More news on self checkouts

[BMWTurboDzl]

Originally Posted by Reddy45
MGM properties in Las Vegas are soon going to be installing "robot" bartenders to replace the ones who work behind the scenes to provide drink service to cocktail waitresses and such.

The bartenders at the actual bars won't yet be replaced, though.


I'm pretty split on the idea of automation. I couldn't tell someone they were fired because we found a cheaper robot to do their job, but robots will be SUPER consistent with creating goods and don't need tips. I can't stand the idea of tipping.



Ya. I also read they laid off a bunch of cocktail waitresses and MGM tested the system out at one of their properties in the North East and their new property in the DC area. I still haven't seen how they've chosen to implement them because I can't see why anyone would jump off a slot machine or get up off a table to go get a drink. The whole idea behind the cocktail waitress is to keep players at the tables.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted by anndel
At our local Walmart, most cashiers are slow so lines are long. The really fast ones left after about a year but I figured they weren't local and probably military spouse that PCSd. I normally go to the self checkout at Walmart and HD. I wish they had them at Costco.


Walmart checkouts have been horrible for as long as I remember. Nothing new. In fact, the self checkout is helpful for people who have just a few items to get through. But Walmart doesn't always keep them open either. Walmart is just lousy no matter what.

Self checkout in lieu of an express lane is ok, I guess, but there should be item limits that are enforced. I can't really stand the self checkouts' software because it always creates faults if you're scanning light or small items. Net waste of time to get an attendant.

My HD re-did their self checkouts, but still maintain a large number of manned lines. This seems to be the best setup..

 

[Eddie]

If I have less than 5 items I will go for self ck but, more than 5, it seems something screws up and must wait for help. Ed

 

[4wd]

Our Walmart is much better since they installed new scanners (the first generation were bad news) …

They keep one checker for 4-6 machines … and I tell them while walking past if I have miss used products
(TB cleaner, Gumout, Techron, etc) …
Oh, and in this small town they have long term employees that seem to get that duty …

 

[grampi]

Originally Posted by AZjeff
You geezers would hate our local grocery store. They have hand scanners you take with you and scan your stuff as you put it in your reusable bags. Love them. You see the price of every item as you scan and you handle your items 2 times not 3. People will stand 4 deep to go to a cashier instead of self check out or use the hand scanners. Crazy.


You geezers? So a person has to be old not to like self checkouts?

 

[Danno]

Increasing the minimum wage has consequences. Total wage pool stays the same, just over fewer workers.

 

[Popsy]

Originally Posted by JLTD
Self checkouts = less job security for the store employees. I prefer to help keep them employed.

+1

More and more self checkouts here too. Part of me likes it for the convenience, part of me is sad for the lost jobs.

 

[SevenBizzos]

The new self-checkouts at my local grocery store now have a small bowl to put your change in. So now these become change machines too. Still so convenient.

 

[AZjeff]

Originally Posted by JLTD
Self checkouts = less job security for the store employees. I prefer to help keep them employed.


I see more employees filling online orders than there ever were cashiers....

 

[opus1]

I will use whatever lane is convenient for me at the moment - sometimes there's a cashier standing around waiting while the self-check is crowded, and I can get in and out quicker.

One big advantage to me with self-checkout is that I can make sure every coupon I have for items I'm buying actually gets scanned and stop the process when one doesn't go through. I've lost count of the number of times the cashier blew through the stack and missed one or two (and it's usually the $3 coupons, not the $0.50 ones...) and when I go back to point that out, the response is for the clerk to give me the coupon and direct me to the service desk for a refund since it can't be done at the register at that point. I try to track them as they've being scanned, but the clerks still manage to sneak some by the system somehow.

 

[PimTac]

I have no problem with the self checkout. Fred Meyers also has the Scan and Go handheld system too. We have to realize the cashier position is going away.

The irritant I am experiencing lately are these personal shopper employees going around with pick lists. As the idea has become more popular the more of these there are. They don't have shopping carts at Fred Meyers, but large tote carriers. I suspect they are pulling items for multiple customers. That makes sense. These large carts hog the aisles. To top it off, in Fred Meyers (Kroger) case these are not their employees but are from another contract company.

This is getting more and more popular here and I suspect it will get popular everywhere. Send your list to the store, they pull everything, you pull up at a designated parking area and load up. It was interesting when it started with one or two people with regular carts but now I see 6-8 pickers with these large tote carriers.

 

[AZjeff]

In the Fry's store the pickers have a cart with 12(?) bins stacked 3 high/4 wide about the size of milk crates so it's pretty narrow, they haven't been any worse than typical customers blocking isles. Seems to be gaining ground here too.

 

[beanoil]

I flat refuse to use self check lanes.
Did that at Walmart a while back, and was stopped on the way out of the store because my big bag of dog food was not in a shopping bag.
"You are kidding right? You don't have a bag big enough for me to put this in."
" I need to check your receipt, I think you are trying to steal that food."
'Sure, go get your store manager..."

He leaves, so do I.
What a maroon.

Now I make them check everything.

 

[PimTac]

Originally Posted by AZjeff
In the Fry's store the pickers have a cart with 12(?) bins stacked 3 high/4 wide about the size of milk crates so it's pretty narrow, they haven't been any worse than typical customers blocking isles. Seems to be gaining ground here too.




That's what I see as well. It depends on the pickers and their consideration for other too. Maybe it's just me but every time I go to the store these carts are blocking where I want to shop. If you are looking for something they are in the way. I did remark when our store was remodeled that the aisles were nice and wide. Now I know why.

In the grand scheme of things it's minor.

 

[Astro14]

Originally Posted by JLTD
Self checkouts = less job security for the store employees. I prefer to help keep them employed.


I'm not certain that working at Walmart is helping anyone...

 

[StevieC]

When I worked at McDonalds 20+ years ago as a manager they were testing ordering kiosks then and that when was local labour was $7ish per hour. Today that same labour is $14/hr 20+ years later and they have the kiosks in place but most still prefer to order at the counter and very few use the Kiosk.

Personally I don't ever go through u-scan unless I have one item and I'm in a hurry but that's rare.

 

[CT8]

Originally Posted by Snagglefoot
Originally Posted by AZjeff
You geezers would hate our local grocery store. They have hand scanners you take with you and scan your stuff as you put it in your reusable bags. Love them. You see the price of every item as you scan and you handle your items 2 times not 3. People will stand 4 deep to go to a cashier instead of self check out or use the hand scanners. Crazy.


If it was my local Walmart, they would miss half the scans, then steal the scanner.

That is why they have the scanners !

 

[atikovi]

I can't believe this self checkout isn't subject to frequent shoplifting, intentional or accidental, especially at supermarkets. I've seen cashiers scan items 3 or 4 times before they register, so what's to prevent an inattentive shopper from just scanning and tossing in the bag anything that didn't scan? And that's in addition to intentionally putting a few items in the bag without scanning.

 

[Bud]

My Walmart has 22 check out lanes. They converted 10 of those to self check. I will take self check anytime.

 

[aquariuscsm]

I refuse to use self checkout unless I get a good discount on my items. To me that's like going to a restaurant and bussing your own table,cooking your own food,serving yourself,re-bussing your own table,then cashing yourself out and still paying their sky high prices for a meal. Oh,and don't forget to leave a tip for your privilege of dining in their fine establishment.