this post was submitted on 01 Dec 2023
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I like self checkout as an option, almost everywhere.
I DON'T like REQUIRED self checkout.
This really is it. I managed a grocery store for years, and the problem these companies have is thinking that the self checkout can replace too many cashiers. Note that it can take the place of 1 or 2, but really, the boon of the self checkout is to really function as the best express lane ever. It should take the heat off your normal cashiers and provide an option best suited for quick purchases under 10 items.
But what ends up happening is schedulers drop their usual front end down from 4 cashiers to 1 and a self checkout host and completely nullify any gains their customers would have gotten from the enhanced service options. People really do like self checkouts but resent the hell out of being forced to use them as a blatant cash grab.
I will put one other mistake in there, is self checkouts with too many prompts. I avoid using self checkout at a few stores because the minimum number of prompts is higher than 3.
Good: scanning starts the process, select done AT MOST asks for how many bags, then payment type, swipe and pay (optional email receipt on pin pad).
Bad: Cant' start till you tap start, asks for member ship card up front, asks if you want to donate, scan, asks if you want to use your rewards, asks for number of bags, also would you like an email receipt?
You missed incessant “place your item in the bagging area” and failing/requiring “assistance” if you scan too fast.
Ya and some of them will let you put your own bags in the bagging area in the start so you can fill your bags as you scan, while others do not.
What I find works pretty well is to have the bag ready and put the first item into it and then set it down on the bAgGiNg ArEa together
Scanned orange juice bottle "wrong item weight. Please wait for assistance." Yes I have actually encountered this. :(
Do you have the overhead camera that tries to detect theft, and vaults your scanning to have an employee come over and review the footage before you can continue scanning? That’s my favorite.
so glad walmart here turned off the bagging scales. you can just take the wireless 'gun' and 'shoot' everything in your cart and toss 'em into your reusable bags as you go.
One cool thing I've found is that you can scan your card on the reader at any time.
I walk up to the machine, scan my first item, tap my card, then do the rest of my scanning. When I hit "done"/"pay" it just processes the card and prints a receipt
That trick likely only works on specific brands of these self checkout terminals.
It isn’t brand, it’s how the company had them configured to work.
My favorite kind is where you just get a scanner when you walk into the store. Scan stuff when you put it in your bag, scan the scanner at the end, pay and leave. No futzing about moving stuff from cart to bags or anything like that, and it's way more convenient to use my own bags because I'm loading them as I go, instead of being rushed at the very end.