I even did a bit of research on them, just to see what was available in information.
In 1917 Piggly Wiggly was the first to allow customer to actually take items from the grocery shelves themselves and put them in hand held baskets. It was embraced by people.
In the 80's a couple place started an idea of self check-out. It was an expensive endeavor for the retailer to set up and it was not well accepted. In 2001, K-mart placed some self check-outs in their stores and they removed them in 2003.
It appears more people DISLIKE them than like them.
So why do stores continue to have them? One word - GREED!!!!!! It has nothing to do with efficiency for you and aiding you in any way - it is all about the bottom line and their profit. The less people they employ the more money they make, or so they think.
People have been known to scan bar codes on sticky labels (at home) and then put them on more expensive products at the store. Cheaters will always find a way to cheat!
I go to certain stores for various reasons. Aldi - I don't mind bagging my own groceries, as I get cheaper prices there. If I go to Kroger or Wal-Mart or Meijer I expect service. The prices do not reflect lesser service and my involvement.
Perhaps if you were given a discount for using the self check-out, I might consider it (doubtful).
My reasons for not liking them are as follows:
- I don't work there!!!!!! If I wanted a job, I would have one. Odds are it wouldn't be at the grocery, because anyone who knows me, knows that would not be a good idea for me!!! LOL! I would not make any $ - I'd spend it.
- Self check-outs are replacing jobs. I don't want to participate in someone not having a job because I am impatient
- I pay more at most stores - because I am paying for SERVICE!
- Self check-out machines can be intimidating. You mess up something and you still NEED A PERSON to fix it (and I have seen the looks people get)
- I will not be admonished by a MACHINE for placing something on the conveyor at the wrong time or in the wrong place
- I am not that impatient, that I can't wait a couple minutes. I am no better than anyone else.
I can't tell you how many times I have been in line with others who only have a couple items, when a cashier says "self check is open", and we all just say NO thank you.
What say you? Self check or full service?
I totally agree!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks
DeleteAgree. Last month when I did my monthly shopping the only register open at WalMart was the 20 items or less. Granted it was only 8 am but still. I almost went through the line anyway, but decided it wouldn't be fair for those who came behind me. I had to use the self check out. It was terrible. I still had groceries in my cart and needed more space for my bags. At least at Meijer they have a long belt for the groceries after you scan them. I wasn't a happy person and if it happens again I won't do my monthly shopping at WalMart.
ReplyDeleteAt the pediatricians office there is a kiosk for checking in. I went to the desk first and the receptionist tried to send my over to the kiosk. She must not realize that once everyone is using that machine for checking in then she won't have a job.
If a store comes to have ONLY self check out - I will no longer shop there.
DeleteI sure would have complained.
I like self checkout, although I am generally concerned about the fact that machines are replacing people in all kinds of jobs.
ReplyDeleteOnce we get to the point that people are replaced by machines - I don't want to be around.
DeletePeople need jobs - machines don't need jobs.
Amen Cheryl!!!! I too prefer full-service. Self service is very intimidating to me... I always seemed to mess it up when I tried it a few times. I think it is mostly used by those who are younger... under 40 perhaps? They are more tech savvy.
ReplyDeleteI think you may be correct. They sure are going to get a huge awakening someday - when they are replaced by a machine too!!!!!
DeleteI don't like self service especially when the machine keeps telling me off. However I do use it mainly because so few serviced check outs are open. Aldi does not have self service and I am happy to wait if I am feeling well. Lots of people are just not well enough to wait in line though. I do agree with your reasoning.
ReplyDeleteI am intimidated by technology! I think if I get to the point of not being able to shop, I might then use the delivery service that many stores are now offering. That won't happen either unless necessary - I don't like someone picking out my groceries. But it is truly a consideration.
DeleteThanks, you did give me a different perspective.
This is where I'm at. I usually don't mind waiting, but there are days when I can't stand for more than a few minutes, and of course those are the days I get in back of someone who's buying half the store, and I end up having to crouch down on the floor due to pain. The self checkouts help me avoid that. :)
DeleteStephanie I can sure understand that. I wouldn't want to be there in pain either. I am glad you can have an alternative that works.
DeleteI like self-checkout for the most part; it's fast, no waiting in line, and I can bag the way I want.
ReplyDeleteYes, it takes away jobs, but I don't think it's greed, it's more like self preservation as the government dictates wages. Businesses should be able to pay their employees according to the ability and contribution of the employee, not some government pre-determined wage no matter the skill level or ability to contribute productively. Businesses are in business to make money! Not to operate as a charitable institution. So if wages are too low and nobody wants to work for a company, then they will, without any pressure from government raise wages to attract workers; and when a worker is more skilled and raising the bottom line, good businesses reward them!
