Kitchen

[Suzeecat]

I'm a long time TJ shopper but the one I used to go to moved and wasn't convenient.  But, I'm using my Nutribullet more these days and decided to go to get some produce, nuts, seeds, etc. 

While I was at the register the cashier rang this LOUD bell that I didn't even notice was right next to my head, causing a tinnitus relapse.  Anyway, I started wondering what the bell ring was all about.  The person ahead of me checking out wasn't writing a check, nobody came over for any reason, and the cashier just kept moving along. 

Does anyone have any idea what it means when they ring the bell?  Is it some kind of secret communication, or am I being paranoid?  Of course, next time I'll ask but in the meantime I was just wondering.

[Suzeecat]

Ha, answered my own question, via Google:

The bells are a kind of Trader Joe's Morse code. Those blustery PA systems just didn't feel right to us, so we came up with a simple system to communicate, à la our maritime (Trader’s on the culinary seas) association.

One bell lets our Crew know when to open another register. Two bells mean there are additional questions that need to be answered at the checkout. Three bells call over a manager-type person. And Three short bells–two long bells–three short bells… now we’re just playing.

[dancingwoman]

I just found this online...it was an article on TJ's..DW

Do I hear bells?
Walk into a Trader Joe's and you may hear a ringing in your ears. Don't worry -- that's not tinnitus. That's the internal messaging system. Trader Joe's has no PA system in its stores, but instead relies on a nautical bell to communicate information to its employees.

One bell means it's time to open another register. Two bells? Someone has a questions that need to be answered at the checkout and three bells is a request for a manager.

Sorry... we posted at the same time...lol  DW

[Suzeecat]

. . . and in my case it WAS tinnitus, LOL!

[ginirn]

Sounds like maybe they should rethink the placement of the bell.  It bothered your ears but that was just once.  If it is damaging to ones hearing the cashiers may have a legitimate complaint.