Self Check-Out is NOT Fun
Posted by Cap in Customer Service on March 30, 2006 |Let’s not kid ourselves Wal-Mart. There’s no way self check-out is fun.
It may be fast (sometimes), and it may be easy (sometimes)… but I never had a blast standing there, fumbling around looking for the product’s UPC code, scanning it 50 times, or enjoyed hearing the machine telling me: “Weight in basket is incorrect.”
You can also find these “fun” self check-out stations at many supermarket chains across the country. They’re a bad idea to use if you have a bunch of produce with you.
I do use self check-out occasionally, if the lines at the cashier is long and especially if I have a small quantity of items. But it was never fun. It can be a convenience, but it should never replace real cashiers.
Just look at the helper staff at the self check-out station. They sure as hell aren’t having any fun.
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March 31st, 2006 at 6:25 am
I hate self-checkouts too. Occasionally, store ‘managers’ say “over there, please” pointing to the self-checkout line. I say “no thanks” and wait in line for a ‘real’ cashier. It ticks the store managers off, but I’m not about to ’self-checkout’ with a basket of groceries. Self-checkout is designed for a pack of gum, at best. Hah. Self-checkout at Ikea is the absolute worse. Imagine scanning boxed furniture, glassware, and kitchen ware followed by bagging yourself. Bagging groceries sucks, too.
A few self-checkout lines are nice for those interested, but for all of us sane folks, keep the ‘real’ people there to scan and bag for us.
March 31st, 2006 at 8:34 am
I despise self check out. I shop at Albertsons for groceries and they only seem to have one traditional lane open every time I’m there. The line goes to China. No one wants to use the self check out when they have 2 weeks worth of food.
March 31st, 2006 at 10:01 am
If the store manager sent me to the self checkout I would report him to corporate HQ. That is entirely unacceptable.
I don’t want to sound like a snob but I did not go to college to scan groceries.
Now I will bag my own groceries if the Checkout girl is overloaded, plus I can control what gets crushed that way.
We need to organize a self checkout Walkout. No one use it for one whole week…. think it would work???
Kevin
March 31st, 2006 at 12:33 pm
Report him to corporate? Really? Not a bad idea. Do they have policies about it? The one here I’ve seen suggest people go there often. I think I’ve used self-checkout a few times at the store due to crowds and being impatient and/or trying to help. Other than that, bye bye self-checkout!
March 31st, 2006 at 12:39 pm
“I don’t want to sound like a snob but I did not go to college to scan groceries.”
Give me a break, you do sound like a snob. I can understand not liking a self-checkout line and not wanting to use it because you don’t want to scan each grape in the bunch individually, but to say you don’t like using it because it’s beneath you is ridiculous.
Do you live in New Jersey? I ask only because otherwise you’re overpaying to have someone else pump your gas for you and you should move there.
March 31st, 2006 at 6:44 pm
forget self check out…shopping at walmart is not fun!
March 31st, 2006 at 7:19 pm
lpkitten’s got a point there.
self-check out at Albertsons is just horrid, as mention, they have over eight cashier stations but only one of them is open.
kudos to Target (and others) for not resorting to it, and yeah, no silly store manager should be forcing you to use self-check out. I duno about policy but there’s no reason you have to use it.
March 31st, 2006 at 9:18 pm
I tried the self-checkout at Fred Meyer’s and it was a horrible expierence! First, I couldn’t figure out where the heck to put the cash and then it wouldn’t accept my dollar bills! Let’s not talk about the confusing interface on the computer either! What a pain in the tooshy!
April 1st, 2006 at 12:54 am
Self-Checkouts are great for those times when you just want to buy a small purchase. Charge 25 cents to a credit card without shame! ;)
April 1st, 2006 at 5:26 am
What’s next? Are they going to make us unload the shipments from the trucks as they come into the store, then we get to pick out the items we want as we are stocking their shelves for them? I’m surprised some discount store hasn’t thought of THAT one yet.
