By Ramesh Mathew/Staff Reporter
Some of the major hypermarkets in the country are contemplating issuing tokens to customers in the fresh fish section in a bid to avoid crowding and arguments, Gulf Times has learnt.
“The objective is to ensure that customers are served on a first come basis in order to resolve complaints,” a source explained.
Fish stall workers at most major hypermarkets are encountering accusations of “bias” from customers, who are sometimes seen engaged in heated arguments with them over issues of cleaning and delivery.
Most of the fish stalls experience heavy rush throughout the week and in the weekends there are more customers than usual.
“Not a day passes without an argument or two with many impatient and waiting customers, some of whom shout and level all sorts of charges against us for no reasons,” said a vendor at a fish stall at one of the
major hypermarkets.
It is not uncommon to see some customers leaving without buying fish as it often entails a waiting period of at least 30 minutes, especially in the weekends.
A senior official of a major hypermarket told Gulf Times yesterday that they had all along been studying the situations at the fish sections of leading outlets elsewhere in the region and found that issuing tokens to customers would be the ideal way to end their complaints, especially when there were more people waiting.
“Once tokens are issued, there would not be any shouting by waiting customers and crowding in front of the stalls would also be considerably reduced,” he felt. After receiving tokens, the customers need to come only when their turn comes, added the official.
The official said some of the large hypermarkets elsewhere in the region have successfully introduced the system of tokens in recent months and customers have relatively less complaints over deliveries these days.
While welcoming the idea of introducing tokens at their fish stall, a senior official at a hypermarket said their company would go a long way in ensuring a better deal for customers.
A fish stall at a hypermarket in Doha yesterday (Picture used for illustrative purpose only). PICTURE: Najeer Feroke
