Amazon doesn't do shit because it's cost-effective. Amazon does shit so they don't have to report a profit. The slippage at these stores is going to be fucking ridiculous and it is going to cost them a fortune to build and maintain them. But, Amazon doesn't really care like with the moron Fire Phone and Tablets that failed miserably. "Oh well, not paying any corporate taxes this year!"I'd be surprised if it was cost-effective to put an RFID tag on every item.
Actually, it is all done by cameras, rather interesting how this works as well.Haven't researched this much... but sounds like they'll attach an RFID to everything. I think I heard that RFID credit cards could actually be read within a few feet.
Well I'm a Gen X and if I could avoid going to the store that would be awesome. Your time isn't important to you? To me it is. I want time affluence so I can squeeze as much as I can out of everyday I'm also looking at meal prepping. Having my lunches and dinners prepped for the week. I currently prep all of my upcoming meals for the week. It takes me 2-3 hours on a Sunday. I enjoy it but if I could eliminate that it would be a huge plus.So one year later and the first Amazon Go store opens for business. The biggest question on everyones mind still remains though. Will Amazon revolutionize shopping in person like they ushered in its downfall to begin with or will they pull it off and succeed.
Boomers and Gen Xers want to know but Millennials don't give a shit because physically going to a store.....well ain't nobody got time for that.
There often seems to be a notable markup for various product delivery services. It varies by area but things like Boxed.com and the grocery delivery services available to me have a 10-25% markup on products. For me the time savings isn't great enough to offset the markup + fringe hasslesYour time isn't important to you?
Not to mention long lines of pissed-off customers waiting for (presumably minimal) "customer service" personnel to deal with the inevitable mistakes. IMX, even ordinary POS registers (where there's no issue of an item "registering" properly as long as you hear the beep when you scan it...) screw up all the time, requiring manual intervention to correct errors. Or maybe the "convenience-oriented" won't care if they're overcharged because it's worth the extra 4.5 minutes they've added to their day (time they'll probably spend face down in their phones, anyway)...If you include all the repair costs for cameras, computers and turnstyles
It's a forced interaction that can sometimes be incredibly awkward. The idea is getting in and out of a store without any bother.Bloomberg raises an interesting point, they are spending all this money on technology (cameras, rfids, scanners, turnstyles) just to eliminate one low paid position, the cashier. They still need cooks, stockers, customer service, people to check ID for wines etc. They won't save much if any money at all. If you include all the repair costs for cameras, computers and turnstyles, it might actually cost more.
https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2018-01-23/amazon-s-pointless-obsession-with-cashiers
I want to go to the store just to see if I can game the system. For example if I change my clothes/appearance/shape, will it still register me? If I grab an item right next to someone else will it put my item on their bill? If I grab an item with a long stick, will it charge me? It all sounds like magical technology but having had experience in tech, it always fails somehow, especially if it has to run 24/7.
Would this apply to Voting ID too? <- troll question ... but !Those pinko commies at Engadget were complaining how Amazon Go "discriminates against minorities" because it requires customers to have a smartphone and a checking account for payments.
What a load of crap... almost everyone who lives in an urban area has a smartphone now, and those who do not would probably be afraid of this "new fangled" self-checkout technology anyway. I also think that most people can get a free checking account at a credit union somewhere if they really wanted one. What's the minimum amount to open an account now... $100?
Besides, it's not Amazon's job achieve world equality. If that's what you're looking for, move to a socialist paradise like Sweden.
You also have to keep in mind that we are in the beginning stage. There are going to be bumps. HUGE BUMPS. But, if it's done right and those mistakes are corrected what about in 3 years? 10 years? 20 plus years? Amazon has long term vision that most people don't have.Bloomberg raises an interesting point, they are spending all this money on technology (cameras, rfids, scanners, turnstyles) just to eliminate one low paid position, the cashier. They still need cooks, stockers, customer service, people to check ID for wines etc. They won't save much if any money at all. If you include all the repair costs for cameras, computers and turnstyles, it might actually cost more.
https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2018-01-23/amazon-s-pointless-obsession-with-cashiers
I want to go to the store just to see if I can game the system. For example if I change my clothes/appearance/shape, will it still register me? If I grab an item right next to someone else will it put my item on their bill? If I grab an item with a long stick, will it charge me? It all sounds like magical technology but having had experience in tech, it always fails somehow, especially if it has to run 24/7.
