Thoughts on self checkout

[MightyGiants]

I think there are three schools of thought:

1)  Some are angry and feel that the stores are getting free labor from their customers

2)  Some (like me) like the speed and not having to deal with a person

3)  Some don't care


Which group are you a member of?

[DaveBrown74]

I actually don't have a ton of experience with it. I did it a few times at the supermarket when we lived in London, and I found myself subsequently opting for the checkout area run by humans, likely just because that is what I am used to, and they were pretty efficient there.

Overall I think it's fine as long as they have an employee or two standing there whose job is to help customers who get confused or have some issue.

Self check-in at the airport doesn't bother me, and that is similar I'd say.

[ozzie]

I will start this off by admitting outright that I am becoming an old curmudgeon.
I am overwhelmingly group #1.
I already have a job and do not want to have to work when I go to your business to spend money.
If you want me to work while I'm there, then give me an employee discount of some sort.
Customer service is sadly becoming a thing of the past.
And p.s. - if I have to place my order while I'm standing up or if all you do is stand behind a counter, do not ask me how much I'm going to tip.

Sorry. Rant over.

[Sem]

Both 1 and 2. For a full grocery cart I go to the human line. But if I only have three or four items I'll do the self-checkout.

The thread reminds me of this Sebastian Maniscalco bit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnSN6rJ9P2w

[DaveBrown74]

I will start this off by admitting outright that I am becoming an old curmudgeon.
I am overwhelmingly group #1.
I already have a job and do not want to have to work when I go to your business to spend money.
If you want me to work while I'm there, then give me an employee discount of some sort.
Customer service is sadly becoming a thing of the past.
And p.s. - if I have to place my order while I'm standing up or if all you do is stand behind a counter, do not ask me how much I'm going to tip.

Sorry. Rant over.

Ozzie,

I would add to this point: please don't ask me for a tip (and attempt to put me in a guilt trip situation if I don't leave one) when there is no service involved. Someone (I think Rich) made a thread about this recently, and it was spot-on. This whole practice of asking for a tip when you go to a store and buy a pre-made ham and cheese croissant at the counter is getting out of control.

[LennG]

Since I have all this time on my hands, I do ALL the grocery shopping for my household. In fact, I like to do it very much.

Maybe it is different in other areas, but in the NY area, the clerks who do the check-outs are about the most incompetent people around. If it weren't for the registers telling them how much money to give back, they would stare at the registers in stunned disbelief. They do not know how to pack a bag, usually putting the squashable things on the bottom, and eggs on the top, and forget bread. I think you get the point. Most are usually kids who couldn't get into college or haven't finished high school yet. Then, god forbid, there is any sort of problem, they need a manager to help them.

So, for all those reasons, I always go to the self-checkout lines. I bag my own stuff, the machine is always correct and I am out, way before all those people who are stuck behind the one lady whose coupon expired and she still wants credit for it.

Do I feel bad because the machines are taking someone's job, maybe, if they were competent, I would but, in my area, they are few and far between.

[Jolly Blue Giant]

I'm definitely no.2 - love it. Since I am single, I never go to checkout with a huge basket. By self-checking, I don't have to wait behind some woman who needs two shopping carts to carry all her purchases. Nice and quick. The only downsize is that some stores are taking them out because of high theft. That really pisses me off that there are people like that 

I always scan beer first, because I know someone has to come over to the machine after I prove to them I'm older than 21

I particularly like Walmart checkouts because I can scan half the items with the "scan gun" and not even take them out of the cart

Two things I don't like about it:

1) in Weiss Grocery stores, the voice is loud, obnoxious, and repetitive. I scan my "shopping card" quickly so I don't have to hear it ask for it after yelling "Welcome". Then constantly telling me "ready for next item", or "check your shopping cart", or "something is in the bagging area that must be removed"...or my favorite, "Don't forget to take your purchase", which I always respond..."duhh...no sh&^%$^ lady". Walmart is much better

2) when the price rung up is different from the advertised price or there is no price on the item and thus, need assistance

Other than that, I love it...quick, painless, and out of there

[LennG]

 You hit a good point, Ric. The machines in a certain NY supermarket chain always tell me to remove t he items from the bagging area, while I am still getting my bags out of the shopping cart. I keep yelling back at it, that I am working as fast as I can, but it still doesn't listen and keeps repeating that same dumb line. Doesn't it realize that I am old and only move at a certain pace? They need to have a button on those registers for 'older' adults who move at a different pace.          

[T200]

I like the self checkouts for when I have say, less than 20-25 items. More than that? I let the worker scan and bag.

What does annoy me, though, is when they want to see my receipt after I go through the self checkout. Ummmm, no, you don't get to see my receipt. If you don't trust me, come scan and bag for me.

