Self Check-Out registers...

blackredyellow

The cutting in line thread made me think of this...

Does anyone like these things or think that they save time? The idea is perfect for someone like me (hates people, am technologically savvy, etc), but they frustrate the hell out of me and seem to take longer than dealing with a clerk.

Between the "item not placed in bagging area" error, and the delay when you select something, and it waits like 15 seconds to register your choice and you hit it again in the meantime screwing up everything, they are nothing but problems.

Cinnamon Girl

I only go to self check-outs if I have a few items and don't want to stand in line. They do take too long, and I have been a bag girl, so it's not my ability. Also, it kinda cuts down on jobs for these good cashiers, doesn't it?

norm

only time i've done it is at home depot and it works pretty well....i only do it for a few, smallish items....if i have a lot i'll use a regular checker

Hinn

I'm liking this after 4 weeks, though I'd much rather them getting rid of the plastic bags, remove the bagging area thing, and save this only for people who only shop with bags they brought along themselves. Greater incentive towards cutting down plastic bag use by reducing time spent queueing among those who don't take plastic bags.

CJMST3K

i use it all the time.


also, when I went to Florida earlier this year I took my mom to a movie. We get on the long line to buy tickets. I say "mom, I'll be right back". I walk in the front doors, use a computer ticket machine, walk out with tickets and tell my mom to get out of line and follow me inside. She was surprised...

I had never been to that movie theater before but I assumed one was there. My mom said "I had no idea that computer ticketing was there" and I said something like "well, it's Florida... most old people don't". She had a big laugh and told her friends.

rival.

i love using them. i zip through the process and am out in no time. the only pain in the ass is when i am buying beer, you have to walk up to the attendant who is at a separate station and give him your ID... holds up the process a little bit, but whatever.

my pet peeve is watching senior citizens try and do self check out. so many times i have seen fragile 90 year olds trying to figure it out. more than half the time they can't even see where the barcode is! why are you on the self check out line lady!?

dcfaithful

As much as I like using these I try to avoid it, even if I do have like 5 items.

It's a machine, and in my mind it's taking a job...something that aren't as easy to get now days. I just liek to go through a living cashier because it gives them a job to do. It's funny when people complain about jobs being outsourced but at the same time they're okay with machines doing a job that is completely capable of being handled by a human being.

Heineken Helen

dcfaithful wrote:

As much as I like using these I try to avoid it, even if I do have like 5 items.

It's a machine, and in my mind it's taking a job...something that aren't as easy to get now days. I just liek to go through a living cashier because it gives them a job to do. It's funny when people complain about jobs being outsourced but at the same time they're okay with machines doing a job that is completely capable of being handled by a human being.

I agree completely and I've been forgetting about this recently and using the self register... but this thread has reminded me to give people work to do so thank you

chiquimonkey

i use them if i only have a few things and am in a hurry, but if i have a bunch of stuff i always go thru the cashier. i agree, i feel bad that it takes a job away from a person.

CJMST3K

Heineken Helen wrote:

dcfaithful wrote:

As much as I like using these I try to avoid it, even if I do have like 5 items.

It's a machine, and in my mind it's taking a job...something that aren't as easy to get now days. I just liek to go through a living cashier because it gives them a job to do. It's funny when people complain about jobs being outsourced but at the same time they're okay with machines doing a job that is completely capable of being handled by a human being.

I agree completely and I've been forgetting about this recently and using the self register... but this thread has reminded me to give people work to do so thank you

what about the telephone operators who lost their job when things went digital many, many years ago? I think there's a lifespan where a job is eventually no longer needed, because things progressed so far. I don't think we're there yet at grocery stores, but eventually we will be there.

If it's quicker to go thru self-checkout, I'm there. If it's quicker to go thru a cashier, I'm there. It's all a matter of efficiency. If the line is so busy with a cashier, then their job is safe because they are so busy, and with a clear conscience I can use the self checkout. If the line is just moving slow, then the cashier shouldn't have their job, and again I can use the self checkout with a clear conscience. And if the cashier is empty, I'm glad to use 'em.

...I also on occasion buy from a soda machine, and sleep at night.