April 1st, 2006 at 5:33 am
I love the self-checkout at Stop and Shop! I must be a weirdo because I do think it’s fun. Nobody’s twisting your arm making you go to one (and no store manager should point you in that direction–he should only suggest it as an option). It isn’t that hard to do once you get used to it–and yes, I have a college education. I would agree on produce, though. Most of it goes in just fine, but I wish they’d set it up so I can plug in 6 oranges at once instead of having to punch the code in 6 times.
I have ulterior motives, too. When I’m using self-check, I don’t have to worry about the coupon police taking out their microscopes for all the coupons I use. (I use them honestly, of course–I just don’t want to have to explain that “any X brand product” means just that–not just what the picture shows.)
April 1st, 2006 at 5:39 am
Just one more thing…if the line on a regular checkout is out the back door, the manager needs to open a new line or two. The ratio of self-checkouts to cashier checkouts should be about 2 selfs to 5 humans.
I’ve never seen all 15 registers (including 4 selfs) running at S&S. It’s because they can’t get the help, or because they are too cheap to hire that many people. Or because not enough people want to be cashiers–I can understand this. I did it myself a few years ago (and I’m 50, for the record) and while 98% of my customers were lovely, the 2% who thought it was their right to treat me like shinola really spoiled it for me.
My opinions of walmart are mixed–I’ve been to some nice, clean ones. Unfortunately, I’ve also been to ones that seem to be good places to study trailer park trash in action.
April 1st, 2006 at 7:40 am
Hmm couple good points I didn’t think of on advantages of self-check out. You can charge small amounts with your CC w/o feeling like a douche, and you have hassle free coupon redemption.
mom2fur: At my area’s Albertsons, the self-check out stations allow us to input the quantity of produces, but the weight sensor thing is always off for some weird reason. In some instances I guess you can rip off the store, purposely not scan some items and get away with it.. but that’s just petty.
skye: I think they’re rolling out with self-ordering kiosks at fast food joints now too. diff industry, but yeah.
oh the humanity! (or lack thereof)
April 2nd, 2006 at 9:06 am
I would complain big time if the scales in my store were off. Not that I’d know if it was miniscule, but a big change would be obvious. Some stores have a policy that if it rings wrong–you get it for free! Wonder if Albertson’s does that?
Regarding not scanning something–yep, it’s petty. It’s also a good way to get arrested. I’ve seen people cheat and most times they get caught–none of them ever seem to notice the cameras all over the store–duh! (There oughta be a law against stupidity, let alone theft.)
April 2nd, 2006 at 9:24 am
ah woops I didn’t make it clear. see the problem with these self check out stations is that it checks the UPC code against the weight in the basket, to make sure you didn’t scan in something cheaper or whatever, or that you don’t have items in the basket that you didn’t scan yet.
in Walmart’s case, when the weight is wrong, it won’t let me finish checking out until I correct the mistake.
in the case of Albertsons, I always get an error message that the weight in basket is incorrect when I have produce (even if I follow procedure correctly), thereby not letting me complete the check out process.
April 4th, 2006 at 1:00 pm
I love self-checkout for a small amount of items. My fav place to do it is Home Depot.
April 4th, 2006 at 8:17 pm
I’m fine with self checkout as long as it’s for 10 items or under.
However, in defense of the merchants, they installed self checkout due to customer demand. The majority of customers actually enjoy it and perceive it to be faster (even though it isn’t). Customers like to control their own destiny. The investment in self-service point of sale equipment is actually very expensive and it would probably be cheaper to hire checkout clerks.
April 11th, 2006 at 1:02 am
I don’t know where all of you are, but here in my neck of the woods, Charleston, WV, although they try to tell you that they have self-checkout because of consumer demand, only about 1% of people here actually use (or should I say ‘try’ to use) them. Kroger is the main user of self-checkout; I think I’ve only seen one other store have one and no one was using it either.
April 12th, 2006 at 2:57 pm
I almost always use the self checkout, especially at the stores I frequent. It may take me the same amount of time to scan my items and pay for them as it would take the cashier, but the lines are shorter, so the entire process is quicker.
