One Checkout Line In Walmart, Is This a Trend?

HazyDavey

HazyDavey

Western Exposure
Location
Northern California
Mrs. Hazy and I went down to our local Walmart Superstore yesterday. When it came time to find a checkout line we found only one, with one lonely checker working there. I gazed out into the massive sea of empty checkout stations thinking there must be another one open somewhere. But I saw nothing, except the self-checkout stations were open.

This was at 10:33 in the morning. I've been there before when there were only two checkout lines open, but this was the first time when there was just one.

It felt kind of strange, I'm in this huge massive store, standing in the one and only checkout line that's open.

Has this happened to anybody else? Is Walmart putting the squeeze on checkers?
 

HazyDavey said:
It felt kind of strange, I'm in this huge massive store, standing in the one and only checkout line that's open.
Has this happened to anybody else? Is Walmart putting the squeeze on checkers?
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If I'd have to guess, I'd say that they're trying really hard to force everyone to use the self-checkouts. Not I, though. šŸ¤­ I got so used to curbside pickup and loving it in early 2020 because of Covid restrictions that I still do it. Just picked up an order this morning... filled the cart online last night, chose an 8 a.m. pickup this morning and there is was waiting for me. I don't see any reason I'd go back to the other way.
 
Our WM is having so many problems with theft that Iā€™ve seen a few more cashiers open. Theyā€™ve decreased the number of self-checkouts open because they need more attendants to watch as folks use them.
 

HazyDavey said:
I gazed out into the massive sea of empty checkout stations thinking there must be another one open somewhere. But I saw nothing, except the self-checkout stations were open.
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Those check out stations work 24/7 no breaks, no vacations, no wages, no health care benefits. When they do need service/repair one tech probably on call is a minimal cost.

Finding a way to lower costs began way back with Henry Ford using a production line. I used to think the Jetsons cartoons were funny when robotics were doing all kinds of labor. Some of that is common & in use now.
 
We started using the walmart+ delivery about two years ago, and now it is even better because of the lack of cashiers. Our walmarts changed over their cashier stands to more self-checkouts, and so did our Samā€™s Club store. Either one usually has only one cashier open, making it a shopping event that takes longer to stand in line and check out than to actually do the shopping.

The only issue that I have with delivery service is that they consistantly choose the smallest possible item when it comes to fresh fruit and veggies. I have gotten a head of cauliflower that was barely larger than an orange, and certainly no larger than a grapefruit, once you peeled off the leaves.
Sometimes, we stop at Aldiā€™s if we are driving near there, and I can pick out fresh veggies myself.

As long as the item is in a can or package of some kind, then the walmart delivery is great, because any one that they pick up is the same as all of the rest. I am sure that they have lost in-store shoppers because of this decision to go to self-checkout.
 
Happyflowerlady said:
As long as the item is in a can or package of some kind, then the walmart delivery is great, because any one that they pick up is the same as all of the rest. I am sure that they have lost in-store shoppers because of this decision to go to self-checkout.
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I have wanted to try Walmart+ since they started it, but one thing always stopped me... will they put the groceries on the porch when I'm not here, or do they need to physically deliver inside? This is a very safe area and my neighbors are great watchdogs :giggle: but I'm thinking they wouldn't be allowed to just drop grocery bags on the porch like Amazon or UPS does... is that right, @Happyflowerlady ?
 
You can let them know what to do with the groceries, @CallMeKate . I only order grocery delivery when I know that i will be home, but if you are not home, then they can leave the groceries on your porch if you ask them to do that.
They let me know when the order is on the way, and that it has been delivered, plus they take a picture of where they leave it. My husband goes out to the car and meets them, and he carries our groceries inside.

There are extra benefits to Walmart+, like a discount on fuel at Walmarts that have gas stations, free shipping on most items that have to be shipped, free Paramount+ movies, some travel services, and more that i do not use or remember.
If a person is low-income, then they have WalmartAssist+, which is about half the price of the regular cost, but still has all of the benefits; just like the Amazon discount Prime membership has all the benefits of regular Prime membership.
 
Several Walmarts in my county of 2 million plus. The W Neighborhood Market I frequent indeed usually just has one clerk lane usually open unless they see the self-checkout lines too backed up. Our Superstores are usually so crowded that there are also usually several clerk lanes open also. Self checkouts work efficiently for me and pay with a credit card.
 
I like self checkout but the number of checkouts with an actual cashier is getting out of hand. I was surprised to see 2 open the other day at Walmart. Some don't want to use self checkout like my stepfather. He's never used it and says he doesn't understand it. One seems to be the norm now.

Ever watch this vintage Kmart video? 1992. Actual people. Long before cell phones, they knew they were being filmed but it's a customer service that seems gone. The credit cards, the license numbers on checks!
 
Remy said:
I like self checkout but the number of checkouts with an actual cashier is getting out of hand. I was surprised to see 2 open the other day at Walmart. Some don't want to use self checkout like my stepfather. He's never used it and says he doesn't understand it. One seems to be the norm now.