You are free to dislike self-checkouts, I personally prefer them, and I'm 61.
Glad you like them.
DeleteI know many of the stores that I go to pay an excellent hourly wage. I agree they are there to make money, but I don't have to pay for services that I don't get.
I will continue to refuse self checkout as long as possible. I don't like it at all. I am retired and in no hurry!
I couldn't agree more. I always try to avoid self-checkout. In addition I always pay in cash. This means that a checkout person is required, someone in the supermarket has to account for the cash and bag it for banking, a company has to carry it to the bank and a teller has to account for it at the bank.
ReplyDeleteProviding jobs in many ways! Love it.
DeleteThat is a good reminder that it trickles down into many other areas. One thing leads to another!
AMEN! Our local Walmart here in Canada just did a big renovation where they took out the express lanes and put in self-serve. Guess I'll just be standing in line a little longer now.
ReplyDeleteI like the express too. It is great except for those people who can't count!!!! LOL
DeleteI'll be waiting too.
You've certainly done the homework for all of us! I hope the owners of chain stores see your post and heed it. I refuse to use them at all. When I gave up and actually did use them a few times long ago, I always got in trouble and had to utilize a live person to get me out of my predicament anyway so no one saved anything!
ReplyDeleteOh they won't care.
DeleteI have tried a couple times as well - and it is a lot of grief. No one is happy - the clerk seems perturbed, people behind get agitated, and I am P.O.'d to the max having a stupid machine basically calling me an idiot!
I also hate them and that is a strong word. I refuse to use them and when I am asked to by an employee, I kindly say know and tell them I come to their store to be waited on.
ReplyDeleteLOL - you sound like me. When they ask me to I usually say "you know I don't work here - right?"
DeleteI won't use them either. If they offered me a 10% discount I might consider it. Also I have a friend who works on doing the internet shopping. She works from 4am to 8am in a supermarket with no heating and has to meet set targets for the amount of items she bags. that tends to put me off online shopping.
ReplyDeleteA discount might make me reconsider once in a while.
DeleteWOW, that does not sound like a nice environment in which to work.
I refuse to use them, as you say, it's just a way of them saving on their wages bill. There's already a lot of retail jobs lost here in the UK, what with stores closing down due to people buying online, without losing more by using self service tills.
ReplyDeleteI understand. Every week we lose so many business and many are really cutting back, and it is because of online shopping.
DeleteIt really is sad. I understand trimming back on expenses - but I want to deal with REAL people!
I don't like them. I also don't like all the computerized things where you have to punch this number for this and this number for that. Nancy
ReplyDeleteDon't know if we are old fashioned or just old school!
DeleteI am not huge on technology either.
I DETEST self-checkout! I am here to give you money for your products, and you expect ME to check myself out?!? I should have to do the work so YOU get paid? Excuse me???
ReplyDeleteEven more outrageous is self-check at price clubs. So, Sam's Club--not only do you make me pay to shop here, and now you can't even be bothered to collect my money yourself--I have to do it for you?? BUT, 10 steps away from that checkout, you're happy to employ someone who wants to make sure I haven't stolen something? Go jump in a river!
A hot topic for me, as you can see!
My Sam's club still has check-outs, but they are doing that scan as you go thing too. I won't be doing that for sure. If I HAVE to, then I won't be back.
DeleteI hadn't even thought about that - but you make a very good point. I do belong to Sam's - but it's more for a family member. Kind of crazy to pay to shop! I don't really see any super cheap prices there either - just big sizes.
Our Mcdonald's also has a kiosk for taking orders -I want to be helped by a person not a machine. Apparently so does everyone else because it's basically ignored. Well that's not working for them.
ReplyDeleteI have read some McDonalds have done that. Nope I wouldn't like that either.
DeleteGuess they will learn!
I agree with you. The only time that I willingly use a self checkout is if the lines are long, and I only have a few items. My husband likes the self checkout option, but he is never the one shopping for a week or two worth of grocieres. ;)
ReplyDeleteI feel like screaming at the self checkout machine, there is no unexpected item in the bagging area.
I think men like it more than women do. Exactly - nothing unexpected or you are reprimanded!
DeleteI can't imagine self check with a weeks worth of groceries!! YIKES
We are encouraged to use self-checkouts in our area. Even the employees encourage us to use the self-checkouts. WalMart rather have the employees stocking or in departments. When I go shopping if I go to a regular line I am told the line is only open for people who are also purchasing cigarettes.
ReplyDeleteI think it has a lot to do with the area. Our self checkouts it would be really, really hard to get away with anything because they have a ton of security cameras watching each item you checkout. When I am checking out there is one overhead, one on the scanner and one on the monitors. I accidentally put in Anjou pears one time instead of Bartlett and the machine told me I had Bartlett's that were cheaper.
