Self check-out at the grocery store..a vent

[Disney Doll]

2 of the 6 self check out lanes are labeled "express" in my local grocery store.
The other 4 are not labeled as such, so I assume they are not.

 

[Albort]

i find the weight check thing annoying...

 

[Allison]

The self checkouts in my area never seem busy. It looks like most people still prefer the regular checkout.

 

[Becky2005]

If they aren't designated as express lanes, why would someone think they are? They can be used by anyone for whatever they buy unless designated otherwise.

Not inconsiderate at all.

That's what I'm thinking although I dislike taking big orders through there myself. There are nothing saying it is only for small orders. However....sometimes you have no choice because there isn't a real check-out open. I found that out the hard way even though my DH TOLD me "it's only self check-out" when it was late at night.

I work retail and thought no way could that be correct. Even though we have self checkout (no not express there and we actually pull people from the regular check out when the line gets long and will scan them ourselves at self checkout), we close that one first and the regular register stays open.

It was after work late one night & sure enough...only self checkout was open. Crazy cause I had to ask for help about 5 times (I don't know all the codes for produce! If I had known, I wouldn't have even bought produce but was doing the "oh, we need this" and ended up with more than I planned to get).

I always love when people are waiting in line for self checkout and the person at the regular register is just standing there waiting for someone to help...even though we TRY to tell them "Register X is OPEN" they just look at us and prefer to wait in line.

 

[jbcheerchick93]

Hi!

I work at a grocery store, one of two very large ones in my area. We have 6 self-checkout (we call them U-scan) and there are 10 regular registers, one being express. Express ends around 7pm, and the self-checkout is not considered express. We have many people who bring their own things through, cartfuls of it too. Many people only go through for one or two items, but plenty are willing to scan and bag their own things. Those are the type A people!

 

[Jaya]

I don't have any trouble with the self-check lanes but what really puts my knickers in a twist is when I get behind someone who, at the last minute or even after the items are bagged, pulls out a wad of coupons that would choke a horse and the following happens:

Cashier: "Ma'am, I'm sorry but this coupon is for the 16-oz size."
Customer: "WHAT? Well I don't want the 16-oz size." Then proceeds to dig through the bag to get the offending item out, or, alternately, sends companion off to find the 16-oz size while everyone waits behind her. Then item needs to be removed from the total and new item put in.

Cashier: "Ma'am, I'm sorry but this coupon has expired."
Customer: "WHAT? That can't be expired!" Looks at it for a while and then says, "Well, the other cashier lets me used expired coupons!" Then proceeds to dig..........

Cashier: "Ma'am, I'm sorry, but this coupon is for ABC brand and you have XYZ brand."
Customer: "WHAT? There're the same price....why can't I just use the coupon?" and then proceeds....well, you know the story.

I was behind two women last month who pulled this and I was hemmed in and couldn't get back out because there was a line behind me. I thought they were NEVER going to get through. I'd like to see a line that says "NO COUPONS" or at the very minimum, "NO CUSTOMERS WITH 65 COUPONS, HALF OF WHICH ARE EXPIRED OR FOR THE WRONG SIZE/PRODUCT/STORE".

Hmmmph....I hate grocery shopping.

 

[ashley23]

I thought the self checkout lanes were for when you buy embarrassing items and would prefer not to have another person touch your stuff. Some times I just want to buy ice cream, deodorant, and personal lubricant without any smirks.

 

[mikehn]

If they aren't designated as express lanes, why would someone think they are? They can be used by anyone for whatever they buy unless designated otherwise.

Not inconsiderate at all.

I agree with this. I also use the self checkout when I have things in the cart I want to spare the cashier from, such as pig intestines and the like.

 

[kate_wdw]

I thought the self checkout lanes were for when you buy embarrassing items and would prefer not to have another person touch your stuff. Some times I just want to buy ice cream, deodorant, and personal lubricant without any smirks.

I think that the self-checkout lanes are for anyone willing to scan their own groceries, regardless of the order size.

