Why does everyone hate self-checkout?

[LightRoasted]

For your consideration ...

There was a time when gas stations had self pump or you could go to a pump that had an attendant, if I remember correctly, the attendant was a few cents more than the self pump. Maybe the self checkout stores stores should try that. If you use self checkout, you get a small discount.

Back in the day, when self-service was coming onto the scene mixed with the full-service option, full service prices were typically 10¢-15¢ cents per gallon more than self-service. And some stations were even higher.

 

[gary_webb]

In the early embargo days, if you had a locking gas cap dont piss off the attendant. He MAY accidentally switch caps with another car

I had to guard the end of the line at closing time so late comers couldn't sneak in. It got a little tense sometimes.

This was in Suitland.

 

[gary_webb]

did you check for "odd -even" days? I used to work at a radio installatiion company, Car Sounds, Silver Hill & Suitland, 8 track with a slip mount, 2 speakers $19.95..... we duct taped cardboard speakers to the kick panels.....

Absolutely! And blocked the right lane with a 50 gal drum at the Suitland Sunoco.

We got our Krako speakers at Penn Jersey Auto Parts across Silver Hill Rd and installed them in the wash bay.. The guy at the Chinese Restaurant blew up his Peking ducks with our air hose.

 

[Kyle]

Absolutely! And blocked the right lane with a 50 gal drum at the Suitland Sunoco.

We got our Krako speakers at Penn Jersey Auto Parts and installed them in the wash bay..

I was trying to remember the name of that place talking to someone recently.

 

[gary_webb]

I was trying to remember the name of that place talking to someone recently.

If you had big $ you would go down to Speed Unlimited on Allentown Rd and buy a gas pedal in the shape of a Big Foot!

Guaranteed an extra 5 horsepower in your Chevette! Or Ford Pinto!

 

[GURPS]

the attendant was a few cents more than the self pump.

IIRC more than a few cents .. like a quarter or more

 

[stgislander]

I don't mind using self-checkout, but I hate that the landing zone for my bagged groceries is so dang small. If I have a grocery cart full of food and household items, I need a much larger space than a 2'x2' place to load and store my filled bags.

Agree! Heaven forbid you have to pull a full off to start a new bag. The machine starts screaming at you to put it back.

 

[Sneakers]

Agree! Heaven forbid you have to pull a full off to start a new bag. The machine starts screaming at you to put it back.

I ignore it. Makes the attendant come over to clear it. Figure if I piss them off enough they might change it.

 

[stgislander]

I ignore it. Makes the attendant come over to clear it. Figure if I piss them off enough they might change it.

Was that you on Rt 249 over lunch time?

 

[Sneakers]

Was that you on Rt 249 over lunch time?

Probably.

Had a white jeep with a star on the door follow me all the way to the turn-around and most of the way back out again. Guess he thought I was a bad guy.

 

[Grumpy]

There was a time when gas stations had self pump or you could go to a pump that had an attendant, if I remember correctly, the attendant was a few cents more than the self pump. Maybe the self checkout stores stores should try that. If you use self checkout, you get a small discount.

Wonder if Jersey is all full service still?? Was against the law to pump your own gas. Couple years ago a young lady came up to me at WaWa and asked me to fill up her car cuz she didn't know how to do it, turns out she was visiting from Jersey and had never pumped her own gas.

 

[Sneakers]

Wonder if Jersey is all full service still?? Was against the law to pump your own gas. Couple years ago a young lady came up to me at WaWa and asked me to fill up her car cuz she didn't know how to do it, turns out she was visiting from Jersey and had never pumped her own gas.

Still was on the turnpike, last time I went up.

 

[Ken King]

Wonder if Jersey is all full service still??

Yep, and there are a few locales that won't let you pump in New England and Oregon.

 

[lucky_bee]

I don't mind self-checkout. I worked as a cashier in Home Depot when these things first started rolling out so I know how to use them...although they still get me from time to time. I just really hate when they act like I'm not going fast enough, and their volume is so god-damn loud, but I've learned to just ignore them.

