Tesco's - I despair!

Rich said:

Just come back from my local Tesco, where I have been shopping for the past
15 years, never had a problem. There are bike racks, but they are out in
the rain and not in the best place for observation, where I lock mine up is
covered and visible from inside the store. It doesn't obstruct anything
either.

I parked the bike and was immediately approached by a security guard, who
rushed out of the store - he'd obviously been keeping watch. Guard "you
can't park your bike there"
Me "Why not? I've been parking it here for 15 years"
Guard "the manager doesn't like it"
Me "fine, if the manager would like to talk about it, I'll be happy to talk
to him."

As I walked in, I was accosted by the manager, who repeated that I couldn't
park there, and that they would serve me this time, but if I parked it there
again, they would refuse to serve me! I pointed out why I parked it there,
and the response was that "we provide cycle parking, and you will use it."

I did my shopping and left, but I'm not quite sure whether to provoke a
confrontation by locking it there again. I have been in touch with the
local paper who seemed interested, especially when I pointed out that
Tesco's seem to have the time to hassle cyclists, but not to police the
disabled parking or the pick up parking.

Anyone else come across this sort of thing before?

Yes. I tried to wheel my bike into a store - all I wanted was a pint
of milk, and didn't want to lock the bike (because it's quite time
consuming). I tried to point out that the bike is actually smaller
than one of their trolleys, and certainly smaller than a disabled
buggy or wheelchair - but they were having none of it. I got my pint
of milk elsewhere.

I wonder what they would have done if I had been on the "dark side"
with a recumbent trike, and claimed it was a wheelchair? :-)

--
MatSav

--
MatSav

Quoted message said:

Yes I have had similar experience -- but in a way you are better off than am
I - there aren't even any cycle racks at all.in any of the 4 Tesco stores in
my "parish"

But I am totally with you. Bikes need to be provided with racks which are
well positioned, in a good visible area and the racks themselves must be
secure and sheltered.

Please get on the Tesco website and copy the post you have made here
directly to Tesco. Perhaps others who visit here might take up the cudgels
with Tesco as well and follow our example!

I used to spend about £20 each week in Tesco but after being told "you can't
leave that here" I now visit about once every 2 months, in my car, to be
able to carry the packs of loo rolls/kitchen towels/washing powder and so
on.

I have pointed out to Tesco that my expenditure with them has dropped
drastically from more than £1000 to less than £150/year now.

--
Trevor A Panther England, United Kingdom.
Remove PSANTISPAM to reply
"Rich" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Just come back from my local Tesco, where I have been shopping for the
past 15 years, never had a problem. There are bike racks, but they are
out in the rain and not in the best place for observation, where I lock
mine up is covered and visible from inside the store. It doesn't obstruct
anything either.

I parked the bike and was immediately approached by a security guard, who
rushed out of the store - he'd obviously been keeping watch. Guard "you
can't park your bike there"
Me "Why not? I've been parking it here for 15 years"
Guard "the manager doesn't like it"
Me "fine, if the manager would like to talk about it, I'll be happy to
talk to him."

As I walked in, I was accosted by the manager, who repeated that I
couldn't park there, and that they would serve me this time, but if I
parked it there again, they would refuse to serve me! I pointed out why I
parked it there, and the response was that "we provide cycle parking, and
you will use it."

I did my shopping and left, but I'm not quite sure whether to provoke a
confrontation by locking it there again. I have been in touch with the
local paper who seemed interested, especially when I pointed out that
Tesco's seem to have the time to hassle cyclists, but not to police the
disabled parking or the pick up parking.

Anyone else come across this sort of thing before?

Rich said:

Just come back from my local Tesco, where I have been shopping for the past
15 years, never had a problem. There are bike racks, but they are out in
the rain and not in the best place for observation, where I lock mine up is
covered and visible from inside the store. It doesn't obstruct anything
either.

I parked the bike and was immediately approached by a security guard, who
rushed out of the store - he'd obviously been keeping watch. Guard "you
can't park your bike there"
Me "Why not? I've been parking it here for 15 years"
Guard "the manager doesn't like it"
Me "fine, if the manager would like to talk about it, I'll be happy to talk
to him."

As I walked in, I was accosted by the manager, who repeated that I couldn't
park there, and that they would serve me this time, but if I parked it there
again, they would refuse to serve me! I pointed out why I parked it there,
and the response was that "we provide cycle parking, and you will use it."

