Is that really the way to get a U-scan attendant's attention?

[Despina83]

Leaving work today I was buying some Halloween candy at the self checkout and saw a couple of ladies frantically waving for the attendant. "YOO-HOO!!! HEY MS. GIRL!! HEY!" Followed by, in a somewhat snotty tone: OVER HEEERE!!!" Sheesh. All I could think was "thank God I'm not a cashier anymore", take my bag, and leave, wondering how that poor girl puts up with it all day long.

[Duncan MacLeod]

I'm sorry, if you cannot handle the self checkout, go to the normal line... People who cannot handle such a simple computer program... shouldnt.

[Nohbody]

I'm sorry, if you cannot handle the self checkout, go to the normal line... People who cannot handle such a simple computer program... shouldnt.

To be fair, the SCLs aren't always models of perfect operation. I've even had one crap out on me mid-transaction, and I used to be a cashier myself (which presumably means I'm not a total idiot ).

[jackfaire]

To be fair, the SCLs aren't always models of perfect operation. I've even had one crap out on me mid-transaction, and I used to be a cashier myself (which presumably means I'm not a total idiot ).

Yes but 9 times out of Ten when they do crap out they notify the clerk and ask you to wait patiently for the clerk to come over.

[Jay 2K Winger]

I get people who complain about "those self-checkouts" all the time, but because I'm too polite, I never say, "No one's forcing you to use them."

I did have someone come up to me at the express lane, when it wasn't busy in my line, with more than the "8 Items Or Less" limit, and comment, "I came to you because you're the only other person here."

I then look up and look down the row of registers to see my CW S. She's one of the best new cashiers we've gotten. Her light is on, as it has been for the last hour. I point this out to the man. He turns, sees her line, then turns back and says, "Well, she must have JUST TURNED her light on."

Seeing the guy was trying to put the blame on her, I confirm this without really confirming it. "She might have had her light blinking to call over a supervisor." Which is entirely possible.

Apart from that, the guy wasn't sucky.

[MadMike]

I'm sorry, if you cannot handle the self checkout, go to the normal line...

I saw a sign up at the local supermarket that annoyed me somewhat. "If you would prefer to have your groceries scanned, please let us know." I wanted to change the last part to "...go to a different register, dumbass!"

[Green_Fairy]

i heard about this prototype grocery store that when you put things into your cart or basket, they scan. then you don't even go to a register. you just walk about and it automatically gets charged to your card. it's suuuuuch a good idea.

[blas]

I prefer the self checkouts because I prefer to bag my own items myself.

Trying to steer as far away from blanket judging as possible, we have some real winners at the local Wal-Marts around here, and too many times I've had cleaning chemicals mixed with my produce or meat. And I used to be a bagger at a grocery store, so it really hurts my head.

Or I'd have the misfortune of getting a cashier who thought I was The Hulk and would bag my stuff to the brim and the bags would be tearing, or the polar opposite....like I'm a little old lady and only putting 1 or 2 items in each bag, giving me too many bags to have to deal with.

I know how I like my stuff bagged, and if they rip or tear, it's my own damn fault. And since I've been using SCOs, I've never left anything behind.

[Midorikawa]

To be fair, the SCLs aren't always models of perfect operation. I've even had one crap out on me mid-transaction, and I used to be a cashier myself (which presumably means I'm not a total idiot ).

I went to Wal Mart the other day to get beer and benadryl (beer for me, benadryl for the wife). When I walked in, all 4 of the self checkouts were chiming "please wait while someone assists you..." 2 other lines were open, and the other 8 employees working were standing at the back of the main aisle discussing who knows what, but it wasn't a meeting as several mentions of local concerts, and new albums flew past as I wandered by. 5 minutes later, the 2 cashiers have lines to the back of the clothing aisle because they can't work fast enough. The same 4 people at the self checkouts were still there getting rather miffed, and the do nothing gang were still there, this time having an impromptu freestyle rap competition. It took me 30 minutes to get out of there. It's not always ineptitude of customers or bad equipment. :-)

[AriRashkae]

i heard about this prototype grocery store that when you put things into your cart or basket, they scan. then you don't even go to a register. you just walk about and it automatically gets charged to your card. it's suuuuuch a good idea.

Stop&Shop was doing something similar. You take a little scanner with you and scan your groceries when you put them in the cart & bag them. Then you hand the scanner to the cashier and pay.

I tried it when we were up at the paintball field, and I can't wait for them to bring it down here!

[Iced Coffee Man]

i heard about this prototype grocery store that when you put things into your cart or basket, they scan. then you don't even go to a register. you just walk about and it automatically gets charged to your card. it's suuuuuch a good idea.

What about when people change their mind and dump their shit where it doesn't belong?

[Dreamstalker]

Stop&Shop was doing something similar. You take a little scanner with you and scan your groceries when you put them in the cart & bag them. Then you hand the scanner to the cashier and pay.

The one across the street has that. I'm going to see if I can convince mom to try it out next time we have to make a big grocery run.

They also apparently work at the self-checkouts (you scan another barcode then proceed to pay as normal), but some people can't even figure that out. I always thought the scanner gizmos/SCOs need "you must be this smart to use".

[AriRashkae]

Yeah, but we'd need an objective measurement, because how many stories are here because the SCs thought they were smarter than everyone else?

[Andara Bledin]

Stop&Shop was doing something similar. You take a little scanner with you and scan your groceries when you put them in the cart & bag them. Then you hand the scanner to the cashier and pay.

I tried it when we were up at the paintball field, and I can't wait for them to bring it down here!

I think it's a great idea.

But I can't even begin to imagine the shrink as a direct result of letting people check out before they even get to the front of the store. What mechanic is in place to ensure that everything that's about to go out the door was actually scanned?

^-.-^

[Dreamstalker]

I've always wondered that. Some chains have scales in the bagging area, but I don't think S&S does. There's also the security gates, but I always thought that only high-risk/pricey items were actually tagged.