I don’t often get aggravated by technology.  I’m a pretty tenacious problem solver, so tech stuff just feels like a big puzzle to me.

So when I couldn’t get the digital coupons at Stop and Shop because I didn’t have the app, I thought, “no problem – I’ll download the app and get the coupons.” I pulled over my grocery cart and got on with it.

The app couldn’t link to my account. “Call customer service,” it said.

I went to the desk and waited behind the string of lotto ticket buyers. (My husband was one of them.)

“Sorry,” said the woman at the counter, “you need to call the 800 number for that.”

I finished my shopping – mildly annoyed and decided to call customer service when I got home.

I forgot.

The next Saturday, getting ready to go shopping, I remembered and called customer service. “The problem is, your Peapod account. It’s part of our old system. I can update it for you,” she said.

And a few minutes later,  “You’re all set.”

I still couldn’t get in.

I’ll admit, I was annoyed when I called back, and even more annoyed when she told me it takes 24 hours before it works.

Determined to save money on my groceries, I postponed my shopping to the following day.

When it STILL didn’t work, I was actually pissed off. Maybe even disproportionalety – In truth, I was ranting.

“That’s it,” I told Paul. “I’m going to the Big Y.”  (I’m literally laughing at myself as I’m typing this. I was soooo mad and really felt like I was punishing Stop and Shop.)

And here’s where we get to the point of my story…

The BIG Y was  a w e s o m e! Everything I needed (and more) beautifully displayed, with subdued lighting and wooden (ok, wood-look) floors – all for the same price as Stop and Shop.

AND THEIR COUPON APP WORKED!

That supermarket is less than 2 miles from my house. I’ve never gone in because I’ve always shopped at Stop and Shop. 

What other things am I (are we) missing out on because of old patterns and routines that go unchallenged?

 I don’t know about you, but I plan on finding out.