Why do major stores have 20 check outs only use 4 of them?

[Wduaqnug]

what's the point ? I understand when its not busy but when its holiday or when lines are outrageous why do they build 20

 

[geno]

Even during XMas and holidays, I never see all if not most of them being used.... pointless if you ask me..

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: Wduaqnug
what's the point ? I understand when its not busy but when its holiday or when lines are outrageous why do they build 20

Heh, yeah. There is a Walmart in D'Iberville, MS that has like 38 lines, and they only use about 3 of them, even when it's busy.

Pretty funny.

 

[Eli]

I suppose it's better to be safe than sorry. If the store ever did get super busy, they could open them up..

They aren't losing anything by letting over half of them sit idle.. They don't have to post a cashier to the checkout unless theres a need.

 

[StageLeft]

Walmart here used a lot but the targets I've been to never ever have more than half running. Normally it's like 4-5 of 20.

 

[agnitrate]

My store has 8. We use about 5 or 6 of them constantly when it's during peak hours. We have 'extras' because our machines are so old, they CONTINUALLY break on us at least once a week so we need the option of having another register so we don't get slammed with people.

-silver

 

[CraigRT]

I get very frustrated when I have to deal with that too.. it's the same thing at a busy parking garage.. only 1 attendant sometimes, and 20 cars lined up... SO ANNOYING.

 

[dman]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42

Originally posted by: Wduaqnug
what's the point ? I understand when its not busy but when its holiday or when lines are outrageous why do they build 20

Heh, yeah. There is a Walmart in D'Iberville, MS that has like 38 lines, and they only use about 3 of them, even when it's busy.

Pretty funny.

The super walmart here has a ton of checkouts, and maybe 5 are open. 2x 15 item or less. And it's always a 10min line in the register.

The Targets are much better, the usually have 10 or so open and seem to respond well to crowds.

The Publix chain (grocery store) has always done a good job adjusting to the lines. Maybe have 2-3 people at most to wait behind, ever.

But, the reason of course, is $$$. If you complain and stop shopping there because it takes to long to checkout, eventually they'll get the message. If you just suffer through the lines because you don't think you have a choice,well, get used to it. Thus, I rarely shop at the super walmart (regular walmart = better, like target). Or any other grocery chain down here.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: Wduaqnug
what's the point ? I understand when its not busy but when its holiday or when lines are outrageous why do they build 20

Optimism

 

[Ornery]

Bah, you think you have to wait a while in line now? Why, when I was a kid, we had only one register, with a line that stretched halfway down the isle. The checkout girl had to enter every digit of the price for each item, then total it all and count back the change, because we used CASH! :Q

 

[no0b]

Originally posted by: Ornery
Bah, you think you have to wait a while in line now? Why, when I was a kid, we had only one register, with a line that stretched halfway down the isle. The checkout girl had to enter every digit of the price for each item, then total it all and count back the change, because we used CASH! :Q

*shrugs* they still exist.

I worked at Trader Joes about a year ago and we had to punch in all the prices then figure out the change since the POS machine didn't.

 

[amdskip]

At my store (walmart) we had about 24/30 lanes open yesterday. I was up front line busting which is where I use the telzon to ring peoples carts up and then put the total on a plastic card that the cashier has to scan. They are pretty good about having enough lanes open and they are always calling us up front to check which sucks for me.

 

[Ornery]

When my wife got her first job at "Gold Circle", they not only had to enter the friggen price for each item, but the SKU as well. Imagine that! I'd have quit the first day!