not the annoying part. The annoying part is that he can actually order all his food online, but they won't deliver it, so what is the point of ordering it online? I had been contemplating how I could start some kind of service that picks up the orders and delivers them to the handicapped/unable to drive people like my brother. If UK has such a service I would be interested in hearing how they do it.

Does anyone else know of a U.S. supermarket that will actually deliver all your groceries you ordered online?


 I think Safeway delivers in parts of Northern California


 It looks like they do.  I would have to create an account to see if they will deliver everything, even perishables.  We don't have Safeway here though.  Meijer, Walmart and Kroger are the stores here.  Those stores will deliver or ship any non perishables. Even though they still let you purchase perishables from the website, they will have to be picked up at the store. Safeway might be the same way.  Maybe you can ask next time you work there for the sake of our curiosity?



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Lets Compare The Service Station Of Yesteryear With Meat Depatments?


1. Are most meat depts. in Ireland full service?

some larger stores will be half full service half prepack small independant owned shores will be supplied by a supplier doing the same and most small towns will have a local butcher shop or maybe 3 or 4 . in the uk in large towns about 10 to 20 yrs ago local stand alone butchers disappeared now they are coming back i lived in large towns in uk and it was hard to find a butcher years ago.

2. Is meat cutting a more respected and better paid trade in Ireland than it is in the U.S.? used to be a trade but there are programmes for accredited training yrs ago you had to go to day school one day a week now its more trade bodies accessing people on the job for accredited certificates that are equal to an accosiate degree i guess from a community college. better paid in US like bar work is but min wage here is higher too.

3. Do the UK online supermarkets deliver the groceries or do they just get them ready for when the customer arrives? they delivery everything large stores it will be prepack meat if small stores under a brand like supervalu it will be from the local indepentant owned store so the meat may come from the butcher counter ie full service depends on the store but otherwise its all countrywide and more so in uk where it affects footfall more why some out of town big stores are struggling prob read more about that on grocer the uk magazine on buying trends



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RE: Lets Compare The Service Station Of Yesteryear With Meat Depatments?


fdarn wrote:
Burgermeister wrote:
fdarn wrote:

I have a few questions for you Irishdude.

1. Are most meat depts. in Ireland full service?

2. Is meat cutting a more respected and better paid trade in Ireland than it is in the U.S.?

3. Do the UK online supermarkets deliver the groceries or do they just get them ready for when the customer arrives?

Most the big stores in the U.S. allow customers to make purchases through the internet, but I have yet to find one that will deliver. I guess they just gather them for you and load them into your car at the curb side. I find this really annoying as my brother can't drive and always needs someone to drive him to the supermarket, that is not the annoying part. The annoying part is that he can actually order all his food online, but they won't deliver it, so what is the point of ordering it online? I had been contemplating how I could start some kind of service that picks up the orders and delivers them to the handicapped/unable to drive people like my brother. If UK has such a service I would be interested in hearing how they do it.

Does anyone else know of a U.S. supermarket that will actually deliver all your groceries you ordered online?


 I think Safeway delivers in parts of Northern California


 It looks like they do.  I would have to create an account to see if they will deliver everything, even perishables.  We don't have Safeway here though.  Meijer, Walmart and Kroger are the stores here.  Those stores will deliver or ship any non perishables. Even though they still let you purchase perishables from the website, they will have to be picked up at the store. Safeway might be the same way.  Maybe you can ask next time you work there for the sake of our curiosity?


 While working at Safeway's (on my day off from my 40 hour job), sometimes another employee is shopping for the home delivery customers. If they can't find what the customer wants, I cut it for the employee. I don't know what the fee's are. I know the first delivery is free (sometimes) and all deliveries might be free if they are over $150.00. I found this out in a quick google search. Safeway is the biggest chain grocery store in my area. In S. California, Safeway is called Vons. In my google search, one customer complains that the fees are a rip off. I think Safeway will deliver any product except tobacco.



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Lets Compare The Service Station Of Yesteryear With Meat Depatments?


That sounds like a fair service, even if the fees are a little high for some people. I was able to find a little info in google too. They have a truck with different temperature areas for different types of groceries and will deliver same day if purchased by a certain time.
I wish Kroger or Meijer would do that here. It would make life a lot easier for disabled people who can get around when they need food.

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You know it is funny how old ideas get born again, like things  makes a full circle over the years. When I was in high school from 1956 to 1960 I worked part time on weekends for a local supermarket called the Big Chief. My job was to deliver groceries including perishables. I would get the phone orders from the office girl and fill those orders from 8 am until 1 pm. Then I would load up the company van and make my deliveries. I worked for $1.00 per hour however, the tips were great. Almost every customer tipped. The Big Chief docked the bill with a service charge to cover gasoline expenses (.18 cents per gallon). LOL> Delivering groceries was the norm back in those days. You had to deliver to stay in business because all stores did. Believe it or not the local A &P's delivered too! That is before they went super markets.

Another old idea that hasn't taken root so far that I know of is contract meat cutting. When I worked for a wholesale food distributor there were a few mom and pop stores that sold groceries but not meat. Some had certain pieces of equipment and some did not but most had a walk in cooler. Several of these mom and pops contracted independent butchers to have a meat trade. You had to pay for your meat at the meat counter and your groceries at the front of the store. There was one customer that ran a convenience store and knew nothing about meat. So he hired a guy and before you knew it he was a prospering convenient store with a deli and meat counter.

 



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fdarn wrote:

That sounds like a fair service, even if the fees are a little high for some people. I was able to find a little info in google too. They have a truck with different temperature areas for different types of groceries and will deliver same day if purchased by a certain time.
I wish Kroger or Meijer would do that here. It would make life a lot easier for disabled people who can get around when they need food.


 I'll probably need that service someday



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Hy-vee in the Midwest delivers. They have what they call aisle online. You see them all over the city.

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fdarn if you wanted to it would be easy to just shop online here and this is a rural area and get everything delivered from different stores buy all the offers and not pay for travel time shopping and petrol and parking its about 5 euro per delivery some smaller older stores from when i was young delivered the shopping free to the house on a saturday when you went in and bought stuff.

Avoiding stores can save you money I know an old dude who never got out of the car when his wife went shopping he said they always had their hand in your pocket bar a hardware store for nails he never went in them. Had to laugh when he recounted firsttime he had to go on an escalaltor in Belfast

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Even better than that the taxi drivers will scoot down to the liquor store buy your beer whiskey and smokes and delivery it for a few euro locally not that i do that

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