Full Service Checkouts

[TippyThomas]

I agree the cashiers are crazy fast. We got a brand new Aldi about 2 miles from me last fall. They built only 2 cashier register lanes but 6 self check out registers. My DIL said the one she goes to added a few self check out registers shortly after the new one opened. There are several others within a few miles but I haven’t been in them to know if they are still cashiers only.

I always hope there is someone in line ahead of me so I have time to place my stuff on the belt. I feel so bad when the cashier is waiting for me to place things up there just so they can scan them. I always ask them if their shoulder hurts by the end of the day. That repetitive motion can't be good all day long.

Mine doesn't have self check though.

 

[ford family]

Do you ever have a moment of blind panic when you are randomly chosen for a security check?

It certainly happens but of late they seem to be happy to just take half a dozen items at random and check they have been correctly scanned!

ford family

 

[focusondisney]

Giant stores near me have those too. I also use them since I notice more people bringing dogs into stores and putting them in the kid seat.....

I’m glad the grocery stores near me have kept the sanitizing cart wipes they started making available during the pandemics. I’ve seen dogs in shopping carts often enough that I wipe down the whole inside of the cart as well as the handle. No, I don’t want to put my groceries when your dogs butt was.

 

[focusondisney]

I don't put anything in the kiddie seat. Yuck. I wish there were carts without those seats for those of us with no kids. I mean, the kids get the race car carts!

I wipe that seat area down with the sanitizing wipes too. . Then I put my reusable bags & purse (if I don’t have a cross body one) there while I shop.


As for the OP’s question, it depends where I go. I try to pack bags by category but that are also manageable weight wise. If I have to use a cashier, I place a shopping bag on the belt & then the items I want in that bag. Then another bag with the items for in it, etc. The cashiers tell me they like when customers do that, so they don’t have to guess how someone wants bags packed. If the store has self checkout, I prefer to use that over a cashier. I pull items out of the cart & bag using a similar organizing as above. The only grocery store we have that lets you scan & bag as you shop is Tops. I absolutely love it. I really prefer to bag & organize my own stuff. It takes a little longer as I shop but the actual check out takes a quick minute.

Tops will do a random check when you self scan while shopping every once in awhile too. It’s definitely not every time I shop but seems pretty random. They only need to pick 3 items & usually just grab something off the top. I actually just had a random check done the other day. The employee apologized & said she hates they have to do it. I told her I don’t mind at all & I’m glad they still have the self scan option instead of stopping it like Wegmans did.

 

[barkley]

interesting how things operate in different places-

no stores absent automated belts here (unless something like 7/11)

only one store i can think of that has customers self bag (kinda bulk/discount)

cashiers bag at all the rest EXCEPT one localy owned chain/one specific safeway/one specific walmart where they still have designated 'baggers' at the end of each lane (that walmart has also retained/consistantly operates the greatest number of 'assisted checkouts' despite being the newest build of the 5-6 in the area). either pay for or bring your own bags (except that specific walmart b/c it's over the stateline).

 

[Smugpugmug]

I’m glad the grocery stores near me have kept the sanitizing cart wipes they started making available during the pandemics. I’ve seen dogs in shopping carts often enough that I wipe down the whole inside of the cart as well as the handle. No, I don’t want to put my groceries when your dogs butt was.

Giant got rid of the wipes but Safeway and H Mart still have them thankfully. I'm a huge dog lover but I don't want everyone bringing them when I go to the grocery store.

 

[AppleDumpling]

I organize as I shop and put items in the cart. Then I put them on the belt in the proper order, and bag my own order with reusable bags. Sometimes if the cashier finishes scanning before I finish bagging, they’ll offer to help and I’ll give them a bag. (No plastic bags here anymore; you bring your own or pay for paper.)

 

[mylilnikita]

I organize the cart so when I check out, it can hopefully be easier for everyone.

I am also odd that when I make my list, which I have to later, I have a list from fridge if what we are low on then make my list according to the layout of the store.

A couple years ago, my Kroger rearranged part of the layout and people like me were waking around going where is stuff at lol.

I also have to eat something before I make my list, as well as eat something before I go.