 

[Malibustyle23]

I used to work at Giant and was usually the self check out clerk. It was a wonderful job I loved having to fix every issue that the machines and the humans arose. (<-----note the sarcasm!)

At that store there are 4 self check out lanes, one is designated as express 12 items or less. Please note only about 10% of the customers every took the time or effort to read or care about that "rule" so it really didn't matter much.

Personally I think that self check out is for those that want to avoid human interaction and contact rather than for express check out. But luckily all the super creepy that only come out of their dark dungeons to buy weird supplies at the store are ALWAYS the ones that somehow trigger the machine to go bonkers. That means I got to come over and cheerfully interact with these "creatures" while fixing the machines. It was fun times for all!

 

[Maridw]

At the Wal-Mart nearest to us, they have 4 self checkout registers. Picture the ones from the link provided by Cantw8 and then reverse it to add the other 2. There is just enough room for a cart at each register and for a cart to go between those. There is no line or sign to say "Wait for next open register". People will be standing waiting and someone will walk right past them to one of the 4 registers.

I did see an employee tell a person that there were others already waiting the other day. A first for that. What really bothers me is when someone with a full cart decides to use it and has absolutely no clue at all. Trying to scan and they aren't scanning the item right. Then don't put it in the bag, so the register is telling them to bag the item, but they haven't figured that one out. Then add produce or something that has to be looked up to the mix and it is really a disaster.

One employee told us that while bagging, when the "Finish & Pay" flashes, you can take the bag off the area and put it in your cart. My DD & I have this down to a tee. I bag, she pulls (this is only if the number of items takes up more than 2 bags). We can get through pretty quick as a team. Also if an item won't scan, you can put the number in from the barcode - use all but the very last number in the code.

 

[Spriesty]

The link that you posted, with the image of the Giant grocery store self-scanners are not like the self scanners at the Giant I shop at, at all.

The ones at my Giant are actual isles, with a conveyer belt that sends the items to a catch-all type place.

I have used both the self-scanners and regular check outs, no matter how full (or empty) my shopping cart was.

The reasoning? Depends on my mood. Depends on how fast the regular check out lines are going, and how empty the self-scanners are. Depends on how ornery my kids are being that day. Depends on what types of things I'm purchasing.

I tend to be a little OCD when it comes to bagging my things. I like cold things with cold things. I don't want my uncooked meats to touch anything. I don't want cold/frozen things to start to thaw and make paper boxes wet.

If I have $200 worth of groceries, and I also picked up feminine hygiene products, and there are only gentlemen in the check out lines (or bagging for the check out lines), sometimes I'll bypass them and go to the self-scanners. (I know it's silly, I know they know what happens to us ladies, but still, I don't want the baggers to think of me as The Tampon Lady every time I walk in!)

 

[OceanAnnie]

My newest pet peeve is people that leave their empty carts behind them after paying! Two times recently people have finished removing their stuff and walk away from it, where it sat empty directly in front of me in the way of getting to the area to pay. I did tell one person they forgot their cart (after I pushed it forward to get it out of my way), just because it was so annoying.

The second time, I pushed the empty cart forward to follow them and get it out of my way. I kept looking at them and then at the cashier. I gave her eyes like, "Can you believe them?!", and as the couple walked away she said to them, "You forgot your cart.". They acted sheepish and took it. But geesh! It's so dumb. I asked the cashier, how do you forget the thing that you just used? She laughed. She said it happens a lot.

The first time it happened, the person had a few items at the grocery store. The second time it was at Target.

Why is it so hard to take the cart where it belongs? Ridiculous.

 

[Malibustyle23]

My newest pet peeve is people that leave their empty carts behind them after paying! Two times recently people have finished removing their stuff and walk away from it, where it sat empty directly in front of me in the way of getting to the area to pay. I did tell one person they forgot their cart (after I pushed it forward to get it out of my way), just because it was so annoying.

