Annoyed at the self checkout

**Kazoo** · 04-14-2009, 12:12 PM

I use self-checkout only if I have a very simple transaction (just a few items, nothing needing weighing, nothing on sale, and definitely no coupons) AND there is a line at staffed checkout lanes. The machines just don't handle the complex stuff well.

I agree that the ones at Home Depot are especially annoying. They really try to micromanage. My favorite point is where you are trying to claim your receipt, put your credit card and receipt away, and pick up bulky packages (now in bags that are breaking because they are so thin), and the thing is screeching at you PLEASE REMOVE YOUR ITEMS!

**Thevail** · 04-14-2009, 06:25 PM

I have a moral dilemma with self check out. One of local grocery stores put in self-checkouts, cool!

Then they fired six cashiers...didn't need them anymore, people are checking out their own groceries...NOT cool..

Sure, the cashiers they got rid of were mostly college kids who worked there part time and didn't get benefits anyway, but jeez, those kids were trying to be responsible people and have a job. Now there's no more job to have.

I can't help wondering if their poor parents are having to kick in the difference now? Or if one or more of those kids had to drop out because they couldn't afford to go to college without a job to pay part of the expenses?

It just bugs my conscience too much.

**JustMegan79** · 04-15-2009, 09:57 AM

When I first began seeing the self checkouts around locally (had seen then when I was a kid and living in a big NJ city) I was enthralled by them, I suppose it was a novelty to me.

I've used them on occasion, if the other line(s) is long or something. But it seems that the likelihood (at least in my case) is high that something will go wrong with the machine and I will have to wait for a cashier to come over anyway, so I will usually just use the regular line.

**Sassyclass** · 04-15-2009, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by MarianneR

Every time I go to Meijer, there are employees there directing customers to the self-checkout. I figure, they are paying employees to scan groceries. When they pay me to scan my groceries, I will do it. Until then, there is really nothing in it for me. I guess I would spend less time standing in line, but it's a matter of principle.

My feelings on this exactly. My fiancee has tried to get me to use them before and I hate them. I asked him why should I fight a machine when the store is paying someone to stand over me while I'm checking out to tell me what I'm doing wrong? Wouldn't it be faster to just let that human being check me out? Makes no sense at all to me. If the cashiers don't want to do their job send them home and let someone who needs a job do it instead. JMTC

Cat

**fairydana** · 04-15-2009, 12:43 PM

Ok, I work at Walmart and we do have self check outs. I would rather go through the self check out than wait in line.

At my store we have a lot of trouble keeping cashiers, they work a few days then quit, or they call in all of the time. this leaves us really short handed. We have one cashier that watches 4 self check outs. So that does make things a little faster. They are there to help you! If you cant figure something out or if you are having problems that is what they are there for! Please ask them for help!

I have noticed that the self check outs are kind of screwy with coupons.

**frugal.lass** · 04-15-2009, 02:05 PM

I've noticed people mentioning that they won't use self-checkout lines because they're paying for the store to provide employees. My friend's dad owes a grocery store franchise in a chain that uses self-scan. They've been able to keep from hiking their prices up repeatedly BECAUSE of the self-scan (saves on staffing costs in their location). I can't speak for ALL grocery stores everywhere but in his location, no, the customers aren't getting paid to use self-scan vs. using a cashier BUT their grocery prices haven't gone up as much because of the customers using self-scan.

**miss_thrifty** · 04-16-2009, 08:49 AM

very rarely I use it. we only have it in Walmart. not in any of our grocery stores. And yes I know for sure They wouldnt accept coupons. So I never bother with them.

**MarianneR** · 04-22-2009, 10:37 PM

Thanks, frugal.lass, I never thought about it that way
1 I will probably still go to a cashier out of sheer laziness, but you've made me think about it differently. I wonder if grocery stores may someday be just like gas stations, in that everyone will be so used to self-service that full-service becomes a rarity.

**wunsagin** · 04-22-2009, 11:40 PM

Originally Posted by Thevail

I have a moral dilemma with self check out. One of local grocery stores put in self-checkouts, cool!

Then they fired six cashiers...didn't need them anymore, people are checking out their own groceries...NOT cool..

Sure, the cashiers they got rid of were mostly college kids who worked there part time and didn't get benefits anyway, but jeez, those kids were trying to be responsible people and have a job. Now there's no more job to have.

I can't help wondering if their poor parents are having to kick in the difference now? Or if one or more of those kids had to drop out because they couldn't afford to go to college without a job to pay part of the expenses?

It just bugs my conscience too much.

I agree. One less person with a job.

**Must-Stash** · 04-23-2009, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by tigo

I haven't done the self checkout at the grocery store yet (shopping for a large family - I spend the bulk of my time trying to get everything out of the cart and keep an eye on the scanner for prices). I loath the self check at Home Depot. I have yet to go in there and not have an issue when trying to use it so I don't even bother any more.

I was with DH at Home Depot when it kept refusing the $5 bill he put in. The cashier had to come and try. She went through several $5 bills she took from another register. None worked. Never again!

**geckoace** · 04-27-2009, 10:26 AM

personally i love self checkouts for alot of reasons but one of the main ones is people inability to bag my groceries without using a thousand plastic bags and then looking confused when i try to use reusables... but i digress

i once overwhelmed the self-checkout at giant with the number of coupons i had, apparently there was a maximum LOL so a checker came over and overrode the thing so i could use them all.... very helpful.

**C@rol** · 04-27-2009, 03:08 PM

At one of the larger chain grocery stores near us, their cashier's don't bag the groceries at all anymore. :ceek1: EVERYONE (even seniors) have to bag their own groceries.

I was shocked. But since I only picked up a few items it wasn't a problem that trip. But I will be avoiding large shopping trips there.

Have never tried the self-checkout. I think next time I will give it a try. Thanks to the poster who posted that they keep food prices down.
Though people do lose jobs.

**ritabelle** · 04-27-2009, 03:21 PM

I don't mind having the option of self-check -- I'll use it if I only have a couple of items and don't want to wait, etc. But what bugs me is when I go in (Home Depot is the worst) and there's no other option. There are literally no staffed checkouts open. I can't stand that.

**craftypam** · 04-27-2009, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by frugalwarrior

I like self checkout. If you go early in the morning and no one is in the store. I do'nt like to feel I'm holding anyone up. When I buy as much clearance as I do though the clerk does have to keep resetting it. The reason I like it is I can group my groceries how I want. Fruits and veg together. No fruit is ever under the canned good like when the young kids do it. I put all my heavy stuff at the bottom etc. The only time I go through the actual line is when I'm sick. I've gotten to know most of the people who work there anyway.Thinking about it I actually even have a favorite self checkout register-#4. I never thought of the change thing. thx.

Totally agree with you. I really like self checkouts. I go early in the morning when no one is in line; goes quick. I would rather just do it myself than waste my time in line. Its so easy.

**karone** · 04-28-2009, 12:08 AM

the other night when i was at meijers with my mom getting our groceries we used the self check out. i loved it b/c they were newer machines. the only problem we had was that the cashier had to over ride the computer to take a coupon my mom had. lol, i kept making it read the shipping bar code on one of the packs of pop. atleast it wasnt telling us to put something in a bag then take it out just to have to put it back in (thats what i hate about the other stores self checkout).