Electronic ordering kiosks/self-checkout

[aprilchem]

I love them. Where I live we have a real labor shortage in the service industry (there are tons of jobs and no people to fill them) and being able to order/checkout on your own is 10x faster.

 

[soccerdad72]

Generally speaking, I use them whenever they're available (haven't seen them in our Costco yet, though).

The less people I have to deal with, the better.

 

[marcyleecorgan]

I hate them and I'm pretty anti-social, but I like the routine of actually dealing with a human being. we always stand in line for a bank teller, I will never use mobile banking or an ATM (except when I need cash and the bank's not open, of course).

 

[SC Minnie]

Our Panera has the order kiosks but they've been down the past 2 times I've been in there. I prefer using the kiosk because I feel rushed at the counter with the person and often forget to tell them no onions.

I only use self checkout at a store if I absolutely have to.

 

[anniemae]

I always use self checkouts when they are available. Less interactions with humans is a good thing.

 

[mco65]

Not a big fan of the ones at McD... unless you order generically (no changes to the meal) its kinda clunky... I do like having no counter interaction.. just easier IMO.... I love the small kiosks at the larger sit down restaurants that allow you to check out and pay when you are ready... I don't like that they charge a dollar or more to play those silly games..

 

[OneOftheB's]

I tend to use the self check out whenever I don't have a ton of items and/or am buying alcohol. My biggest problem using them for the longest time was DD leaning or pushing on the bagging area, as it is weight sensitive. She finally grew enough to help me scan items, thankfully.

 

[Julie's Haircut]

Walmart, and the local chain grocery store have the self checks.
Walmart's seem to work just fine.
The local grocery store's have issues. You scan a gallon of milk and put it in the bagging area and the computer ladies voice says "UNEXPECTED ITEM IN THE BAGGING AREA". How on earth is it unexpected? I scanned it. I was charged for it. The computer should have known how much a gallon of milk weighs. Then someone has to come over and clear it.
Walmart seems to have turned off that function.

Yes, Walmart's self checkouts seem to work very well, while supermarkets are sometimes wonky. Then again, I rarely buy produce or other loose items at Walmart that sometimes cause problems with supermarket self checkouts.

I can't remember the last time I was at a McDonald's, so I haven't seen the self ordering screens. Wawa convenience stores have had touch screen ordering for food service for about a decade or more now and it works well.

 

[Colleen27]

I refuse to use them. It strikes me as a ploy to not pay for labor, and I cannot support that. For each machine I see the loss of a job for a human being. So I'll wait in line, and if they ever got long enough to be ridiculous due to lack of employees, management will hear about it from me.

I see it that way too, and I often see them presented as an alternative to demands for a more robust minimum wage. But I don't think that's it entirely. I can't believe how many younger people I know (~25 and under) who absolutely hate or feel ridiculously awkward about basic interpersonal interactions. I think the kiosks are going to end up being an essential element of marketing to that generation, and I already know high schoolers who will order McDs over other take-out places because of their online and kiosk ordering systems. And they'll say right up from that they like the food better at other places but it is worth the trade off not to have to "deal with" talking to people.

Around me, the grocery lines have already gotten ridiculous if you refuse to use the self-scan. There's usually one staffed register open in off-peak hours (like mid-morning) and none after a certain point in the evening. It isn't unusual to have 5+ people in that line and no waiting on several self-checkouts.

 

[mummabear]

Just wondering what people's experience has been with these.

NZ is often a trialing ground for these sorts of things (we are quick on uptake of tech but also small.so cheap to roll out and unimportant if it goes wrong). Self checkouts at supermarkets/warehouse type stores has been the norm for I'm not even site how long, between 5-10 years. At the supermarket even our large shops are done with a scanner then a self check out.
All of our McDonalfs have the self order agIn for a couple of years.
It's great, it makes everything so much faster.

 

[bcla]

NZ is often a trialing ground for these sorts of things (we are quick on uptake of tech but also small.so cheap to roll out and unimportant if it goes wrong). Self checkouts at supermarkets/warehouse type stores has been the norm for I'm not even site how long, between 5-10 years. At the supermarket even our large shops are done with a scanner then a self check out.
All of our McDonalfs have the self order agIn for a couple of years.
It's great, it makes everything so much faster.

