Self Checkout Lanes
 

I work at a grocery store. We have those self checkout lanes in addition to regular cashier-run checkouts; I always use self checkout unless a regular checkout station is actually shorter. It amazes me to no end to watch people stand 3 or 4 deep in line when there are 4 available self checkouts right next to them. Why do people do this? Is it the fear of new technology? Is it the lack of personal service (personally, I couldn't give a hoot about this, I want to get in and get out as quickly as possible)? Any thoughts on this?

I can't remember the last grocery store that I went into that had someone other than the customer bagging their groceries. Service, or lack thereof, is not the problem withthe self service checkouts.

The only real problem with the self service checkouts is that the technology can be a little flakey, and it's embarassing having the maching beep at you telling you you put something in your bag that you didn't scan, when I did scan it.

And if you have a lot of groceries, it can be inconvenient as well. (I tend to grocery shop monthy or less, so I'll buy a lot at once) You at that point, have to stop scanning, and bag your stuff, then scan more, and bag more-- it's a little frustrating.

But for one or two items -- the self scanners are fine.

I guess it would be the fear to some extent.

More likely they dont understand how it works, and cant be bothered to learn.

I have no interest in the self-checkout feature.

I prefer interacting with a cashier. I look forward to the small human interactions I have each day.

This is also why I don't use them much. My wife and I had this huge cartload of stuff once, but the other lines were long so we used it. That thing beeped at us so many times. Since it was with my wife, it was actually a lot of fun, but we learned only to use it for a few items or else it takes FOREVER.

:thumbsup:

i'm ambivalent. I have often gone to use the self checkout and am ticked at the technology that requires you to place the checked item in a back (to register the weight) before continuing. I have scanned and held the item (in packet of panties at the Loblaws superstore) while the damn thing was prompting me to place the item in the bag. I did not want to.

But that's just me being difficult. I guess i'm everybody's worst customer. I hadt eht decline in respectable customer service.

I think a lot of people refuse to use them out of concern for supermarket employees, like yourself. I've heard people comment in the checkout line that they won't use the self check-out lanes because they don't want the "human" cashiers to lose their jobs to be replaced by the self check out lanes.

I love the self checkout lanes. I have always preferred bagging my own groceries, and now I can handle it all myself. So, for me it's not the shorter lines that appeal to me. For me it's the control that I now have.

We don't have any self checkout isles in any of the 4 grocery stores where I live but even if we did I'd still go to the isle with the cashier because they are young and cute in the grocery store I shop in.

I only go to the machines if the line is significantly shorter. I'd rather see a person. Also, if I have more than a handfull of stuff, I'd prefer that someone else bag the stuff for me.

Also, if I have vegetables or fruit, I really don't want to page through the computer screens to figure out which code to use.

I should have been more specific and said for 20 items or less, which is what they are designed for. Using them for a huge cartload is definitely a pain the butt. Keep the thoughts coming though, I'm finding this very interesting.

I think it's so quaint that stores actually do this -- Do they carry the bags to your car for you to? I wanna move to these places... :D

I like them when I don't have much to buy, It's just so much faster. My wife hates them, she likees to use checks for grocery purchases.

Yes they do!! Although personally, I bag my own stuff because if I don't, I'll likely end up with my soap in with my meat. Bagging is a service that some stores really push because it adds a convenience and friendliness factor that nemesis Walmart fails to provide (at least in my area). Whether or not it works is anyones guess.

one time my roommates and i used the self-checkout when it was brand new. we soon realized that they weren't designed for $100+ worth of groceries because these particular machines kept track of weight and so every item had to be scanned, then cumulatively placed on the bagging tray before we could check out. it became a fun challenge to stack everything up on that little area, but it was certainly something we only attempted once. :)

I only do the self checkout if I only have a couple things (less than 10). Otherwise I stand in line.

What grocery stores do you shop at? Every grocery store, check that, every store (including Costco, WalMart and Target) bags all of our groceries for us. Actually, the Safeway near my house always asks if you need help out also (even if all you bought was one item that can fit into your pocket.

Oh there is that of course. I always scan the registers for the cute girls. At the safeway I mentioned there is this cute redhead. I never miss her.

