> Most grocery stores I frequent have replaced several lanes of "efficient" cashiers with the much slower (for shoppers) self-checkout systems. Yes, the lines m

> Most grocery stores I frequent have replaced several lanes of "efficient" cashiers with the much slower (for shoppers) self-checkout systems. Yes, the lines may be shorter, and the store needs fewer checkers (one can cover multiple self-check lanes), so the store is saving money. But I feel a loss in service quality and am not convinced my checkout time (waiting + service) has been shortened. Yes, I don't use them either, for the same reasons. But other people do. They've chosen to use that line. If the lines get too long, I can choose to go to another store. Having 1 cashier for each customer in the store would obviously be impractical too. But an equilibrium forms. People get short, not unreasonable wait times, and the store saves money (lowering prices for the customers). At the DMV, that equilibrium doesn't happen, because people don't have that choice. They can't choose to go to another "store".