Self checkout - Good or Bad

T

TennVet

Member
I'm usually in a hurry when I'm buying things on our shopping list, and that's why I opt for self checkout. I know there is an argument that is a job killer, business will do what it takes to manage cost. Today I saw an article about a major retailer opting to limit or suspend self checkout in certain locations. I'm sure it is related to some level of cheating the system. I am willing to pay for my selections with or without manned checkout. If I fail to scan an item it truly a mistake on my part and not intentional.

I resent two things in this discussion. First of all it really irritates me that I may be asked to present my receipt to have it checked. I walked through the store and located every single item. I place it in a cart, then I scan each item, then I bag it, then I put it back in the cart to move to my car, and finally put it in the car. All of those steps used to be part of customer service. Second, if there is a reason to limit self checkout's convenience it will be imposed upon us by those who are going to try to cheat the system anyway. I venture to say that it is again a case of the honest penalized by the dishonest every time.
 

If self-checkout disappeared, I’d be upset. When it first started, I refused to use it, because of the staffing. I usually just buy a few items, so doing it myself is easier. The final straw was a rude cashier, twice. Decided I didn’t need that aggravation. Unless I have a huge cart full, I do it myself.

The thieves certainly have become adept at stealing so I can understand them asking for receipts. I don’t see it often. It’s not like Costco.
 
Self checkouts are being removed from many supermarkets here. It's been a disaster for many reasons.....but the numero uno reason the supermarkets are removing them, is not from Customer pressure, altho' that's a major factor.. it's because of the Unmitigated levels of Theft , and the supermarkets despite putting many things in place to try to reduce the theft at self checkouts cannot control it...!
 

hollydolly said:
Self checkouts are being removed from many supermarkets here. It's been a disaster for many reasons.....but the numero uno reason the supermarkets are removing them, is not from Customer pressure, altho' that's a major factor.. it's because of the Unmitigated levels of Theft , and the supermarkets despite putting many things in place to try to reduce the theft at self checkouts cannot control it...!
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Isn't true that the innocent or honest usually pay price for those who are dishonest and guilty. Along with that is the fact that the merchant will then be forced to pass the cost savings lost back to the honest customer anyway. At the same time the thief will just look for another way to beat the system. I wonder if things would have been any better if Eve hadn't eaten that apple?
 
I have read several articles lately that retailers are considering removing or at least limiting the number of self checkouts due to theft.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/13/business/self-checkout-stores-shopping/index.html

I have a long time friend who just retired as a store manager of a Walmart after working for the company for over thirty years so she did see a lot of changes. She said someone has to monitor each row of self checkouts (they can see what the customer scans on their phones and stop a transaction at anytime if something seems suspicious) and that is a huge pita.

She doubts that Walmart will ever fully remove self checkouts because hours given by the the corporate office is tight and with the growth of online shopping many of the hours that were once allocated for cashiers are now allocated for those working in the online order area and that is Walmart's main priority now.
 
hollydolly said:
Home delivery better.... !...altho' I prefer to choose my own shopping because I can get longer dates..

if only the home shoppers would choose longer sell by dates in the shop, I'd never enter another supermarket!
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I have never used curbside pickup. Can't argue the convenience in that. I enjoy looking at the merchandise and frequently choose something new, impulse buying I'm sure. However, it is really a hassle when the person filling a curbside order is blocking the aisle while talking on their phone or visiting with a fellow worker. Guess we find a fault in almost anything.
 
hollydolly said:
Home delivery better.... !...altho' I prefer to choose my own shopping because I can get longer dates..

if only the home shoppers would choose longer sell by dates in the shop, I'd never enter another supermarket!
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I mainly do pickup or home delivery now because many items, even in a supermarket, are locked up now and it takes forever for someone to come and unlock the case. Razor blades are the main culprit for me. When I do need fresh items I will run in to the store to shop for those items.
 
Gary O' said:

Self checkout - Good or Bad​


It has it's plusses and minuses

I'm just happy there's food still on the shelves
and
I can afford most of it
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I saw a comical comment about this subject. It seemed a shopper took up a position at the store's breakroom area. I guess he said he had the right to breaktime as well as the employees.
 
