Being 'forced' to use self check out

Nosy Bee-54 said:
Oh dear! :cool: I refuse to go to a human checkout. It's far easier and more convenient to use self checkout. Only supermarket I continue to use a cashier is at Aldi because they don't have self-checkout, YET. At a supermarket in Halifax, Nova Scotia two weeks ago, I opt for the self checkout. Same in Sydney and Auckland back in 2019.
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Our local ALDI has half a dozen self checkout machines.
 

I always enjoyed playing “store” in kindergarten, so I don’t mind doing self-checkout if I only have a few items. A dozen or more items can leave you feeling pressured, plus space for items tends to be limited at many self-checkouts.

If live cashiers are in short supply, stores could always use the dead. It can be hard to tell the difference, sometimes… 🙀

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always been able to handle self-check out anytime I need - however i do like the luxury of the lazy way out with a staff member - and some of them will chat away with you even the younger ones!!
 

I hate self check outs. For some reason, I always get stuck in the 7th level of hell, with " Please put item in the bagging area", and I already DID, and the damn thing keeps saying it over and over, and it won't work. The other thing is I can't walk far, so I use the electric carts. But the self check outs are designed for people, who are standing, not sitting. So, you either can't see the screens, or you need 8 foot arms to account for being seated.
 
It depends on I feel or in which store I'm in. I love chatting with cashiers I know by face. So, if one's there, I'll go with human.

However, some stores I prefer the self check out, and yes, just like Lee Evans, I enjoy arguing with it, when it overcharges me lol lol lol!
 
Both the Walmart and Kroger where I shop have only one live cashier. Sometimes none at Walmart. Next, I need to find a self-checkout that accepts cash. (Trying to save my credit cards for emergencies.) Not easy and usually has a long line.

I buy a lot of single cans of cat food. The boxes of twelve or more are usually flavors and textures my cat dislikes. I need a live person to help with some fresh veggies and sometimes wine or beer.

With arthritis and neuropathy and a recent broken arm, I am slow and clumsy. Delivery is nice but I really need to get out and walk, even if it means hanging on to a cart for support, which it does.
 
Alizerine said:
Both the Walmart and Kroger where I shop have only one live cashier. Sometimes none at Walmart. Next, I need to find a self-checkout that accepts cash. (Trying to save my credit cards for emergencies.) Not easy and usually has a long line.

I buy a lot of single cans of cat food. The boxes of twelve or more are usually flavors and textures my cat dislikes. I need a live person to help with some fresh veggies and sometimes wine or beer.

With arthritis and neuropathy and a recent broken arm, I am slow and clumsy. Delivery is nice but I really need to get out and walk, even if it means hanging on to a cart for support, which it does.
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Yeah me with my single cans of cat food too. Sometimes one of the keepers assigned to self-checkout will offer to do it for me. They aren't any faster and tend to make mistakes. Drives me nuts.
 
I've recently changed my shopping system for groceries. I get a big pick-up order when I need staples, paper goods, expensive things, usually from Walmart because most items are at least a little bit less there. I do read the store flyers to make sure I don't miss a bargain at the others.

Once a week I shop in person at the smaller Safeway or Krogers near me for fresh foods and anything else I may need before the next big shopping. For in person shopping I go early in the morning. There are far less people at that time and the self-serve checkouts aren't busy. There's usually one manned checkout that early but I haven't used it so far.

Cat supplies are almost always shipped from Amazon or Chewy.
 
