13 Slip-Ups Publix Shoppers Keep Making (and Florida Workers Can See Coming a Mile Away)

Have you ever wondered what Publix employees really think as they ring up your groceries or restock your GreenWise snacks?

Publix’s team is a pro at spotting unflattering customer patterns.

From unruly carts to coupon confusion, here are the goof-ups Publix employees witness Floridians make again and again.

Mistaking BOGO for “Buy One Only”

Publix practically invented the modern-day BOGO deal. But somehow, every day, folks forget that “Buy One Get One Free” means you have to buy both to get the deal.

Publix employees constantly experience customers walking up to the cash register with one lonely item, thinking they’ll get a discount.

Spoiler alert: They don’t.

This most commonly occurs with Florida transplants. In other states, Publix often honors a 50% discount off one BOGO item.

So, employees end up stuck explaining the policy at checkout while the line gets longer.

The bottom line? If you see that yellow BOGO tag at a Florida Publix and want a deal, you’d better be ready to buy two.

Using the Deli Counter Like a Free Sampling Station

Publix deli meats and cheeses are undeniably top-tier. But that doesn’t mean the slicer is a buffet.

Employees regularly have customers ask for a sample slice… and then another… and another. Before you know it, the “taste test” turns into lunch.

Publix is generous about giving samples. But it’s meant to help you make a choice, not to fill you up before you even get to the checkout line.

Deli staff are trying to keep the line moving while maintaining precision, cleanliness, and speed. Repeated sample requests slow everything down.

If you want to try before you buy, keep it reasonable.

One sample? Totally fine.

A sample marathon? Not what the deli was designed for.

Ignoring the Express Lane Rules

The “Ten items or fewer” sign by the express lane isn’t a suggestion. It’s a rule.

But that little sign might as well be invisible to some folks.

Publix employees see it all the time: a customer rolls up with a full cart into the express lane, pretending not to notice.

They’ll try to sweet-talk the cashier. Or worse, they’ll start unloading and claim, “These are all the same item, so they only count as one.”

It puts cashiers in a tough spot. Say something, and risk a confrontation. Say nothing, and irritate the rule-followers behind you.

If your cart’s bursting with stuff, take the regular line. End of story.

Opening the Bakery Cookies Before Paying

We get it—the free cookie at the bakery is practically a rite of passage for Publix kids. But somewhere along the way, some adults started helping themselves, too.

Publix employees spot this one all the time: Shoppers cracking open a plastic cookie clamshell in their cart and munching as they stroll.

The customer assumes it’s fine because, well, it’s Publix, and everyone’s friendly.

But from the employee’s side, it creates a headache. Open containers can’t be restocked if the customer decides they don’t want to buy the box, and it’s that much more crumbs they have to clean.

If you want a cookie, ask at the bakery counter like the kids do.

They’ll usually hand you one with a smile, no sneaky snacking required.

Leaving Cold Items in Random Aisles

Publix employees have developed a kind of sixth sense for finding stray half-thawed ice cream in the bread aisle. It’s practically a job skill at this point.

Customers regularly change their minds about freezer items and abandon them wherever they happen to be standing.

Maybe they saw that the checkout line was too long. Maybe they just realized they didn’t want to carry it home.

But that pint of mint chocolate chip doesn’t magically walk itself back to the freezer. It melts, spoils, and often gets tossed.

Employees then have to toss perfectly good food into the waste bin, which nobody likes doing. It’s wasteful, frustrating, and completely avoidable.

If you change your mind, just hand the item to an associate. It’s that simple.

Leaving Empty Sub Wrappers Around the Store

Publix subs, lovingly nicknamed Pub Subs, have a fan base that borders on religious. And some customers just can’t wait to tear into theirs.

That’s fine, but the issue starts when the empty wrappers and drink cups get left in carts or on shelves. Employees have found ketchup-smudged sub packaging and mustard-drenched napkins in one too many aisles.

It’s messy, unhygienic, and just plain rude. Especially since Publix goes out of its way to keep stores sparkling clean.

There are trash bins near every Publix entrance and usually near the deli, too.

Toss your Pub Sub garbage there. Don’t make someone else do it for you.

Treating the Floral Department Like a Photography Studio

Admittedly, Publix’s floral department is a photographer’s dream. Some customers love snapping pics for social media.

A quick photo for a new Instagram profile picture is fine enough. But some people go overboard.

Publix employees have spotted customers rearranging displays, handling bouquets for the perfect shot, and even plucking petals.

The Publix staff puts effort into their flower displays. Every time someone disrupts them, it means more time spent fixing things rather than helping customers.

So take a photo if you absolutely must, but be respectful. Don’t treat the floral department like your personal set designer.

Hogging the Wine Specialist’s Time Without Buying

Publix wine specialists are knowledgeable and friendly… and they’re also trying to do their jobs.

Some customers will chat them up for 30 minutes, asking about every bottle on the shelf while analyzing labels like they’re at a vineyard in Napa.

Then they walk away without buying a thing.

It’s fine to ask for help; that’s part of Publix employees’ jobs. But be aware if you’re monopolizing their time, especially during peak hours.

If you’re not planning on buying, keep it brief. They’ve got other shelves to stock and customers to help.

Cutting Through the Back Stockroom Door

There’s something about that “Employees Only” sign that turns into a challenge for certain shoppers.

Publix team members catch customers poking their heads into the back stockroom more often than you’d think.

Some even stroll in looking for an employee, assuming it’s fine because “they just need help real quick.”

But those doors exist for a reason. Back rooms are often crowded, and unauthorized folks pose a safety risk, especially when pallets are moving.

Want assistance?

Just flag someone down on the floor. Don’t go wandering into the staff-only zones like you’re on a behind-the-scenes tour.

Bringing Dogs That Aren’t Service Animals

Publix has a clear policy: Only service animals are allowed inside. But some customers clearly miss (or choose to miss) the memo.

Employees report seeing everything from Chihuahuas in handbags to Labradoodles in the frozen food aisle.

Some customers try to claim their dog is a service animal.

It puts employees in an awkward spot because they’re legally limited in what they can ask. But they still have to manage health codes and customer complaints.

If your pup isn’t a working service animal, leave them at home. Publix is great, but it’s not a pet-friendly cafe.

Using Reusable Bags That Are Falling Apart

Publix encourages reusable bags, but not when they’re hanging on by a thread.

Cashiers often struggle with torn straps, moldy linings, or bags so thin they collapse under a pint of milk. Sometimes the bags smell like they’ve been left in a car next to gym clothes.

It slows down the checkout process, especially when an old bag splits mid-scan and spills groceries across the floor.

Reusable is responsible. But give those bags a rinse and replace the ones that are on their last leg.

Parking in Pickup Spots Without Using Pickup

Those green “Reserved for Online Orders” spots aren’t just a suggestion. Publix staff use them to quickly bring groceries out to people who ordered ahead.

But more than a few customers use them as VIP parking just to dash in and grab, say, a last-minute birthday cake.

Employees constantly have to weave around parked cars while trying to deliver groceries, and it slows down the process for everyone.

If you’re shopping inside, park in a regular spot. The reserved lanes are there for folks who followed the rules and ordered ahead.

Forgetting to Use the App for Digital Coupons

Publix offers some amazing digital coupons through their app. But many shoppers forget to use them or assume they’ll get the discount automatically.

Employees often experience customers scrambling at the register to download the app or clip digital deals while holding up the line.

Others leave without realizing they missed out on $10 or more in savings, all because they didn’t click “clip” before checkout.