Self Checkout

[VaTom]

Love / Hate relationship depending on the store/machine. Wal-Mart's work well. Kroger grocery stores are awful. At least a couple of times the attendant has to come and punch in a code of get it going again when it messes up. Hate it when the machine constantly tells me what to do! I guess it is the Scots-Irish independent blood in me. Wife thinks I am crazy when I loose patience with the crappy ones. Have no patience for technology that is difficult to use .

 

[ACORN]

At the grocery store couple weeks back. Went to the checkout with a full cart. Guessing $150.00, my wife would know exactly. Only two lines open and quite backed up. An employee, young and foolish, wanted to help me with the robot. I asked to open another lane and was refused with the robot offer still valid. I left the cart and walked out. Restocking job security for someone.
Until recently they had 4 or 5 lanes open, and would start another if the lines increased.
I just went to the same chain in a more affluent area. They had the robots, but also four lanes open on a weekday. Now my new store.
I know it's the future, but I won't make it easy.

My wife works at WM. They have a policy that any perishable groceries returned or left at the register are thrown out. They can’t risk having spoiled product being restocked and sold. I saw a woman returning 10 1lb packs of butter to WM. Wife said it all was tossed. Guess who pays for that.
As far as getting paid to do someone else’s job, if the store has to hire on additional cashiers at an additional cost to it’s customers.
It may be down the road but just like nightfall it’s coming.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

Not anymore. From what I understand they changed the law on that last year or early this year.

You can pump your own gas there now.

Our Daughter and Son in Law were out there (Oregon) on vacation in October 2019, and they couldn't pump their own gas. The lady told them she could loose her job.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[DWalt]

I think I read that New Jersey does not allow self service gas dispensers. In my earlier years in Ohio (which I left in 1976), they also did not allow self service gas, but they do now. As I remember, the law had something to do with fire safety, maybe because some people smoked when they pumped their own gas.

I have noticed that the local HEB supermarkets (a big deal in Texas) have recently expanded their self-service checkout areas. I also note that Wal-Mart has now started spot checking receipts at the store exit, I understand because some customers are "forgetting" to scan every item.

 

[NYlakesider]

I think I read that New Jersey does not allow self service gas dispensers. In my earlier years in Ohio (which I left in 1976), they also did not allow self service gas, but they do now. As I remember, the law had something to do with fire safety, maybe because some people smoked when they pumped their own gas.

I have noticed that the local HEB supermarkets (a big deal in Texas) have recently expanded their self-service checkout areas. I also note that Wal-Mart has now started spot checking receipts at the store exit, I understand because some customers are "forgetting" to scan every item.

We are in the middle of 3 W.Ms and they do some checking on the way out. Its a joke, they quickly look at your receipt and send you on your way. One took our receipt did a quick look into a couple bags (we had 7 bags) and sent us on our way.

The checks they do you could take out a "Fat Boy" size item and they would not catch it. I see it when there a bit busy many people do no wait for the checker they just keep on walking.

About the only thing it does good is give a couple senior citizens a job.

 

[JcMack]

There's a WM down the street which I guess is "SUPER" cause it sells groceries. They had 8 QUICK checks and still lines were long and slow because of too much traffic. If I needed stuff from WM I made it a point to go at 0700 to avoid standing in line. Last month they installed more quik checks for a total of 30. They're keeping up with customer thru put very well now.
My company had a contract to repair all electronics in the WM store's including quick checks, door alarm theft alarms, RFID stuff, and all back room computers. Because of that I worked in store back offices a lot. You have no idea how many store employees call off in a given day. It's hard to run a business when your employees don't give a darn. The quick checks never call off. Customers are getting used to them, and prefer them to standing in line that's manned by an employee.

 

[ACORN]

I think I read that New Jersey does not allow self service gas dispensers. In my earlier years in Ohio (which I left in 1976), they also did not allow self service gas, but they do now. As I remember, the law had something to do with fire safety, maybe because some people smoked when they pumped their own gas.

I have noticed that the local HEB supermarkets (a big deal in Texas) have recently expanded their self-service checkout areas. I also note that Wal-Mart has now started spot checking receipts at the store exit, I understand because some customers are "forgetting" to scan every item.

My wife was monitoring the self check outs at WM and stopped a woman and her little girl with a cart FULL of stuff and she’d only scanned 2 items. The woman feigned indignation saying she has a good job and doesn’t steal and stormed off. The caught her the same day, same shift, trying it again. That time she got a ride to the hoose-gow.

