topic Re: Walmart checkouts in Community Chat

Walmart checkouts

catter70 — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 12:23:14 GMT

It's been slowly happening over the past few years, but from just last week when I shopped they are down to only 4 checkout aisles with a person to check you out. They've put in all new self check aisles. I'm an early bird so I usually had to check my stuff myself anyhow as that was all that was available. My sister goes later in the day and complains about the long lines for checkouts with people as she doesn't like to self check. I spoke to the lady who overlooks the self checks in case siomeone needs help and she said for them, it's all different and they don't even know how to work them if there is an issue as they've gotten no instruction.

Re: Walmart checkouts

CalminHeart — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 12:25:00 GMT

I wish stores would pay me what they used to pay cashiers since I'm doing their job.

Re: Walmart checkouts

pinkcrystal — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 12:29:36 GMT

I honestly prefer self checkouts. I hated going through lines with checkers who asked questions about how I was doing or were super slow, or worst of all the ones who would stop while checking to look at something I was buying and say things "wow I love this, where did you find this" or "I use this all the time too" etc.

Maybe I'm in the minority though.

Re: Walmart checkouts

PINKdogWOOD — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 12:33:15 GMT

I stopped years ago spending my money at Walmart. Checking myself out with a cart FULL of their stuff albeit groceries or other stuff is something I refuse to do. I don't get paid to do their work nor does the store offer a percentage off my bottom line for doing the work others got a paycheck for.

How dare they take away jobs from all the checkers they used to employ. I think it's quite a shame that such a large retain store treat their employees like this. Did they keep all of these employees and move them to other areas of their stores? I don't really know but I do hope so. We were never really Walmart regulars but I know many people are. The store we would go to is HUGE and had MANY checkout lanes with employees working them.

If Corporate Walmart thinks this is the right way to treat their employees, I do not need to shop at a place like this.

Re: Walmart checkouts

PinkyPetunia — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 12:34:03 GMT

I use the self checkout in Walmart and other stores. I don't buy tons of merchandise at one time. I live alone. I am fine with the procedure as it is fast now that I am familiar with the way it's done.

Re: Walmart checkouts

4kitties — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 12:34:55 GMT

I love self checkouts. I can bag my items carefully and then they are undamaged and organized for unloading at home.

My little Walmart has long time employees that are very friendly and helpful too. There is always at least one at the self checkouts to help us if needed. I have become friendly with several of them and we always chat a bit if it is not too busy!

Re: Walmart checkouts

Greeneyedlady21 — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 12:40:47 GMT

Most stores have multiple self checkouts and have for many years now.

Walmart pays their employees very low wages, and they are known for very poor labor practices.

Re: Walmart checkouts

ECBG — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 12:41:38 GMT

I prefer to be checked out and I hope I am preserving the few cashier positions.

Re: Walmart checkouts

Ainhisg — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 12:47:42 GMT

@PINKdogWOOD wrote:
I stopped years ago spending my money at Walmart. Checking myself out with a cart FULL of their stuff albeit groceries or other stuff is something I refuse to do. I don't get paid to do their work nor does the store offer a percentage off my bottom line for doing the work others got a paycheck for.

How dare they take away jobs from all the checkers they used to employ. I think it's quite a shame that such a large retain store treat their employees like this. Did they keep all of these employees and move them to other areas of their stores? I don't really know but I do hope so. We were never really Walmart regulars but I know many people are. The store we would go to is HUGE and had MANY checkout lanes with employees working them.

If Corporate Walmart thinks this is the right way to treat their employees, I do not need to shop at a place like this.

I heard straight from more than one employees' mouths that no one has lost jobs. They have relocated them to do the personal shopping for online pick up orders. They are called pickers. I buy a ton of groceries each week. Last week's haul was close to $200. I did it all online, and an employee brought it out to my car and loaded it into the vehicle. I have used their online pick up service since Covid, and I will never go back to shopping in a store for the majority of my groceries. I do occasionally buy some produce and most of our meat at a couple of locally owned stores, but those are small purchases that aren't difficult to check out myself or carry.

Re: Walmart checkouts

Patriot3 — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 12:51:52 GMT

@pinkcrystal wrote:
I honestly prefer self checkouts. I hated going through lines with checkers who asked questions about how I was doing or were super slow, or worst of all the ones who would stop while checking to look at something I was buying and say things "wow I love this, where did you find this" or "I use this all the time too" etc.

Maybe I'm in the minority though.

@pinkcrystal Agree with all you said. You're not in the minority. I always check out myself wherever there are self checkouts. I can keep an eye on the prices and know where in the bag my stuff is. I don't want to carry on a conversation while doing so.

Re: Walmart checkouts

MG Chris — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 12:53:25 GMT

@Greeneyedlady21 wrote:
Most stores have multiple self checkouts and have for many years now.

Walmart pays their employees very low wages, and they are known for very poor labor practices.

I disagree. I worked at Walmart in college and my ex worked at the home office for 10 years. They pay a fair wage and treat employees fairly. Of course, you will always have the bad managers as with any company.

Re: Walmart checkouts

chrystaltree — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 12:53:35 GMT

I prefer self checkouts when I only have a few things. I accept that the big Walmart I prefer will have long lines, I'm retired now so I have plenty of time. I have my phone with me, sometimes my Kindle. I read or play around on Facebook while Im in line. It's true that stores have fewer checkout lines open now. That's not new, it started several years ago. Probably because so many of their customers shop online now.