April 14th, 2006 at 1:47 pm
“I don’t want to sound like a snob but I did not go to college to scan groceries.”
Man, you NEED a college degree to figure out how to use the self-scan at the grocery store where I shop. The interface is way too confusing, and of the few times I’ve used it, most of them I’ve needed a cashier’s help with something.
Self-scan is one thing if you just want an item or two, but I’d much rather have my groceries checked out by a real person. And for Volde-Mart, which already pays low wages and in lieu of benefits encourages employees to sign up for foods stamps and medicaid (in some areas, anyway), to use self-scan to eliminate more checkers, is just — evil.
The only place where I appreciate self-scan is at the library where they don’t have the budget to afford more librarians, and rely mostly on volunteers for checkout, thanks to the tight-fisted “we don’t wanna pay no taxes but dammit, we want our big-ass SUV and giant TV” movement in this state.
April 18th, 2006 at 1:55 am
Give me a break. All you “college educated” readers that could find your way to this blog should be able to figure out how to use a self checkout machine (although I will concede that Walmart’s machines suck - just one more reason not to shop there). I really miss the self checkout where I used to shop (Harris Teeter in NC). It is MUCH faster to use the self checkout, maybe because so many of you are standing in line so someone can serve you. Would you rather rub a few brain cells together or stand there while stupid shopper after stupid shopper waits until the cashier gives them their total before taking out their check book. Or the shopper with 15 coupons, half of which have expired complains to the manager. Or how about the shoppers who can’t find something and wait until they get to the front of the line to ask someone about it? Yeah, I’m ranting, but c’mon people - American Idol is on in 10 minutes!
April 25th, 2006 at 1:10 pm
Unethical posting below: If you are a very ethical person, you may not like the posting below (ie. if you are the type of person who will not eat grapes at a supermarket)
I like self checkout because i can use expired coupons but now walmart has become smart….u cant deposit the coupons until verified by a cashier….
April 26th, 2006 at 1:55 pm
My answer is do not use self checkout. Self checkout takes jobs away from people.
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:44 am
Self-checkout is an attempt by companies to move the burden of gathering money from customers from themselves onto the customer … I wouldn’t mind using them if I have a few items AND the blinkin’ self checkout machines worked correctly. I had an experience once were I had to wait 10 minutes to get a managers attention to clear an error (wrong weight) and then the manager acted like he was doing me a big favor. The idiot topped it off by essentially accusing me of stealing by taking everything I had already rung up and putting it back to be re-processed. After I looked him in the eye and told him I didn’t appreciate his attitude and actions he gave me a smirk and told me I “had” to do it the way he wanted it. When I left the products at the check out and started to walk out the door he got pretty excited and when I got to the doorway a security guard stepped in my path (hey, to be fair he didn’t know what was going on). So, I stopped. Explained the situation to the security guard and explained to the bleating manager that if he detained me another moment I would have to use the “magic” word — litigation. I also explained that stopping me from departing was kidnapping, blah, blah. It amazed me that he thought I had to purchase the items (I did not) AND in the method he wanted (no, I have a choice). Long and short of it is I no longer go to that store and when I see the knucklehead manager around town I give him a nasty little smile.
May 10th, 2006 at 2:46 pm
In most cases, I’ve found that self-checkouts are faster for me. I’m pretty quick and can do a faster job than the cashier in most cases. Why stand in line and wait if you don’t have to? Yes it might be a hassle to scan things yourself, but your time has value also. Not every cashier is going to be efficient and friendly and someone you want to deal with anyway. Just today I was at a store that doesn’t have self checkouts and the cashier took a call while checking me out — actually made me wait while she helped a customer. Then while still ringing up my items, her supervisor came over and she talked with her about something and continued to make me wait. Finally she finished and did not even apologize for the wait or acknowledgement. This kind of customer service is worth waiting for or paying for?
Saying that self-checkouts “takes away jobs” is ridicilous. Anything that saves time is a GOOD THING in life. Would you prefer to have to go to a bank teller to get money instead of using an ATM? Would you prefer to use candles instead of electricity?
