topic Re: Walmart going to all self check-outs? in Community Chat

Walmart going to all self check-outs?

Nataliesgramma — Wed, 19 May 2021 10:16:29 GMT

This is a rumour going around here in Ohio that starting June 1st they are going to ALL self check-outs.

I heard it from 2 different EMPLOYEES.

Just wondered if anyone else has heard about it in other areas?

Re: Walmart going to all self check-outs?

eadu4 — Wed, 19 May 2021 11:12:54 GMT

I seriously doubt that will ever happen. Walmart understands that there are technology challanged people, very very slow people, and those that would capitalize on the situation and attempt theft, If all the checkouts were self serve it would be hard to watch each one even with cameras. On top of people who still to this day are intimidated by having to use them. If they didn't do it at the very height of the pandemic they aren't going to do it now. They might make a few more aisles self check out since places are having a hard time hiring people but they will never go total automated. IF they could come up with a system that could detect and count the number of items in your cart then it might become a higher risk of an all self checkout store. Until they can verify the number of items in a cart, the risk of theft by self checkout is high. Even checking the receipt at the exit is no guarantee, unless they go item to item in the bags which defeats the whole self checkout thing.

Re: Walmart going to all self check-outs?

4kitties — Wed, 19 May 2021 10:25:32 GMT

I have not heard this, but I suspect it is true at one of the Walmarts in my area. They just redid the store and added two HUGE self check stations.

Re: Walmart going to all self check-outs?

catter70 — Wed, 19 May 2021 12:38:06 GMT

My Walmart still has checkers here in Pa., but do have large areas to self check. I use checkers hoping it will save someone's job.

Re: Walmart going to all self check-outs?

AngelPuppy1 — Wed, 19 May 2021 10:50:21 GMT

I hope it never goes to totally self checkouts. I have used these in a lot of stores and find that I usually do o.k. but if I have really large orders, such as Walmart, I prefer to use regular check-outs. It is annoying and time consuming when items do not read correctly or there is an issue and then you have to wait for someone to come and help you. I actually think the system that Aldi has is very good. They are very fast at checking you out and then you just bag your own food items.

Re: Walmart going to all self check-outs?

CalminHeart — Wed, 19 May 2021 11:06:42 GMT

I took my dad to Walmart last week. I picked up 3 items for myself. There was 1 live checker and 20 self-checkouts. The line for the checker was 12 deep. A manager walked by and I handed my 3 items to her and said I'd rather go without than use self-checkout.

I'm now on a fixed budget so order non-perishable food online from Walmart. That keeps at least 2 people employed - the shopper and the delivery driver.

Re: Walmart going to all self check-outs?

sann — Wed, 19 May 2021 11:13:33 GMT

If a self checkout is available in any store I will always use it.

Re: Walmart going to all self check-outs?

tototwo — Wed, 19 May 2021 11:21:42 GMT

I hope not. If so, I'd never shop at Walmart again. The Neighborhood Walmart close to my dad's house has only one 'live' checker, and 5 'self-serve' stations. There's always a long line at the live checker, while the self-serve stations are empty.

You'd think someone would notice and add more live checkers.

Re: Walmart going to all self check-outs?

Gorgf — Wed, 19 May 2021 11:31:24 GMT

@AngelPuppy1 I agree and I dislike having to look up the bulk produce pricing and weigh it. I usually have at least half a cart full and would rather be checked out. Both services are busy with long lines in the summer, as our population triples. Wal-Mart is crowded. Often longer lines at Self Service.

I notice at the regular Supermarket Self Service it isn't as popular. Too many pricing issues with Ad changes, coupons and rain checks.

Re: Walmart going to all self check-outs?

Kachina624 — Wed, 19 May 2021 11:58:04 GMT

I haven't been in Walmart for 1 1/2 years, use pick up service, but I hear the local stores have all gone 100% self-service. People are having a fit about it but I would guess they'll all be back there shopping by nexy week.

There's one certainty about any change.... It'll be resisted.

Re: Walmart going to all self check-outs?

gardenman — Wed, 19 May 2021 11:59:48 GMT

They just replaced the self-checkout stations at my local Walmart with new ones. These take photos of you while checking out to help limit theft. There's also always a clerk there to assist anyone who needs help. The self-checkout is always faster and easier than the other ones.