Re: Walmart checkouts

gardenman — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 12:54:42 GMT

The whole "Why should I do their work?" aspect always confuses me. You're doing the same thing you'd do anyway unless you shop someplace where they empty your cart and then load the bagged groceries back into the cart for you. The only extra step is waving the item past the scanner. You still unload your cart and then load the bagged items afterward. You still pay the same. It's just where you put the items as you remove them from the cart. Instead of putting them directly on the conveyor belt you just wave them past the scanner then put them into your bag. You have more control, knowing what goes into each bag and fewer people are handling your stuff.

In terms of calories spent, I'd be surprised if you burned even ten more calories using a self-checkout over a manned checkout. You're still emptying your cart and putting your items someplace. Only instead of putting them on the conveyor belt, you're moving them past the scanner and then putting them into a bag. You then still pick up the bag and put it back in your cart. You still pay the same way. I don't see where using the self-checkout is that much more work than using a manned checkout.

Re: Walmart checkouts

chrystaltree — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 13:11:57 GMT

@gardenman wrote:
The whole "Why should I do their work?" aspect always confuses me. You're doing the same thing you'd do anyway unless you shop someplace where they empty your cart and then load the bagged groceries back into the cart for you. The only extra step is waving the item past the scanner. You still unload your cart and then load the bagged items afterward. You still pay the same. It's just where you put the items as you remove them from the cart. Instead of putting them directly on the conveyor belt you just wave them past the scanner then put them into your bag. You have more control, knowing what goes into each bag and fewer people are handling your stuff.

In terms of calories spent, I'd be surprised if you burned even ten more calories using a self-checkout over a manned checkout. You're still emptying your cart and putting your items someplace. Only instead of putting them on the conveyor belt, you're moving them past the scanner and then putting them into a bag. You then still pick up the bag and put it back in your cart. You still pay the same way. I don't see where using the self-checkout is that much more work than using a manned checkout.

It depends on what you are buying and how many items you have in your cart. And for some people, it's the principle of the thing. I only use self checkout when it benefits me. If I'm buying a few light items and I want to get out quickly. If I'm doing my monthly Walmart with an over flowing cart, there's no way I'm going to use self checkout. There's no incentive for me to do that.

Re: Walmart checkouts

Greeneyedlady21 — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 13:14:47 GMT

@MG Chris wrote:
@Greeneyedlady21 wrote:
Most stores have multiple self checkouts and have for many years now.

Walmart pays their employees very low wages, and they are known for very poor labor practices.
I disagree. I worked at Walmart in college and my ex worked at the home office for 10 years. They pay a fair wage and treat employees fairly. Of course, you will always have the bad managers as with any company.

No offense intended but how many years ago was that? Things have probably changed since then.

Re: Walmart checkouts

Auntie CC — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 13:18:02 GMT

In my neck of the woods Walmart and grocery stores have gone to self check out because they can't get employees. Help wanted signs are the norm here on most retail. You can get a job at Arby's to start for 16.00 per but still they don't have much luck

Re: Walmart checkouts

PINKdogWOOD — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 13:31:04 GMT

@PinkyPetunia I've checked myself ot at my local giant eagle, if I get there before 9AM I HAVE to as they don't bring on checkers until 9A, maybe later if they don't have any reall checkers to get there.

I will say their self check machines work pretty darn well too. The lady in the machine prompts you with everything ou need to do just to get ready to begin your scans too. Then at the end 'she' prompts you for coupons, gives a discount I think if you bring your own bags too (and they're getting ready to end using plastic bags too really soon). So I do kind of enjoy it, it's quick and easy and as others have said, we can bag our goodies as we want to.

I will also say though, I'd miss chatting it up with my friend Rose, my personal checker at GE when I get into her line.

Re: Walmart checkouts

drizzellla — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 16:39:36 GMT

Last week I shopped at Costco. It was a zoo trying to check out. I have no idea what it will be like at Christmas.

The only lines that were moving were the self check out lines.

The lines for the 3 lanes that were open and being checked out by a person was weaving their way through aisles. It was crazy trying to make your way through any aisles toward the front of the store.

We split up a few times because there was no way my husband would make it through the crowds with a cart. I walked and got the item. But he still had a hard time standing with the cart and people trying to get around him.

That is why we always use the self check out at Costco. Sam's Club has self check out but it also has every lane open with a person. It isn't a zoo like Costco.

Re: Walmart checkouts

San Antonio Gal — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 13:43:14 GMT

@pinkcrystal wrote:
I honestly prefer self checkouts. I hated going through lines with checkers who asked questions about how I was doing or were super slow, or worst of all the ones who would stop while checking to look at something I was buying and say things "wow I love this, where did you find this" or "I use this all the time too" etc.

Maybe I'm in the minority though.

I like the self checkout also unless I have a ton of products. However, when using a cashier, I don't mind interacting with the cashier like you do. Nothing wrong with friendly conversation. Why would it bother you if the cashier asks how you are doing @pinkcrystal ?

Re: Walmart checkouts

deeva — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 13:42:24 GMT

@Greeneyedlady21

This is not true. My granddaughter works at Walmart and makes $18 an hour.