 

[barkley]

I am also ofd that when I make my list, which I have to later, I have a list from fridge if what we are low on then make my list according to the layout of the store.

i do that too! i also have one grocery store that i pass coming and going from the main store i do my monthly shopping at so i take a look at their sales, mark down any supposed 'specials' they have going (next to specific items) so that if their price is better i snag it on the way home (i'm not going to waste gas chasing sales all around where we live but if i'm passing the store, yes-i will stop to save a few cents ).

 

[mylilnikita]

i do that too! i also have one grocery store that i pass coming and going from the main store i do my monthly shopping at so i take a look at their sales, mark down any supposed 'specials' they have going (next to specific items) so that if their price is better i snag it on the way home (i'm not going to waste gas chasing sales all around where we live but if i'm passing the store, yes-i will stop to save a few cents ).

And nowadays, every little bit helps.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

At my preferred Kroger location, we have full service checkout If I'm shopping in person and have a full cart that warrants the use of the manned checkout. I just roll the cart up and the employees do the rest. The belt comes after they scan the items, so it all hinges on the order they pull things from my cart during this process. The only time I ever have any control over it is if they're short on baggers. If I bag my own groceries, I will organize some things at the end of the belt and do some bag related organization.

 

[tinkerbellandpeterpan]

None of our grocery stores that I shop at here or when I lived on Long Island have baggers so I don't expect the cashier to do it. I've always just bagged for myself. I actually hate when I get behind someone in line who expects the cashier to bag because it takes twice as long. Of course I understand that there are circumstances where someone needs the cashier to bag for them.

 

[Babs Johnson]

I don't put anything in the kiddie seat. Yuck. I wish there were carts without those seats for those of us with no kids. I mean, the kids get the race car carts!

It doesn’t bother me whatsoever if there is baby/dog poop or vomit or drool residue on the kiddie seat. I don’t wipe the area beforehand either. Most of my produce goes up there without plastic bags, individual peppers or zucchini or eggplant. I only use produce bags if I buy three or more of a particular loose item.

For smaller orders I’ll use the smaller two tier carts, if available, or a hand basket for just a few items.

 

[Babs Johnson]

Those markets where the cashier removes items, scans, and immediately bags, do they have five foot long arms to reach the bottom of the main cart, let alone the bottom shelf?

 

[Babs Johnson]

A couple years ago, my Kroger rearranged part of the layout and people like me were waking around going where is stuff at lol.

A sure sign of middle age or older: getting a bit frazzled when your favorite market gets rearranged.

 

[focusondisney]

A sure sign of middle age or older: getting a bit frazzled when your favorite market gets rearranged.

Amen! The Wegmans I normally shop at was rearranged right before Christmas. It is so annoying. I get so many steps in when I go shopping…. walk forward 2 aisles then back 3. And of course the new layout makes no sense at all.

 

[GoingSince1990]

I use the self-scanner and scan and bag everything when I take it off the shelf. Checkout takes about 20 seconds with Apple Pay (with about 30 seconds added if an ID check is needed when I buy beer) and no conveyor belt is needed. And there is almost never a line for the self-checkouts. Pretty much a perfect system as far as I am concerned.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I am also odd that when I make my list, which I have to later, I have a list from fridge if what we are low on then make my list according to the layout of the store.

Not odd at all! - I actually have lists in my computer, in aisle order (for a couple of local stores) of the stuff we tend to buy. I print several and keep them in a pocket on the side of the fridge. When it's time to start a list, I can just highlight most stuff and then write in whatever other items I need.

As for the original question - yes, I definitely organize! I place my insulated bags on the belt, then the cold stuff, then my regular bags, then other food, then non-food items. It is my absolute pet peeve when I bring insulated bags and they don't use them for the cold stuff.

I love Aldi's, because when I bag my own at the counter area, I can bag based on how I put things away - not just cold stuff separately, but kitchen cabinets vs. downstairs pantry as well.

 

[barkley]

those that shop at places that you bag your own-do they have longer belts/precheckout holding space? i ask b/c the cashiers and baggers where i shop end up with more than the area for loading into the cart can handle before i can unload my cart (i blame the shorter than 'the old days' belted holding areas at counters-they seem to all have been downsized to the size the 15 item or less lanes were sized at).

 

[focusondisney]

I can bag based on how I put things away - not just cold stuff separately, but kitchen cabinets vs. downstairs pantry as well.

That’s a great idea, I should try that, although most non refrigerated stuff goes in the basement pantry. I’m usually just worried about how heavy the bags are.