Walmart, Costco and other companies rethink self-checkout

[Brainonska511]

Unless I'm only buying 1 or 2 items, self checkouts suck. When I was a cashier in HS, I could scan and punch in produce far faster than the self checkouts allow, and the same holds true today - a typical cashier can ring up faster than the stupid self checkouts.

 

[purbeast0]

Unless I'm only buying 1 or 2 items, self checkouts suck. When I was a cashier in HS, I could scan and punch in produce far faster than the self checkouts allow, and the same holds true today - a typical cashier can ring up faster than the stupid self checkouts.

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.

Also at most stores I go to, the cashier bags too, so it's not just them ringing it up. And more than half the cashiers I go to have not a clue how to bag and they will put like 2-3 items in one bag and give me another one. I always end up with a lot less bags when bag my own shit and it's bagger better as well. I did grow up working as a bagger through highschool and college though, so I am top tier at bagging.

 

[Brainonska511]

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.

Also at most stores I go to, the cashier bags too, so it's not just them ringing it up. And more than half the cashiers I go to have not a clue how to bag and they will put like 2-3 items in one bag and give me another one. I always end up with a lot less bags when bag my own shit and it's bagger better as well. I did grow up working as a bagger through highschool and college though, so I am top tier at bagging.

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.

I personally find ringing up half a cart of groceries with the self checkout is an exercise in frustration because of how slow it is.

 

[purbeast0]

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.

I personally find ringing up half a cart of groceries with the self checkout is an exercise in frustration because of how slow it is.

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.

 

[Zorba]

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.

Also at most stores I go to, the cashier bags too, so it's not just them ringing it up. And more than half the cashiers I go to have not a clue how to bag and they will put like 2-3 items in one bag and give me another one. I always end up with a lot less bags when bag my own shit and it's bagger better as well. I did grow up working as a bagger through highschool and college though, so I am top tier at bagging.

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.

 

[Red Squirrel]

What I hate are the self checkouts that are super picky about how you place your stuff after and keep giving you trouble. "Please place item in bagging area, please place item in bagging area. unexpected item in bagging area, place item in bagging area. Please wait for staff member to assist you!".

There's also a grocery store here that sells alcohol, but if you go to the cash to pay they send you to the self checkout for the alcohol, but then you need staff to check your ID so it lets you pay... so what's even the point?

I actually wonder if they even save much money in the end with these. They probably cost like 50k upfront per unit, and there is probably a monthly maintenance contract with the company that maintains them, and the power to run them. Then you still need staff anyway for when they mess up on people or when people have trouble. Then you have the increase in theft on top of it.

 

[JEDI]

I actually wonder if they even save much money in the end with these. They probably cost like 50k upfront per unit, and there is probably a monthly maintenance contract with the company that maintains them, and the power to run them. Then you still need staff anyway for when they mess up on people or when people have trouble. Then you have the increase in theft on top of it.

ding ding ding... winnar!

it only took them 5+ years to change course.

Edit:
Or it took 5+ yrs of enough customers learning how to efficiently game the self checkout that it became a problem

 

[Micrornd]

Here in central FL, all Walmarts and Sam's are converting to 95% self-checkout.
So has Lowe's.
But all have the fixed scanners AND hand scanners, so it's not so bad.
And so far, the "attendants" are quite helpful, and if you are "old" and don't have a huge amount of items, in many cases, they'll scan the items for you.
On the flipside, the "floor" employees have been reduced by about 75%, so it can be hard to find someone, if you have a question or need help getting or finding something.

 

[nakedfrog]

I'm not even sure the last time I actually went to a regular checkout was. Probably years (excepting stores like Ace Hardware or Total Wine that don't have them). Exceedingly rare for me to have any issues, and I don't typically have to wait more than a minute for someone to check my ID when I'm buying beer, generally less time than that. I'm only shopping for myself so I never have a full cart these days. The "please remove item from bagging area" seems to have stopped around 7 years ago IIRC.

 

[K1052]

I always use self checkout unless I'm buying alcohol.

 

[thestrangebrew1]

The self checkouts that require you to put crap in bagging area suck donkey balls. But I still use them if I only have a few items. Our local Walmart has a ton of self checkouts but in a really tight space so it's difficult to maneuver around if everyone has a cart. But they have 20 cashier lanes with only 2 open and a long ass line. Our Home Depot OTOH is nice. 8 self checkouts, someone always there to help you and has a portable scanner.

