When the self checkouts were first put in place, they were miserably hard to use. The new ones aren't so bad. I don't like to use them, though, because with all the health issues I am having here lately, especially with my back, I have to use an electric cart. It's hard enough to get the items I need, some of which are always out of reach on the top shelf, but it's very difficult to stand and use the self-checkout. The Walmart we go to is open 24 hours, but after 8 pm they usually have only one register open, and none after 11pm. We are night owls, and like to shop late, so I always try to get there before 11pm. (My wife is in even worse shape than me, so I try to do all the shopping.)
The last few times I've gone to the store, it was around 9pm but no registers were open. They were supposedly short handed (yeah right.) I just tell the attendant at the self checkout that they will have to do it for me, because I can't, and they always do.
We are going to start ordering all our canned goods, sundries, and dry goods (paper towels, TP, etc) online, and Walmart will either bring it out to your car or deliver it to your home for free (I think there's a $35 minimum, but that's not hard to reach at all.) I still have to go to the store to get milk, produce, and eggs, since I am picky about those items. I guess I'll just have to go earlier in the day, and hope there is a cart available (very often there isn't) which is an advantage for going late...there are usually a lot of carts available.