The second time, I pushed the empty cart forward to follow them and get it out of my way. I kept looking at them and then at the cashier. I gave her eyes like, "Can you believe them?!", and as the couple walked away she said to them, "You forgot your cart.". They acted sheepish and took it. But geesh! It's so dumb. I asked the cashier, how do you forget the thing that you just used? She laughed. She said it happens a lot.

The first time it happened, the person had a few items at the grocery store. The second time it was at Target.

Why is it so hard to take the cart where it belongs? Ridiculous.

They don't forget it they are just lazy and entitled! Another reason I am glad I no longer work in retail. People are just plain rude and they get ruder everyday. It was a normal occurrence for people to just leave their empty cart wherever they wanted inside the store because they couldn't be bothered to have to push it with them and return it right by where they were walking.

 

[Planogirl]

Our Wal-Mart has 8 self checkout registers and they have a lot of space for items. I use them even if I have a fair amount of items because I find them simple to use and just fly through there. I rarely buy a massive amount of things at Wal-Mart though.

Other stores do have limits and small areas and I only check out a few things at those.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I'm guessing you take a whole cart through there I think of them as express because of the very small area available to place items after they are scanned Here's what it looks like

http://www.google.com/search?q=gian...litics%2Fcategory%2Flabor-politics%2F;500;375

Oh wow. Ours are huge compared to that. We don't have conveyor belts but there are about 8 bag holders I think? Something like that.

 

[NHdisneylover]

If they aren't designated as express lanes, why would someone think they are? They can be used by anyone for whatever they buy unless designated otherwise.

Not inconsiderate at all.

I agree. I find it odd that the OP thinks she can just make up her own "rules" and then be annoyed by those who don't follow them

I'm guessing you take a whole cart through there I think of them as express because of the very small area available to place items after they are scanned Here's what it looks like

http://www.google.com/search?q=gian...litics%2Fcategory%2Flabor-politics%2F;500;375

That is what they looked like in our local stores in NH five years ago. Yes, I could take a whole cart through there--I am good at bagging (my mom was a "bagger" at Kroeger when I was a kid and she was always nutty about wanting things bagged just so as I grew up ).

I always preferred the self check because it was faster for me, and I could bag things how I wanted.

 

[vgrandy]

This is what they look like at our stores, and I do take a cart full. That is what they are for.

https://www.google.com/search?q=sto...-bagging-self-serve-checkout-lanes%2F;660;371

 

[Janepod]

They are for people with any number of items who, like me, hate making small talk with the cashier.

"Oh my God, grass fed beef? This is so expensive! Did you know it was this expensive? Do you still want it?"

"I have never seen anyone buy coconut milk before. And now everyone is buying it! Why? What's the deal with coconut milk?"

"We sell gelato? Is this a new thing? How is it? What's the difference between gelato and ice cream? Should I try it?"

And so on.

I *love* self checkout.

 

[OceanAnnie]

They don't forget it they are just lazy and entitled! Another reason I am glad I no longer work in retail. People are just plain rude and they get ruder everyday. It was a normal occurrence for people to just leave their empty cart wherever they wanted inside the store because they couldn't be bothered to have to push it with them and return it right by where they were walking.

I agree it's laziness. They don't forget. I think I wanted to say something about it without calling them lazy and rude. I was just stunned at how they unloaded that thing ang kept inching away as the transaction was finishing. Never mind there are people behind you that are coming through. Incredibly self centered.

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I think one reason why you see people w/ lots in there cart going through self check outs is there are 't enough registers opened. I have gone through with more than a few things when the few check outs opened had long lines. Who wants to get in long lines if you don't have to?

On the flip side, I have had people get in line behind me w/ 1 or 2 items ( when I have a full cart) and give me that expectant look like they want to pass in front of me. Sometimes I let them, but when the express lane is empty, my stuff is on the belt, and I got in the right lane -- I point out the empty lanes. They rush over to them every time. It's kind of annoying. Sometimes I think people see a line and get in without any thought. I'm not like that. I scan for empty or out of the way registers.