Self-serve check-outs

[RVMOMNDAD]

My dh hates grocery shopping, but since moving to Oregon and my rhematioid arthritis getting so bad that I don't drive anymore, he will go in once in awhile to shop with me.   Last week we stopped by a store to pick up a few items we needed between our usual twice monthly shopping trips.  Dh decided to use the self-serve registar.  It was a riot, not only for me, but for several other shoppers in other lines.  Every time you rang up an item, the machine whould name the item, the price and then tell you to place the item in  the bag.  My dh carried on a conversation with the darn registar!!!   One of the items we purchased was a 12 pack of paper towels on sale.  The machine kept saying place item in bag........place item in bag.   After telling the machine several times that the item was  too big,  Dh  finally said I think I need to speak to your manager, miss..........not realizing what he was saying until the guy in the next line started laughing!!!!   Now I will probably never get his help in the grocery store again!!!

[AustinBoston]

My dh hates grocery shopping, but since moving to Oregon and my rhematioid arthritis getting so bad that I don't drive anymore, he will go in once in awhile to shop with me.   Last week we stopped by a store to pick up a few items we needed between our usual twice monthly shopping trips.  Dh decided to use the self-serve registar.  It was a riot, not only for me, but for several other shoppers in other lines.  Every time you rang up an item, the machine whould name the item, the price and then tell you to place the item in  the bag.  My dh carried on a conversation with the darn registar!!!   One of the items we purchased was a 12 pack of paper towels on sale.  The machine kept saying place item in bag........place item in bag.   After telling the machine several times that the item was  too big,  Dh  finally said I think I need to speak to your manager, miss..........not realizing what he was saying until the guy in the next line started laughing!!!!   Now I will probably never get his help in the grocery store again!!!

I think humor is the only way to deal with stupid machines, and that's what they are, stupid.  I have been programming computers for over 20 years.  One thing I have learned is that people hate stupid machines that think they are smarter than they are.  The person is always, always, always smarter than the computer.  I'll have to remember that one, and the next time I don't like what the computer is telling me, say "I need to speak to your manager."

Self-serve checkouts have improved dramatically in this area.  They no longer read off every item (but do read off the prices), and don't try to figure out if you've put each item in the bag any more.  If there is even a short line at the checkout, I always use the self-serve register.  Once you have it figured out, it's much faster than waiting in line.

Austin

[Calstate361]

I refuse to use the self-service lines because it helps the store cut out people's jobs and I won't contribute to that; even if it is faster.
 
Joan

[AustinBoston]

I refuse to use the self-service lines because it helps the store cut out people's jobs and I won't contribute to that; even if it is faster.
 
Joan

I assume you don't use ATM's for the same reason.  Or self-serve gas stations.

The truth is, most check-out clerks don't really like the job, and they don't pay worth the bother.

Austin

[Calstate361]

Austin, you have a point.  I do use the ATM and Self-serve gas stations.

 
Joan

[chasd60]

I use them if I have a few items. I'll use them for everything when they are the only thing left or I get a discount for using them.

My gas is less expensive at the self serve than at the full serve.

[Kelly]

I don't like using them.  There's still something to be said for human interaction!  (I don't use ATMs unless I have to, but I do use the self-serve gas pump.)

Of course after shopping last week with my mother and running into more than a few "customer service" workers with bad attitudes ~ I may have to change my mind!

[/FONT]

[dthurk]

Used my first self serve checkout in a Home Depot in Pittsburgh over Thanksgiving break.  I think the machine might have been more knowledgeable than some of the floor clerks.  Using the machine made the store seem impersonal, kind of like paying for gas at the pump with a credit card and driving off.

[cyclone]

I will use them at the grocery store; absolutely HATE them at WalMart.  I think they are even slower than the regular lines there.  Which is why I only go to the "w" store if I absolutely have to.  (thankfully, this is not often).

