Pick of the Week

Pick of the Week

n. 1. A weekly sales promotion of a usually small ITEM at the checkout registers. Abbreviated POTW. 2. CASES of the Pick of the Week ITEM received as part of the usual LOAD: “Where's my Pick of the Week?”

Plus, (+)

Plus, (+)

v. To record on the (NEGATIVE ORDER WORK) SHEET the addition of one or more CASES put into BACK-STOCK: “Remember to plus that.” Also PUT IT IN THE GUN.

POP SHELLS Porch

POP SHELLS Porch

n. The outside area accessed via ALARMED perimeter door that is enclosed by a high chain-link fence where STACKS of empty POP SHELLS, PRODUCT-specific PALLETS, plastic BREAD RACKS, and other such weather-proof VENDOR-owned ITEMS are stored to await pick-up on their next RUN.

NOTE: There is no doorknob, latch, or doorbell on the outside of the POP SHELLS Porch door. Thus, if you make the mistake of closing the door behind you, or the wind blows it closed, you are extremely stuck.

TRUE STORY: Yep. I've locked myself out. And of course, it was a windy, snowy, sub-freezing winter day. I quickly found an old broom handle and began banging on the outside of that door for all I was worth. The M.O.D. appeared after a few minutes—lucky for me he was in the BACK ROOM, relatively nearby—and said, “Don't feel too bad, I've done it myself.” Yet, wouldn't you know it: the next day, I heard about it from everyone!

P.O.S.

P.O.S.

n. “Point of Sale.” I.e., typically a small DISPLAY near the checkout registers or other location where CUSTOMERS will be reminded and/or tempted to PURCHASE the DISPLAYED ITEM(S). See also BANANA CART and PICK OF THE WEEK.

Power JACK

Power JACK

n. A large, mechanized JACK with rechargeable batteries which has motors to lift and move heavier PALLETS than can be managed with a HAND JACK. Contrast HIGH-LIFT.

TIP: Don't Pull a Power Jack. Yes, it's true you have to pull a regular JACK—after all, in that case, you're the motor. But tug on a Power Jack the same way and you might dislocate your shoulder! Them puppies are heavy! You simply can't pull them. So, ease off. The whole idea is to use the handy thumb controls, steer, and just let it follow you. It might not be quite as fast as you'd like, but it sure is a whole lot easier than moving a PALLET-full of 32-pack CASES of bottled water with just a HAND JACK.

TIP: Stuck? Pump the Handle. OK, this one falls under “strange but true.” Sometimes you may press the Jack's “follow” button yet nothing happens. You look, and the key is in, the battery charged, the power on, but the hulk just sits there, “dead.” Here's what to do: lower the handle all the way to the bottom of its travel, until it goes “thunk” about parallel to the floor, and then raise it back up again. For some weird reason that seems to “wake it up,” and afterwards it works just fine. I know this sounds superstitious, stupid, whatever. The thing is, it actually works!

Price Check

Price Check

n. A request by a cashier at a checkout register or at the CUSTOMER SERVICE DESK to have an ITEM'S PRICE verified by a STOCK CLERK visually inspecting the ITEM'S SHELF TAG: “I need a price check on (some item or other).” See also tip under DISCOUNT RACK.

Purple Tote

Purple Tote

n. A usually purple-colored plastic bin with two large, opposing and interlocking tabs for a lid. Typically used to transport and/or ship a collection of small or oddly-shaped ITEMS, such as spices, toothbrushes, etc. Purple Totes are mainly used by the GENERAL MERCHANDISE (GM) DEPARTMENT. Also TUB

NOTE: TUB is the proper name for these things, but apart from the RECEIVER and a few others, nobody will know what you mean unless you call it a Purple Tote.

Sometimes cigarettes or other ITEMS of special value may be shipped in red totes; sometimes not.