Self serve check outs

[SirJosephPorter]

1 - Lines go down – meaning no credit cards – debit etc work

Goober, that has never happened to me (although once the gas station ran out of gas as I was filling up). I do carry a bit of cash (say 15 or 20 $) with me. But until that happens, I don’t see any point in carrying a lot of cash.

Always carry cash in case you happen to be mugged

That has never happened to me either. Of course, we live in a very safe area; we rarely go out at night, in the dark and in general are careful to avoid situations where we may be alone on a deserted street. But it has never happened to me (nor has it happened to anybody we know).

 

[Spade]

My Dear SJP

Where did you pick up that are-there-no-poorhouses spiel?

Concerned,
Your employee,
Bob Cratchit

 

[tracy]

I don't like em much, but don't see them going away any time soon. We have to use them at the hardware store since that's all they have a lot of the time.

 

[Goober]

1 - Lines go down – meaning no credit cards – debit etc work

Goober, that has never happened to me (although once the gas station ran out of gas as I was filling up). I do carry a bit of cash (say 15 or 20 $) with me. But until that happens, I don’t see any point in carrying a lot of cash.

Always carry cash in case you happen to be mugged

That has never happened to me either. Of course, we live in a very safe area; we rarely go out at night, in the dark and in general are careful to avoid situations where we may be alone on a deserted street. But it has never happened to me (nor has it happened to anybody we know).

SJP
You must be a great adherent and glorify in the Wallmartization of the US and Canadian society.

 

[miniboss]

I don't like them. I believe that Retail, is a people business. Yeah, you run into the odd a%&hole sometimes, but machines take away from the "Personal" touch. I'd rather stand in line and wait for a human cashier, than use the self checkouts.

 

[Spade]

Hi Goober!
Seldom Wal*Mart it.
PS to miniboss
I agree!

 

[Goober]

Hi Goober!
Seldom Wal*Mart it.
PS to miniboss
I agree!

Spade

My friend – What is it about SJP and No Party Affiliation – What a load of crapola -

 

[Risus]

Well, I personally like the self service check outs. I find them quick and convenient. Usually there is hardly anybody at the self serv check out, or at most a short line. I think they are easy to use, take cash, credit, debt cards, gift cards etc., there is no difference between the kind of service they provide and a human cashier provides.

I have never had any problem using them. The only problem I have encountered is if somebody who has never used them before is using them sometimes they can take a long time. But with sex or seven counters available, that is not really a problem.

Anyway, I think self service check out is the wave of the future, so better get used to it. I routinely use them at Wal Mart, at the food supermarket (Loblaws etc.).

I was agreeing with you until you mentioned Wal Mart....

 

[Goober]

I was agreeing with you until you mentioned Wal Mart....

Risus

These checkouts take us as a society one more step away with interaction with the company and most importantly with people – Another cog in the machine where we all become used to not dealing with people. Sad.

 

[Francis2004]

Here is my opinion on self serve..

Gas Stations were mandated to Prepay before pumping in BC last year. It is much easier to do it youself then having someone hang over your shoulder as the case is in Richmond were it is law to have someone pump in gas in to your car / truck. This has created jobs in Richmond but most are the time I sit there waiting as a jockey runs from vehicle to vehicle to put in or take out the nozzle. This has now made me avoid Richmond due to the LACK of service...

In Grocery stores I prefer to use people check outs as most of the Automated machines I have used "always" have a glitch. The sensor at the Canadian Superstore is so sensative you cannot touch the bagging area without having to wait 3 to 5 minutes everytime for someone to come and look to make sure everything is OK ( hence you didn't add something to your bags ). Also the Superstore machines DO NOT give Cash Back.. Not that I really care and only take Interact and Credit Cards.. While at Price Smart Foods ( Div of Overwaitea Food Group ) the machines are a bit better but still too much of a bother most of the time and usually closed..

I have not seen the ones at Home Depot or WalMart yet so no comment..

Realistically Self Serve has been around for ages in terms of Banking in ABM and Interact..

