topic Re: IN-STORE PRICE SCANNERS in Community Chat

IN-STORE PRICE SCANNERS

Tinkrbl44 — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 18:25:37 GMT

I happen to find in-store price scanners to be very helpful. Sometimes there is just no price label on the shelf, and sometimes I like to scan a generic and brand name product, to compare prices. It was once suggested to me to just take it to the register with my cart when checking out, and the cashier can tell me how much the item is. Unfortunately, when I'm checking out, there's no chance to be back in that aisle and compare the other choices and make another selection. At checkout, the only decisions are yea or nay.

I recently discovered that Walmart removed their scanners .... and was told they want customers to download their app, and can then check prices on their phones!

Okay, maybe that's one "solution" .... but IMO customers shouldn't have to provide their own equipment to be able to check prices in any store .... that's the RETAILERS' responsibility.

Plus .... I don't want to take up memory/space on my device with a bunch of store apps ... they are just clutter and my fevice space is valuable.

Just curious .... do you consider in-store price scanners to be a good tool that should be available .... or, are they just not that important?

Re: IN-STORE PRICE SCANNERS

deepwaterdotter — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 18:27:51 GMT

They were nice while they lasted.

Re: IN-STORE PRICE SCANNERS

mimomof4 — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 18:31:59 GMT

Honestly I have so many issues with them. Either they aren't working or you can't get the bar code to effectively be read. I really is easier for me to be able to scan on my phone.

i never noticed a price scanner at a walmart.

Re: IN-STORE PRICE SCANNERS

CrazyDaisy — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 18:42:08 GMT

I have used them and they are helpful. I would like to be able to do it from my phone. Will be able to check in the spot rather than walking to a scanner then back to the aisle to compare.

Re: IN-STORE PRICE SCANNERS

threecees — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 18:47:52 GMT

Stores should have one or more available. They are very helpful.

Not everyone has a phone with them and there are many items

around without a proper shelf tag.

It is a pain to have to ask someone for help when the scanners

were available for pricing.

Re: IN-STORE PRICE SCANNERS

Group 5 minus 1 — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 19:25:54 GMT

I also am a big fan of those,BUT sometimes they do not work.

Re: IN-STORE PRICE SCANNERS

Frontporchgal — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 19:36:47 GMT

Don't bother with the app. I added the WM app when they got rid of the scanners. The app is worthless as most of the time it doesn't read the bar code or it gives a message of "not a WM product" or names a different item than what I am trying to scan. I tried to scan the price of a Yankee candle and the app said "12 oz GV half & half". Have tried asking a WM associate to scan for me with their device and they roll their eyes and tell me to get the app......It happens so often I don't even use it anymore and avoid WM as much as possible. They are having more and more issues with credit card skimmers at self-checkout and since that is the only way I ever check out, it's not worth my time.
I was told by someone who used to work at WM that they got rid of the scanners because it would cause a big pile of discarded items to be left by the scanner when shoppers decided not to buy something...and it required another employee to restock everything. Even the in-store scanners don't work if they aren't maintained. I think many people don't check prices of what they are buying so it's not a priority for the store.

Re: IN-STORE PRICE SCANNERS

SloopJohnB — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 19:39:24 GMT

@Frontporchgal wrote:
Don't bother with the app. I added the WM app when they got rid of the scanners. The app is worthless as most of the time it doesn't read the bar code or it gives a message of "not a WM product" or names a different item than what I am trying to scan. I tried to scan the price of a Yankee candle and the app said "12 oz GV half & half". Have tried asking a WM associate to scan for me with their device and they roll their eyes and tell me to get the app......It happens so often I don't even use it anymore and avoid WM as much as possible. They are having more and more issues with credit card skimmers at self-checkout and since that is the only way I ever check out, it's not worth my time.
I was told by someone who used to work at WM that they got rid of the scanners because it would cause a big pile of discarded items to be left by the scanner when shoppers decided not to buy something...and it required another employee to restock everything. Even the in-store scanners don't work if they aren't maintained. I think many people don't check prices of what they are buying so it's not a priority for the store.

@Frontporchgal. " What she said" ⬆⬆⬆⬆. Exactly!

Re: IN-STORE PRICE SCANNERS

hippiechick7897 — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 19:44:17 GMT

The phone app scanning is much more helpful.

In store scanners are few and far between. They’re also frequently not working.

Then if you don’t want the item you have to go back to where you picked it up.

Doing it from your phone is way less fussy.

Edit- that's speaking from a Target app perspective. I'm not much of a Walmart shopper.

Re: IN-STORE PRICE SCANNERS

catter70 — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 20:30:06 GMT

I ,too, wish they would put scanners back in WM. I wish Wegman's would get them. The local Boscov's store in the mall has them and I use when needed.

Re: IN-STORE PRICE SCANNERS

chrystaltree — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 20:37:41 GMT

I have only used one two, maybe three times in my life.. And only to check a price on something expensive and I wanted to compare prices at other stores. Last summer for a window air conditioner at Wal-Mart.

Re: IN-STORE PRICE SCANNERS

Icegoddess — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 20:37:50 GMT

They're nice when you can find them and they work.

