I hate those %@**7!)# grocery selfcheck out machines.

fuzzybuddy

fuzzybuddy

SF VIP
Location
The Sticks, Northeast PA.
I hate those %@**7!)# grocery self check out machines. One more "Put your item in the bagging area.", I'm going to beat it to death. I can never get through without "assistance is needed, assistance is needed", and I have to sit there and wait for a clerk. When you scan an item, the machines says " Put your tomatoes in the bagging area.", "Put your pasta in the bagging area". I really don't need for everybody to hear, " Put your hemorrhoid cream in the bagging area". I have never gone through a self check out, with "assistance is needed".
Usually, I like technology, but it's technology that works.
I hate those %@**7!)# grocery selfcheck out machines.
 

fuzzybuddy said:
I hate those %@**7!)# grocery self check out machines. One more "Put your item in the bagging area.", I'm going to beat it to death. I can never get through without "assistance is needed, assistance is needed", and I have to sit there and wait for a clerk. When you scan an item, the machines says " Put your tomatoes in the bagging area.", "Put your pasta in the bagging area". I really don't need for everybody to hear, " Put your hemorrhoid cream in the bagging area". I have never gone through a self check out, with "assistance is needed".
Usually, I like technology, but it's technology that works.
I hate those %@**7!)# grocery selfcheck out machines.
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Look at it this way, fuzzy; you are THE key factor in getting the bugs worked out for future generations of shoppers.

If that's any consolation. šŸ˜
 

Human beings are fascinating creatures. Self-check out was sold to us as being quicker, more efficient way to get into stores and then out again. Whereas in fact, we were actively participating in an experiment to get rid of check out clerks. We were taking on the work of the person who lost their job ourselves - in essence, now doing the work the supermarket used to pay for. Yet - these are everywhere.

There's also no reason to hire more check out clerks. They can gradually train us to not wait in long lines - often created by not having enough check outs open - and to go do it ourselves.

In other words, there is no reason for these check outs to exist, other than to try and make up for the inefficiencies of the supermarket themselves.
 
I love self check out and use it where ever I can, such as Walmart. Never had an issue. The Publix I use doesn't have it, but the lines move pretty fast there.

And for all the whining about self checkout at the grocery store, when is the last time you pumped you own gas?
 
VaughanJB said:
Human beings are fascinating creatures. Self-check out was sold to us as being quicker, more efficient way to get into stores and then out again. Whereas in fact, we were actively participating in an experiment to get rid of check out clerks. We were taking on the work of the person who lost their job ourselves - in essence, now doing the work the supermarket used to pay for. Yet - these are everywhere.

There's also no reason to hire more check out clerks. They can gradually train us to not wait in long lines - often created by not having enough check outs open - and to go do it ourselves.

In other words, there is no reason for these check outs to exist, other than to try and make up for the inefficiencies of the supermarket themselves.
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But maybe if not for self-checkouts, a dozen eggs would cost 12 dollars instead of 4 or 5. In fact, that's likely.

The whole problem with job obsolescence is that, at least in the US, schools are failing horribly at preparing kids to work in the types of jobs and careers that will outlive jobs like cash-register operator.
 
fuzzybuddy said:
I hate those %@**7!)# grocery self check out machines.
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I totally sympathize!

The Wegman's I go to had been really chill about whether there was an item imagined to have gone into the bagging area, but then a couple weeks ago they upgraded to the same crummy software the other stores use, so now it is complaining about 'take the item out of the bagging area'. It is so annoying.

My checkout machine did so many 'assistance needed' that the person watched me and rather excitedly debugged the problem as 'every time you turn and take an item up from the cart, your purse touches the bagging area scale'. I'm glad I made her happy but I still hate the machines. And they don't leave enough room for carts, it is awkward physically sometimes.
 
I saw an article in the Atlantic this past week that said self checkouts was an experiment that failed. Imagine that. If a store wants my money, they'll provide a human to take it. Yeah, I'm old, set in my ways and that's how it is. The generations coming up after me can have their intimate relations with Fred (F*&ing Ridiculous Electronic Device), they're just not for me :coffee:. Don...
 
I don't seem to get a lot of "bagging area" robo-nags any more. Maybe they relaxed the tolerance threshold here? But I still fight to get the darned plastic bags opened quickly. Even when I bring cloth bags and a couple of mesh bags of my own I still need the plastic ones.
 
I hate them too unless it's just for a couple of items and it's preferable to standing in a queue of 12 people and full trolleys ..but anything more than a couple of items, and it's going to go wrong...always !!..however the other day, I got a new message which asked me how many bags I had taken..( they're 20 p each and that's not an unusual message)... however what was new was that I pressed 0 because I didn't need bags.. it asked me once more.. I pressed 0 again.. and it said I would have to wait for an assistant to check.... :oops::oops:...so my good intentions went out of the window with my. 2 items when I had to wait anyway for not buying a carrier bag
 
I dreaded shopping for groceries till they put in the self check-outs. Much faster and I don't have to stand in a line. Standing in place is very painful for me. Much better shopping experience for me. In my store you can always go to a check-out with a clerk if you choose.
 
katlupe said:
I dreaded shopping for groceries till they put in the self check-outs. Much faster and I don't have to stand in a line. Standing in place is very painful for me. Much better shopping experience for me. In my store you can always go to a check-out with a clerk if you choose.
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In many of our supermarkets there is Still a queue for the self service checkouts...and the self checkout assistant is being called for help from every direction when the machine goes wrong...

2_JS209270933.jpg
 
Self checkout eliminates standing in a queue? Not here! There's always a queue waiting for the self checkouts, too. And waiting for the clerk who's running her legs off from one machine to the next.
 
hollydolly said:
In many of our supermarkets there is Still a queue for the self service checkouts...and the self checkout assistant is being called for help from every direction when the machine goes wrong...

2_JS209270933.jpg
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Well I live in a smaller area than you do for sure. Our store is never that crowded. Our self check-outs might have one or two people ahead of you at times but not much of a wait. I can check out real fast and when I first started doing it I thought of it as a game to be faster each time.
 
Georgiagranny said:
Self checkout eliminates standing in a queue? Not here! There's always a queue waiting for the self checkouts, too. And waiting for the clerk who's running her legs off from one machine to the next.
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It is not like that here at all. The clerk stands back in site of the machines but just watching unless someone needs help.
 
katlupe said:
Well I live in a smaller area than you do for sure. Our store is never that crowded. Our self check-outs might have one or two people ahead of you at times but not much of a wait. I can check out real fast and when I first started doing it I thought of it as a game to be faster each time.
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you're lucky.. given I don't live in the city.. our supermarkets still get very packed....

In the city the supermarkets are much smaller amazingly enough.. they tend to be 'express '' supermarkets which is basically what used to be called a Mini-mart,, but self service.. and mini versions of the Superstore supermarkets.. basically catering more to the commuting millions who are dashing in to pick up lunch or that night's dinner.. whereas in the suburbs.. in the towns, and even here in the semi rural countryside, the Supermarkets are large.. and have much more of a customer base..
 
katlupe said:
It is not like that here at all. The clerk stands back in site of the machines but just watching unless someone needs help.
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blimey they get paid for doing very little..unlike their counterparts here, who altho' not shovelling for coal...are at the beck and call of a customer every few seconds
 
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