It won't be long before these machines at Grocery Stores and other places work more effiecently and get it right..

This will give companies more time for security and stocking while they re-staff the stores for other areas. It is true that at this time they are doing job attrition and its unfortunate that many will lose jobs at this time. We can only hope the poor service they provide drives away customers untill they bring on more people to assist properly again..

 

[Francis2004]

Risus

These checkouts take us as a society one more step away with interaction with the company and most importantly with people – Another cog in the machine where we all become used to not dealing with people. Sad.

Totally agree Goober..

 

[barney]

I don't understand the logic of people who say, "I use the self-serve to avoid the lines": the whole reason there are lines at the cashier is because people don't want to use the bloody self-serve and the store insists on closing cashiers so of course the SS are clear.

The problem is that the bloody store doesn't hire enough bloody people! And what about bag-boys/girls? The cashier has to waste time putting the stuff in the bag instead of being able attend the next customer. No, let me guess: I have to do it.

They also don't have cash-only lines so you can't avoid waiting ages for card-users no matter which line you choose.

The reason to not use self-serve is an ethical one: you--YOU--are buying from the store, yet YOU have to act as cashier. So the way they repay you for giving them your business is to make you do work. The whole point to there being cashiers is because as a customer, you're not supposed to be doing any work. At least it wouldn't be so insulting if they justified it by cutting prices because of the money they save on personnel, but that is not the case.

As for the 'wave of the future' argument: notice that it's companies that decide what it will be, not their clients. Total BS--it'll die if people resist it. Automation is only justified if it decreases cost or time without decreasing quality. Neither is the case here.

IMO this is strike material--if not government regulation material.

Quite frankly, the market is highly unregulated and people's health and well-being is very much dependent on income so if you can do a little to help people keep their jobs then for pity's sake, do it.

That said, I know it's a tedious job but if you're a cashier (or any service personnel), you need to make an effort to not unload your frustration on the customer (unless he/she's an a-hole, in which case let loose the dogs of war--short of getting you fired). There are few things that get one down than having to deal with someone that doesn't want to serve you and makes using the cashier line a chore. Employees that can't be respectful should be fired (and supervisors should quietly overlook employees that snap-out disrespectful customers--just because someone's there to serve you doesn't mean you have some right to treat them like $hit).

 

[SirJosephPorter]

My Dear SJP

Where did you pick up that are-there-no-poorhouses spiel?

Concerned,
Your employee,
Bob Cratchit

Spade, consider me as an anti-Scrooge. Didn’t scrooge say that there actually are poor hoses (he asked the question ‘Are there no poorhouses?’).

 

[SirJosephPorter]

These checkouts take us as a society one more step away with interaction with the company and most importantly with people

Goober, do you have to rely on supermarket checkout for you daily human interaction? How pathetic is that?

When I am finished shopping, I want to check out as quickly as possible, in as hassle free way as possible. Self checkout does that. If I don’t get human interaction with the checker, I am OK with that.

 

[Spade]

Great post, barney! Give that man a ceegar!

 

[SirJosephPorter]

In Grocery stores I prefer to use people check outs as most of the Automated machines I have used "always" have a glitch.

Sir Francis, my experience is exactly the opposite, they have always worked for me. I regularly use the self check outs at Loblaws and Wal Mart, and I haven’t had any problems with any of them.

It is true that at this time they are doing job attrition and its unfortunate that many will lose jobs at this time.

As more and more stores use self check out, it is to be expected that there will be some job losses. However, as I remarked before, computerization always produces more jobs than it destroys, in the long run.

 

[SirJosephPorter]

The reason to not use self-serve is an ethical one: you--YOU--are buying from the store, yet YOU have to act as cashier.

I don’t know, Barney, I rather like the idea of doing things by myself, rather than rely on somebody else.

As for the 'wave of the future' argument: notice that it's companies that decide what it will be, not their clients. Total BS--it'll die if people resist it.

