Market Basket: Heaven or Hell?

I discovered Market Basket several months ago.  I discovered the good produce, low prices, clean organized store, but I also discovered the madness that is the phenomenon of Market Basket.  Lines to get parking spots, lines to get carts, lines to checkout that extend far back into the aisles.  The wait at the deli counter can be upwards of half an hour.

So I found a solution.  I go to the Burlington Market Basket at 7:00am, right when they open.  There are parking spots, and just a few elderly people there.  I have my first choice of sandwich meats, produce, breads, bagels, etc.  This is heaven.

On Sunday I experienced Hell.  I had to drive to Lynn to pick up the tickets for the Drag Show from Shawompa, and Burlington was completely out of the way home,  I desperately needed groceries and I only had $30 to spend.  I ask my friend is there a Market Basket nearby.  Turns out there's one basically on my route back to Waltham so I get directions and head there.

The Market Basket was huge.  I found a parking spot okay, but there were no shopping carts inside.  I had to go back out into the parking lot where the attendant let me take one of the carts he was bringing in.  The store is so crowded I'm trying to to have an anxiety attack.  I rush through, counting up how much each thing costs and trying to determine what we can go without for a week.  Then I see the lines.  The lines are backed up into the aisles with Market Basket Employees directing carts when and where to go.  I got stuck behind a guy who had his groceries literally in a wagon.  It was bigger than a Red Rider wagon but it was still a wagon. He opened up the can of whipped cream and sprayed some directly into his mouth.  He did this several times before switches to eating some rosat beef deli meat, following by what else, but sliced cheese.  I thought I was going to be ill.

Finally it was my turn and I paid for my items.  I pushed my cart out to my parking spot and loaded up my meager selection of groceries.  Unlike the people who literally left there carts in the middle of the parking lot, I put mine in a cart collection gate.  Then I left.  I took a wrong turn getting out of the lot and ended up lost in Chelsea.  Fortunately my good sense of direction led me back to Rt 16 and I made it home alive.