Heineken Helen

CJMST3K wrote:

what about the telephone operators who lost their job when things went digital many, many years ago? I think there's a lifespan where a job is eventually no longer needed, because things progressed so far. I don't think we're there yet at grocery stores, but eventually we will be there.

If it's quicker to go thru self-checkout, I'm there. If it's quicker to go thru a cashier, I'm there. It's all a matter of efficiency. If the line is so busy with a cashier, then their job is safe because they are so busy, and with a clear conscience I can use the self checkout. If the line is just moving slow, then the cashier shouldn't have their job, and again I can use the self checkout with a clear conscience. And if the cashier is empty, I'm glad to use 'em.

...I also on occasion buy from a soda machine, and sleep at night.

Telephone operators vanished not cos it was a better idea... but cos it was a cheaper idea... I'd MUCH rather speak to an operator than to go through all the choices... that drives me NUTS :evil: and then EVENTUALLY you get put through to somebody who can't understand a word you're saying :shock: it's infuriating... but ingenious... cos people are too lazy to write letters anymore so it means people find it harder to complain or cancel contracts. But not the same thing at all IMO.

CJMST3K

Heineken Helen wrote:

CJMST3K wrote:

what about the telephone operators who lost their job when things went digital many, many years ago? I think there's a lifespan where a job is eventually no longer needed, because things progressed so far. I don't think we're there yet at grocery stores, but eventually we will be there.

If it's quicker to go thru self-checkout, I'm there. If it's quicker to go thru a cashier, I'm there. It's all a matter of efficiency. If the line is so busy with a cashier, then their job is safe because they are so busy, and with a clear conscience I can use the self checkout. If the line is just moving slow, then the cashier shouldn't have their job, and again I can use the self checkout with a clear conscience. And if the cashier is empty, I'm glad to use 'em.

...I also on occasion buy from a soda machine, and sleep at night.

Telephone operators vanished not cos it was a better idea... but cos it was a cheaper idea... I'd MUCH rather speak to an operator than to go through all the choices... that drives me NUTS :evil: and then EVENTUALLY you get put through to somebody who can't understand a word you're saying :shock: it's infuriating... but ingenious... cos people are too lazy to write letters anymore so it means people find it harder to complain or cancel contracts. But not the same thing at all IMO.

But you bring up a great point. If with a push of a number on your keypad you could get EXACTLY what you wanted on the phone in a heart-beat, and if a human operator took quite a while longer, which would you choose?

Heineken Helen

CJMST3K wrote:

But you bring up a great point. If with a push of a number on your keypad you could get EXACTLY what you wanted on the phone in a heart-beat, and if a human operator took quite a while longer, which would you choose?

It will never happen... cos they don't WANT you to get through to the person you're trying to reach... if you want to contact sales, somebody answers the phone straight away

dcfaithful

CJMST3K wrote:

Heineken Helen wrote:

dcfaithful wrote:

As much as I like using these I try to avoid it, even if I do have like 5 items.

It's a machine, and in my mind it's taking a job...something that aren't as easy to get now days. I just liek to go through a living cashier because it gives them a job to do. It's funny when people complain about jobs being outsourced but at the same time they're okay with machines doing a job that is completely capable of being handled by a human being.

I agree completely and I've been forgetting about this recently and using the self register... but this thread has reminded me to give people work to do so thank you

what about the telephone operators who lost their job when things went digital many, many years ago? I think there's a lifespan where a job is eventually no longer needed, because things progressed so far. I don't think we're there yet at grocery stores, but eventually we will be there.

If it's quicker to go thru self-checkout, I'm there. If it's quicker to go thru a cashier, I'm there. It's all a matter of efficiency. If the line is so busy with a cashier, then their job is safe because they are so busy, and with a clear conscience I can use the self checkout. If the line is just moving slow, then the cashier shouldn't have their job, and again I can use the self checkout with a clear conscience. And if the cashier is empty, I'm glad to use 'em.

...I also on occasion buy from a soda machine, and sleep at night.

yeah, but it takes a working human to fill that soda machine.

I have to disagree too...if the line is moving slow,d oes that really mean that the person should lose their job? You must have an awesome job if you've never had a stressful day where things get overwhelming or you just can't keep up. Humans aren't perfect, and we've lived with those imperfections thus far, why does everythign need to be 100% perfect now? Especially in a super-market. Plus, I guess I'm just never in so much of a hurry that I need to ahve a machine check me out. Usually that machien takes longer than the competent person at the other register anyways.

