Supermarkets Shift To Self Checkout Lanes

Las Vegas Sun ^ | 6/5/04 | AP/Ira Dreyfuss

[SamAdams76]

Answering machines have made my life much more efficient. I get so much more done because of them. At work, I am no longer a slave to the office. I can leave for a few hours and then upon my return, I can listen to all my voice mail, gather information, and return all my calls prepared to give answers and resolutions to customer issues. It works the other way too, I am able to leave customers voice mails instead of wasting time leaving messages with ditzy receptionists or trying to get the person live.

[mikenola]

I think it's becoming a bit of a non sequitur that technology "alienates us" from our fellow man.

Personally, I have no interest in striking up a conversation with the sullen, hostile teenager at the checkout counter. Ditto for bank tellers.

What sealed it for me was going to the Walmart and dropping $300 on assorted grocery and household items, and the clerk didn't say *one word* to me; wasn't the first time either.

You know why they don't say "thank you" anymore? Because they *aren't* grateful that you choose to shop there. And they *aren't* grateful for the job your patronage has given them. Which all says to me: the store management doesn't really want my business, otherwise they would have trained their staff better.

So it's hard to have any sympathy for the checkers, they've sealed their fate by their behavior. (I'm generalizing of course, there are some great supermarkets out there such as my beloved Langenstein's)

Automation such as a self-checkout and online banking have freed me to spend more time with my family and friends.

With things such as instant messenger and email, I'm much more involved with my far-flung family and friends than I ever was before.

Its not necessarily the technology, its how you put it to use.

/rant module unload

[mathluv]

We had this in our K-Mart. they have closed it down, and gone back to the regular ones. Now our grocery store has them, but they are not always opern.

I like them, but don't understand why the K dropped them, or why they are often closed at the grocery store.

[Huck]

It's only a matter of time before they have us sweeping the floors and unloading the trucks.

[wita]

self checkout is like faceless banking, it is a beancounters idea of how america ought to operate.I don't do drive through unless the doors are closed. Color me old, traditional, whatever, I like things face to face. More important jobs down the drain.

[AppyPappy]

I love them. They are so much faster.

[Use It Or Lose It]

They always ask you "paper or plastic" and almost everytime I say paper, they put it in those infernal plastic bags anyway.

I tell them "Half and half" - it confuses them.

On to the general subject: I find it offensive that I have to go to the grocery store and work to get my groceries. The checkout lines were changed years ago so that checkers didn't have to take the items out of the basket. Ok. I understand. Strained muscles, bad backs. So now, it's up to the customer to 1) load the basket 2) unload the basket 3) scan each item and 4) bag the groceries.

[rhetorical question] Then will someone tell me why prices are going up instead of down???

[Terabitten]

This sucks for those of us that use the "Rule of the Cutest Checkout Girl."

:)

[johniegrad]

This sucks for those of us that use the "Rule of the Cutest Checkout Girl."

This type of attitude could be responsible for your screen name.

[unixfox]

The only socializing the checkout clerks do around here is with other clerks while they're handling your order.

Most of the checkout clerks are young, have tattoos, colored hair, and metal in their faces. I care not to socialize with them. What am I gonna say to them? "Hey nice nose bolt you got there."

It has gotten pitiful.

[Terabitten]

Read my profile before making comments, my FRiend. Also, with all due respect, perhaps I should have added a humor tag.

[FreedomPoster]

>>Once you get the hang of self-checkout, its a great alternative when you have a few items you want to take out the doors with you in a hurry.

True, unless all the self-checkout stations are clogged with those who not only don't have the hang of it, but also don't seem to have a clue.

[johniegrad]

Just teasin'.

[johniegrad]

Oops. Terribly sorry for my post but moreso for your loss. I had assumed your screen name was a jest. Thanks for pointing it out to me in such a reasonable fashion.

[Pharmboy]

We don't have them here yet (Northern NJ) in the supermarkets, but we do have them at Home Depot. As long as you have small items, it works well; but, big things drive that little lady in the computer crazy: "Remove item from area; place in bag." It's frustrating sometimes.

[tm22721]

I hate the machines so bad that I have started to intentionally hold up those in line behind me just to put a monkeywrench into their brave new world.

My local Giant has refused to install these atrocities and their customers are grateful.

BUMP

[I_dmc]

I kinda like the self-checkout, but the novelty wears off. The store I go to now resolved the shopping cart issue by eagerly offering drive up, "No tipping allowed, sir". I'm being won over quickly. ;-)

[TC Rider]

Now, if they can get the computer to say, "Thank you!"

A thank you would be nice, but I wish the thing would just shut up. I find the voice prompts very annoying.

[dfwgator]

I can just see it now. After you scan a box of doughnuts the scanner voice says, "Hey fatso, how 'bout trying a salad?"

[clyde asbury]

When I was a supermarket bagger back in 1978, I was a master at bagging with the paper bags.

The masters could open the paper bags with a quick downward flick of the wrist that was very smooth.