12 Things You Shouldn’t Do at Trader Joe’s, Say Employees

You don’t know what you don’t know. Sometimes we mean well and think we’re being helpful or funny, but we don’t realize we’re being inconsiderate. In a place like Trader Joe’s—where the employees are known for being super friendly—the last thing any of us wants to do is annoy them. But it’s the human condition that we all get on each other’s nerves sometimes. We reached out to Trader Joe’s employees, and here’s what they say to do less of if you want to stay on their good side and make their shift run a little bit smoother.

Arrive just before closing

If you’ve ever worked the closing shift, you probably know that closing duties usually start 30 minutes or so before the establishment actually locks up. When you get there with mere minutes to spare, you could delay employees from completing their duties and prevent them from going home on time. Be considerate of the workers, and show up at least a half hour before closing so you can get in and out without making the employees stick around longer than they planned to.

Invade employees’ personal space

Team members are constantly restocking the shelves at Trader Joe’s, which means that an employee might be stationed in front of something you need to grab. While some people lean over them without saying a word, a simple “excuse me” is the way to go. They’re on the job, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want their boundaries respected like everyone else.

Leave your cart in the middle of the aisle

Trader Joe’s stores are known for being comically small (the parking lots too). The aisles are narrow, and some parts are straight up cramped. So don’t be that person that no one else can get around. Keep your cart near you while you shop so it’s not blocking the shelves or preventing others from squeezing by. 

Discard items where they don’t belong

One of the many great things about Trader Joe’s is how it’s neatly organized with employees constantly restocking and straightening up shelves. Let’s keep it that way by putting items back where you found them. If you grab a greeting card on your way in, but change your mind in the freezer aisle, don’t discard it next to the Cauliflower Gnocchi. Trader Joe’s locations tend to be compact, so the proper spot is likely only a few steps away. This is courteous to the employees who have to pick up after customers, but when it comes to perishable items, it’s also crucial for food safety and food waste.

Complain about the store being busy

We’d all love an empty grocery store to peruse at our leisure, but Trader Joe’s is a popular chain—it’s going to be busy sometimes. Especially if you go at peak hours, shop on the weekends, or time your haul before a major holiday, expect crowds. If you notice the store is busier than usual, you can bet the employees do too. You don’t have to make them feel bad about it, because a rush is stressful as is.

Constantly ask when something will be back in stock

Despite retailers’ best efforts, products sometimes go out of stock. This is often due to seasonality, product shortages, or increased demand for limited-item products, such as the viral mini tote bags. Whatever the reason, we as consumers have got to be patient. Trader Joe’s employees don’t always know when (or if) something will be back in stock. You can always ask, but just know you may not get the answer you’d hoped for.

Use your reusable grocery bag as a basket while shopping

Trader Joe’s does some things a little differently than other supermarkets. For one, there aren’t any conveyor belts at checkout. The cashier will unload items from your cart or basket one at a time, scanning each one and setting it to the side. Another employee may come up to bag your groceries as they’re scanned. If you’ve used your grocery bag to shop, it takes longer to re-bag your purchases. Instead, use the carts or baskets at the front of the store to shop, and hand the cashier your reusable bags when it’s time to pay.

Use gross reusable bags

The idea of reusable totes is great—when you use them dozens of times, they’re generally better for the environment than single-use bags. However, with that much use, they have probably seen better days. Think of the baggers who have to come in contact with your bags (and everyone else’s). It takes less than a minute to give your bag a quick wipe down, so it’s not sticky from food spills or just plain germy from all the handling.

Talk on the phone at checkout

Phone addiction is a real thing, but let’s not forget about phone etiquette in public spaces. The cashier may have some questions for you—Did you find everything alright? Do you want bags?—and if you’re distracted by your phone, you might not hear them. Save your texts and calls for when you’re out of the store. It’s also polite to the other customers to take private calls in, well, private.

Repeatedly ask about discontinued items

If one of your favorite Trader Joe’s products has been discontinued, join the club. The chain isn’t exempt from supply chain or manufacturing issues, which could be the underlying reason for discontinuing some items (or they just didn’t sell well). If you can’t find what you’re looking for, ask an associate, but don’t berate the messenger if it’s long gone. However, on rare occasions, your requests to bring back an item may work. Rather than use up the in-store employees’ precious time, fill out the online product feedback form and cross your fingers.

Leave trash in your shopping cart

It should go without saying, but you shouldn’t litter. It’s unsanitary and uncourteous. Your trash, such as sample cups and receipts, doesn’t magically disappear. Employees are tasked with throwing out items left behind, so take your used coffee cup and napkins with you, or dispose of them in a nearby trash bin.

Ask cashiers about a product you couldn’t find

The phrase “save your questions until the end” doesn’t apply to grocery shopping. If you can’t find something, ask one of the team members around the aisles for help. There are usually a handful of Trader Joe’s employees restocking shelves and helping customers all throughout the store. Why not wait and ask the cashier? You could, but they’ll have to ring a bell to ask another employee to locate the item for you, which holds up the line. It’s just more efficient to ask sooner rather than later.