My biggest concern is pulling my attention away from my cart while I'm ringing and bagging. I try my absolute hardest to do my regular grocery shopping without my kiddo. But it's a luxury to be able to take time to do that when he's in daycare or if my husband's home. And sometimes I just can't. I couldn't do it with more than one kid. I know I'm a somewhat anxious person, but I feel pure internal CHAOS as I try:
to ring
find produce numbers
acknowledge my chatty child as he regales some fantasy in his mind
flag down the self-checkout cashier-noob
bag everything
don't set off the bagging counter sensor
prevent chatty child from talking me into buying random crap they put up by the belts
watch my surroundings
all while keeping one eyeball on my kid (who's in the cart, but still)...

it gets overwhelming quick. So on days like that I appreciate having a checkout option with a cashier as it alleviates a majority of those issues. It doesn't always work out that way, and when I have to I do it without complaint, but that's why I just don't appreciate it when it's my best option as I approach check-out. I don't mind waiting, usually, so a bit of a line for a cashier doesn't bother me too much, but I can tell when a line is long enough to test more of my kid's boundaries that the above-mentioned hassle is worth. But also, all of this is why I avoid grocery stores past 9am on weekends for a reason. I'd rather take PTO that push my kid and a full cart thru Walmart at peak hours

 

[Kyle]

...and there are a few locales that won't let you pump in New England and Oregon.

Probably have to buy her dinner first.

 

[Ken King]

Probably have to buy her dinner first.

Let those "pump jockeys" buy her dinner.

 

[PJay]

I don't mind self-checkout. I worked as a cashier in Home Depot when these things first started rolling out so I know how to use them...although they still get me from time to time. I just really hate when they act like I'm not going fast enough, and their volume is so god-damn loud, but I've learned to just ignore them.

My biggest concern is pulling my attention away from my cart while I'm ringing and bagging. I try my absolute hardest to do my regular grocery shopping without my kiddo. But it's a luxury to be able to take time to do that when he's in daycare or if my husband's home. And sometimes I just can't. I couldn't do it with more than one kid. I know I'm a somewhat anxious person, but I feel pure internal CHAOS as I try:
to ring
find produce numbers
acknowledge my chatty child as he regales some fantasy in his mind
flag down the self-checkout cashier-noob
bag everything
don't set off the bagging counter sensor
prevent chatty child from talking me into buying random crap they put up by the belts
watch my surroundings
all while keeping one eyeball on my kid (who's in the cart, but still)...

it gets overwhelming quick. So on days like that I appreciate having a checkout option with a cashier as it alleviates a majority of those issues. It doesn't always work out that way, and when I have to I do it without complaint, but that's why I just don't appreciate it when it's my best option as I approach check-out. I don't mind waiting, usually, so a bit of a line for a cashier doesn't bother me too much, but I can tell when a line is long enough to test more of my kid's boundaries that the above-mentioned hassle is worth. But also, all of this is why I avoid grocery stores past 9am on weekends for a reason. I'd rather take PTO that push my kid and a full cart thru Walmart at peak hours

Midnight at Walmart use to be so much fun! No people! Parking lot all mine! Cashier all mine!

 

[lucky_bee]

Midnight at Walmart use to be so much fun! No people! Parking lot all mine! Cashier all mine!

This is exactly when I'd do my shopping when I was in college I'd never lived near a 24-hour grocery store before and found it incredibly convenient.

 

[PJay]

Walmart strips self-checkout machines entirely from two stores

Walmart is continuing to remove self-checkout machines from its stores in what it claims is an effort to improve the 'in-store experience' for customers.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[spr1975wshs]

The last 5 or so years at Lowe's I was one of the SCO attendants.
Most folks did not need help.

I'd like to see them limited to 10 items or less and NOTHING on those blue carts.

Unfortunately, the plan I saw on the Lowe's Front End of the Future will re-do the central registers with 4 more self check station and go down to only 2 regular registers.