Monday, November 15, 2021

At Key Food: Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more

11/16: Updated below! Success!

For the third time in as many weeks, Key Food on Avenue A at Fourth Street will close overnight (tonight, in this case) for "system updates." 

Unfortunately, in the previous two overnight attempts, the updates were the same: unsuccessful. 

This, we're told, is part of a sweeping change to ALL self-serve stations and point-of-sale systems at Key Food stores in the tri-state area. 

Per one Key Food source, as reported by EVG correspondent Stacie Joy:
This attempt may or may not go according to schedule! There have been snafus in trying to do this. The system upgrade will require people to use the new Key cards, so if you have an old card and have not entered your information at the management booth up front (email address and zip code being primary on the list of required info) your card will no longer work after the update. 
The update will also provide an app for people to download on their cellphones, so they can scan the upc code of an item and find the sale price. You will not be able to pay for anything using the app though. 
The systems at this Key Food are ancient and resistant to system upgrades. I have been told that people have been complaining about lack of pricing info and sale prices not being accurately reflected at checkout. I was also told that if the people who shop at Key Food do not like the new system they should complain to the owners.
Meanwhile, Key regulars have noted subtle changes at this Avenue A mainstay. 

For instance, there are now QR codes posted on the Coca-Cola shelves... asking pertinent questions such as, "Best Coke Ever?" (in reference to Coke Zero Sugar)... 
As an EVG investigation shows, the QR code takes one to this on the Key website... 
There are also the new Scan - Enter - Clip notices at the checkout... all part of a new way to save(s?)...
UPDATED:

The software update WORKED, per Stacie...
Previously on EV Grieve:

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

perhaps filming a "movie!" wink wink

Anonymous said...

Thanks for making shopping so confusing

Anonymous said...

So, they're working toward a situation where you can only shop there if you have a smartphone? Nope, nope-ity-nope, nope.

Anonymous said...

QR codes are already dated and on their way out. Why are they going to heavy in this direction now?

Anonymous said...

Nope, nope-ity-nope, nope. Spoken like a true New Yorker! Love it!

Anonymous said...

Was there the morning after - can confirm they did in fact update the software. It no longer hounds you about "placing an item in the bag" - which is a welcome relief. But pricing things like fruit, which have to be weighed, is more annoying - you need to do 'item lookup' type the letter of the item, then find it. An extra step. My discount card, a VERY old one, did still work though.

ck said...

went to key food its ok if one does not have a smart phone like dinosaurs like me

MrNiceGuy said...

QR Codes have had a break out year. They're ubiquitous now, mostly thanks to Covid.

EVGrumps' reaction: "QR codes are already dated and on their way out."

You can't make this stuff up! They're not on their way out, they are far more popular than they've ever been!!

Anonymous said...

Cool... now can they try changing reasonable prices

Anonymous said...

I don't even understand the signs.