I am from the generation of self-checkouts are the normal for me and cashiers are for specialized purchases.
I agree they may want the employees stocking - but they need more employees. prices have not gone down because of self checkers.
DeleteIf I lived in that area - I would be avoiding those stores completely.
I find it so sad that this is accepted as normal. We are so getting away from people interactions and going so into technology. If that is the way of the world - I don't want it. I enjoy people!
I don't like to use them because they are taking jobs away from people and I don't like that. And I'm too slow anyway, I prefer someone to do it for me LOL
ReplyDeleteYes mam. Sometimes we just want to be 'pampered'!!!
DeleteI won't use self checkouts. There are always problems and they end up being slower. And, I don't want to be the reason someone doesn't have a job. These entry level positions are important.
ReplyDeleteI agree. All I hear is how we 'need more jobs' - then we change out people with machines. Not for me.
DeleteI like them if I have a small order. The 15 items or less line at Stop & Shop is usually very long so I will just do it myself. At BJ's if I am getting just a cake for a party I will use them. Yesterday my sister and I went shopping and we had a full cart. There isn't enough room at the self check out so we went to a regular line.
ReplyDeleteThe new scanners as you go at some stores are driving me nuts. They keep pushing using those. I am busy matching coupons to the correct item and Ibotta to scan every item. Then the have a person going through all of your stuff to make sure you didn't steal anything. It doesn't save any time and it isn't saving me money so I won't do it.
I can see if lines are long and you have one or two items.
DeleteScan as you go is Never going to happen with this girl. I find it insulting enough that Sam's checks my receipt and cart when I walked from the cashier to the door. I sure am not going to take a chance of missing something by doing it myself.
Lord have mercy. I would NEVER think to do all of that to get something at a lesser price. I had no idea! Sheesh. I will not go to them either. They usually have 1 register open, then those check out thingies. The register is packed let me tell you.
ReplyDeleteI know - right? If people worked as hard at working as they do cheating and stealing - the world would be so much better. Like I said - cheaters going to cheat!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOnly because technology went cranky on me!
DeleteI'll try again! If a store employee tells me a self-scan is open I say okay but you have to do it for me! Sometimes they will - sometimes not. If not I go to a line. They are getting paid not me.
ReplyDeleteI have done that too if they do it for me. I don't want a job!
DeleteMy husband likes the self checkout, (these guys!) Haha! Hubs was raised in a grocery store but I have to tell you how the parade was rained on! lol He dutifully checked out like an Italian grocer's son should do and then put his one-hundred dollar bill in. ...Uh oh. No change. We had to wait probably 20 minutes for the 'manager' to come with a key to open up the silly machine. She did not crack a smile, she acted like we were a problem, bent over with her hind end hanging out of her jeans. Gave hubs his change, never said a thing. Ruuuudeeee. Trust me, I don't think Walmart self checkout will ever be seen as something so simple and fast in the future! lol
ReplyDeleteLOL - I bet he doesn't like them as much now. WOW - that would be aggravating. Never thought about the change factor. There is another reason!
DeleteThanks for the story.
I ignore them, as well. Our store also has those self scanner tools to carry around. They offered a $5 discount to try them at first. I did. It wouldn't work on my 2nd item! I handed the tool to the manager and told him I was done lol. I also reject the kiosks that some restaurants put on the table. (Gift cards, not a bad habit lol). I shoved them to the corner of the table. No, I'm an old fashioned girl. I don't even use an atm card. I get cash from a teller. 😀
ReplyDeleteThe last time I went into a Mc Donalds was when my mom was alive- 2013. She wanted a Big Mac. We ordered 3, a lg order of fries to share, and a small shake. The bill was almost $18. My mom says to the counterperson "for Mc Donald s?" Dh & I cracked up. But I realized that really was crazy expensive for what we got. So now I limit myself to an occasional summer cone to share with the dog IF there's no line at the drive thru!!
I have never seen a kiosk at a restaurant. Oh wait - I guess I'd have to go to one to see one!!!!!
DeleteDon't feel bad. I have never made an ATM transaction nor have I ever had a debit card. I guess I am old fashioned too!
That as a lot for McD - especially then.
IF I stop at a drive thru I stick with a $1 drink.
I agree with you 100%! I can't stand them!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I now know I am not alone. Makes me wonder why there are so many of them around!
DeleteThere are pros and cons with self checkout. I love self checkout. I usually have few items and prefer to get out of the store quickly. In my area the only store that pushes self checkout is Walmart. Regular grocery stores have phased out self checkouts. I like the convenience, but I didn't consider that it was taking jobs away.
ReplyDeleteI guess for those hurried moments they are fine. We have them in all our stores now. There are more self checkouts at Kroger now than there are regular.
Delete