I use the self checkout if I have less than 10 items. Any more than that, or any items with inventory control tags, and I'm in the regular line--the only store where I live that has them is Fred Meyers (their motto is one-stop shopping, and boy they mean it--they sell everything from bicycles to butter and t-shirts to teapots). It's super-handy late at night, though, when everyone's in the store buying beer (ahh, college town) and the line for the regular cashier is long. It also allows people to mix six-packs of beer (for instance, Deschutes Brewery has about 8 labels FM carries and all of the bottles are nearly identical. I can choose which ones I want and check out myself so that the cashier doesn't notice I've done this). I think it's really funny, though, that some people go through the self-checkout and don't expect to be carded. Silly people.

On a side note I should mention I don't mix six-packs often, unless there are a lot of stray bottles hanging around the Deschutes section of the beer aisle.

if i only have a few items then i'll use the self checkout... otherwise its the regular...

here in lubbock there are a couple stores that will actually cary your groceries to the car if you have more then one bag load... *shrug*

I often get sent to the store for a few items, cat food, pop, bread, etc.

That's when I use them the most. I'm in and out of the store within a few minutes most of the time.

What I hate is when I get behind someone trying to use it who looks like they couldn't pour water out of a boot, with instructions on the heel. If you can't figure out the technology, DON'T USE THIS TYPE OF CHECKOUT!!!!!!

My worst experience was getting behind a mom with her slew of bratty children. The one child was fascinated by the fact that when you passed something over the scanner it went "beep". So he started grabbing things out of the bag where mom had just put them and running them over the scanner. He did it to about 5 items before she noticed it. Now she has to call the supervisor, explain the situation, and have it over-ridden.

The group of us that were in line behind her angrily found another checkout. I felt sorry for her, but please people, these things are not meant for everyone.

I work in a grocery store, being union I try to avoid em so wrokers are not replaced (1 human cashier runs 4 register which takes up 3 regular lanes of space)

Omaha.
The neighborhood store where we do most of our grocery shopping not only bags for you, and carries the bags to your car, but the baggers are required to wear dress shirts and ties under thier aprons. It is a bit of a throwback, but I hope they never change that policy.

Oh, and chalk another one up for not wanting cashiers to lose their jobs. I pay the same whether I do it myself, or a cashier scans it for me. Where is my incentive?

Same here. At Safeway by me they always have to look at your receipt if you use credit and say "Thank you Mr. So and so" (they have yet to pronounce my name right yet :)) and then they offer to take it to your car if you need help.

They don't have the self-check at these safeways though. Do any safeways have them?

If you do your shopping at 11 at night the lines are really short :) I don't care to use the self check out lanes.

Most of the grocery stores in my area have them, and I have seen before where the line for the self-checkout was longer than the normal lines (that struck me as odd). Especially when one person is shoving pennies into one of the machines, and another is arguing with the attendant about a credit card that is not working. If I have fewer than 15 items I simply look for the quickest route out of the store, or the cutest cashier.

OMG, I worked at Safeway...they are customer service facists...You HAVE to ask if you need help out, and they HAVE to say your last name (or attempt it at least). They have "secret shoppers" that come through, and you get in BIG trouble if you don't look good on a "shop."
They also have to greet you if they pass you in the store.

I use the self-checkout unless I have those security tags or produce. Or like a ton of items.

In Belgium we have some sort of identical self-service.
Only you scan and you are bagging your groceries while you are shopping.
When entering the shop you choose if you're going for self-service or not.
If not --> regular shopping spree
If self service: you take a hand-held wireless scanner out of a rack and with you while you are strolling around the shop. Every item that you want to buy, has to be scanned first, before being put in your (reusable) shopping bag.
So all the work is done while shopping.
If you have everything you need, you place the scanner back in the rack, and a bill comes out of a printer. You take the bill to a special checkout where you pay (to a cashier).
A very fast way to shop...
A computer randomly picks customers out to check if they have scanned honest.

Nothin like that in Australia yet (at least not near me) I do most of my shopping on-line you just have to be home for it. Is there a way for the store to pick up if your stuffing items in your pockets and just not scanning them at all? Like the idea T.U.B lives with all the work is done b4 the checkout.