Ever watch this vintage Kmart video? 1992. Actual people. Long before cell phones, they knew they were being filmed but it's a customer service that seems gone. The credit cards, the license numbers on checks!
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I really like self check out. The less people I have to deal with the better. Plus I like packaging my own groceries. There are many people who prefer self check outs.

Maybe some employees didnā€™t show up.
Iā€™ve never been into a Walmart with less than 3 cashiers. I doubt it was intentional.
 
Uh huh Self Checkout with very rude customers standing in line expecting you just move along while your looking up Cabbages.
It gonna get better when it Ai above the Till looking down and scanning forever. Haha sure it s great, next you get to stock the shelves.

Back when people actually checked out with Cashiers there was Socializing to pass the weary time. Sure, some were grouches.
 
I had to pick up a prescription today at Walmart. It was getting late and I was in a hurry. They allow you to check out 5 items along with your medication. I pared my list down to 5 to avoid those lines at self check-out or the single full service line. They can't accept anything that needs weighing so I bought a container of mushrooms for my token fresh vegetable.
 
I was at Walmart today about the same time as the OP. They might have had two check out lanes open. I don't even look at self check out lanes unless I see a sign that say's I get 25% off for doing someone's job. At any rate I am sure on Friday evenings they have a lot of lanes open, but I will not be in the store at that time....
 
PeppermintPatty said:
I really like self check out. The less people I have to deal with the better. Plus I like packaging my own groceries. There are many people who prefer self check outs.
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I do too. I understand the argument of jobs and I guess it's valid. But I've had the worst issues with check out and bagging at the grocery stores around here that cost more like Safeway and Raley's. Grocery Outlet and WINCO Foods I find better. WINCO is bag your own groceries only.

I've had baggers put cans on tomatoes and when I asked a bagger once to put all the cold items together, I got a snippy toned reply "That's what I was going to do." Had that been me, I would of replied "I sure will" or "certainly" After that I didn't say anything. I'd go to the side and rearrange my bags.

I've also taken several bags to Trader Joe's and they cram everything in one. I like my bags packed light and I don't think these young guys get it.
 
jujube said:
Our Walmart went to mostly self-checkout, then back to mostly cashier lines and now to a hybrid model where everybody gets in one line and then can opt for self check or cashier when they get to the front.

It seems to be working....
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Does this mean someone with only 3 or 4 items has to stand in that same line as the people with full carts? I want to go directly to the express self-checkout.
 
Remy said:
I do too. I understand the argument of jobs and I guess it's valid. But I've had the worst issues with check out and bagging at the grocery stores around here that cost more like Safeway and Raley's. Grocery Outlet and WINCO Foods I find better. WINCO is bag your own groceries only.

I've had baggers put cans on tomatoes and when I asked a bagger once to put all the cold items together, I got a snippy toned reply "That's what I was going to do." Had that been me, I would of replied "I sure will" or "certainly" After that I didn't say anything. I'd go to the side and rearrange my bags.

I've also taken several bags to Trader Joe's and they cram everything in one. I like my bags packed light and I don't think these young guys get it.
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Bagging your own, you get to do it to your own preferences. I also put all the cold items in the same bag. Frozen stuff in another bag; canned and packaged things in another bag.
We also donā€™t have to deal with other personalities. Iā€™ve got my own issues to deal with and donā€™t need to deal with anyone elseā€™s.
 
I was in a very large supermarket in Lisbon. Easily the size of a Costco, perhaps bigger, but food and food preparation items only.

It had one huge line that ran parrallel to the line of checkout registers. At you reached the #1 position, a sign lit up and told which register was open for you to pay for your groceries. IIRC, there were about 40 registers and most were open. The 100+ foot line was very fast. All the checkers were human beings, no self checkout. As in most of Europe, you bring your own bag or buy one for 10Ā¢.
 
I like to use self checkout if I only have a few items. However, using SC when I have a full cart is very frustrating and time consuming, If SC became the norm, I would load up a cart with expensive non perishable items then park the cart near the checkouts and leave the store. Between the increasing lack of checkout clerks, and the aisles being clogged with employees fulfilling online purchases, shopping at some Walmart stores is becoming a PITA.
 
HazyDavey said:
Mrs. Hazy and I went down to our local Walmart Superstore yesterday. When it came time to find a checkout line we found only one, with one lonely checker working there. I gazed out into the massive sea of empty checkout stations thinking there must be another one open somewhere. But I saw nothing, except the self-checkout stations were open.

This was at 10:33 in the morning. I've been there before when there were only two checkout lines open, but this was the first time when there was just one.

It felt kind of strange, I'm in this huge massive store, standing in the one and only checkout line that's open.

Has this happened to anybody else? Is Walmart putting the squeeze on checkers?
Click to expand...
They are happy to lay off checkers and let you do the job of the layed off checkers. You don't get paid to be the checker, not even a % off for doing the checkers job.
 

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