topic Re: Local Walmart ending self-checkout in Community Chat

Local Walmart ending self-checkout

Pixie12 — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 14:12:58 GMT

I live in southern California and was surprised to find the self-checkout area roped off. An employee told me there was too much theft so the regular check out lanes are coming back. I was wondering if this is only happening in this state. It was such a convenience especially with only a few items.

Re: Local Walmart ending self-checkout

ScrapHappy — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 14:23:03 GMT

I was at Walmart about a month ago. Self check out open and going strong. Only 3 cashier lines open. It's a Super Walmart and has 20 cashier lanes. I stopped at the Super Target next door. 23 cashier lanes closed and only self check out open.

Re: Local Walmart ending self-checkout

deeva — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 14:58:57 GMT

From what I've read, more stores are eliminating self checkout because of thefts.
My local Super Target allows self checkout between the hours of 10am and 8pm only.

Re: Local Walmart ending self-checkout

4kitties — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 15:02:43 GMT

My little Walmart still has self checkout. I like it and I like the two ladies that work that area. I go early in the morning and always chat with them.

Re: Local Walmart ending self-checkout

brandiwine — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 15:12:27 GMT

Our big superstore closed the self checkouts a couple of weeks age. As per usual, they only have 2 checkers. What a waste. Our super Target has plenty of checkers and self check so I can choose.

Re: Local Walmart ending self-checkout

catter70 — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 15:28:39 GMT

My super store still has self checkout, here in Pa.I go at 6 a.m. when there are very few people shopping. My sister goes later and there is usually only 2 or 3 manned checkouts available.

Re: Local Walmart ending self-checkout

Natureluvr — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 15:33:42 GMT

I wonder if it’s only the stores with a high theft rate or maybe because they still have to pay employees to stand around to watch and help customers. Just guessing, though.

Re: Local Walmart ending self-checkout

shoptilyadropagain — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 15:33:45 GMT

Our self-checkouts are still up and running. I don't use them, however. My biggest gripe is I'm normally at WM once a month to stock up on groceries along with cleaning or personal supplies and I have a cart full. I go early in the morning and the only checkout lane open is the old one for 12 items or less so it's shorter and doesn't have a conveyor belt. The bagging carousel is normally full and I still haven't unloaded my cart all the way to get checked out.

I know not everyone shops this way but I'm still tempted to call or send an e-mail to the manager to let them know how inconvenient this is. I figure it will fall on deaf ears so I haven't bothered.

Re: Local Walmart ending self-checkout

Scooby Doo — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 16:07:16 GMT

My close WM closed the self checkout lanes about 2 weeks ago. They have trouble hiring and retaining employees so the checkout lanes are long. I went there last week and stood in line for 15 min with just a few items. The other day I thought about going there again because I needed just one item and decided nope, I can't stand there for that long. So I ordered from the big A and received it the next day. I'll do my grocery shopping elsewhere and go to Petsmart which is just across the street from WM.

It's sad that thieves have made it so inconvenient for everyone else in this world.

Between the self checkouts and the phone scammers it's become frustrating.

Re: Local Walmart ending self-checkout

Big Joanie — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 16:55:19 GMT

@shoptilyadropagain wrote:
Our self-checkouts are still up and running. I don't use them, however. My biggest gripe is I'm normally at WM once a month to stock up on groceries along with cleaning or personal supplies and I have a cart full. I go early in the morning and the only checkout lane open is the old one for 12 items or less so it's shorter and doesn't have a conveyor belt. The bagging carousel is normally full and I still haven't unloaded my cart all the way to get checked out.

I know not everyone shops this way but I'm still tempted to call or send an e-mail to the manager to let them know how inconvenient this is. I figure it will fall on deaf ears so I haven't bothered.

thankfully my Wal Mart has 4 self check out lines with
conveyor belts .... its a help ...

Re: Local Walmart ending self-checkout

willdob3 — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 16:59:40 GMT

@Pixie12 I never use self checkout anywhere and don't have any idea if the WM here is ending that. I use grocery pickup at WM to save time and rarely go into the store.

Self checkout assumes people have the same values that are no longer common.

Re: Local Walmart ending self-checkout

Laura14 — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 17:05:22 GMT

Mine still has them as of last week, but I often think to myself how they can't be constantly ripped off.

If I wasn't raised right, it would be easy to walk right out and not ring stuff up. I use my own bags too that only once did anyone come to check to make sure they were empty when I was paying.

I have noticed they have locked a lot of stuff up though. Unfortunately, I just use other stores or have it delivered for those items, usually printer ink. I am not going to chase someone down to open a cabinet.

Re: Local Walmart ending self-checkout

SaveTheTurtles — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 18:59:26 GMT

I have not noticed any stores in my city that are ending self check out. Thank goodness!

