Crowds of bargain hunters packed White & Sons Ltd yesterday as the store opened to clear its inventory.But long lines caused by a lack of open cash registers sent many customers out frustrated and empty-handed.And while customers waded through long lines for 25 percent discounts in Warwick, Whites at Southside was offering customers 40 percent off, angering staff who claim they have worked for months without health insurance.Repeated efforts to contact the store’s owners regarding the claims were unsuccessful.One aggravated staff member alleged yesterday: “They are liquidating themselves before the liquidators come in. If the money was going to pay for our health insurance that’s okay, but it’s not. It’s going in their pockets.”He said that he and other staff members had contacted KPMG, who are handling the liquidation of Whites in Warwick, and some of the store’s creditors about the situation.“I don’t know what else we can do. It’s just not right,” he said. “The liquidators thanked us, and the creditors were p****d.“They have an obligation to their creditors and their staff, but they are leaving the staff without health insurance and helping themselves. It’s just not right.”Acting Chief Justice Charles-Etta Simmons signed an order to wind up White & Sons Ltd last week following a petition put forward by International Bonded Couriers of Bermuda and signed by 27 other creditors.Butterfield & Vallis have put forward similar petitions to wind up the two other grocery stores carrying the Whites banner, Hayward’s and Whites at Southside. The Supreme Court is set to hear those petitions at the end of the month.KPMG announced on Tuesday that it was unable to find a buyer for the Warwick store, and that it would be letting go the majority of staff.It was said the remaining staff would be kept on temporarily to help wind up the store.Yesterday, for the first time since the windup order was signed on Friday, Whites opened its doors as liquidators KPMG worked to sell off the store’s remaining stock.Before the store could open its doors at 1pm, dozens of shoppers lined up to take advantage of the promised 25 percent discount.Parking spaces outside the store were filled half an hour before the store’s opening, but traffic continued to stream steadily through as drivers searched for empty spots.By the time the store opened, parked cars filled a nearby field.One staff member said: “This is crazy. If we had these people here last month, we might not be in this position.”While most of the shoppers said they didn’t expect to find a wide selection, they were hopeful that they might find a few worthwhile purchases.Donna Trott said: “I’m not even sure it’s going to be worth it. I had to park so far away, and I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to pull out.“When they open the doors, there’s going to be a stampede.”Asked what she was hoping to buy, she said: “I don’t know. They haven’t had a good selection in a while.”Minutes after doors opened, long lines started at the two open cash registers.Questioned by customers about the lack of checkout lines, a staff member said that only three registers in the store were working.A third register was later opened, but lines for the checkouts stretched through the store’s produce section, causing many customers to walk out of the store empty-handed.“I’m not waiting 45 minutes in line to buy nothing,” one customer said leaving the store.Those who waited through the lines left with mixed feelings.George Pearman said: “They didn’t have my cereal, but I was able to save a few dollars on paper towels and some stuff for my kitchen.”Another customer said: “I don’t know if it was worth it. Even with the discount things are expensive. It looks like they put up prices in the last three days.”Whites first opened its doors in 1924, and employed around 85 staff across three stores.KPMG have announced that the store will continue its sale tomorrow between 1pm and 8pm.Today the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry the Hon. Patrice Minors, JP, MP, offered the following regarding the developments with the staff at White & Sons Ltd.Minister Minors said, “I like the rest of Bermuda have been saddened by the turn of events affecting the White & Sons staff members.“I can confirm that the Department of Labour & Training has been in constant communication with the Human Resources Department of White & Sons Ltd. since July 20, 2012 to offer our assistance.“I want to make clear that this Government is 100% committed to providing employment and training related assistance to these individuals who have worked at this establishment.“And we will make every effort to ensure that we provide them with a seamless transition back into the workplace for them.“We also encourage affected individuals to visit our offices in the Ingham & Wilkinson Building, 94 Reid Street to register and speak with an Employment Officer.“We also encourage employers with job vacancies to take advantage of our new centralised e-mail system and send them to employment@gov.bm.”