I LOVE :thumbsup: the self-checkout machines for when I have fewer than 20 items.

Any more than that, and I'm in the regular checkouts.

Now, I'm not afraid of new technology, and I used to be a cashier at Meijer's...so that helps.

when i use the self checkout this really hot girls always baggs my goods :-D

i always go through the regular lines. i don't get a discount for checking myself out, so i have the cashiers do it. the grocery is not somewhere that i want to work. the cashiers get paid to do this, so i let them.

man i love self checkout lanes. not only is it faster, but you don't have to deal with people pronouncing your last name incorrectly.

i don't have a car, so when i do my shopping it's usually with a backpack or duffel bag that i carry back home on foot. much easier to fit stuff in there if you bag it with that in mind.

A couple of weeks ago I made a comment to a cashier about how neat the self check lanes were for certain shopping trips, She about ripped my head off saying "Neat? If you think putting us out of work is neat, your crazy" I just got my change and split. I wasn't about to stay and have a battle of wits with some one that would probably bring a knife to a gun-fight.

Personally I like the self checkout lanes. Once you get used to the little things about letting stuff settle in the bags and all they aren't so bad. To many times have I waited in line to be checked out just because the cashier wants to carry on a conversation with someone in front of me, or actually pick something up and start reading the box.

The only thing I don't like about the self checkout lanes are that you can't write a check without going to the customer service rep. I'm sure this will be worked out or phased out in the future.

I usually go for whatever will get me out of the store faster. If I'm shopping with my brother or my mom, one of us can bag and the other can scan (usually me, since I'm the least likely to have a problem with a machine or computer.)

Yeah, I think a lot of us do that, whether we admit it or not. I love the stores that hire people 18 and older, so all you get is older high school seniors and college kids.

I'm with Art. I live in a relatively small town with a handful of grocery stores; none of which have the self-checkout lines.

If they did, I wouldn't be interested. I like the little conversations. It's the same reason I almost always go inside the bank to make a transaction and pay my bills in person.

In addition, it fosters a small 'sense of community." The little conversations add up and now I have a bit of name/face recognition. They know me and I know them and that helps when I have a problem as they seem more eager to try and help me, the person, rather than me, the account number.

For an antisocial bastard like me the self checkout lanes are a godsend. I love them, I don't have to talk to anybody.

its like banks.. people use the tellers.. or the atm's.. im sure after a while more people would be willing to use the self chekcout lanes

I don't like them. I much prefer having my groceries bagged and carried out to the car for me. I'm a weakling with no upper body strenght to speak of, and it's a huge plus to have someone carrying and loading for me.

I work at a Safeway. The self-checkout lanes scare me. I know eventually it will be the norm, and a lot of people will be laid off. I have yet to see a self-checkout in Canada, I hope it stays that way for a long time.

I fix P.O.S systems. Demeter.... Calgary Co-Op has them and I'm installing more soon.

I feel the cold chill of agreeing with Art about something. Oh wait, this isn't politics... We're okay then.

Likewise, I'm not going to help a company put more people out of a job while charging the same prices. That helps no-one but themselves. I prefer to actually have interaction with others, have my groceries bagged in old fashioned paper (And yes, I do demand it), and actually help make sure that there are opening level jobs in our market. I also still expect the bagger to bring the groceries to my car.
And yes I do tip.

You'd think from my response that I was a little older than 23....

Florida, Home of Publix.
They still make all baggers carry your groceries out to the car, you cannot tip them, and they have to be dressed in a dress shirt and slacks.
I should also point out that PUblix is the most profitable employee owned company in the united states, and they have a service record that has all but eliminated Walmart from competition in South Florida. How do you beat a store that still carries your groceries, bags them in paper bags with handles, and has atm's that don't charge a service fee no matter what bank you use?

Hey, don't rain on my parade buddy! :hmm: :p
I am in the file department. Hopefully I'll still be needed for a while longer than cashiers. (Counts how many years to retirement).

And the best part -- no telemarketing..err.."bonus" cards! I miss Publix.

Anyway, the first self-checkout I ever saw was 4 years ago at a Super Fresh, near DC. It was great. You'd scan your item and then throw it on the conveyor like a normal checkout, and it scanned/weighed the item as it was moving. Then you'd go to the end of the conveyor, bag your stuff, and leave.