 

[vytoland]

when i'm paying FULL price.....i want FULL service.....

 

[smithman 10]

Accepting change

While some work better than others in general I like them. I may be old but I'm not blind to the fact that you have to accept change, and they are the future whether some of us like them or not.

The push for unreasonable minimum wages only accelerates the process.

The only change I am willing to accept is from a live human being working a job!

What a shame to see this trend. I remember as a young man I worked the express checkout at a local grocery store. Saw my friends and their families, learned the basic work habits that sustain one throughout life.

1. Show up for work.
2. Be polite and helpful.
3. Take direction from the boss.
4. Take home a paycheck, however modest.
5. Be proud of oneself for being gainfully employed.

I have yet to use the self checkout and don't plan to.

 

[markmiela]

Why wouldn’t companies automate with the idiots screaming for $15 minimum working wage. If I owned a business I would do the same thing.


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[Texas40]

I think that if I have to scan and bag my own stuff at a store they should give me a 10% discount.
They dont.
So I dont use them.



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[vytoland]

the basic work habits that sustain one throughout life.

1. Show up for work.
2. Be polite and helpful.
3. Take direction from the boss.
4. Take home a paycheck, however modest.
5. Be proud of oneself for being gainfully employed.

.

READ, MEMORIZE, MAKE IT YOUR LIFESTYLE.....

 

[ACORN]

It’s a no win issue.
If they charged more money to pay $15/hr. the store down the road would have all self check outs and lower prices. People would be crowing about how much they save going to XYZ.

 

[Jim1392]

I think I read that New Jersey does not allow self service gas dispensers. In my earlier years in Ohio (which I left in 1976), they also did not allow self service gas, but they do now. As I remember, the law had something to do with fire safety, maybe because some people smoked when they pumped their own gas.

New Jersey still doesn't let you pump your own gas. And with the personal they have pumping I'm glad I live in N.C, and pump my own. Last time I was up there to visit my son I rolled down the window of my car and said "Fill it up please" the fellow just grunted and walk back and started pumping. When he came back to collect I gave him the money and I said "Thank You" he again just walked away without saying a word after taking my money. Only this time I yelled to him "Your Welcome" as my wife sat cringing next to me. He didn't even flinch. As we drove away I said to my wife I'm so glad we got out of here 9 years ago.

 

[Gaffer]

We have a recent story locally that smacks of the same robo indifference that kills. A very pretty lady is missing since 2-3 days before Thanksgiving and thousands of hours and dollars has been expended trying to locate her. She was seen leaving her stranded car on I 295 and walking to get help. Now no one knows where she is and if alive. Seems when the state police noted the abandoned car they failed to notify who the car was registered to and the tow company who removed the car noted the car had the ladies cell phone, purse, and other personal items sill in it. When the car owner reclaimed the car the gasoline warning lamp was lit, indicating perhaps that's why it was left beside the road. One could easily infer that this lady didn't know that such warnings is not an immediate danger and another 50 or so miles could have been driven. If that is so than perhaps we have a person now the victim of foul deeds because she was a victim of false info. Many women never read the automotive instruction books and fail to know that the gasoline tank warning light is just a early warning and does not mean you are out of gasoline on a busy highway in the early morning hours before light
Perhaps just another case of our future info causing a fatality that was unnecessary. God help us all!

 

[BC38]

The only change I am willing to accept is from a live human being working a job!

What a shame to see this trend. I remember as a young man I worked the express checkout at a local grocery store. Saw my friends and their families, learned the basic work habits that sustain one throughout life.

1. Show up for work.
2. Be polite and helpful.
3. Take direction from the boss.
4. Take home a paycheck, however modest.
5. Be proud of oneself for being gainfully employed.

I have yet to use the self checkout and don't plan to.

I agree 100% with the sentiments expressed about minimum wage jobs teaching job skills and good work habits.

However, when you and I were young men, everybody recognized that is what minimum wage jobs were, and that they would come with a commensurate rate of pay. None of us demanded $15 per hour (or the equivalent) plus government-mandated health insurance for those starter jobs. Nobody expected us to settle for that kind of job as a career.