It is the wave of the future, Barney. Computers are taking over everywhere, what makes you think that people will be able to rest the self check outs in the stores?

IMO this is strike material--if not government regulation material.

And just how is going to strike over this? If supermarket checkers go on strike, wouldn’t that actually speed up the automation process, lead to even more self check outs?

That said, I know it's a tedious job but if you're a cashier (or any service personnel), you need to make an effort to not unload your frustration on the customer

Many times that is not possible, it is human nature to take out one’s frustrations on somebody else.

 

[Francis2004]

In Grocery stores I prefer to use people check outs as most of the Automated machines I have used "always" have a glitch.

Sir Francis, my experience is exactly the opposite, they have always worked for me. I regularly use the self check outs at Loblaws and Wal Mart, and I haven’t had any problems with any of them.

It is true that at this time they are doing job attrition and its unfortunate that many will lose jobs at this time.

As more and more stores use self check out, it is to be expected that there will be some job losses. However, as I remarked before, computerization always produces more jobs than it destroys, in the long run.

SJP, I stated in my post important facts that are missing..

I have re-inserted the red cut out into my posts so my point can be properly made..

In Grocery stores I prefer to use people check outs as most of the Automated machines I have used "always" have a glitch. The sensor at the Canadian Superstore is so sensative you cannot touch the bagging area without having to wait 3 to 5 minutes everytime for someone to come and look to make sure everything is OK ( hence you didn't add something to your bags ). Also the Superstore machines DO NOT give Cash Back.. Not that I really care and only take Interact and Credit Cards.. While at Price Smart Foods ( Div of Overwaitea Food Group ) the machines are a bit better but still too much of a bother most of the time and usually closed..

It won't be long before these machines at Grocery Stores and other places work more effiecently and get it right..


This will give companies more time for security and stocking while they re-staff the stores for other areas. It is true that at this time they are doing job attrition and its unfortunate that many will lose jobs at this time. We can only hope the poor service they provide drives away customers untill they bring on more people to assist properly again..


These have been my experiences and my beliefs.

 

[VanIsle]

I'll use them if there is less waiting. You can't steal from them or anything and if you think you aren't being watched, you're nuts. Most stores watch you six ways to Sunday with cameras and everything has a chip on it that will set off the alarm at the door if you don't scan it.

As for jobs, I find it more and more difficult to give a damn about people these days. Since so few give a damn about me I figure we're about even in the end.

There is only so much security in a grocery store. I really cannot see where they would hide a chip in a package of steaks. I am a cashier and I certainly don't have any chips to remove. There are cameras - that's a given. They only give a general description and they are only looked at if someone believes there is a problem. Do we have security walking around the store - we do. Still doesn't mean they catch it all. We have huge wide open doors as an exit. We all know that many carts of groceries have walked right out those doors.
I don't know what your job is but - I care about it. I care about everyone's job. I respect everyone who has a job as long as they actually do the job they were hired to do from low paying to high paying.

 

[VanIsle]

Well, I personally like the self service check outs. I find them quick and convenient. Usually there is hardly anybody at the self serv check out, or at most a short line. I think they are easy to use, take cash, credit, debt cards, gift cards etc., there is no difference between the kind of service they provide and a human cashier provides.
Really. You mean that the self serve remembers you and tells you it's nice to see you again. Does the self serve remember your name or that you like your groceries double bagged or not bagged or your 4 litres of milk in a bag or not? When you cannot find an item in the store does your self serve send someone to get it for you or find out if the store even sells it? Tell me again how there is no difference.

I have never had any problem using them. The only problem I have encountered is if somebody who has never used them before is using them sometimes they can take a long time. But with sex or seven counters available, that is not really a problem.
I really don't think my store has sex counters available. However, if I am wrong, I'll let you know immediately.

Anyway, I think self service check out is the wave of the future, so better get used to it. I routinely use them at Wal Mart, at the food supermarket (Loblaws etc.).

Since you routinely use them, you are dis-respectful of others jobs. That's sad Sirrup.