Ever since then, the only self-checkouts I've seen are those monstrosities that refuse to scan effectively, and force you to put your crap in a bag and leave it there even though there's only room for about 4 bags at most. And if it's a really light item, it's not always detected so it freaks out and make you stand there and wait for a cashier. Plus most I've been to don't do electronic signature capture, so if you pay via credit card you still have to go to the cashier's station and sign the receipt. The first generation versions were a lot better.

self checkout scares me, I feel like Im going to screw it up and hold up the line, end up looking like a dork.

Where the heck do you live? I've lived in MD, FL, and OH, and I've only ever encountered a few really crappy supermarkets that made you bag your own stuff. I avoided them.

I love the self checkout lane so much that I hate going to the Super Walmart near my house now because they don't have them. The only time I've ever had trouble with them is when I was trying to buy a Rated R DVD. Then I had to wait for someone to come in and put in a code and of course the person working the area forgot their code so it took even longer. Then after all that hassle the manager said "Make sure you look at his ID" Cuz yeah I'm gonna skip school to go and buy this movie...especially when I'm 22 and in college. I think I might have even been wearing my school's jacket at the time.

My mom REFUSES to ever use them and won't give me a reason why.

People still write checks for everyday purchases?

Weird.

EDIT: Oh, and for the topic-

1. I've never been to a place with auto-checkout registers that doesn't have a person standing there making sure the auto-checkouts are running smoothly.

2. I've never seen a line at the auto-checkouts, even during the most peak times.

3. The auto-checkout is for convenience of speed when purchasing what most places consider "under 10 (or 15? 20?) items. It's meant as a quick, in-and-out.

4. People said the same damn thing about ATM machines giving people cash and taking away from tellers in the banks. No meltdown occurred, the banks and tellers are just fine where they are... the ATM has not led to job instability. No one is trying to replace the regular cashiers, they're just freeing up a few lines for all you "I buy $600 in groceries once a month instead of making more trips" people who take 15 minutes to ring up.... and THEN you get out your fucking checkbook to fill it out. I've started giving you people shit, btw. Fill out the damn check WAY before they're done ringing you up, so all you have to do is add the amount in.

5. Get a fucking check card- it's the same fucking thing as a check, but faster for EVERYONE. (See #4) Checks are for exchanging large sums of money between people where using a card is not possible and carrying the amount in cash is inappropriate or dangerous. Checks don't mean shit, they're a "promise to pay"- so don't get mad when a machine won't take your bouncy check.

/unintentional rant

I don't use them because the damn things don't work well.

If you're scanning something that's too light, it doesn't detect it when you put it in the bag and then sits there yelling at you for 10 minutes.

If you go too fast for it - put it in the bag after scanning but before it tells you to, it doesn't detect it and then sits there yelling at you for 10 minutes.

If something doesn't ring up for some reason, you're screwed. Unlinke a real cashier, you can't call for a price check.

They're an interesting idea that was implemented half-assed. If a technology is nothing but kludge, I don't use it.


Plus, I'm paying the same amount whether I use self checkout or I use a regular checkout. In other words, I'm still paying for the cashier to do all the work, including bagging my stuff up, yet *I* am now doing all the work. That strikes me as pretty stupid. If they factored in a "cashierless discount" then maybe I could see the point.

If I have a handful of items and there's an opening, I'll use the self checkout, otherwise I'll stand in line to have the cashier do it.
The prices at the grocery have the cashier/bagger factored into them. If I'm paying for a service, I'll use it... that's also why I won't bag my groceries (even if the line is backed up and cashier doesn't have a bagger available).

If the self-checkout lines offered a small incentive to use them (couple % off total) I think I would use them more.

i agree.

not to mention I also am paying for a total service... which I expect human interaction. If I was going to just deal with machines.. I'd order online.

I'd rather be kicked in the bag, than use one of those things. Half of the time you see one cashier running around trying to put out four fires. If I am going to have to deal with a cashier anyway, I'll just go for the nickle tour.

I think that a lot of people on this board like self checkout lines because we are all (at least somewhat) computer literate and interested in new technology. My parents are afraid of new things that beep! People think they are going to embarass themselves or make a mistake or something.

