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When did they begin appearing in YOUR town? How do you like them in comparison to regular (manned) check-out lanes?
The first time I saw them here in Duluth was in 2010 at a local supermarket chain; now many stores, including Wal-Mart, have them. The wait is usually minimal and I use them if I have few items; if I have multiple items, the convenience of having somebody else scan your goods is worth the queue. The time of their arrival coincided with the beginning of the period when I was on food stamps, which was nice (although the shame that comes with an "Eat Better Today" card is only temporary).
The lines are typically shorter but the cashiers are much faster than I am. So, given the choice, I'd rather have a cashier (especially if she is cute).
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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I think they are great. I find the cashiers to be trying too hard with their fake friendliness (with a few exceptions) and express lines are always long, while the self-serve is usually only 1-2 people ahead of me. Trader Joe's cashiers are fast and seem genuinely friendly, so I'm glad they don't have self checkouts.
They've been around a good while here, maybe 8-10 years? I like them unless I have a large order or if I have a lot of produce to weigh.
Or unless I'm behind someone clueless and the wait for them to figure out what they're doing is longer than going to the regular lanes!
They've been around here for quite a few years. Iuse them when I have only a few items and am rushed. Otherwise with a cart full of stuff I go through the regular checkout. And if you have coupons it seems faster in the regular checkout lane rather than waiting for a clerk to come get your coupons then go to their computer and enter them. Also liqour ID can slow things up in the self service too waiting for someone to check your ID out.
I noticed them about 6 years ago (???) where I live. I do use them on occasion when I don't have a lot of
groceries. The check out is quicker but one reason I like it is that I can bag the items myself. The reason
for this is - there have been so many times (depending on the cashier) where things were bagged so bad that either
I couldn't lift them (they would put all the heavy things in one bag) or would crush things like bread, pretzels etc.,
because they would put cans on top of these.
Also, what people may not know is that the major stores time their cashiers. If they don't do it within a specific
time frame they get reprimanded.
I started noticing them maybe 5 years ago or so. Could've been a little longer, but I'm not sure.
I like them, but only because I like to see each item as I ring it up to make sure the price is correct. I've asked cashiers before to wait to scan until I finish unloading the cart, but they say they can't (and I never ask if there is a line behind me so I don't get it). I've had prices ring up wrong that I didn't get to see until afterwards, so I had the annoyance of having to go wait in the customer service line to get it fixed.
So I just do self checkout now. If an item scans wrong, I call the girl over and continue to scan while I wait.
I So I just do self checkout now. If an item scans wrong, I call the girl over and continue to scan while I wait.
Interesting ^^^, here when an item scans wrong or there's a problem everything stops immediately until the person in charge comes over to fix it. They need to see what's wrong.
Can't recall when I first started seeing them... but I was thrilled... however, the novelty work off quickly based on locations.
I think BJ's Wholesale was one of the first that I recall... however, it was pretty much useless. You scan the item, then put it on the belt (which then moves it over to the end to be loaded onto the cart). However, the sensors weren't sensitive enough.. so more often than not, it didn't register the item being placed on the belt and balked at you. So you ended up having the person override the system.... again, and again...
Overall today - its good as you have 4-6 of them and it does take away from the cashiered lines. And it is faster on average (especially if you have only a few items). But if you run into any technical glitches...the wait can be a bit longer for a clerk to help out. Of course, when you have someone that can't figure it out... all bets are off.
I can't wait for the day where everything is RFID'd. And you can simply have everything rung up at the same time as you walk out the door - a la the IBM commercial from a few years ago.
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