Only place I can't get away with that is at Sam's Club 

[ozzie]

What does annoy me, though, is when they want to see my receipt after I go through the self checkout. Ummmm, no, you don't get to see my receipt. If you don't trust me, come scan and bag for me.
 

 Exactly! 

[bamagiantfan]

I shop at six stores, four of which have expanded their self checkout (Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Winn Dixie) and the other two pride themselves on customer service in all areas (Publix), or speed of checkout (Aldi). So, my feelings as they entered my brain,

Self Checkout
1. I actually prefer since I tend to bring my own bags.
2. Total control over how things go into the bags, AND how they are put in the cart. Not much good to put the hamburger buns on the top of the bag if you load three bags of canned goods on top of them in the cart.
3. If the two large chain Superstores are going to have 52 checkout lanes but only have 2 of them open, I will follow the herd and use the self checkout lines.
4. No I don't need any help, thank you. I know I am a man, and look old and stupid, but I actually know what I am doing and there is a reason they call this area "self checkout".
5. No, I don't want to round up to support some higher education initiative. You're a self checkout machine for cryin' out loud! 

Assisted Checkout
1. (As I buzz through checkout with a full cart in less than a minute at Aldi)    How is it the other supermarkets can't figure this out? 
2. (Publix) I like that they are willing to utilize some workers to bag and walk you out that are on the spectrum for developmental disorders. It gives them some time with people and makes me slow down and realize how blessed I am. I also find they see the world in simpler terms. You can learn a lot from them.
3. (Publix) I always shop there when it is raining. They will walk you out to your car, umbrella in hand, and limit your exposure to the elements. Service. 
4. There are times when I only have one or two things that I wish there was a self checkout option.
5. No, I do not want you to put it in a bag first and then put it in the bag I brought. Maybe you should go back to Managing and let the more capable special baggers handle it.
5. No I am not a member of your preferred shoppers club.
6. No, you can't guilt me into joining your preferred shoppers club.

[LennG]

I shop at six stores, four of which have expanded their self checkout (Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Winn Dixie) and the other two pride themselves on customer service in all areas (Publix), or speed of checkout (Aldi). So, my feelings as they entered my brain,

Self Checkout
1. I actually prefer since I tend to bring my own bags.
2. Total control over how things go into the bags, AND how they are put in the cart. Not much good to put the hamburger buns on the top of the bag if you load three bags of canned goods on top of them in the cart.
3. If the two large chain Superstores are going to have 52 checkout lanes but only have 2 of them open, I will follow the herd and use the self checkout lines.
4. No I don't need any help, thank you. I know I am a man, and look old and stupid, but I actually know what I am doing and there is a reason they call this area "self checkout".
5. No, I don't want to round up to support some higher education initiative. You're a self checkout machine for cryin' out loud! 

Assisted Checkout
1. (As I buzz through checkout with a full cart in less than a minute at Aldi)    How is it the other supermarkets can't figure this out? 
2. (Publix) I like that they are willing to utilize some workers to bag and walk you out that are on the spectrum for developmental disorders. It gives them some time with people and makes me slow down and realize how blessed I am. I also find they see the world in simpler terms. You can learn a lot from them.
3. (Publix) I always shop there when it is raining. They will walk you out to your car, umbrella in hand, and limit your exposure to the elements. Service.
4. There are times when I only have one or two things that I wish there was a self checkout option.
5. No, I do not want you to put it in a bag first and then put it in the bag I brought. Maybe you should go back to Managing and let the more capable special baggers handle it.
5. No I am not a member of your preferred shoppers club.
6. No, you can't guilt me into joining your preferred shoppers club.

Hah, I really had to laugh at this. Here in NY, you would be thrilled with just a 'thank you'. That alone would make some people's day. let alone taking you to your car with an umbrella if it is raining.  WOW. How would that play in NY???            

[Sem]

Hah, I really had to laugh at this. Here in NY, you would be thrilled with just a 'thank you'. That alone would make some people's day. let alone taking you to your car with an umbrella if it is raining.  WOW. How would that play in NY???            

 
Our local Trader Joe's will help you out to your car if you ask, or require assistance. Trouble is, "it never rains in southern California." 

[LennG]

 My brother, who lives outside Durango, Col, came to visit a few years back. He wanted to buy some good old NY things that they simply could not get where he lives, so we went to a local supermarket. When he was checking out, he couldn't believe the cashier expected him to bag his own groceries, basically threw the change back at him and when he asked why didn't she say Thank You, she basically growled at him. He told me if this store was where he lived, no one would shop there. It would boycotted.  Here in NY, we are accustomed to this rude behavior and really let it slide in the interest of getting in and out as quickly and peacefully as possible. That IS the problem, here, we accept this type of service and never complain about it.

[AZGiantFan]

None of the above.  I do all of my grocery shopping online and then do curbside pick-up.