As for the operators...is it really better to talk to a computer that may not be able to udnerstand you or what you want as opposed to a person with a brain...maybe I'm just a people person, but I don't feel like I need a digital or technical device assisting me in every aspect of my life...I like dealing with people.

Sorry, didn't mean to start a debate.

CJMST3K

Heineken Helen wrote:

CJMST3K wrote:

But you bring up a great point. If with a push of a number on your keypad you could get EXACTLY what you wanted on the phone in a heart-beat, and if a human operator took quite a while longer, which would you choose?

It will never happen... cos they don't WANT you to get through to the person you're trying to reach... if you want to contact sales, somebody answers the phone straight away

I'm not disagreeing with ya Helen. But my question still stands... If with a push of a button you could get EXACTLY what you wanted on the phone in a heart-beat, and if a human operator took quite a while longer, which would you choose?

dcfaithful

CJMST3K wrote:

Heineken Helen wrote:

CJMST3K wrote:

But you bring up a great point. If with a push of a number on your keypad you could get EXACTLY what you wanted on the phone in a heart-beat, and if a human operator took quite a while longer, which would you choose?

It will never happen... cos they don't WANT you to get through to the person you're trying to reach... if you want to contact sales, somebody answers the phone straight away

I'm not disagreeing with ya Helen. But my question still stands... If with a push of a button you could get EXACTLY what you wanted on the phone in a heart-beat, and if a human operator took quite a while longer, which would you choose?

If there is a keypad with that many buttons, I'd like to see it

Drowned Out

Anyone ever try using one of these with more than just a few items?
....big mistake.
I noticed onewith no lineup when buying groceries a while back, and all the cashiers were lined up....
I had quite a bit of stuff, but there is no 'item limit' sign, so I didn't think much of it...
I start checking everything out, and once the first two bags were full, I realized there is no conveyor to load my stuff on...and you get that fucking 'item removed from bagging error' every time you try to make room in the bagging area...if you try to put it back in your cart directly, you get the 'please place item in bagging area' error...plus, then you have bags of scanned stuff mixed in with items you haven't scanned...it was a fucking GONG SHOW...I had full bags of groceries all over the floor n shit...the lineup was growing, I was getting redder by the second. I walked out without paying for a pork roast by accident, but I was so pissed and embarassed about the hassle that I didn't go back in.
That's another thing I don't get....a dishonest person could shoplift sooooo easily using those things. No one ever actually checks your receipt.

Heineken Helen

CJMST3K wrote:

Heineken Helen wrote:

CJMST3K wrote:

But you bring up a great point. If with a push of a number on your keypad you could get EXACTLY what you wanted on the phone in a heart-beat, and if a human operator took quite a while longer, which would you choose?

It will never happen... cos they don't WANT you to get through to the person you're trying to reach... if you want to contact sales, somebody answers the phone straight away

I'm not disagreeing with ya Helen. But my question still stands... If with a push of a button you could get EXACTLY what you wanted on the phone in a heart-beat, and if a human operator took quite a while longer, which would you choose?

:oops: Nope... usually when I call, I'm looking for info or something that's not available on the website... something that I specifically need to talk to somebody about (very rare lol, but I wanna talk to SOMEBODY ) I don't like technology and I don't like machines... and I've a feeling I'm not the only one

Where's the button to speak to a human being? :shock:

dcfaithful

Heineken Helen wrote:

:oops: Nope... usually when I call, I'm looking for info or something that's not available on the website... something that I specifically need to talk to somebody about (very rare lol, but I wanna talk to SOMEBODY ) I don't like technology and I don't like machines... and I've a feeling I'm not the only one

Where's the button to speak to a human being? :shock:

You're feeling is quite right, Helen

ValleyGal

As much as I hate the error messages for using your own reusable bags (they're too heavy) and for removing your bags when full - these darn machines can be pretty handy. Home Depot is my favorite place to use these little suckers so I can get in and out of the store without losing half of my day