TennVet said:
I have never used curbside pickup. Can't argue the convenience in that. I enjoy looking at the merchandise and frequently choose something new, impulse buying I'm sure. However, it is really a hassle when the person filling a curbside order is blocking the aisle while talking on their phone or visiting with a fellow worker. Guess we find a fault in almost anything.
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...and of course the aisles are busy with the assistants pushing trolleys laden with Home shopping orders.. but I prefer to do my own shopping, and just thankful on the occasions when I can't , there is Home delivery...
 
Those workers who are doing the online orders are always blocking the aisles because those carts are so big ! I'm guessing they are on some time limit so they aren't the most helpful workers either. I can't blame them if they are under some time limit. Makes me wonder if in someway stores are preferring that people do shop online instead of in the stores.
 
Jules said:
I can’t understand this. A shopper in the store is going to pick up many more items than they originally planned on. Well, maybe not men, especially my husband.
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Not me ! I used to be like that when there were computer stores and book stores close by but when I go to a grocery store I am in and out as fast as possible !
 
MarkinPhx said:
I mainly do pickup or home delivery now because many items, even in a supermarket, are locked up now and it takes forever for someone to come and unlock the case. Razor blades are the main culprit for me. When I do need fresh items I will run in to the store to shop for those items.
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Our supermarkets don't lock anything up..altho' some are attaching security tags to expensive items..ie Baby milk.. Nappies ( Diapers)... Cheese, butter.. but they're not locked, the tags are removed at the checkout as you would alcohol or clothing..

However the smaller stores that are situated in most housing estates around the country.. they are having huge problems with Blatant theft ..just been happening relatively recently in the last year or so.., and having had their staff attacked for trying to prevent the thefts, have now advised their staff to let the thieves leave with the stock. They are the stores who are starting to lock things up behind cases.. like Razor blades, Alcohol.. Red meat...Baby Milk etc..

Look at this blatant theft from a small store..in this instance they were caught, but how many other stores are they doing this too .. how often.. and how many others of their ilk are doing the same..


it's happening everywhere...look at this woman she got a Television up her skirt...



this woman puts a whole crate of beer up her skirt..


 
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Self check outs are a god send to many, especially those with mental issues being around others. It’s very sad that dishonest people have taken that privilege away from others. Self check outs are now being eliminated due to dishonest people which is really sad. My heart literally rejoiced when self check outs became popular.
 
One time awhile back I did go through a self checkout and when I left the store I realized that I had forgotten to scan a bottle of shampoo. I went back to the clerk who was supervising the self check out and she told me not to worry about it but thanked me for letting her know. I would like to say that I placed my bags down, got back in line and paid for the shampoo but the truth is I was in a hurry and the lines were long so I shrugged my shoulders and left without paying for the shampoo.
 
MarkinPhx said:
One time awhile back I did go through a self checkout and when I left the store I realized that I had forgotten to scan a bottle of shampoo. I went back to the clerk who was supervising the self check out and she told me not to worry about it but thanked me for letting her know. I would like to say that I placed my bags down, got back in line and paid for the shampoo but the truth is I was in a hurry and the lines were long so I shrugged my shoulders and left without paying for the shampoo.
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I think pretty much most of us would have the done the same in the same circs
 
TennVet said:
Isn't true that the innocent or honest usually pay price for those who are dishonest and guilty. Along with that is the fact that the merchant will then be forced to pass the cost savings lost back to the honest customer anyway. At the same time the thief will just look for another way to beat the system. I wonder if things would have been any better if Eve hadn't eaten that apple?
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Eve was framed.
 
Don't at all blame supermarkets for dealing with theft issues as they may, even if that means a less pleasant retail experience.

The blame is squarely on our society that is not just those that steal but also the societal elites, corporations, and their puppet politicians that have caused such a non-functional wealth gap while ignoring illegal immigration, allowing myriad desperate, poorly educated, unskilled migrants for the myopic sake of their own wealth, that is racing our world towards a dystopian future.
 
I'll walk past cashiers to use the self checkout, I just prefer to do my own.

As for checking receipts as you leave that's mostly for unbagged items from what I've seen, like a couple of TVs in a shopping cart. I've never been asked to show a receipt walking out of a store with a bag or two.
 
Ten to fifteen items or less, self checkout.
I noticed something recently in Walmart. After the sale there is a customer survey, rate one to five. Haha haha rate WHAT customer service experience? You mean my own? I've picked up more clothes off the floor than most employees.
I've taken back many a basket left in a parking space. I get a FIVE! You don't!
 

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