Re: Local Walmart ending self-checkout

Greeneyedlady21 — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 19:04:28 GMT

Every store that I shop in has security cameras and employees monitoring the self checkouts. Maybe Walmart is too cheap to pay for additional measures to try to prevent theft. Cuts into profits.

I was in a CVS a few days ago, I used a self checkout. Right after I did an employee had to have her very small purse searched before she left for the day. The manager moved the location to right in front of the self checkout and said "We have to do it here in front of the camera". So there are cameras at self checkout even if they're not obvious.

About four years ago I worked a retail second job for a while. They locked up employee handbags at the front register and you had to have your bag searched before you left for the day. They treated employees like criminals and it was humiliating. That was their policy, and I bet most retail stores have that policy for employees.

Re: Local Walmart ending self-checkout

rockygems123 — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 19:48:02 GMT

@Pixie12

We have self checkouts here in the Denver metro area, so far so good.

Sorry for your state to have these theft issues. We're native San Franciscans and when going home a lot is unrecognizable in many places in the Bay Area so sad.

Re: Local Walmart ending self-checkout

SandySparkles — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 20:18:03 GMT

This is another disheartening story that leaves me shaking my head in disbelief!😐 I shop Walmart.com usually because we do not have one in our small city, but a city close by has a Neighborhood Walmart, so we sometimes will order groceries for pick up there.👍 They do not offer self check-out!😞 With less convenience now, longer lines and wait times for services, it appears in some ways we are moving backward instead of forward in some locations!🤔

Although I understand the complexities driving this, it makes me long for yesteryear when a visit to Walmart was actually enjoyable, with average wait times and were well staffed. When they introduced self-checkout, I was hooked!!!😁

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

Re: Local Walmart ending self-checkout

Tinkrbl44 — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 20:46:10 GMT

@Pixie12 wrote:
I live in southern California and was surprised to find the self-checkout area roped off. An employee told me there was too much theft so the regular check out lanes are coming back. I was wondering if this is only happening in this state. It was such a convenience especially with only a few items.

@Pixie12

I'm also in SoCal and both Walmarts near me still have self-checkout. After reading a few articles about innocent people detained or arrested, I decided I would never used them.

I only use self-checkout at Ralphs when I only have a few groceries.

I must be missing something here, but just WHY would anyone attempt theft while they are ON CAMERA and know it? SMH

Re: Local Walmart ending self-checkout

Tinkrbl44 — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 21:07:37 GMT

@shoptilyadropagain wrote:
Our self-checkouts are still up and running. I don't use them, however. My biggest gripe is I'm normally at WM once a month to stock up on groceries along with cleaning or personal supplies and I have a cart full. I go early in the morning and the only checkout lane open is the old one for 12 items or less so it's shorter and doesn't have a conveyor belt. The bagging carousel is normally full and I still haven't unloaded my cart all the way to get checked out.

I know not everyone shops this way but I'm still tempted to call or send an e-mail to the manager to let them know how inconvenient this is. I figure it will fall on deaf ears so I haven't bothered.

@shoptilyadropagain

I don't know what part of the country you're in, but you shouldn't "figure it will fall on deaf ears".

Based on my success with a similar problem at Walmart, here's a suggestion ....

Please ... by all means .... the next time this happens and you're finished shopping .... find an associate and ask them to page the store manager ... NOW.

Tell them no one else can help you and you'd appreciate them getting the manager for you. Ask their names. Be polite but put them on the spot.

When the store manager (or team lead, as they're sometimes called) explain you have a full cart, don't do self checkout and only 12 or less is open. Ask them what THEY want you to do. Since they can't accomodate people who spend a lot in Walmart, should you just leave the cart of unpaid items with them to put back, and leave to shop somewhere else?

I'm betting he/she will open a cashier lane, just for you.

My point is make it their problem. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

(Store managers can often be attentive to dealing with unhappy customers that don't get satisfaction, because their next step is to go on the Walmart website and complain about your interaction with the manager, whose name you now know. What happens after that is they get a call from THEIR boss and the complaint is documented and can affect subsequent bonuses.)

Re: Local Walmart ending self-checkout

Estellee — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 21:26:06 GMT

Where I live they have many self checkouts but most have card payment only. Not many regular cashiers open anymore.

Re: Local Walmart ending self-checkout

pigletsmom — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 00:54:07 GMT

I shop in the worlds largest Walmart and that's annoying enough so thanfully they still have self checkout. It seems to move faster even when people have full carts. I do wish they'd have some set aside for 10 or under or something.

I don't have Walmart + right now but I do have my parents signed up for it and an added bonus is you can scan your order as you go and that's really awesome. They should have a dedicated register for that too. You just scan the screen at checkout, confirm payment and off you go. It's beautiful but I haven't found a completely valid reason to sign up myself yet.Works out well for my parents because I order a lot of their grocery deliveries that way.