Self-Checkouts: Best thing since sliced bread?

[NFS4]

Man I love these things I was in Super-K to get some windshield washer fluid, some gas treatment, and a pack of Starbursts. I get up to the front of the store and CLASSIC K-Mart awaits me: 25 regiters, 5 open:| So I stroll down the line looking for a short line with none to be found. Then I walk right up to the self checkout (no waiting). Pressed English on the screen, scanned the three items, pressed CC for payment, signed my name and was out of there in less than 45 seconds. Damn slackers were still standing in the same place in line when I got finished.

SUCKERS!!

 

[PsychoAndy]

Does that gas treatment stuff work? At like $1 or so, it seems that an actual gallon of unleaded isnt much more expensive.

-PAB

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: PsychoAndy
Does that gas treatment stuff work? At like $1 or so, it seems that an actual gallon of unleaded isnt much more expensive.

-PAB

It was the fuel injector cleaner stuff, it was on sale for $3.75 for a 4 pack. I put in a bottle after every oil change....my car has 116,000 miles on it so I try to do little things here and there for it

 

[PsychoAndy]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: PsychoAndy
Does that gas treatment stuff work? At like $1 or so, it seems that an actual gallon of unleaded isnt much more expensive.

-PAB

It was the fuel injector cleaner stuff, it was on sale for $3.75 for a 4 pack. I put in a bottle after every oil change....my car has 116,000 miles on it so I try to do little things here and there for it

Not bad. I picked up a bottle of that concentrated cleaner stuff for like $3 when I got my oil change.

-PAB

 

[danzig]

Self check outs are ok until you buy a cd/game/ammo etc. that asks if you are 21 :frown:

 

[Paulson]

how do stores like k-mart make sure you have paid for all your items and not just scanned one or 2 and left out something expensive?

That's what I don't understand. The concept is nice, but the room for theft is pretty hefty I'm guessing.

 

[DougK62]

I love the self-checkout lanes.

It's always awkward having some 16-yr-old girl ring up condoms and KY for me

 

[Wallydraigle]

If they want me to ring up my groceries they can pay me minimum wage like everyone else who works there. "But it's to lower costs and promote savings." Right, to lower the cost of overhead, and promote savings in payroll.

If I just had a few things and the lines were really bad I would probably use it just to escape the place, but other than that they can forget it. I usually do bag my own groceries rather than wait for someone to get off break and come do it, just so I can leave sooner.

 

[Wallydraigle]

Originally posted by: Paulson
how do stores like k-mart make sure you have paid for all your items and not just scanned one or 2 and left out something expensive?

That's what I don't understand. The concept is nice, but the room for theft is pretty hefty I'm guessing.

They have someone there watching, and most people aren't going to try to get away with anything with someone standing there. The ones who would try it are the ones who would try to walk out with stuff anyway. And the savings in overhead make up for the difference.

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: danzig
Self check outs are ok until you buy a cd/game/ammo etc. that asks if you are 21 :frown:

what the hell, it's not illegal to buy cds or games if you're under 21... that's bull sh!t

 

[Cyberian]

Originally posted by: Paulson
how do stores like k-mart make sure you have paid for all your items and not just scanned one or 2 and left out something expensive?

That's what I don't understand. The concept is nice, but the room for theft is pretty hefty I'm guessing.

Doesn't your local K-Mart have an old fart standing by the exit checking people's receipts?

 

[PsychoAndy]

Originally posted by: gopunk

Originally posted by: danzig
Self check outs are ok until you buy a cd/game/ammo etc. that asks if you are 21 :frown:

what the hell, it's not illegal to buy cds or games if you're under 21... that's bull sh!t

Might be state to state on the ammo. I know IL has so many PITA laws to get any gun.

I was checking FL state statutes. You have to be 21 to buy a handgun from a gun store. However you can be 18 and buy ammo. Interesting concept.

-PAB

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

I made the mistake of going through with alcohol. I had to walk way the hell over to a checker to show my ID - didn't safe me any time at all. :frown:

After that, I've just been like "aw eff it" and haven't been back through since.

nik

 

[N8Magic]

Self checkouts are gods gift to intelligent people. They just got them in my local grocery store, and there is NEVER a line. I love it!

BTW, the ones at my grocery store have a database of how much everything weighs. Once you scan the item, you put it in a bag that is on a scale. If the weight of the item you put in the grocery bag isn't consistent with what they have in the database, the alarms go off.

 

[SuperSix]

I use the one @ the local Home Depot.. I let my son do the work/scanning.

 

[MrBond]

what the hell, it's not illegal to buy cds or games if you're under 21... that's bull sh!t

At Walmart (they don't have the u-scan expresses here) they won't sell you games with a mature rating if you're under 18, Parental Advisory stickered music unless your 18, or handgun ammo unless you're 21.

The handgun ammo is pretty funny. I've got several 22lr pistols for target shooting, but I'm not 21 yet. I check out, they ask if its for a pistol or a rifle (you can buy rifle ammo at 18). I tell them rifle, and they let me buy it

I do like the self checkout for when I need just a gallon of milk or something small. There's no point in waiting in line behind several people for one item, so it's much faster for me.

 

[MajesticMoose]

I love the self checkouts. Its fun in a wierd way.

 

[Paulson]

first off, the local k-mart is 30 miles away... and second off, no, they don't have a self checkout nor do they have someone who checks receipts...

the only place I know of that checks reciepts as you're leaving is sams club and best buy.

 

[notfred]

Never been through one, don't have any interest in going through one. Maybe for a 10% discount....

oh, and I hate stores that check your receipt on the way out.

 

[Smolek]

self checkouts are great. Quick & Easy

 

[Deeko]

I LOVE u-scan at giant.

 

[mithrandir2001]

Originally posted by: Deeko
I LOVE u-scan at giant.

Yea, it's usually faster than waiting in the express lane (with 5+ people always waiting in it).

 

[vegetation]

Yea, they have someone watching, and I'm sure Kmart and what not have spent millions doing analysis of the risks involved, they're probably still way ahead in operation costs despite potential theft.

Originally posted by: Paulson
how do stores like k-mart make sure you have paid for all your items and not just scanned one or 2 and left out something expensive?

That's what I don't understand. The concept is nice, but the room for theft is pretty hefty I'm guessing.

 

[T2T III]

It was the fuel injector cleaner stuff, it was on sale for $3.75 for a 4 pack. I put in a bottle after every oil change....my car has 116,000 miles on it so I try to do little things here and there for it

If you want to give your car a real treat, try some BG Products BK-44G fuel injection cleaner. At $22 a can, it does a very good job of cleaning your fuel injectors.

Now, to get this thread back on topic, I love the self-serve checkouts. My first experience with one was at K-Mart. Like NFS4, I was out the door in under a minute while everyone else just stood there in the regular lines. I guess those are the people who are intimidated by computers and technology, so they let someone else handle their checkout process.

 

[dolph]

Originally posted by: notfred
oh, and I hate stores that check your receipt on the way out.

actually, when you give them your receipt and show them your bag, it's voluntary. you don't have to do it, everyone just thinks you do.

link 1
link 2