[mowalker]

Wait, there are still full service gas stations?  Not one anywhere near here now.  I wish they still had one that while they pumped the gas you could get your windshield washed, your oil checked and oh those collector stamps too. :theking: That would be cool for what we pay for gas.  The last time I went to the now closed full service station, (I was on crutches at the time), they came out and told me the full service was only open between certain hours and no it was not working folk hours and the pump was shut off.. I found out later they charged 5 cents more per gallon to use the full service.

I don't use ATM's they charge too much and I can get cash at the register with no fee.
 
Don't knock all cashiers, sometimes they are just trying to make ends meet working for a business that has a flexible schedule.  I know of a cashier that I try my best to get in his line, he works an extra job while going to school and taking care of his ailing mother.  He gave me an extra $5.00 off my bill with a in store coupon and gave me another one to use later just last week.  I don't think a machine would go out of its way to do that.  He has a pleasent personality even though his personal life if pretty tough right now.  I think it's good for everyone to work with the public face to face just once.  It could be a very humbling experience.
 
Does the machine card minors?

[oldmoose]

I like the self service, except for bulky or heavy items. The machines don't like them and either say please put item in bag or it's the wrong item. The employee's who watch over the self service have been very helpful in clearing up any problems.

Moose

[AustinBoston]

Wait, there are still full service gas stations?  Not one anywhere near here now.  I wish they still had one that while they pumped the gas you could get your windshield washed, your oil checked and oh those collector stamps too. :theking: That would be cool for what we pay for gas.  The last time I went to the now closed full service station, (I was on crutches at the time), they came out and told me the full service was only open between certain hours and no it was not working folk hours and the pump was shut off.. I found out later they charged 5 cents more per gallon to use the full service.

My understanding is that the New Jersey legislature believes people in New Jersey are too stupid to pump their own gasoline, so all stations in New Jersey are full-serve.

Austin

[OC Campers]

The truth is, most check-out clerks don't really like the job, and they don't pay worth the bother.
 
Austin

Austin for once I think you are wrong.  I happen to be a checkout clerk at the "W" store who actually LOVES her job.  I work full-time and take pride in how I provide service for my customers.  I have customers who actually seek me out because they like my service.  I was working at the service desk a while back and one of my regulars came over and asked if I could ring her up at the service desk.  What a compliment to me.  I do know a lot of checkers who are not as friendly but I would have to say that 75% of them have Walmart as their second job and are just exhausted by the end of the day.
 
Now as far as the self-check.  I have a love/hate relationship with it.  I personally have refused to learn how to watch over the self check as an employee.  I don't want to deal with it.  The store managers actually hate the machines.  They loose a lot of merchandise thru these checkout stands.  But because the customer wants them there they keep them.  I personally will use them only if I have 1 or 2 items.  These machines should have a 10 item or less sign attached to them.  Sometimes we have customers who try to checkout a whole cart load of stuff through them.  They are not built for this.  Now as far as Home Depot, our HD actually only has one regular register open.  The rest are self checks.  This ticks me off because they reduced their employees.  Walmart does not.  Our Walmart store has 15 or more registers open pretty much all the time.
 
"stepping down off my soap box"
 
Jacqui

[Papaso]

I grew up in Jersey and my first real job was pumping gas. It was a great experience, and I met lots of girls too. So I believe that a whole bunch of high school kids would loose that opportunity if they didn't have that law in effect.

[RVMOMNDAD]

And here I was with the impression that Oregon was the only state left that had a law that it is illegal to pump your own gas.  500 fine if you are  caught.  Which doesn't make alot of sense.  All you need to do to pump your own is to tell the attendent that your car is real slow or tricky to gas up.  But they do stand right by your.   I would not go so far as to call them full-service.  Most the time you have to ask to get windshield washed.  Some station managers even tell their employees they don't have to do the windows for under a 20.00 purchase.  I know this because my BIL was an assistant manager.  He always washed, checked oil, and was friendly no matter if were a 2.00 purchase or a fill-up.   And others wondered why he got tips.  Duh...go figure