 

[I'dluv2]

I always use self checkout unless I'm buying alcohol.

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.

 

[Newbian]

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?

Seems like a good way to get in serious legal issues.

 

[nerp]

I like self checkout since I don't feel guilty dumping a bunch of change like I would if I was making a person count out a bunch of pennies and nickels. Every penny of change from Whataburger or my local Mexican joint or Best Buy or wherever goes immediately into the self checkout the next time I go grocery shopping.

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.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Do any self checkouts allow it without a employee checking your ID?

Seems like a good way to get in serious legal issues.

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.

I don't buy wine there either. Aldi has the best prices on what to my tastes are the best super inexpensive table wines for cooking and drinking.

 

[GodisanAtheist]

Self checkout at a Safeway was giving me a helluva time and I am at my wits end and ask the attendant if they could figure out why it was flipping out about unscanned items in the bagging area.

He immediately spots the issue, and points at my six year old son leaning on the scale in the bagging area watching me lose my flipping mind with ever increasing interest.

 

[sdifox]

Self checkout at a Safeway was giving me a helluva time and I am at my wits end and ask the attendant if they could figure out why it was flipping out about unscanned items in the bagging area.

He immediately spots the issue, and points at my six year old son leaning on the scale in the bagging area watching me lose my flipping mind with ever increasing interest.

Should have told the clerk you didn't want to buy the kid.

 

[Oyeve]

Unless I'm only buying 1 or 2 items, self checkouts suck. When I was a cashier in HS, I could scan and punch in produce far faster than the self checkouts allow, and the same holds true today - a typical cashier can ring up faster than the stupid self checkouts.

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%.

 

[Brainonska511]

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.

 

[igor_kavinski]

Self-checkout would be super successful with Robocop on each counter.

"Thief detected. Terminate Thief".

Commotion then silence.

"Thief terminated. You may now resume with the self-checkout process".

 

[manly]

ding ding ding... winnar!

it only took them 5+ years to change course.

Edit:
Or it took 5+ yrs of enough customers learning how to efficiently game the self checkout that it became a problem

In advanced economies (i.e. high wages), automation is ALWAYS cheaper than labor over the long run.

The reason grocers are backtracking is because of "shrinkage."

 

[Muse]

I've done it a bunch of times, especially at Home Depot, but I don't shop enough to where I have ever gotten comfortable with any of the systems. At Costco I used to have one item (bagels) that didn't include a product code so figured how the hell do you scan that ? and went to a personed checkout instead. I also strongly suspect that the self-checkout is actually slower. I always have my stuff IN MY CART and setup for instant scan with the portable reader.

Nowadays I don't buy Costco bagels (I make my own, it's work but they are much better), but still don't do self checkout. Easier to just set everything up where a clerk can scan it all in 20 seconds.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Self-checkout would be super successful with Robocop on each counter.

"Thief detected. Terminate Thief".

Commotion then silence.

"Thief terminated. You may now resume with the self-checkout process".

All fun and games until some of their blood makes it on the bagging area.

"Unknown item in bagging area, please remove! Unknown item in bagging area, please remove! please place item in bagging area! please place item in bagging area! Detected item removed from bagging area, please replace the item! Please wait for someone to assist you." A robocashier shows up. "Sir, unknown item in bagging area, please remove it!". Eventually all the robocashiers are summoned to that one area and the entire system crashes because they overload the wifi hot spot and just start singing daisies.

 

[igor_kavinski]

All fun and games until some of their blood makes it on the bagging area.

"Unknown item in bagging area, please remove! Unknown item in bagging area, please remove! please place item in bagging area! please place item in bagging area! Detected item removed from bagging area, please replace the item! Please wait for someone to assist you." A robocashier shows up. "Sir, unknown item in bagging area, please remove it!". Eventually all the robocashiers are summoned to that one area and the entire system crashes because they overload the wifi hot spot and just start singing daisies.

Hey! We should collaborate on a script!

 

[BFG10K]

I do not relate to any of you. I'd literally pay extra to not have to talk to people at the store.

Some of the checkout girls are hot. Since I'm forced to do grocery shopping anyway, the upside is to talk to them.