The problem isn't always a slow cashier. Sometimes there are 1-2 lanes open with like 3-4 people in each one. Or hell even 1-2 in each one. Or I could go over to a self checkout immediately and do it myself, which definitely will get the whole process done quicker.
If there isn't a bagger, I just bag myself as the cashier rings up, or I just avoid stores that don't want to higher staff. For bagging, it probably helps that I usually bring a few canvas bags, and any overflow ends up in a paper bag, since plastic bags have largely been phased out of everyday use in this part of MA.
The self checkouts here have definitely improved. I do my normal shopping at Safeway and the ones they have now are much better than the ones they had a few years ago. As I mentioned earlier, they don't make you keep anything in the bagging area anymore so you don't have to worry about that stuff.
My local grocery store is like stepping back into the early 90s. A shit ton of lines open, never have to wait more than one partial person. A cashier and a bagger using paper bags. I've done self checkout there a few times and it's much slower. I do always do self checkout at Costco since I'm normally just getting a handful of items.
ding ding ding... winnar!
Was visiting in California and went to a Sams to but some booze. Go to the self check, scan my card then the booze and it's a no go. Can't buy booze in California self check out.
Do any self checkouts allow it without a employee checking your ID?
I cleared out more than $1,000 worth of coins collected over decades just by throwing a fistful into my pocket and dumping it into the self checkout and using my card to pay the remaining balance. Took a few years to get ridi of most of it.
I bought beer once with the Sam's scan&go app here in central Florida. (They don't keep their beer cold, it sits at room temp, which I am not good with.) It gives you a info screen when you scan it. When you swipe to pay the QR is a different color. The door clerk then ensures you are of legal age.
You kids and your fancy scanners. When I was in HS (1982) I was a cashier at Red Apple in NYC, and we had to enter the prices manually AND enter tax manually on taxable items AND had to know which items were taxable. Like cranberry juice is taxable unless its 100%.
Scanners were fun, because when the price was wrong, some customers still acted like it was my fault, as if I personally programmed the computer system wrong.
In advanced economies (i.e. high wages), automation is ALWAYS cheaper than labor over the long run.
Some of the checkout girls are hot. Since I'm forced to do grocery shopping anyway, the upside is to talk to them.
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