I did my shopping and left, but I'm not quite sure whether to provoke a
confrontation by locking it there again. I have been in touch with the
local paper who seemed interested, especially when I pointed out that
Tesco's seem to have the time to hassle cyclists, but not to police the
disabled parking or the pick up parking.

Anyone else come across this sort of thing before?

Faced with no parking outside a Tesco Metro/Express/Whatever and an
automatic door sliding gracefully open on my approach, I couldn't resist
simply riding in. Hopped off once inside and pushed bike around. No one
said anything.

Rich said:

Anyone else come across this sort of thing before?

No problems at my local Tesco. There is no cycle racks but solid steel
fences within the covered area outside the main door do the job. An
area which is next to the front door and always busy. I've not heard of
any cyclists having problems with either shop staff or theft.
Your local manager must have some kind of personal problem with
cyclists. Try writing to his boss to point out this needless alienaton
of customers.
Iain

On Sat, 22 Oct 2005 12:19:32 GMT someone who may be "Rich"
<[email hidden]> wrote this:-

Quoted message said:

As I walked in, I was accosted by the manager, who repeated that I couldn't
park there, and that they would serve me this time, but if I parked it there
again, they would refuse to serve me! I pointed out why I parked it there,
and the response was that "we provide cycle parking, and you will use it."

I did my shopping

Why? Having been made unwelcome surely you should have left and
taken your business elsewhere.

At the little Co-op supermarket I sometimes use cyclists bring their
bikes inside the shop and leave them by the door in a suitable
place. I have never seen them have a problem with anyone, even
though the youngsters sometimes lay their bikes down instead of
leaning them against the wall.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E
I will always explain revoked keys, unless the UK government
prevents me by using the RIP Act 2000.

"David Hansen" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Sat, 22 Oct 2005 12:19:32 GMT someone who may be "Rich"
<[email hidden]> wrote this:-

Quoted message said:

As I walked in, I was accosted by the manager, who repeated that I

couldn't

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

park there, and that they would serve me this time, but if I parked it

there

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

again, they would refuse to serve me! I pointed out why I parked it

there,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and the response was that "we provide cycle parking, and you will use

it."

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I did my shopping

Why? Having been made unwelcome surely you should have left and
taken your business elsewhere.

At the little Co-op supermarket I sometimes use cyclists bring their
bikes inside the shop and leave them by the door in a suitable
place. I have never seen them have a problem with anyone, even
though the youngsters sometimes lay their bikes down instead of
leaning them against the wall.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E
I will always explain revoked keys, unless the UK government
prevents me by using the RIP Act 2000.

Simple,shop elsewhere.

Supermarkets are the devils work anyway.

Sam Salt

Rich said:

I parked the bike and was immediately approached by a security guard, who
rushed out of the store

Anyone else come across this sort of thing before?

Only in the occupied West Bank not long after the Six Day war.
My bike was surrounded by armed guards when I parked outside a shop.

Perhaps Tescos are following a similar policy.

John B

Quoted message said:

Perhaps Tescos are following a similar policy.

Our local Sainsburys have motorbike inverted U s which can be used for
cycles, but as in your case they are out of sight and best not used.The
disabled parking is full of 4x4s and mercedes and should really be
labelled 'obese and lazy parking'.
Tescos have no cycle facilty at all, but have not objected to mine.
They do have a parking enforcer who has taken her duties very
seriously.Do not think of parking in a disabled spot for 1 minute, or
they will try to get £15 off you; and she is only 4ft 10ins, so you
can't threaten her, unless you really want to look like a dangerous
lunatic. Normal people who do observe rules are delighted.
Perhaps the op has encountered some fringe version of a new parking
enforcement policy.
It should be obvious that unless the cycle provision is suitable it is
as good as nothing, and out of sight is not suitable.
TerryJ

Rich said:

Anyone else come across this sort of thing before?

Tesco here has two Sheffield racks, in view of the checkouts, and under
cover, so they can do it if they try.

I was told I couldn't take my bike into the local Post Office (there's
nowhere close to lock it up) so I now take my business to another PO
that had no problems with me just propping it up inside.