Regarding theft, one of the things I've been told is that the self-checkouts help limit theft as the checkout clerks can't always see the stuff on the bottom shelf of carts when carts are in their line, so people hide stuff there to avoid paying for it. The self-checkout area is wide open and anything on the bottom of the cart is easily noticed by the clerk there.

Re: Walmart going to all self check-outs?

SloopJohnB — Wed, 19 May 2021 12:04:29 GMT

@Nataliesgramma Funny you should mention this. Just last week the Neighborhood Wal-Mart near me went to all self service check outs. The only cashier manned check out is the service desk. So there someone would have to wait their turn behind someone buying lottery tickets, cigarettes or returning an item. And conversely, those people would have to wait behind someone who could potentially have a large cart of groceries to pay for. 🏪

Now at our Wal-Mart Super Center where you could have in your shopping cart a car battery, a pack of men's undershirts and a gallon of milk and everything and anything in between, they still have a combination of self service checkouts and regular cashier staffed check outs.... Although I suppose it could be just a matter of time before this changes, too. 🔠

I personally like and use the self check outs. I can make sure the price rings up what it is supposed to be easier and I like to pack my own bags. I hate it when they squish my melons. 🍈🍈😅

Re: Walmart going to all self check-outs?

LindaSal — Wed, 19 May 2021 12:07:36 GMT

Like anything else there are pros and cons to self checkouts. I don't shop at Walmart but there are a lot of self checkouts popping up in a lot of other stores too. I don't mind using them but if they could just master the operation of them as someone else stated. The constant "non-reading" of certain bar codes and having to wait for someone to help you is a real pain in the butt IMO. Instead of being quicker, it sometimes takes longer than an actual person checking you out.

Re: Walmart going to all self check-outs?

CelticCrafter — Wed, 19 May 2021 12:12:13 GMT

We rarely shop at Walmart, maybe 2-3 times a year if even that.

If it does go to all self check outs I will go someplace else to spend my money. I only use the self check outs if I have an item or two, more than that I want a regular check out.

Re: Walmart going to all self check-outs?

Desertdi — Wed, 19 May 2021 12:22:25 GMT

I don't believe you can sell liquor at a self checkout.........

Re: Walmart going to all self check-outs?

4kitties — Wed, 19 May 2021 12:34:41 GMT

@Desertdi

You can here. The attendant comes to your station and completes the transaction. They have to have a birthdate, etc. I am in Illinois.

Re: Walmart going to all self check-outs?

fthunt — Wed, 19 May 2021 12:42:32 GMT

@CalminHeart 3 Items - good for you. I would have done the same. Customers deserve some service..............

Re: Walmart going to all self check-outs?

MamaWick — Wed, 19 May 2021 12:48:16 GMT

Costco has added a bunch of self checkout lanes. The other day, I was directed to one of them. Then, the guy that directed me there ended up doing all the scanning of my 11 items. All I did was scan my membership card at the beginning and then my credit card at the end.

Re: Walmart going to all self check-outs?

millieshops — Wed, 19 May 2021 12:49:02 GMT

Before the pandemic set in, I had begun to use self checkouts often, but,once I limited shopping to twice a month, I preferred to wait for service.

I will go back to self checkout now as long as there are employees stationed in the area to solve problems.

wonder how the cost of theft compares to savings from being able to pay more cashiers?-- maybe not as much an issue as we might think

Re: Walmart going to all self check-outs?

PINKdogWOOD — Wed, 19 May 2021 12:55:59 GMT

I also really cannot imagine this happening but if it did, yet another reason why NOT to shop there.

I do not do self checkout anywhere. Stores still need one, two, three REAL people hanging around to help because there is always a problem of some sort. Turns into a time consuming huge hassle at the grocery store especially if I/you have a cart full of stuff.

I will add though, once not too long ago I went out really early one morning just to get a number of errands done. Kroger was one of my stops, ready to check out just before 9AM. None of the registers were open yet, it was all self checkout. I asked the employee on duty at that time why there were no registers open with a real person. She said, not before 9AM, oh wait she said, someone (an employee) was punching the time clock to begin her day and will open a checkout line. I waited for her to put in her cash drawer, then I was the first person she checked out. I thanked her for opening her line.

NO to self serve.