JC Penney to eliminate cash registers

[Kathi OD]

and the reason they instituted the new "Fair & Square" pricing policy is because they couldn't go to the self-checkout model if they continued to offer coupons.

http://www.jckonline.com/2012/07/19/jc-penney-plans-to-eliminate-cash-registers-2013

Really? Has this guy ever shopped? What happens when the computers go down, do the stores close, since they don't take cash?

This has got to be the stupidest thing I've ever heard.

 

[ctinct]

Oh, my. I actually like the new pricing structure, but I hate self checkouts. I always, always have some sort of snafu whenever I attempt to use one. Plus, they are slow. I used to be a cashier so it frustrates me that I can scan faster than the stupid register will let me. Not to mention that I now am saving the store on labor costs by doing the work myself. No, no, no, JCP! Heck, no.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

Wow! I think i need some wading boots and a shovel.

Mumbo-jumbo, buzz work, jargon, phrase, blah blah... I could see JC Penny going the way of Woolworth if they actually try to do this.

The big question really is how many times can one person say "roll out" and "technology" in a three minute clip?

 

[billdob62]

I like self checkouts...but not at a department store. Sometimes they bite the hand that feeds them with all this cost cutting bs.

 

[megan160]

So they want to stop paying cashiers, and effectively eliminate customer service? That will be the end of JC Penney for me. I want to support them, because I admire their embrace of non traditional families, but I'm not trading customer service for it.

 

[robinb]

I have a love/hate relationship with self check out. I don't mind doing things myself, but I wonder how many jobs are lost as my local grocery stores add more and more self check outs and open up few and fewer full service lanes. Sometimes my cart is too full to check myself out and I hate trying to find the shortest of 3-4 open lanes and then waiting forever.

 

[debbiemomto4]

I recently went to ikea. They used to have self checkout and they longer do. Maybe jc Penney should speak to them!

 

[Colleen27]

Yeah, that's the end of Penney's for me. I hate self-checkout. They want me to do the work but they're sure not interested in giving me a price break for it, and somehow I always end up waiting while the one person watching over the half-dozen self-service terminals deals with several shoppers' problems with the line backing up more by the minute.

I'm also one of those relics that still uses cash most of the time so a cashless store is a huge turn-off to me.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

When I was taking business classes we would read case studies about "New Coke". Ten years from now it will be the fall of JCPenney...

A local grocery store chain in Central and Western Mass recently took out all their self-serve check outs. Earlier today I was so excited to go through the express lane with my three cartons of Ben and Jerry's and have someone ring it up for me.

 

[robinb]

A local grocery store chain in Central and Western Mass recently took out all their self-serve check outs. Earlier today I was so excited to go through the express lane with my three cartons of Ben and Jerry's and have someone ring it up for me.

I think that some stores are having serious problems with theft at the self checkouts. That is why they are so ridiculously sensitive to ensure that you don't slip something into a bag where it doesn't belong or swipe something and not bag it.

 

[Pembo]

I was in our JCP this week. It was like a ghost town. Lots of clerks just wandering around saying hello to us. They also have lots of barriers up bc they are remodeling?!

It's a 2 level store and they removed the registers from the second floor. They were in the middle of the childrens dept. I had to take my dd's shorts down the escalator and look for a register. The clerk asked me if I found everything, I told her I couldn't find the registers!

I don't like the self-check out only model! JCP is on its way out and I really like their merchandise. Bummer...

 

[MrsPete]

Count me as another lost customer. I hate self-check out at the grocery store and flat-out refuse to use it. If this is the only option at Penny's, they will lose my business entirely.

I think they've been headed down a bad path lately anyway -- they've already cut out about half the registers, and I always have trouble finding someone to check out my things -- and this might be the beginning of their end.

 

[ICF]

Self check outs are fine....except too many people just dont seem bright enough to use them.

 

[MrsPete]

Incidentally, I don't think everything's truthful here.
Grocery stores DO accept coupons at the self-check outs.

 

[Redwitch]

JCP has already cut back hours for employees. This will result in even more loss of jobs. Low paying, but jobs none the less.

 

[maxaroni]

All self check out is a recipe for disaster. At the supermarket it is an option, they DO take coupons, but you have the choice of self checkout or a cashier. Same scenario at Home Depot.

It's been a number of years since I've been I JCP and went the other night. It was empty and few registers. However, what shocked me is the fact there are not any women's dressing rooms on the first floor where the clothing, intimate apparel, sleepwear is located. Athe dressing rooms are on the 2nd floor. WTH??? Up and down the escalator to try things on. I won't be going to often.

 

[Kathi OD]

From reading the linked article, I got the idea that not only were they going to a total self-checkout model, but that there would be no cash sales.

“My goal…by the end of 2013 is to eliminate the cash route,”

I think that's even crazier than only providing self-checkouts.

 

[cornflake]

I so prefer self checkouts - it's so much faster (if people would just move it along!) and I prefer just doing it myself.

However, the self checks at the grocery stores I've been in accept cash - I don't think one thing has anything to do with the other.

 

[glitzybabes]

Something is going on in my JCP. There are a lot of walls up and I believe the sign said Company's Coming. Not sure if this has anything to do with it.

 

[littlebit0863]

I really love self checkouts, but I have a feeling theft will be out of this world.