Topic #2: Some Canadian Tire and Walmart locations are ditching self-checkouts and returning to more cashiers... What's your opinion on self-checkouts?
Topic #2: Some Canadian Tire and Walmart locations are ditching self-checkouts and returning to more cashiers... What's your opinion on self-checkouts?
I typically use self-checkouts. But some stores went overboard and didn’t staff enough regular checkouts to support seniors and others who aren’t comfortable with self-checkout. You’d think stores would have enough data on preferences and usage by now to get the balance right.
Though I suspect the bigger reason for the pullback on self-checkouts is theft. They’ve been around long enough now that thieves have worked out how to exploit them. According to CBC articles, 15 per cent of Americans have admitted to stealing from self-checkouts.
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Originally Posted by fotze
If this day gets you riled up, you obviously aren't numb to the disappointment yet to be a real fan.
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Self checkouts generally stink but some stores have it figured out. Home Depot and Walmart seem to run smoothly. Places like Save On and Superstore are horrible. Had to hit up a Superstore for the first time in years. All 7 items screwed up the weight sensor and required attendant help. I’d rather spend that time in a lineup surfing CP on the phone.
Self checkouts generally stink but some stores have it figured out. Home Depot and Walmart seem to run smoothly. Places like Save On and Superstore are horrible. Had to hit up a Superstore for the first time in years. All 7 items screwed up the weight sensor and required attendant help. I’d rather spend that time in a lineup surfing CP on the phone.
Safeway needs to ask about the Scene card more.
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I know someone who works at walmart and spends time as a greeter.
She can't count the number of times people just load up a cart and walk right out.
Or walk out with a TV or other large item.
she isn't going to risk her 70 year old bones trying to stop someone, not that she's supposed to do anything. what can they do? they could call the cops, but 99% of bad guys will be lone gone before they could get there.
The only shocking thing is that more people don't do it, considering how little risk there is.
Personally I avoid the self-checkouts. Partly as a small effort to support real people having jobs, and partly as an effort to engage more with strangers. Not that I'm chatting people up about their life, but since I work alone and am already introverted/anti-social enough as it is, it's a quick self-improvement effort in not letting myself get too withdrawn from the world around me.
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I almost never use self checkouts. I like people and enjoy greeting the cashier, as brief an encounter as it is. Also, I’m generally not in a hurry and want to support people’s employment.
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The most common technical issue I’ve found with the self-checkouts is they throw an error when you put your own bag on the scale. It’s happened enough that I’ve stopped bringing a reusable bag altogether.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fotze
If this day gets you riled up, you obviously aren't numb to the disappointment yet to be a real fan.
I love self-checkouts because you could cram more of them in a space, effectively doubling the amount of checkouts and reducing lines. But it got annoying when stores would then use it as an excuse to have less cashiers and people that didn't want or know how to use them would be forced too, eliminating the benefits of those reduced lines
I love self-checkouts. I find the risk of them malfunctioning is far outweighed by the risk of getting caught in a line with an incompetent cashier or a trouble customer. Lines for self-checkouts tend to take a fraction of the time of traditional lines.
Most grocery stores are continuing to have trouble staffing, so taking away someone's job isn't an issue. I interact with enough people in my job all day, that I would prefer not to interact with grocery store staff.
The Following User Says Thank You to blankall For This Useful Post:
I know someone who works at walmart and spends time as a greeter.
She can't count the number of times people just load up a cart and walk right out.
Or walk out with a TV or other large item.
she isn't going to risk her 70 year old bones trying to stop someone, not that she's supposed to do anything. what can they do? they could call the cops, but 99% of bad guys will be lone gone before they could get there.
The only shocking thing is that more people don't do it, considering how little risk there is.
They changed the layout of most Walmarts and Superstores to deter this as much as possible so all the exits are gated and you are funnelled through self checkout but people still run stuff through the open tills.
At the downtown Superstore, thieves just pull the fire alarm or they jump over the gate and down the escalator.
The most serious one I witnessed was at Winners where two natives filled up shopping baskets with suspicious things. The poor senior citizen working as the security guard went to talk to them and they pushed him back, calling him a racist, and went on filling their baskets. Then they beelined it with their soon-to-be-stolen goods for the exit like football players and knocked over a few folks trying to come in.