I can only think of one retailer with stores in my area that went to a 100% electronic checkout system. It was a place called Fresh & Easy, which was owned by the British retailer Tesco. I don't know how to describe them other than they were a bit on the small side, and they had a lot of items that were heat and serve, as well as produce and a limited selection of other groceries.

 

[bcla]

Oh - in the same vein, I remember self-serve check-in at hotels. At some it's optional, and if there's any issue they always require going to a human to complete the transaction. However, one time (might have been 2005?) I went to a hotel where there was no traditional front desk. All check-in and check-out was via touch screens with a kiosk that would produce the receipt and key cards. The hotel also didn't have its own reservations system. All reservations were made through 3rd parties.

 

[tvguy]

I got a postcard today offering free food and drinks at the closest McDonalds. They just remodeled and put in the kiosks. I may have to go try it out.

 

[Southernmiss]

Like self check out for groceries and items. Was in Kmart today and the only line open the cashier was chatty and I had only one item and had ducked out of work to run and get something for work and needed to get back to the office. Would have much rather checked out and avoided waiting on the cart full of birthday gifts and the friendly conversation that transpired in front of me.

The first food kiosk we encountered was in Orlando last Thanksgiving. We ran in to McDonald's late in the evening and it was wall to wall people. Could not get the kiosk to work to save our lives. I was so done with McDonald's that night.

Now, I have used the Chic Fil A app to order food as we were en route to the store. That was amazing. Walked in was recognized and had my food in under a minute.

Keep saying that I'll do the Walmart on line grocery shopping, but I am picky about my fresh produce and always need that. So I haven't used the on line grocery shopping app yet.

 

[Pamlur]

I first encountered the ordering kiosk in a McDonald's in Paris; great way to get acquainted. I ordered and paid for a small Coke, but never figured out where to go pick up the Coke. So I just left and assumed they would eventually pour it out.

 

[RangerPooh]

We rarely go to McD (and when we do it's the drive-thru), but the one down the road has the self order kiosks. Didn't care for them. The tablet at Chili's was used last weekend. It was a joke. The specials listed didn't mention that it only applied to the bar area. Had to ask to speak with a manager in order to get that pricing.

I use the ones at Kroger when I don't have a full cart. Occasional issue when using coupons or I purchase an item on clearance and it doesn't scan properly. Walmart seems to have more self checkouts than they do cashiers. And the lines are still terrible! Lowes has self checkout and there's almost always an issue. I wish that they'd just open up the regular registers as half the items don't scan properly.

I do occasionally use my Starbucks app to order ahead. Only once has there ever been an issue.

 

[MetalMasterC]

Totally random, but I have this quirk where I like to spend $2 bills. And I've tried them at various self-checkout locations. I haven't found a single self-checkout that wouldn't accept them.

I used to do the same thing. I used to like to circulate $2 bills. Nowadays, I don't bother carrying cash.

I refuse to use them. It strikes me as a ploy to not pay for labor, and I cannot support that. For each machine I see the loss of a job for a human being. So I'll wait in line, and if they ever got long enough to be ridiculous due to lack of employees, management will hear about it from me.

Bolded is the biggest myth in employment.

Companies putting kiosks in their stores is only an EXCUSE to claim that the wages is a result of them having to do it. Many of these places make money hand over fist.

I worked in a few retail establishments and we have never had more or less employment with kiosks/self check-out being used. Most stores are understaffed anyway, kiosks or not. I was present when one was being put in. Employment practices never changed. In general, if it were up to stores, they'd hire people for free. They only truly want brand loyal people working for them for pleasure. Why else do some retailers in interviews ask "why chose [brand] for your career?"

If you want to not use them, then that is your prerogative. But in the end, it doesn't make much difference. Corners will be cut. Pay will be as low as possible. Businesses will find every excuse to do what was planned all along.

