Self-checkout etiquette - is it rude to start scanning while someone else is still there?

[Karin1984]

Lines are a big annoyance for a lot of people. Especially at check out. A lot of frustration happens there. From both sides.

To those who say people are in their own world (or a variation). That is also the other way around. Whenever you are in a hurry, there is a person in front of you totally oblivious that not everyone has the time to shop casually, and they chose that time to slowly count their money, take their time bagging their groceries. Everyone is self absorbed nowadays.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

This never happens at the Amazon Go Stores. You just walk out. Hopefully more stores will be moving to this model. Really cuts down on shoplifting too.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bu...lout-of-self-checkout-Fresh-stores-2022-8?amp

 

[Moliphino]

Rude and weird. You should wait until the person before you leaves before starting.

I tried to put my reusable bag in the bagging area before scanning so I could bag as I go and the thing yelled at me for having an item in the bagging area. I scan everything, then bag it all into the cart.

 

[E&Cmom]

I think it is weird and rude. If you think the person is being too slow than it is a passive aggressive move.

 

[lovesmurfs]

Agree it's rude. Especially given social distancing. Bizarre.

 

[luv2cheer92]

Wouldn't bother me in the slightest

 

[HopperFan]

No matter what type of machinery or what OP was doing, it was rude to do anything before they had loaded their last bag into your cart to walk away.

Like DLgal I can't believe it actually worked with weight still on the sensor!

Very rude. You shouldn't even step up to the a self check station until it is unoccupied. Those stations generally aren't made for two people. The only place I know of where that would work is Costco. Their shelf check station have really long counters so you could feasibly be packing up at the very end.

I think you have to consider both sides of this story. We are hearing one. What were you doing? I'm having a hard time picturing the scene. When I am self scanning, I am also bagging and putting stuff back in the cart as I go. When I get the receipt everything is off the platform and in the cart so I can just head away instantly. Were you standing in the way chatting with someone or on your phone or something else that created a situation that someone would feel the desire to move you along? If someone else started scanning where did they put their stuff after it was scanned?

I scan and into the bag I bring or into the plastic bag and cart so when receipt comes out it's grab and go and never leave scanned items next to scanner.

I'd say 8 out of 10 stores in our area the items must be placed in a bag on a scale that determines if you bagged something you did not scan. We have to leave all items until paid for - unless we touched the large item button (cases of water etc) which allows us to leave in the cart. Using your own bags or just dropping them in the cart would not be allowed because the system isn't calculated for that.

A couple stores, like our Walmart, have appeared to turn off their scales and one could move them direct to cart but most do not, because it's not posted information, and they just use the bagging system provided.

 

[mylilnikita]

I’m pretty mouthy so I would have to quote Ludacris the rapper and say “ back up, you don’t know me like that.”

 

[Moliphino]

This is what the self checkouts look like in stores around me. If somebody starts scanning before I leave, then they're crowding me. I usually have my cart right in front of the register part the whole time.

 

[amcnj]

I am bagging as I go, so when I am done paying I am waiting for the receipt and then am out of there. Some people seem like self-checkout is not for them though. They have a real lot of difficulties. All the stores where I use it also have lanes with cashiers.

I wouldn’t want someone crowding me. The lanes have a moving conveyor which has a sensor which stops the items right before the scanner. So I don’t even put anything on the belt while someone is at the scanner or still bagging as I don’t even want my items to crowd them, let alone me!

I could maybe understand if they had just an item or two and were hand carrying them. The self-check lanes at the grocery store I usually frequent have a skip bagging button, so items don’t have to hit the scales. So if someone is lingering by the bagging area (some scan, place it on the scale and then bag afterwards) you could conceivably do your thing and zip right out. I would wait though.

 

[DisneyHardin]

I agree that it was very weird. I always use U-Scan at Kroger and they look very much like the picture you posted. Ours don't reset for the next customer until all the bags are off, so someone couldn't do that at my grocery.

 

[kdonnel]

Instead of directing your dismay at the fellow shopper, you should be complaining to the store management for forcing you to check yourself out.

You were working for free, in California no less. California labor laws are some of the strongest in the nation yet they allow for unpaid labor by the customers.

The unpaid customers should at least get a 1 to 2 percent discount for using self checkout.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I’m pretty mouthy so I would have to quote Ludacris the rapper and say “ back up, you don’t know me like that.”

I like your take on it, would love to see the face of both the person who has no idea what you're talking about and the person who gets your reference

 

[Mysterian]

I don't think it matters what you're doing, it's just personal space.

That’s it in a nutshell. Your spider-senses are going off because a stranger is suddenly too close, it’s an instinctive response.

Even if someone’s in a hurry, that doesn’t grant them access to someone else’s personal space. And if you’re in such a rush that you have to crowd someone, then organize your time more appropriately. Right, George?

 

[Mysterian]

Instead of directing your dismay at the fellow shopper, you should be complaining to the store management for forcing you to check yourself out.

“Don’t be mad at the shark for invading your personal space. Blame the ocean!”

 

[kymom99]

Instead of directing your dismay at the fellow shopper, you should be complaining to the store management for forcing you to check yourself out.

You were working for free, in California no less. California labor laws are some of the strongest in the nation yet they allow for unpaid labor by the customers.

The unpaid customers should at least get a 1 to 2 percent discount for using self checkout.

I prefer to check myself out. In my area you have choices. Choices are good.

 

[disneychrista]

Inst

The unpaid customers should at least get a 1 to 2 percent discount for using self checkout.

Of course they would raise the prices of everything 3% first.

 

[RedAngie]

Instead of directing your dismay at the fellow shopper, you should be complaining to the store management for forcing you to check yourself out.

You were working for free, in California no less. California labor laws are some of the strongest in the nation yet they allow for unpaid labor by the customers.

The unpaid customers should at least get a 1 to 2 percent discount for using self checkout.

I’ll gladly pay 2 or even 5% more if my favorite store would install MORE self checkouts.

 

[bcla]

I’m pretty mouthy so I would have to quote Ludacris the rapper and say “ back up, you don’t know me like that.”

I was feeling more like this:

 

[kdonnel]

I’ll gladly pay 2 or even 5% more if my favorite store would install MORE self checkouts.

Some grocery stores are finding they are losing a connection with their customers and doing away with self checkout.

The labor savings is not worth the value of the lost connection.

Shoplifting increases and there is a measurable decrease in items purchased per visit.

Turns out in this iteration of automation it is bad for business.