Human interaction covers a lot of things, like "Is this on sale?", "Can I use this coupon?", etc.

Also, I like the cashiers to bag. I just do, don't know why.

In stores that have them I use the self check ones. The Neighborhood Wal-mart(think mostly groceries and a few self-hygene products on my way how has half self check out and half regular check outs. I go shopping once or twice a week so I usually don't have that much to check out. And because I worked in a retail job for so long I can check,pay, and bag my stuff appropriately a lot faster than a checker can. I can get roughly 15-20 items including produce scanned,bagged and paid for in 3-5 minutes.
So it's a great time saver being able to do a bunch of shopping in and out of the store in like 10 minutes. But I never really considered the whole "taking a job away from a clerk" thing. So I guess if there's time I'll let a clerk do it. But selfscanners are just so cool and it's fun to me. I race people in the other lanes sometimes to see if I can get my stuff done first. :) Nothing more fun than getting in line after some soccer mom with half the items getting it done and paid for before she gets close to being done.

Indeed. I fucking love Publix.

But unfortunately their ATM now charges me $2.00 for each transaction. Doesn't really matter thought since I can use my card at the register and get cash back for free.

Damn. I'm going to have to consider relocating to Florida just to get me some Publix goodness.

I've used the self checkout option a number of times but it seems like I always end up fighting with it to take my cash or whatever. I won't use those things when I have a large order. It would be about a 10 item max that I'd go through there. I guess when it comes to groceries I'm just lazy about doing the bagging :-). Kroger still bags them for you but Bigg's however does not. I go to Kroger even though Bigg's is slightly less expensive.

Man Meijer's rules! I miss going to the local Meijer's ever since I moved away from Michigan. Now I have to go to multiple stores when I need to get a few odds and ends, whereas Meijer's had everything!

I like the U-Scan lanes for small purchases. Like said before, it is not good for produce, but if you're picking up some chips and bread, it's great as a time saver. I think the time saved not waiting in line to purchase a handful of things makes up for the cost of paying for a cashier's job while doing it myself.

As a sidenote, don't ever try buying a bunch of Kool-Aide packets with the U-Scan... you'll be there for a LONG time because the weight is too miniscule to be picked up by the tray!

I can't stand the self-checkouts. Everytime I've used one, it hasn't worked properly.

Maybe they just don't like me?

WTF Publix do you go to its a $1 service charge(which is mad cheap) and I use Bank of America so its not a big deal its free.. but here in South FL its the best way to go. I prefer Albertsons because I like the selection of goods better, but as far as customer service Publix is GREAT. I dont know if our paper bags have handles on them, I get plastic simply because I use them as trash can liners around my apartment and just keep a few bags in my car for everyday litter. Both Albertsons and Publix have generally friendly staff, bag and offer to carry things to your car, and are always well groomed. Publix and Albertsons seem to pay well and have EXCELLENT benefits. Now, here is my beef with Publix; the ones near me that are more focused on the Latin/Hispanic community near me seem to be lacking in social skills. Many employees ONLY speak Spanish, and many have been rude to me. My ex works for Publix so Ive been pretty vocal in my complaints. Publix also does not have a specific way to bag your items. Their goal is to use the least amount of bags possible. Albertsons has like a little segment in their training to tell you about safety of cross contamination, and soap doesnt go with meat, eggs dont go with heavy things..etc. Albertsons however has begun to install Self Checkout lanes at the one near my Parents house. I only use the Self Check Out at Wal Mart when I have like less than 5 items. Otherwise I LIKE the interaction.

Well you do live in Miami....

As for the bagging thing, I have worked as a bagger at Publix and they did teach me how to bag properly. Must be differences in managers or something.

All the time. I love it.

I hate slow people. Cashiers take too long. It's much quicker doing it myself. I just wanna get in, get what I need, and get out - skip all the bullshit.

Aggrivates the shit outta me when people use the self-checkout that shouldn't be using them... people who take FOREVER, or the jackass that goes there with a cart full of stuff.

I'll echo that. I personally don't like all the small talk at stores, it comes off insincere to me. I'd prefer to buy whatever and get out.