Re: IN-STORE PRICE SCANNERS

shoesnbags — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 21:25:42 GMT

@SloopJohnB wrote:
@Frontporchgal wrote:
Don't bother with the app. I added the WM app when they got rid of the scanners. The app is worthless as most of the time it doesn't read the bar code or it gives a message of "not a WM product" or names a different item than what I am trying to scan. I tried to scan the price of a Yankee candle and the app said "12 oz GV half & half". Have tried asking a WM associate to scan for me with their device and they roll their eyes and tell me to get the app......It happens so often I don't even use it anymore and avoid WM as much as possible. They are having more and more issues with credit card skimmers at self-checkout and since that is the only way I ever check out, it's not worth my time.
I was told by someone who used to work at WM that they got rid of the scanners because it would cause a big pile of discarded items to be left by the scanner when shoppers decided not to buy something...and it required another employee to restock everything. Even the in-store scanners don't work if they aren't maintained. I think many people don't check prices of what they are buying so it's not a priority for the store.
@Frontporchgal. " What she said" ⬆⬆⬆⬆. Exactly!

@SloopJohnB @Frontporchgal

I'm surprised to read this because I've had really good luck using the Walmart app for pricing. I don't use it a lot, but when I do, the right product always pops up. Sorry to hear it doesn't work for you.

The thing I use the app for most when I'm in the store is to find where an item is located. Saves so much time instead of wandering around searching.

Re: IN-STORE PRICE SCANNERS

scatcat — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 22:09:25 GMT

I use them at Target and at the grocery store.

I rarely shop at Walmart but last time I was there I asked about the scanners and was told they were redecorating and took them down. I guess I was lied to.

I rarely use coupons but had a $5 off coupon for CeraVe sunscreen. The cashier had to call a manager to ok the coupon because it was $5. It took quite awhile and that is one of about 20 reasons why I rarely shop there.

Re: IN-STORE PRICE SCANNERS

Spurt — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 23:10:10 GMT

Wal-Mart is becoming less and less customer friendly
They have always been a last resort for me even for online shopping.

Re: IN-STORE PRICE SCANNERS

Stray — Sat, 10 Jul 2021 20:20:21 GMT

I don’t shop Walmart but my local super market has put in self service checkout stations. We shop early am so it isn’t crowded and there is no “person” checkout. It took us forever especially with produce. I absolutely hate it and I don’t see the two checkout ladies who worked during the entire pandemic. There are no rules posted but there is a very nice lady who is there to help but everyone needed help.

Re: IN-STORE PRICE SCANNERS

sunshine 919 — Sat, 10 Jul 2021 20:44:47 GMT

Yes they should stay in the store. I remember asking a staff member about the scanners and they told me the same thing, download an app!!!??? why do they think everyone carries their phone around to look up prices. It is very difficult to find a staff memeber to help you at Walmart so the scanners were a great tool

Re: IN-STORE PRICE SCANNERS

Sage04 — Sat, 10 Jul 2021 21:54:45 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
I happen to find in-store price scanners to be very helpful. Sometimes there is just no price label on the shelf, and sometimes I like to scan a generic and brand name product, to compare prices. It was once suggested to me to just take it to the register with my cart when checking out, and the cashier can tell me how much the item is. Unfortunately, when I'm checking out, there's no chance to be back in that aisle and compare the other choices and make another selection. At checkout, the only decisions are yea or nay.

I recently discovered that Walmart removed their scanners .... and was told they want customers to download their app, and can then check prices on their phones!

Okay, maybe that's one "solution" .... but IMO customers shouldn't have to provide their own equipment to be able to check prices in any store .... that's the RETAILERS' responsibility.

Plus .... I don't want to take up memory/space on my device with a bunch of store apps ... they are just clutter and my fevice space is valuable.

Just curious .... do you consider in-store price scanners to be a good tool that should be available .... or, are they just not that important?
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The three Walmarts around me all have scanners. The employees can also use their phones to give you the price and they are always happy to do so.

I love the price scanners.

Re: IN-STORE PRICE SCANNERS

Sage04 — Sat, 10 Jul 2021 22:47:50 GMT

By the way, any Walmarts in your area accepting only Cards for payment? For the past month only Cards were accepted because no cash was available. Don´t really understand it. Also Kroger (supermarket) is doing the same for now. I finally went to a cashier instead of self check out and used cash and instead of giving me back 76 cents in change he told me that they are out of change and it would be added to my Kroger store card and the next time I buy something there it will deduct that amount.

I did and it did. Hope things change soon. I always take my Debit Card with me but decided to stop using it so have been taking cash, but it´s not working at Walmart.

Re: IN-STORE PRICE SCANNERS

Spurt — Sun, 11 Jul 2021 15:11:06 GMT

@sunshine 919 wrote:
Yes they should stay in the store. I remember asking a staff member about the scanners and they told me the same thing, download an app!!!??? why do they think everyone carries their phone around to look up prices. It is very difficult to find a staff memeber to help you at Walmart so the scanners were a great tool

@sunshine 919

Meanwhile, dont know if this is the case at all stores, but if an employee at Target is walking around and notices a customer they approach you and ask if there's anything they can help you with---even if I am just browsing I appreciate that extra effort and that's what separates the poor service at Walmart versus Target and other stores who dont think its a bother to give good customer service!....

One time we were in the Pet Department at Walmart and my sister was checking out pet beds, she pulled out one that was on the bottom of the stack to check it out, and do you know a Walmart employee approached us and actually said, "I just got through arranging those, and they better be put back in order like I left them...." Can you believe the rudeness---but that's how their employees seem to be--always with an attitude--encountered rude cashiers (he said he was mad at the Manager)....others are fighting over who is supposed to be stocking and whose supposed to be at the Express Line, one cashier let a cute young guy cut in line even....SMH!!! This is why Walmart is a LAST RESORT for me...