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I always refuse to use Self Checkout, even when a store clerk offers to operate it for me. The process always takes longer than doing it "the old fashioned way

I always refuse to use Self Checkout, even when a store clerk offers to operate it for me. The process always takes longer than doing it "the old fashioned way". Maybe it's because I'm over 50, but I prefer face-to-face interaction with a cashier. BTW, I'm not a technophobe by any measure. I'm probably more tech savvy than most people here.

sndean 10y ago
Being pretty antisocial, I tend to go to the self checkout if it's available. Though I've noticed that if there's a problem with something, and the store clerk comes over to help, that leads to far more human interaction than the old fashioned way (explaining the problem vs. "Hi") > BTW, I'm not a technophobe by any measure. I'm probably more tech savvy than most people here. At least in my circle of friends, it seems like it's less about being tech savvy/phobic and more introverted/extroverted
- draw_down 10y ago
  I tend to prefer less human interaction as well, but these machines offer the worst of both worlds: frustration due to dealing with a poorly designed machine, PLUS the joy of waiting around for a person to come rescue you.
serge2k 10y ago
I hate the self checkout but I use them because they tend not to have lines. They really are slow.
- deleted 10y ago
  [deleted]
wvenable 10y ago
If I have less than 5 items, the self checkout is usually faster but anything over that and then it's just too trouble to do all that stuff myself. For one single item, which happens sometimes, it can be significantly more efficient.
- SyneRyder 10y ago
  I wonder if that's part of the disconnect for people - I love self checkout, but I live alone, all my shopping fits in one basket, and I walk to & from the store. If you're shopping for a family and filling a whole shopping cart to take to a car, you probably have more items than are reasonable for efficient self checkout.
rhizome 10y ago
That face-to-face interaction is unnaturally reducing the performance bonus of management. Think any of the headcount savings $ goes to stockpeople? A Home Depot person always walks by me in line, saying "Self-checkout is open!" to which I always reply "Never." Craig Menear doesn't need those micropennies for anything other than scorekeeping with his golf buddies. But these are all just rationalizations. Self-checkout was a broken hassle years ago when I first tried it. I'm not under the impression much has changed, and my sympathies have grown with the labor argument. This seems especially evident in the lack of baggers (and bagging skills) at my local large grocery store. I think they stopped teaching it, but regardless The headcount-reduction engine doesn't result in a business I want to give more money to.

sndean 10y ago

Being pretty antisocial, I tend to go to the self checkout if it's available. Though I've noticed that if there's a problem with something, and the store clerk comes over to help, that leads to far more human interaction than the old fashioned way (explaining the problem vs. "Hi") > BTW, I'm not a technophobe by any measure. I'm probably more tech savvy than most people here. At least in my circle of friends, it seems like it's less about being tech savvy/phobic and more introverted/extroverted

draw_down 10y ago
I tend to prefer less human interaction as well, but these machines offer the worst of both worlds: frustration due to dealing with a poorly designed machine, PLUS the joy of waiting around for a person to come rescue you.

serge2k 10y ago

I hate the self checkout but I use them because they tend not to have lines. They really are slow.

deleted 10y ago
[deleted]

wvenable 10y ago

If I have less than 5 items, the self checkout is usually faster but anything over that and then it's just too trouble to do all that stuff myself. For one single item, which happens sometimes, it can be significantly more efficient.

SyneRyder 10y ago
I wonder if that's part of the disconnect for people - I love self checkout, but I live alone, all my shopping fits in one basket, and I walk to & from the store. If you're shopping for a family and filling a whole shopping cart to take to a car, you probably have more items than are reasonable for efficient self checkout.

rhizome 10y ago

That face-to-face interaction is unnaturally reducing the performance bonus of management. Think any of the headcount savings $ goes to stockpeople? A Home Depot person always walks by me in line, saying "Self-checkout is open!" to which I always reply "Never." Craig Menear doesn't need those micropennies for anything other than scorekeeping with his golf buddies. But these are all just rationalizations. Self-checkout was a broken hassle years ago when I first tried it. I'm not under the impression much has changed, and my sympathies have grown with the labor argument. This seems especially evident in the lack of baggers (and bagging skills) at my local large grocery store. I think they stopped teaching it, but regardless The headcount-reduction engine doesn't result in a business I want to give more money to.