REVIEW: Pinnacle Supermarket Ibadan

 

PINNACLE: Biggest Wholesale Supermarket in Ibadan. 

MY HARROWING EXPERIENCE

On this very beautiful friday afternoon I decided to do my grocery shopping at the popular pinnacle supermarket after a long period of being out of grocery and toiletries. 

So off I went with my very long and scattered list.

Bear in mind that I barely had anything at home again, so it was as good as shopping for a new place.

Usually,  I prefer to buy my things in bulk as I was raised that way.

It is super frustrating to buy things in singular pieces. By the time I calculate the overhead cost, it is usually so ridiculous that I’m so mad at myself for choosing the “lazy expensive way".

I was of high hopes but also terrified at the same time because I had heard not so nice stories about other people’s experiences at this supermarket. 

Like I mentioned earlier I was totally out of almost everything, so I had to stock up and so I mustered up courage and dragged myself off to shop💃💃

I was super excited to be shopping after a really long time.

Now, I’m not a fan of shopping. In fact it is one chore I don’t look forward to. But on this very day I was rather happy.  If only I knew 😪 😔 

Fully kitted in my casual comfy wear and well padded pair of sneakers(I am so thankful now that I didn’t go wearing a poorly padded footwear😩).

On getting there I was met with a large number of people (close to a hundred) also trying to shop.

This was my first time at this supermarket and while still trying to observe the number of people that were there and decide whether or not to stay or leave I was also taking in the environment and appreciating the structure and everything around.

Of course I didn’t know the rules to shopping in pinnacle as I had never been there and fortunately for me almost immediately,  I spotted a security personnel and I was given a number tag (sadly it was number “99”).

I collected the tag and stood still looking around and obviously confused. 

While still looking around I noticed a group of people sitting and tried to find a seat (which I didn’t get until almost 30 minutes after I had arrived).

I eventually got one and sat for almost an hour before a security personnel came to call people in according to their number tags to come into the complex to do their shopping.

Apparently as at the time I had arrived only the first 50 of the first batch had been called in. 

I was in the second batch of the next 100 🥲😪

It was almost 3 hours later  before I was able to go in to start my shopping.

Now, I was only able to go in at this time because a number of people ahead of me were tired of waiting to be called and had left.

I was finally in “glory to God"

Another struggle began.

Sigh😞

There were no shopping baskets or trolleys available.

I had to wait on someone who was done shopping to have their things packed so I could get one (this took another 10 minutes😭)

At this point I was asking myself if the price difference was really worth this stress (pinnacle sells things at wholesale prices. So a lot of retailers often do their shopping here also).

I was eventually able to start my shopping. 

After filling my cart to overflow(with me still running back🏃‍♂️ 🏃‍♀️ severally to be sure I didn’t forget to pick anything because trust me, there was no way I was going through this torture in the name of cheap home needs again😔)

I dragged my tired behind to the payment counter.

Ladies and gentlemen another war began 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

The queues for payment were so longggggggggg.

I was on my feet for 2 hours.

At this point I just wanted my mummy 😔 

Because who sent me 🙆🙆

Who really sent me 😭😭

I almost started crying 

I had not eaten anything all day (don’t ask why 🙄😏). Not even a sip of water.

I was close to fainting 

All in the name of “grocery shopping”

Never again!!!!!!

After 2 hours of standing with my cart, it was eventually my turn.

Phewww!!!!!!! 🥵

My items were totalled and ATM started its own drama

Kuku kill me 😰😓

After almost 5 hours of waiting 😑😐

Ya'll must be joking 🤧

It eventually worked 

Time to pack my items 

Another wahala 

Cashier forgot to include some items 

I had to go back to the queue to add them(they were basic stuff I needed so I couldn’t just get angry and walk off, plus I had been there long enough, might as well just wait and get all I need)

Everything was soon sorted and my goods packed. 

Now the building is a 3 storey (I think 🤔). That means stairs are involved .

I had to carry my heavy goods down the stairs (with me panting like a starved lion🥵)

We were not allowed to use the trolleys to move our shopped goods out (obviously the shopping carts are not even enough  for those shopping 🙄 😒)

I got everything out and boy was I happy I was finally done.

I don’t have a car ( not yet at least 🙃)

That meant I had to order bolt (Join Bolt here: https://bolt.onelink.me/sbJ2/dfc71c68)

The first driver was not allowed in (the gate was locked at this time – even though online their closing hour is till 7pm🙄😏😒. It was about 5pm by the way).

Anyways, I eventually got a driver that was able to take me home.

So here’s my advice if you’re going to shop here 

1. Don’t go at the end of the month.

People have just received salary so obviously they’re gonna spend it.

More money equals more people.

2. Never go on a weekend 😴

For the sake of your health especially of you don’t like crowds don’t do it.

Weekends is when most people have free time to do other things

You can go in the middle of the week.

3. Eat 

Before you take that journey, munch on something.

We don’t want you fainting while shopping.

4. Write a list 

It makes things easier and faster.

5. Go with company 

The more the merrier is definitely a true saying for this.

People that shopped in groups were done faster than I was (some of them came in after me ☹)

Also, it makes the whole waiting process less boring. 

Lastly of you’re pregnant, for the love of God and your unborn baby 👶 send someone to do the shopping for you. 

Before I forget there will be those that stroll in to pick a few items and by a few I mean like picking biscuit and a drink and they will plead with you to quickly let them make payment since their goods are not many🙄😏😒

I can't advice you on that.

Just use your discretion 😌

         THE END