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I actually prefer self checkout, especially when the UX is reasonably good (Target). I definitely subtract points for unavialable (Home Depot, Walmart) or non-f

I actually prefer self checkout, especially when the UX is reasonably good (Target). I definitely subtract points for unavialable (Home Depot, Walmart) or non-functioning (Chipotle) tap to pay. But the worst self checkout experience by far is McDonalds. Why does it take ~100 taps on the screen to order three items? Whoever designed that UX should be working the cash register, not designing UX's. Edit: just successfully used tap to pay at Chipotle, so I guess they finally fixed that.

ethbr1 3y ago
Chipotle has bar-none the shittiest tech I've seen in retail. Their order web page is the only one that refuses to operate with ad-block turned on. Their app is a mess of broken functionality. And their error paths are uniformly obtuse. E.g. "Unable to accept payment, please pay for your order in store" actually meaning "We were unable to transmit your order to the store, so you should just go through and create a new order when you walk in." Seriously, fuck Chipotle's UX team. (I may also still be salty about their inability to remember to put cheese in a cheese quesadilla)
- denton-scratch 3y ago
  > their inability to remember to put cheese in a cheese quesadilla Is there such a thing as a cheese-free quesadilla? I thought a quesadilla was precisely a cheese sandwich, but made with tortillas instead of bread.
  - ethbr1 3y ago
    > Is there such a thing as a cheese-free quesadilla? Such existential questions occupy my nightly ponderings and soul searching.
- crazygringo 3y ago
  > I may also still be salty about their inability to remember to put cheese in a cheese quesadilla Wait, what? Did they just hand you a tortilla by itself...? Has this happened more than once? That's like ordering a hamburger and them giving you a bun...
  - ethbr1 3y ago
    Yes and yes. I think Chipotle secretly hates making quesadillas, and so makes it as hard as possible to order them. (They're now "online order only") And apparently, does not train their people how to make them. Sadly, when they used to make them from scratch on the tortilla steamer, they were one of my favorite things on the menu.
  - russh 3y ago
    Carls Jr. on a couple of different occasions. I stopped using their drive-ins.
Keirmot 3y ago
I wonder if it’s different where you are (I assume US) compared to me (EU). I’ve used McDonald’s self checkout in Portugal, Spain, Ireland, and Germany, and although they aren’t deserving of any awards they’re functional.
JohnFen 3y ago
I guess that I've never seen a self-checkout system with reasonably good UX, then. I loathe self-checkout. At least there are still human cashiers, though, even though there are fewer of them so the lines tend to be longer.
- mindslight 3y ago
  All the more reason to go at less popular times. I had a phase of trying the self checkouts when they were new, a few decades ago or so. They were so clunky, linear, and demanded that you conform to their slow timing that I stopped (despite the free stuff from the dance of it trying to roll back the conveyor belt and asking you to re-scan an item, after the item had already left the belt) These days I'll use a self checkout maybe once or twice a year, if I'm unfortunately at a store during a peak hour with really long lines, or if I have one or two items and it actually seems beneficial to do so. They have improved slightly, but still suffer from obtusely taking your effort for granted rather than working with you. Most of the time I'd rather wait a few predictable minutes in line than deal with the hassles of using self checkout, like the non-negligible chance I'll have to wait for a worker anyway. Also I know the legal environment is different in the UK, but people choosing to stop and have their bags/receipts inspected on the way out store is a peeve of mine. Especially when they build up a crowd that blocks the exit. Just exercise the smallest bit of self actualization, say "no thanks" and keep walking. (exception for clubs like Costco where they could theoretically screw with your membership)
aworks 3y ago
There's an app for that (including stored previous orders).
crazygringo 3y ago
> But the worst self checkout experience by far is McDonalds. Not defending the kiosks, but at least you can use the app instead which is 1) straightforward, 2) earns points and gives you coupons, and 3) you can order a few minutes before you get there, so your food is already waiting for you once you arrive.
- MrMember 3y ago
  If there were one industry standard app that could be used for most restaurants I might use it but there's no way I'm ever going to install an app and create an account for every restaurant I might go to.
  - crazygringo 3y ago
    Of course, it only makes sense if you eat there regularly.
  - Kye 3y ago
    Apps like DoorDash or GrubHub kind of work for this. You can order for pickup without all the platform and delivery fees.
- qingcharles 3y ago
  The app is shitty on Android, locks up on every phone I've ever tried it on. I power through all its bugs though because I need the grease and cheese. Apps are no good for those at the bottom of the system though - if you don't have a phone or data or a debit card, then apps are hard.