What can be "incredibly awkward"?It's a forced interaction that can sometimes be incredibly awkward.
I don't know about you, but I lift weights and get ocular pat downs on the regular from both male and female cashiers. Sometimes they say, paper or plastic, but really they are saying, my place or yours? I'm in a relationship and I don't need that in my life.What can be "incredibly awkward"?
The Bloomberg article is missing the point. The point isn't the time or cost savings, it's the convenience. I've seen several initiatives like that so far:Bloomberg raises an interesting point, they are spending all this money on technology (cameras, rfids, scanners, turnstyles) just to eliminate one low paid position, the cashier. They still need cooks, stockers, customer service, people to check ID for wines etc. They won't save much if any money at all. If you include all the repair costs for cameras, computers and turnstyles, it might actually cost more.
https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2018-01-23/amazon-s-pointless-obsession-with-cashiers
I want to go to the store just to see if I can game the system. For example if I change my clothes/appearance/shape, will it still register me? If I grab an item right next to someone else will it put my item on their bill? If I grab an item with a long stick, will it charge me? It all sounds like magical technology but having had experience in tech, it always fails somehow, especially if it has to run 24/7.
Probably because the population is so dense that we learn (either from a young age, or quickly upon arrival) to basically ignore "random strangers" except on a very superficial level, that sort of thing really doesn't happen much in NYC in "very brief encounter" situations like checking out in stores. Even to women, who're exponentially more likely to get hit on randomly than men... (including obviously gay men dealing with other gay men.) I dare say it also helps that 75% or so of the non-obese male population between the ages of 18 and 70 goes to a gym, so "just" being buff really doesn't stand out to any great degree...I don't know about you, but I lift weights and get ocular pat downs on the regular from both male and female cashiers. Sometimes they say, paper or plastic, but really they are saying, my place or yours? I'm in a relationship and I don't need that in my life.
Different strokes for different folks, I guess, if you're/they're willing to pay for the convenience. Personally, I simply don't find myself standing on "inconveniently" long lines very often, and I frankly have no interest in minimizing human contact to an absolute minimum while running errands and what not... And I definitely do prefer dealing with transactional "issues" as they arise, rather than having to deal with typical "Customer Disservice" personnel after the fact to get them fixed (eventually...)The Bloomberg article is missing the point. The point isn't the time or cost savings, it's the convenience.
you think Engadget are pinko commies? Is there a picture of Donald Trump on all your underwear?Those pinko commies at Engadget were complaining how Amazon Go "discriminates against minorities" because it requires customers to have a smartphone and a checking account for payments.
What a load of crap... almost everyone who lives in an urban area has a smartphone now, and those who do not would probably be afraid of this "new fangled" self-checkout technology anyway. I also think that most people can get a free checking account at a credit union somewhere if they really wanted one. What's the minimum amount to open an account now... $100?
Besides, it's not Amazon's job achieve world equality. If that's what you're looking for, move to a socialist paradise like Sweden.
They must have capacity limits, since I don't see them being able to track everyone with cams.Not to mention that in the USA retail theft and shoplifting is a $50billion loss each year. If the amazon technology eliminates that, then that's sort of a good thing.
They do have a lot of cameras but people have found many ways to fool cameras with lighted stickers and other stuff.They must have capacity limits, since I don't see them being able to track everyone with cams.
Well, that and they had a BS story lately about how the solar cell import tariff was going to cost us 25,000 solar jobs. No hard numbers or studies to back that up... they just seemingly pulled the number out of their ass.you think Engadget are pinko commies? Is there a picture of Donald Trump on all your underwear?
They probably should add support for EBT cards at some point. I'm not going to be an annoying SJW and call Amazon evil for not supporting it yet, though.Would this apply to Voting ID too? <- troll question ... but !
How does Amazon accept food stamps in this system?
Google does think the corporate world has responsibility to achieve world equality.
How many jobs will it cost?Well, that and they had a BS story lately about how the solar cell import tariff was going to cost us 25,000 solar jobs. No hard numbers or studies to back that up... they just seemingly pulled the number out of their ass.
People seem to forget that there are US solar cell manufacturers (like Tesla) who are getting hurt by Chinese manufacturers dumping their products in the US market below cost. They can do that because the Chinese solar cell manufacturers get government subsidies. That tariff will likely save US manufacturing jobs, but that's not the way they spun the article.