Nowadays that is the expectation, and it isn't financially sustainable without it creating inflationary pressures. Pressures that will drive prices up and render the $15 minimum wage once again insufficient as a "living wage". At that point it becomes necessary to artificially raise the wage again - which will raise prices again. It is a vicious cycle a.k.a. devaluation of the currency and an inflationary spiral.

Anyone who refuses to use self checkout needs to be prepared to be charged a premium for full service - just like at the gas station or the bank (teller fees). As the push for a $15 minimum wage gains traction it becomes a choice of either do some of the work yourself or pay extra for someone to do it for you.

There's no free lunch and you can't have it both ways.

 

[kraynky]

I'm slowly but surely getting used to them. Actually I prefer them to a long line if I only have a dozen or so items.

My biggest gadget/gizmo complaint is at my bank's ATM. The first instruction is to insert my card, then they ask for my PIN. Great! Now they know who I am and it's really me! Then it says "Please wait while we research your preferences." (it's close to that anyway)

Then here's the kicker, "English or Spanish"? Really? Have you paid any attention to "my preferences" at all? I PICK ENGLISH EVERY TIME! PLEASE REMEMBER AT LEAST THAT MUCH, for crying out loud! I have never, ever, had a teller at the window ask me which language I prefer! Not one time in 50 years dealing with banks!

Only the machine asks that question, after it says it has found my "preferences". Good grief Charlie Brown. ..............ok, I'm alright, these machines prick a nerve avery now and then.

That one does it everytime!

 

[BC38]

We have a recent story locally that smacks of the same robo indifference that kills. A very pretty lady is missing since 2-3 days before Thanksgiving and thousands of hours and dollars has been expended trying to locate her. She was seen leaving her stranded car on I 295 and walking to get help. Now no one knows where she is and if alive. Seems when the state police noted the abandoned car they failed to notify who the car was registered to and the tow company who removed the car noted the car had the ladies cell phone, purse, and other personal items sill in it. When the car owner reclaimed the car the gasoline warning lamp was lit, indicating perhaps that's why it was left beside the road. One could easily infer that this lady didn't know that such warnings is not an immediate danger and another 50 or so miles could have been driven. If that is so than perhaps we have a person now the victim of foul deeds because she was a victim of false info. Many women never read the automotive instruction books and fail to know that the gasoline tank warning light is just a early warning and does not mean you are out of gasoline on a busy highway in the early morning hours before light
Perhaps just another case of our future info causing a fatality that was unnecessary. God help us all!

Boy o boy is that a real stretch!

Someone not having enough sense to refill their gas tank when the low fuel warning comes on gets abducted when they run out of gas on a lonely stretch of road. And that is somehow a cautionary tale about the evils of self service?

It is unfortunate that the young lady ran out of gas, and even more disturbing that she may have fallen victim to a predator as a result. But realistically, getting rid of self service isn't going to eliminate people making bad choices (like not refueling their car), or ignorant choices (not knowing what the low fuel light means), nor will it eliminate predatory people preying on the defenseless in our society.

I'm sorry, but IMO blaming this situation on self checkout is just a bridge too far.

 

[BC38]

I'm slowly but surely getting used to them. Actually I prefer them to a long line if I only have a dozen or so items.

My biggest gadget/gizmo complaint is at my bank's ATM. The first instruction is to insert my card, then they ask for my PIN. Great! Now they know who I am and it's really me! Then it says "Please wait while we research your preferences." (it's close to that anyway)

Then here's the kicker, "English or Spanish"? Really? Have you paid any attention to "my preferences" at all? I PICK ENGLISH EVERY TIME! PLEASE REMEMBER AT LEAST THAT MUCH, for crying out loud! I have never, ever, had a teller at the window ask me which language I prefer! Not one time in 50 years dealing with banks!

Only the machine asks that question, after it says it has found my "preferences". Good grief Charlie Brown. ..............ok, I'm alright, these machines prick a nerve avery now and then.

That one does it everytime!

Interesting. I've never seen a ATM that says anything about accessing my "preferences".

Around here they all say they are accessing the "FUNCTIONS" of your card. Meaning looking up whether it is a debit, or a credit card, and either your account balance (debit) or credit limit (credit card).

But the idea of storing language preferences along with all that other info - so that it doesn't have to ask which language is preferred by the customer - is sure a good idea. One that they would be able to implement really easily, if they only cared or thought to do it.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

The self checkouts at WM work great, and I use them all the time. I am not stuck in a line and it works for me.

Have a blessed day,

Leon