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Self checkout machines in the US are primarily a way to have someone working multiple registers. Working retail, you'll regularly see an entire line stop flat w
by efreak 7y ago
Self checkout machines in the US are primarily a way to have someone working multiple registers. Working retail, you'll regularly see an entire line stop flat while payment gets processed or a problematic item/customer comes through. Self checkout stones this problem by only requiring a single employee be available for up to four registers (in my experience) while customers do the work themselves. Another advantage is that if the store is fully staffed, people with issues (returns, price mismatches, complaints, etc) are likely to get them resolved faster than if everyone with a small order was ahead of them.
It's entirely possible that I'm wrong, but as a retail worker, that's my understanding.
- procombo 7y agoOne of our local hardware stores (Home Depot) went completely self-checkout a couple years ago. It was terrible and the employees hated it. I haven't been back. I might be the minority though. I'd argue there is also a societal effect as well. Those employees are trained on how to spot theft, and not about being helpful to the customer. I'm not interested in being treated like I'm in a prison. :) I'm fine waiting in a checkout queue with my kids. They enjoy shopping with me, but it's a small nightmare trying to do it all by myself. This will invariably lead to people like me having to pay a premium for an actual employee of the store prepare my bill of sale. --Which, when that time comes I'll pay. Also, I really don't want the liability of performance on me. I scan a wrong barcode or I miss something and then I'm in a small room talking to a police officer having to explain myself. No thank you. :)