I see it that way too, and I often see them presented as an alternative to demands for a more robust minimum wage. But I don't think that's it entirely. I can't believe how many younger people I know (~25 and under) who absolutely hate or feel ridiculously awkward about basic interpersonal interactions. I think the kiosks are going to end up being an essential element of marketing to that generation, and I already know high schoolers who will order McDs over other take-out places because of their online and kiosk ordering systems. And they'll say right up from that they like the food better at other places but it is worth the trade off not to have to "deal with" talking to people.

There's a stigma about entitlement these days. Many of my generation (I'm almost 40 as of this) and older seem to hold these high expectations of our youth. Yet are always judged by the adults who are trying to push them. We're too transfixed on having a "backbone" and toughness. I also seem to notice more older people seem to be much angrier and entitled then younger people do.

Again, working in retail, I can't tell you how many pushy and smug people came to me for help. I remember one woman in a previous job said I was rude to her when I told her we were out of something. I didn't even do as much as raise my voice at them. If anyone has a lack of people skills, it would be those people. It's no wonder many younger people don't want to DEAL with interactions. No one wants to deal with potentially angry people. Even if it's a retail employee. We've also become too self-conscious in trying to be as perfect as we can. Granted, we're not as bad as Japan is, but there is an issue.

I also blame the media. But not how some would think. I speak for more for the US, but news outlets report so many mass shootings and criminal activity that people get scared to leave their house. Heck, I hate leaving my house.

 

[mco65]

Our Publix (which i could walk to) does not have the self check out kiosks.. but our Kroger a few miles down the road does. I go to Publix 99% of the time simply because its so close. The few times i went to Kroger and used the self check out.. no issues. Our Walmart is simply a zoo of people and i despise going there but sometimes i simply have no choice. I have used the self check out kiosks at our Wal Mart and so far so good...

 

[MamaLema]

Not a big fan of the ones at McD... unless you order generically (no changes to the meal) its kinda clunky... I do like having no counter interaction.. just easier IMO.... I love the small kiosks at the larger sit down restaurants that allow you to check out and pay when you are ready... I don't like that they charge a dollar or more to play those silly games..

Our local McDonalds has a customize button. Just yesterday DS got a burger with no mustard or onions from the kiosk.

I’m not a kiosk fan, but there is only a small menu shown at the cash so I use the kiosk to see the full menu and prices.

 

[Colleen27]

There's a stigma about entitlement these days. Many of my generation (I'm almost 40 as of this) and older seem to hold these high expectations of our youth. Yet are always judged by the adults who are trying to push them. We're too transfixed on having a "backbone" and toughness. I also seem to notice more older people seem to be much angrier and entitled then younger people do.

Again, working in retail, I can't tell you how many pushy and smug people came to me for help. I remember one woman in a previous job said I was rude to her when I told her we were out of something. I didn't even do as much as raise my voice at them. If anyone has a lack of people skills, it would be those people. It's no wonder many younger people don't want to DEAL with interactions. No one wants to deal with potentially angry people. Even if it's a retail employee. We've also become too self-conscious in trying to be as perfect as we can. Granted, we're not as bad as Japan is, but there is an issue.

I also blame the media. But not how some would think. I speak for more for the US, but news outlets report so many mass shootings and criminal activity that people get scared to leave their house. Heck, I hate leaving my house.

I don't mean it in a judgmental way, and I really don't think it has a lot to do with bad experiences with older people. It is just a major generational difference I see in how the younger people around me, from my classmates in college (I finished my bachelors 2 years ago, at 37) to the teenagers/young adults who hang around my house with my 20 and 17yo kids. I don't see it as angry or entitled or anything like that, just something interesting and at some level a bit unsettling about the ways they tend to communicate. For example, a lot of the younger people I know won't order a pizza if they have to call it in; they only use the companies with online ordering. In our town, that means foregoing two independent places that have excellent pizza in favor of one of the two mediocre chains that have internet or app ordering, but that's a trade-off they're willing to make to avoid what they consider to be an awkward and unnecessary interaction. Likewise, they *love* Amazon. Even when there are places they could go in town to get the same products at similar prices, they'd rather order online and have it appear in the mailbox than venture out to brick & mortar retailers. So I think, as their generation ages and becomes the dominant consumer demographic, things like kiosks and mobile/online ordering will become essential to retail and food service success regardless of concerns about wages, staffing, or any of that.