--
Keith Willoughby http://flat222.org/keith/
Fair and Balanced -
http://blugg.com/stuff/foxs_view_of_the_bbc_player.htm

"Rich" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Just come back from my local Tesco, where I have been shopping for the
past 15 years, never had a problem. There are bike racks, but they are
out in the rain and not in the best place for observation, where I lock
mine up is covered and visible from inside the store. It doesn't obstruct
anything either.

The only Tescos I cycle to are part of petrol stations (Express) where you
can rest the bike outside and keep an eye on it from anywhere in the store
due to the huge glass front of the shop.

--
Simon Mason
http://www.simonmason.karoo.net

Rich said:

Just come back from my local Tesco, where I have been shopping for the past
15 years, never had a problem. There are bike racks, but they are out in
the rain and not in the best place for observation, where I lock mine up is
covered and visible from inside the store. It doesn't obstruct anything
either.

I parked the bike and was immediately approached by a security guard, who
rushed out of the store - he'd obviously been keeping watch. Guard "you
can't park your bike there"
Me "Why not? I've been parking it here for 15 years"
Guard "the manager doesn't like it"
Me "fine, if the manager would like to talk about it, I'll be happy to talk
to him."

As I walked in, I was accosted by the manager, who repeated that I couldn't
park there, and that they would serve me this time, but if I parked it there
again, they would refuse to serve me! I pointed out why I parked it there,
and the response was that "we provide cycle parking, and you will use it."

I did my shopping and left, but I'm not quite sure whether to provoke a
confrontation by locking it there again. I have been in touch with the
local paper who seemed interested, especially when I pointed out that
Tesco's seem to have the time to hassle cyclists, but not to police the
disabled parking or the pick up parking.

Is there another supermarket within easy cycling distance? Vote with
your feet, but write to the store and head office explaining why. The
ideal solution would seem to be relocating the bike racks, and you could
suggest this.

Rich wrote:

<snip tale of cluelessness>

Quoted message said:

Anyone else come across this sort of thing before?

Nothing like that. The Tesco I usually use has the bike rack in a
[censored] Place and I don't use them, parking closer to the entrance.
The security chap is always happy with this, and on a couple of
occasions I've forgotten a lock he's been quite happy to keep an
eye on it for me.

Mind you, I was despiaring at them today because the store is full
to the rafters with Christmas decorations! Gahd!

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Peter Clinch said:

Rich said:

Anyone else come across this sort of thing before?

Nothing like that. The Tesco I usually use has the bike rack in a
[censored] Place and I don't use them, parking closer to the entrance.
The security chap is always happy with this, and on a couple of
occasions I've forgotten a lock he's been quite happy to keep an
eye on it for me.

I've always just locked mine to the outside of the trolley parking, but
that is undercover at both the ones I regularly visit. The one Pete
refers to I don't visit at all (I think he is referring to Riverside),
and the fourth one has cycle racks but they have cunningly put them
right up against the wall so you cannot realistically use them. I tried
once with the tandem and decided that it would completely block the
path so used an alternative arrangement.

FWIW I have wheeled the bike round the Lochee one. The Kingsway one was
more fussy, though didn't have any problem with me locking the trailer
up right outside the door.

Quoted message said:

Mind you, I was despiaring at them today because the store is full
to the rafters with Christmas decorations! Gahd!

I went in with my daughter on the way back[2] from a reanactment of the
Battle of Trafalgar in sailing dinghies [1]. She took one look at their
'giant pumpkins' and said 'They're not very big are they.. ours are
much bigger than that'.

...d

[2] OK, by car.
[1] Take sailing dinghies. Attach a number of balloons to the stern on
long bits of string. The aim is to burst the enemies balloons.
Hysterically good fun despite a chilly day. Plenty of water thrown
around and laughter. A revised version will appear in the spring for
the re-enactment of the Battle of Camperdown.

Rich said:

Just come back from my local Tesco, where I have been shopping for
the past 15 years, never had a problem. There are bike racks, but
they are out in the rain and not in the best place for observation,
where I lock mine up is covered and visible from inside the store.
It doesn't obstruct anything either.

I parked the bike and was immediately approached by a security guard,
who rushed out of the store - he'd obviously been keeping watch.
Guard "you can't park your bike there"
Me "Why not? I've been parking it here for 15 years"
Guard "the manager doesn't like it"
Me "fine, if the manager would like to talk about it, I'll be happy
to talk to him."

