No more assisted shops from Sainsbury's

LottiC
LottiC Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
edited July 2023 in Everyday life
So, after years of using Sainsbury's as a wheelchair user because they offer assisted shops, I go in today only to be told they don't offer assisted shops anymore. I only get to leave the house once every 2 weeks to do my grocery shopping, so I make a thing of it, I pop into other shops (as my Sainsbury's is in the town centre) I'll stop and have lunch at Costa (the staff are so nice there and know me well, will have a natter if it's not too busy, always helpful) then go on to do my food shop. I only get my ESA fortnightly, so that's when I do my food shop. I don't drive and have no carer or anyone to help, the wheelchair trolleys are not big enough (and often their one trolley is often being used) so to go in today and have to battle with a manual chair and a trolley, whilst trying not to bump into folk and crash into shelves because the trolley goes where it wants was miserable. I've so many scrapes and bruises forming from bashing my shins on the trolley it's not even funny. 
I'm wondering if anyone else is experiencing this? I know there are several blind customers (some I recognise by face) that would come in and get help. What are they going to do? I do realise that there is online shopping, but if I started that, I'd never leave the house, become completely isolated as the bus service is appalling in my area and my depression will just overwhelm me. But I shouldn't have to be isolated and reclusive because I'm disabled. 

Comments

  • CookieM95
    CookieM95 Online Community Member Posts: 9 Listener
    Hi @LottiC

    Firstly, I totally understand your frustration! I rely on a mobility scooter and going shopping is a serious amount of effort! I am disgusted by Sainsbury's for a lot of reasons. One of them is the lack of checkouts now, everything is done through self-scan which as a person with additional needs and mobility issues, I find this incredibly stressful! 

    I wanted to mention your view on online shopping and once again say I can totally relate because I too have been told to just "shop online" to cope with the stress. I am one of them people that hate shopping at the best of times but force myself to do it as a way to get out of the house and actually see the sunlight that people say will "help"

    A lot of supermarkets seem to be more focused on the needs of the corporation instead of the needs of their customers. 

    Do you have any other local supermarkets, I have personally found ASDA better

    I hope you keep your chin up <3
  • LottiC
    LottiC Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
    Hi @CookieM95 the only other store close by is Aldi and they have NEVER offered assisted shop as the staff have to be constantly restocking shelves, it's also not the biggest store and they don't sell gluten free, which I need. Everything else is about a 20minute bus journey away, then goodness knows how much for the taxi home (certainly more than the £6 from Sainsbury's) 
    I use the smart shop app in Sainsbury's as I have these groovy bags that sit inside the trolley and I can pack the way I like as I shop. I then go to the self scan, scan the QR code, pay and leave (unless I have alcohol which requires age approval) this helps a great deal as I don't have to unload the trolley, then pack, saves a lot of effort which is a huge help as I also have fibromyalgia and get so tired and fatigued easily.
    I have nothing else close by, I don't drive and simply can't afford the taxi fares from the stores further away. I don't know what to do. I don't want to become a recluse. The only real socialisation I have is through gaming on the Xbox, which isn't proper socialising, but at least I get to talk to people and game with them. 
    I know my depression will worsen if I never get to leave the house. But I just don't know.
    I spoke with a lovely lady at scope as to what I can do and the advice was to reiterate to Sainsbury's what they are doing to their disabled customers and how it makes us feel like we don't matter. And, if I can get enough voices together, perhaps those voices will be heard. 
  • Hannah_Alumni
    Hannah_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,866 Championing
    @lottiC I am so sorry to hear this. Did they say why they don't offer the assisted shop anymore? I did also have a Google to see if it was a company wide issue and cannot see anything yet. I wonder if reaching out to your MP may help? I think they should know what is happening as like you said, there are many who would rely on that service. 

    I completely understand why you wouldn't want to do online shops as the outing has been part of your routine to help not feel isolated. I do like stormy's idea, of getting out to Costa still each time and maybe looking to see if there is anything going on in town that you could join :) 
  • Hannah_Alumni
    Hannah_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,866 Championing
    @LottiC You can also fill in an online feedback form with Sainsbury's. Maybe you'll be able to get a response there? 

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