It does suck that someone loses their job checking groceries, but at the same time new jobs are created for people who manufacture, install and maintain these things - so keep that in mind next time you think about bypassing the self checkouts in favor of long line ups just so someone can keep their job.

dcfaithful

ValleyGal wrote:

As much as I hate the error messages for using your own reusable bags (they're too heavy) and for removing your bags when full - these darn machines can be pretty handy. Home Depot is my favorite place to use these little suckers so I can get in and out of the store without losing half of my day

It does suck that someone loses their job checking groceries, but at the same time new jobs are created for people who manufacture, install and maintain these things - so keep that in mind next time you think about bypassing the self checkouts in favor of long line ups just so someone can keep their job.

i think you've made the best contradictory point to my original statement. Thanks

mca47

I'll go to them if a) I have a few things and b) I have little produce.

CJMST3K

ValleyGal wrote:

It does suck that someone loses their job checking groceries, but at the same time new jobs are created for people who manufacture, install and maintain these things - so keep that in mind next time you think about bypassing the self checkouts in favor of long line ups just so someone can keep their job.

And it doesn't necessarily make someone "lose their job". They'll just not hire an additional person as people leave. I don't think I've seen a checkout person at a register for longer than 2 years, and I go to the grocery store 4 or 5 days a week.

gobrowns19

I like the self checkouts. Yeah the error things are annoying as hell, and no matter how hard I try to weigh fruit it never, EVER get's it right. 2 lbs always comes out to half a pound.

The nicest thing though is buying something that is just awkward to buy from a person, like condoms or something.

decides2dream

ValleyGal wrote:

As much as I hate the error messages for using your own reusable bags (they're too heavy) and for removing your bags when full - these darn machines can be pretty handy. Home Depot is my favorite place to use these little suckers so I can get in and out of the store without losing half of my day

It does suck that someone loses their job checking groceries, but at the same time new jobs are created for people who manufacture, install and maintain these things - so keep that in mind next time you think about bypassing the self checkouts in favor of long line ups just so someone can keep their job.

good post!
and that's how it goes...with all things, in all industries.......things change.



i LOVE the self-checkouts, think they are awesome!!! only places we seem to have em in home depot and ikea...and i've used em in both places, no complaints! i just *always* make sure whatever items i am buying have a UPC/SKU bar code thingy on em, and good to go! we just recently were at home depot and i did accidently put my purse down on the bagging area and got a stern message, haha.....but otherwise, so quick and convenient! it's like the banks.....i faaaaaarrrrrrr prefer using an ATM as apposed to going into the bank waiting on the line and being served by a teller. love, love, love ATMs. and sure, one can look at the technology as taking away jobs, but as you mention....many other jobs get created in the interim.


oh, and to get to speak to a real live person when calling for service, 95% of the time you wait thru the first message and simply press "0" and you get a person - viola! at least that's how it works most of the time here.

know1

I like them, but I don't think they should allow cash transactions.

Wobbie

norm wrote:

only time i've done it is at home depot and it works pretty well....

Your average 130,000 sq. ft Home Depot now employs about 10 people at any given time.

chime

I self-check at my supermarket .... you pick up a scanner as you go in that you can put on the trolley (cart for our American friends ) and then you just scan each item as you pick it off the shelf as you go around and then there is a pay point on the way out so no 'bagging errors' etc. Works really well

cornnifer

Has anyone ever "accidentally" not scanned one of their smaller items at the self check-out? Be honest. I "forgot" to scan a birthday card once.

mca47

cornnifer wrote:

Has anyone ever "accidentally" not scanned one of their smaller items at the self check-out? Be honest. I "forgot" to scan a birthday card once.

I've entered in wrong produce codes before accidentally and rather than going back, clearing it out, then re-entering the right code...I just scanned my next item.

Oops.

justam

blackredyellow wrote:

The cutting in line thread made me think of this...

Does anyone like these things or think that they save time? The idea is perfect for someone like me (hates people, am technologically savvy, etc), but they frustrate the hell out of me and seem to take longer than dealing with a clerk.

Between the "item not placed in bagging area" error, and the delay when you select something, and it waits like 15 seconds to register your choice and you hit it again in the meantime screwing up everything, they are nothing but problems.

I don't mind doing the check-out myself, but I actually prefer a good, friendly checker to a sterile machine.