I appreciate things that can save me TIME and MONEY.
May 14th, 2006 at 7:12 am
You bunch of useless whiners!
Your insistence on remaining helpless will continue to create more business opportunities for those of us who are willing to adapt to new things.
So….I guess you aren’t useless after all.
Happy sleeping, you lazy, selfish babies.
May 16th, 2006 at 5:20 am
Good story from Ogre, good points made by Kim and others. No idea what business opportunity Anonymous is talking about though.
May 21st, 2006 at 10:00 pm
I like the self checkouts. Not at first, it took a few times to get used to them and figure out what kind of things not to take through; like clearance items, some produce, things with tags that need to be checked by a cashier.
I’m familiar with most employees in the stores I shop, so with self-check, I’m able to avoid the slow newbies who call for manager help every minute. I know how I want it bagged and how heavy it should be. I don’t have to chat with a cashier, or worse, listen to one chatting to someone else.
The only con for me is waiting for the computer to register that I’ve put the item in the bag.
It’s all smooth once you have a system.
June 6th, 2006 at 3:32 pm
GIVE ME 10% PERCENT DISCOUNTS AND WILL GLADLY SELF BAG. HEY, DON’T YOU THINK IT WILL BE AN INCENTIVE?
July 16th, 2006 at 5:48 am
When I worked as a cashier, I allowed my training to be my guide. I was pleasant fun and engaging. Things have changed. Cashiers aren’t as pleasant as the self check-out. They should work on that if they are concerned about their jobs. I didn’t go to college to deal with people who don’t get what it means to be in service industry. Self chek-out is simple if you’ve had a previous shopping experience. Store managers need to have someone there when the aisle are open to speed up the process.
August 8th, 2006 at 8:15 pm
We just got self check out in our out dated town and I love it. Yeah it takes some getting used to but in the end it is fun and since the wal mart in our area don’t pay anything anyway I don’t figure it’s taking anything away from anyone.
August 23rd, 2006 at 9:40 pm
Love self-checkout for those times you have to buy something embaressing like tampons, anti-diarreal medication, acne medication (bonus if you have huge pimples while you are buying it) or condoms. That’s the only reason I use it!
August 24th, 2006 at 12:58 am
I love the self-checkouts. I immediately adapted to them. I figure it’s because I’m a computer nerd and i take to the new gizmos easily (and also have previous cashiering experience. I know how to properly scan those pesky UPC’s). The Meijer’s near me has some new self-checkouts. They’re unlike the others that look pretty much the same at all the other stores. They’re a lot easier to use. And they have LCD Flat screens instead of those nasty CRT monitors that seem to wear out on the buttons you need to push.
Also as mentioned above it is nice to buy the unmentionables you’d prefer no one see but you. And I find more and more that a lot of the cashiers are either imcompetent, try to make too much convo, and/or are mean.
October 17th, 2007 at 9:26 am
self check outs are designed to make the lines go faster. I live in wyoming, were we don’t have enough people living here to staff an entire store. When everyone has to shop at the same place and the store only has 5 cashiers, self checks are amazing. they allow one cashier to run four lanes at a time. people might not like them but they help with lines. I work at Wal-mart. i run the self check outs. they are not that bad. if people would just learn how to use them, they would be better.
May 16th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
I love them. I can’t remember the last time I didn’t use one. Oh yeah, yesterday at Wegman’s, the ONLY think that store does wrong.
October 26th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
I LOVE self checkout and use it everywhere I can find it. I LOVE being able to buy what I need WITHOUT HAVING TO SPEAK to another person.
I’m a 28 year old professional who makes about 35,000 a year, happily married.
I HATE interacting with cashiers who often make comments about how I’m buying. I tend to buy 5-10 of one item when I find a good deal on it but doing so almost ALWAYS gets me a strange look from the cashier. A “BOY IS THIS GUY STRANGE” look. I get sick of it which is why I LOVE being able to buy what I need WITHOUT dealing with the annoying cashier and his/her annoying personality along with it.
I pray that one day FAST FOOD will become self service with self checkout, for now I can only dream.