Walmart stopped offering bags of any kind. You can buy cloth bags in the store. I went through self-checkout and when I hit pay it asked me how many bags I wanted. Are they laughing at me? Tell us how many bags you want so we can tell you to pound sand? I always use my own bags anyway. Where I live, they charge you for the bags you request, a nickel or a dime, not sure, I never buy them. I'd rather carry all my items loose in a cart that pay them for bags.
 
fuzzybuddy said:
I hate self check outs. For some reason, I always get stuck in the 7th level of hell, with " Please put item in the bagging area", and I already DID, and the damn thing keeps saying it over and over, and it won't work. The other thing is I can't walk far, so I use the electric carts. But the self check outs are designed for people, who are standing, not sitting. So, you either can't see the screens, or you need 8 foot arms to account for being seated.
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I always wonder how the people staffing the self check out listen to that bitch all day.
 
debodun said:
Where does that leave people that don't have "plastic".
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Self check outs have slots to insert cash, and receive the correct change. Don't know about other places but everywhere we shop that has self check outs there is always a store person to help if there is a problem.
Was shy at 1st. not knowing what to do but that ended quickly & the convenience for us outweighs the lack of conversation with a store clerk.
 
debodun said:
Where does that leave people that don't have "plastic".
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You can't use self check out then. Walmart was that way for a time. WINCO Foods has 6 self check out, 3 are debit card only. WINCO does not take credit cards. One of the very few places that doesn't. Debit only.
 
I know some people don't want to use self check because of the jobs issue. Completely valid. But there are many more issues making people struggle today including insane rent (and property) increases. I can say at least for California, there is a percent limit.
 
RadishRose said:
They don't want to pay employees anymore. Don't want to pay for benefits, don't want to pay a manager to organize breaks and lunches. Management can just work part time.

My grocery stores only have a few live cashiers left. We pay for them with the mark up on our food. If they disappear, then lower the cost of food!
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Sounds like a "good" deal for you but not a good deal for those seeking employment so that they have some money to buy those groceries for themselves. Hard to live on just air!
 
I have become a fan of self checkout having resisted it for ages……but there are staff on hand looking out for those tempted to fail to scan something,deal with items that need approval(alcohol) or simply won’t scan.
In fact I got annoyed in one shop this morning because the self checkouts were not working.
But I do use two stores that do not have self checkout.
Sure they will catch up eventually.
 
Macfan said:
Local (Southern California) retailers have begun trying to force customers to use self checkout stations by not providing human cashiers. In a store last week, realized no cashiers available, put my items down and walked out. Guess we know where I stand on the issue. It should be interesting, can't wait to see how the dust settles on this one. I guess the choice is self checkout or online shopping :coffee:. Don...
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For this to work, the majority of customers would need to do the same thing.
That is not going to happen.
Unfortunately this is the way the world is going. Businesses cutting back services to increase profits.
Just for peace of mind, write to the company and voice your displeasure. This at least lets them know that not everyone agrees with their tactics. Will not change anything, but it will give you an outlet for your angst.
 
My Walmart is the only grocery store around here that is moving toward self checkout. My other favorite, Aldis, is still 100% cashier, as are the three other major chains.

I resisted self checkout after a bad experience on my first time through. There is a learning curve involved in using them, albeit not a big learning curve, but seeing the hand writing on the wall, I decided I'd better learn how to use them. I had to check out 3 different times to master the system with confidence. There's always an attendant there to help you learn. Start with just a couple of items to gain confidence, and soon you will be checking out a whole shopping cart on your own with a smile on your face. It's not that hard, although given the choice, I still prefer a cashier. Maybe that will change.
 
Macfan said:
Local (Southern California) retailers have begun trying to force customers to use self checkout stations by not providing human cashiers. In a store last week, realized no cashiers available, put my items down and walked out. Guess we know where I stand on the issue. It should be interesting, can't wait to see how the dust settles on this one. I guess the choice is self checkout or online shopping :coffee:. Don...
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So, do you pump your own gas? My second job out of High School was at SOHIO, and we filled your tank, cleaned the windshield, and checked the oil. Today, that job doesn't exist. My first job out of High School was at Kroger, and I ran the cash register, bagged groceries, carried them out to you car, etc. That job is slowly disappearing. My local Publix does not do self checkout, but most others do.

I know you think you made a bold statement, but all you really did was waste your time...
 
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