As I walked in, I was accosted by the manager, who repeated that I
couldn't park there, and that they would serve me this time, but if I
parked it there again, they would refuse to serve me! I pointed out
why I parked it there, and the response was that "we provide cycle
parking, and you will use it."

I did my shopping and left, but I'm not quite sure whether to provoke
a confrontation by locking it there again. I have been in touch with
the local paper who seemed interested, especially when I pointed out
that Tesco's seem to have the time to hassle cyclists, but not to
police the disabled parking or the pick up parking.

Anyone else come across this sort of thing before?

I have a "Deep Throat" contact in Tesco. S/He tells me it's not company
policy.
--

Martin Bulmer

Martin Bulmer said:

Rich said:

Just come back from my local Tesco, where I have been shopping for
the past 15 years, never had a problem. There are bike racks, but
they are out in the rain and not in the best place for observation,
where I lock mine up is covered and visible from inside the store.
It doesn't obstruct anything either.

I parked the bike and was immediately approached by a security guard,
who rushed out of the store - he'd obviously been keeping watch.
Guard "you can't park your bike there"
Me "Why not? I've been parking it here for 15 years"
Guard "the manager doesn't like it"
Me "fine, if the manager would like to talk about it, I'll be happy
to talk to him."

As I walked in, I was accosted by the manager, who repeated that I
couldn't park there, and that they would serve me this time, but if I
parked it there again, they would refuse to serve me! I pointed out
why I parked it there, and the response was that "we provide cycle
parking, and you will use it."

I did my shopping and left, but I'm not quite sure whether to provoke
a confrontation by locking it there again. I have been in touch with
the local paper who seemed interested, especially when I pointed out
that Tesco's seem to have the time to hassle cyclists, but not to
police the disabled parking or the pick up parking.

Anyone else come across this sort of thing before?

I have a "Deep Throat" contact in Tesco. S/He tells me it's not company
policy.

Is he a new manager? Like others I suggest writing to their head office
but also finding out who is the senior manager at the store you visit.
Normally these stores have a team of managers not just one, if he's made
some unilateral decision he may get his ears buffed.

Sniper8052

Rich said:

I did my shopping and left, but I'm not quite sure whether to provoke a
confrontation by locking it there again. I have been in touch with the
local paper who seemed interested, especially when I pointed out that
Tesco's seem to have the time to hassle cyclists, but not to police the
disabled parking or the pick up parking.

Anyone else come across this sort of thing before?

My local Tesco (Lincoln Wragby Road) has limited cycle parking right outside
the door. Alas, when they installed the "toast rack" they placed it too
close to the wall, so the front end of the bike sticks out when you lock it
up. Annoying, but not fatal.

On occasions when the rack was full, I've locked my bikes to rails, posts,
the trolley-park enclosure and even wheeled it round the store and recieved
no objections from staff. So, it would appear that you have a particularly
arsey store manager to deal with. Perhaps printing out a few select postings
from this thread and showing them to the dweeb to educate him on how his
brethren handle cyclists might help.

Regards,

-david

"Martin Bulmer" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

As I walked in, I was accosted by the manager, who repeated that I
couldn't park there, and that they would serve me this time, but if I
parked it there again, they would refuse to serve me! I pointed out
why I parked it there, and the response was that "we provide cycle
parking, and you will use it."

I did my shopping and left, but I'm not quite sure whether to provoke
a confrontation by locking it there again. I have been in touch with
the local paper who seemed interested, especially when I pointed out
that Tesco's seem to have the time to hassle cyclists, but not to
police the disabled parking or the pick up parking.

Anyone else come across this sort of thing before?

I have a "Deep Throat" contact in Tesco. S/He tells me it's not company
policy.

What isn't company policy?

David Nutter said:

My local Tesco (Lincoln Wragby Road) has limited cycle parking right outside
the door. Alas, when they installed the "toast rack" they placed it too
close to the wall, so the front end of the bike sticks out when you lock it
up. Annoying, but not fatal.

They did the same thing in Lochee. Annoying, yes, as it prevents the
bike being supported properly.
No, as it provides a good place for dog emptiers to attatch their mutts
to.
Unfortunately, mutts attached to bike racks tend to like emptying
themselves on bikes..

...d

Rich said:

I did my shopping and left, but I'm not quite sure whether to provoke a
confrontation by locking it there again.

Allow me to help with this difficult decision.

DO IT.