3 ms·

Self-checkout is significantly slower and more error-prone than using a cashier. It would be one thing if you could just walk your cart under a scanner and get

by l_t 7y ago

Self-checkout is significantly slower and more error-prone than using a cashier. It would be one thing if you could just walk your cart under a scanner and get a bill. But self-checkout is exactly the same as regular checkout, but with nobody there to help you. It's hideous for any orders with 10+ items.

derrick_jensen 7y ago
What sort of issues do you actually see with increased number of items? I can't imagine how that could be difficult
- jazzyjackson 7y ago
  increased probability of false positive on weight in the bags: needs to be manually reset before continuing checkout fruit whose code is not in the system fruit without a code
theluketaylor 7y ago
The self checkouts I have used are explicitly worse than if they let you operate the regular checkout. I'd happily use the cashier's workspace and check myself out. Self checkout kiosks are a nightmare of user unfriendly design that assumes you are going to steal every chance you get. The workflow of cart --> scanner --> bag is hideous, the weight sensors to prevent theft fail to detect items all the time, entering produce codes takes forever since unlike the cashier you don't get dedicated controls, the bagging area is too small even if you have minimal items and since 6 other people are getting the exact same voice feedback nearby you can't distinguish which instructions are for you.
- Gibbon1 7y ago
  > the weight sensors to prevent theft fail to detect items all the time I've noted the local stores I go to with self checkout have disabled the weight sensors. I think they've decided the slowdown and annoyance isn't worth the reduction in shrinkage. Also possible the reduction is nil.
  - c22 7y ago
    I try to go through a line with a cashier if I can just to get my support for a human workforce into their metrics, but sometimes I have to use the self-checkout (often because it is the only option after certain hours.) I've noticed that when there is a problem with the anti-theft scale (usually because something has failed to scan because I am moving faster than the weight-check) the sole attendant will just cancel the "bagging alert" from their command station. I imagine it's impossible to investigate every time the machine stops when one person is "monitoring" a dozen or more of these things. I've stopped trying to rectify these errors and now just consider it as a discount for me having to take on the work they used to pay someone for. Perhaps the stores see it the same way and the loss is still way less than the cost of employees?

by l_t 7y ago

derrick_jensen 7y ago

What sort of issues do you actually see with increased number of items? I can't imagine how that could be difficult

jazzyjackson 7y ago
increased probability of false positive on weight in the bags: needs to be manually reset before continuing checkout fruit whose code is not in the system fruit without a code

theluketaylor 7y ago

The self checkouts I have used are explicitly worse than if they let you operate the regular checkout. I'd happily use the cashier's workspace and check myself out. Self checkout kiosks are a nightmare of user unfriendly design that assumes you are going to steal every chance you get. The workflow of cart --> scanner --> bag is hideous, the weight sensors to prevent theft fail to detect items all the time, entering produce codes takes forever since unlike the cashier you don't get dedicated controls, the bagging area is too small even if you have minimal items and since 6 other people are getting the exact same voice feedback nearby you can't distinguish which instructions are for you.

Gibbon1 7y ago
> the weight sensors to prevent theft fail to detect items all the time I've noted the local stores I go to with self checkout have disabled the weight sensors. I think they've decided the slowdown and annoyance isn't worth the reduction in shrinkage. Also possible the reduction is nil.
- c22 7y ago
  I try to go through a line with a cashier if I can just to get my support for a human workforce into their metrics, but sometimes I have to use the self-checkout (often because it is the only option after certain hours.) I've noticed that when there is a problem with the anti-theft scale (usually because something has failed to scan because I am moving faster than the weight-check) the sole attendant will just cancel the "bagging alert" from their command station. I imagine it's impossible to investigate every time the machine stops when one person is "monitoring" a dozen or more of these things. I've stopped trying to rectify these errors and now just consider it as a discount for me having to take on the work they used to pay someone for. Perhaps the stores see it the same way and the loss is still way less than the cost of employees?