Community Chat

[SandySparkles]

I have not been shopping in stores much due to COVID, and was unaware of the number of retailers going to self-check out only. I prefer a cashier when I shop in store, because of the use of clipped paper coupons, game cards etc. I use self-checkout when I only pick up a few things, or am in a hurry, when the lines are really long. 

There are a few cashiers I favor at a Walmart Neighborhood Market not far from here , and sometimes chit-chat with a bit, if time permits.  When the self-checkout can hold a short conversation with me, and assist me with putting large items in my cart, I will use it more often.😁

The time it sometimes takes to summon assistance when needed during self-checkout, negates the convenience for me. It helps that I do a great deal of shopping online.😊

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

[Mom2Dogs]

@deeva. Supposedly our local Walmart is a store that tries out new ideas for Walmart.  At one point most all of the carts were equpped with those hand held scanners and you were to scan as you go..if you wanted to.

Come to find out it was a total bust, lots of theft.  They did randomly check some shoppers bags as they left the store.  It did not last 3 months in our area.

[homedecor1]

Our super WM has only 3 cashier lanes.  The rest are self-checkout.

I find it easier to "self check" and faster but the bagging part I'm not fond of.  Why?? There isn't enough room to stack items while you try to get bags .,. they are towards the back of the area.

Our "neighborhood" WM has 2 cashier lanes others are self checkout.

[homedecor1]

@Mominohio 

as for "belts" ...very small area and belt does not move.

I take longer because I organize my purchases and like to keep cold stuff together ...poor people behind me probably do the "eye roll"...

takes longer than cashier but hate to wait in long line.

The Winn Dixie took them out and brought the cashiers back.

And I always wipe the screen & cc area before I start my order.

(Stores here don't do anymore "sanitizing", etc)

[bonnielu]

I don't like it

1. Takes jobs away from people

2.  Scanning produce as in tomatoes or bananas not fun for me

3.  Might invite stealing.  Probably not hard to get things through without paying

4.  No contact with anyone.  Like tallking to people

5.  Bags might be a problem. I am not the best bagger in the world 

[Silver Lining]

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@Porcelain wrote:

Most big retail companies have wanted to do this for a long time. So Covid is probably as good an excuse as any. But self checkout is just temporary. It's not the end goal.

In the very near future there won't be any checkout at all. The rfid tags attached to the products you have in your cart/bags will ping automatically as you leave the store and the total will be automatically charged to your credit or debit card.

They already have an Amazon store like that up and running. People who have tried it said that it eerily felt a little like shoplifting.

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@porcelain, I would be very uncomfortable with that method for a lot of reasons. Another thing, how do they get your credit or debit card number(s)? Is it pinged and what if you have more than one of them in your wallet? I'm a visual type. I like a paper receipt.

[happycat]

I will not be doing it. I wonder if they are trying to move it to where we all shop online.

If you only have a few items, its one thing. If you have 2 weeks worth of food you are trying to scan and bag, its just too much fun for me to mess with. Especially if I have to weigh a bunch of fruit, just adds to the joy. 

Kroger will probably follow suit, or mine will anyway, because they already have very few checkers. One more reason I like to just order and go pick it up.

[RollTide2008]

My store offers a scan and go app. I scan my groceries with an app on my phone, bag them in my reusable totes as I go. I scan the QR code from the app at checkout and it charges the card I have on file with the store, which happens to be their store credit card. It’s a great system.

[BeccaLou]

@Sweet Caroline 1 I think there will always be one or two people to help, especially if there is a mistake on ringing on self-serve lanes.

[CalminHeart]

I never use self checkout.  First, I don't work there.  Second, every self checkout replaces at least 3 employees.  No thanks.  I'd find another store.