News, Nobody likes self-checkout. Here's why it's everywhere (register, wage, employees)

[HodgePodge]

Agreed... most places have infuriating slow employees @ full checkouts.

I actually love going to self checkouts because a lot of times ppl don't use them (or at least the line ups there are much shorter).

The only thing I hate about self checkouts ... idiots that take forever doing it. I'm not talking about newbies figuring out the system, that's understandable and okay. But ppl who literally take their time bagging, looking at their receipt, etc while ppl are obviously waiting to use their machine. Do it, and go away to check out the receipt to the side. Common sense dammit.

And yeah if you are at a retailer with fast full checkouts, I do use them (Costco, etc).

[Lillie767]

I try to avoid self checkouts because:

1. No one is paying me to do this work.
2. There is a person who is paid to do this work who will be unemployed if I do their job for free.

[Wartrace]

I use them all the time. The first thing I do is turn off the volume since they all seem to say "Please place the item in the bag" the minute you scan it seems. It gets annoying. Other than that its OK by me.

[North Beach Person]

You guys who are complaining about the cashiers making small talk (likely at company direction) would complain and call them "surly and unfriendly" if they didn't.

[Buckeye77]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

You guys who are complaining about the cashiers making small talk (likely at company direction) would complain and call them "surly and unfriendly" if they didn't.

Well, they are either one or the other, and I'd rather not engage them either way.

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by Lillie767

I try to avoid self checkouts because:

1. No one is paying me to do this work.
2. There is a person who is paid to do this work who will be unemployed if I do their job for free.

We happened to stop at the Walmart in Bellevue, WA the other day and went in to get a few things. There was no choice, not a single cashier there, just the self-serves. Only one cashier lane remained, but it was not staffed.

[Lowexpectations]

Originally Posted by Lillie767

I try to avoid self checkouts because:

1. No one is paying me to do this work.
2. There is a person who is paid to do this work who will be unemployed if I do their job for free.

There are plenty of times I can wait in line because no one paid me to do something or I can clear checkout of 1-2 minutes without waiting. Instead of getting on with my day I’ll wait in line since I’m not getting paid. Nonsensical really.

[CorporateCowboy]

Originally Posted by Lillie767

I try to avoid self checkouts because:

1. No one is paying me to do this work.
2. There is a person who is paid to do this work who will be unemployed if I do their job for free.

The self-checkout market is expected to double in the next few years (currently $3B+), relative to ‘throughput’ as well as greater privacy/demand/control for the consumer. Somewhat surprisingly, people tend to prefer it as a whole, particularly those of us (in the City) who routinely grab a few items and want to be on our way quickly.

[unbeliever]

I'm the exception to most rules, a 50-something guy who votes like a millenial. I prefer self everything. I don't see the need for human cashiers. Automated systems can't do a worse job. That's how I feel about self-driving cars too, but that's another discussion.

[Listener2307]

I prefer self check. I bring my own bags - cloth, with handles.
One great alternative to self checkout is the way they do it at Aldi. It's a study in efficiency.


Businesses cannot find enough employees. That deflates the argument that checking yourself out takes away someone else's job.