ethbr1 3y ago

Chipotle has bar-none the shittiest tech I've seen in retail. Their order web page is the only one that refuses to operate with ad-block turned on. Their app is a mess of broken functionality. And their error paths are uniformly obtuse. E.g. "Unable to accept payment, please pay for your order in store" actually meaning "We were unable to transmit your order to the store, so you should just go through and create a new order when you walk in." Seriously, fuck Chipotle's UX team. (I may also still be salty about their inability to remember to put cheese in a cheese quesadilla)

denton-scratch 3y ago
> their inability to remember to put cheese in a cheese quesadilla Is there such a thing as a cheese-free quesadilla? I thought a quesadilla was precisely a cheese sandwich, but made with tortillas instead of bread.
- ethbr1 3y ago
  > Is there such a thing as a cheese-free quesadilla? Such existential questions occupy my nightly ponderings and soul searching.
crazygringo 3y ago
> I may also still be salty about their inability to remember to put cheese in a cheese quesadilla Wait, what? Did they just hand you a tortilla by itself...? Has this happened more than once? That's like ordering a hamburger and them giving you a bun...
- ethbr1 3y ago
  Yes and yes. I think Chipotle secretly hates making quesadillas, and so makes it as hard as possible to order them. (They're now "online order only") And apparently, does not train their people how to make them. Sadly, when they used to make them from scratch on the tortilla steamer, they were one of my favorite things on the menu.
- russh 3y ago
  Carls Jr. on a couple of different occasions. I stopped using their drive-ins.

Keirmot 3y ago

I wonder if it’s different where you are (I assume US) compared to me (EU). I’ve used McDonald’s self checkout in Portugal, Spain, Ireland, and Germany, and although they aren’t deserving of any awards they’re functional.

JohnFen 3y ago

I guess that I've never seen a self-checkout system with reasonably good UX, then. I loathe self-checkout. At least there are still human cashiers, though, even though there are fewer of them so the lines tend to be longer.

mindslight 3y ago
All the more reason to go at less popular times. I had a phase of trying the self checkouts when they were new, a few decades ago or so. They were so clunky, linear, and demanded that you conform to their slow timing that I stopped (despite the free stuff from the dance of it trying to roll back the conveyor belt and asking you to re-scan an item, after the item had already left the belt) These days I'll use a self checkout maybe once or twice a year, if I'm unfortunately at a store during a peak hour with really long lines, or if I have one or two items and it actually seems beneficial to do so. They have improved slightly, but still suffer from obtusely taking your effort for granted rather than working with you. Most of the time I'd rather wait a few predictable minutes in line than deal with the hassles of using self checkout, like the non-negligible chance I'll have to wait for a worker anyway. Also I know the legal environment is different in the UK, but people choosing to stop and have their bags/receipts inspected on the way out store is a peeve of mine. Especially when they build up a crowd that blocks the exit. Just exercise the smallest bit of self actualization, say "no thanks" and keep walking. (exception for clubs like Costco where they could theoretically screw with your membership)

aworks 3y ago

There's an app for that (including stored previous orders).

crazygringo 3y ago

> But the worst self checkout experience by far is McDonalds. Not defending the kiosks, but at least you can use the app instead which is 1) straightforward, 2) earns points and gives you coupons, and 3) you can order a few minutes before you get there, so your food is already waiting for you once you arrive.

MrMember 3y ago
If there were one industry standard app that could be used for most restaurants I might use it but there's no way I'm ever going to install an app and create an account for every restaurant I might go to.
- crazygringo 3y ago
  Of course, it only makes sense if you eat there regularly.
- Kye 3y ago
  Apps like DoorDash or GrubHub kind of work for this. You can order for pickup without all the platform and delivery fees.
qingcharles 3y ago
The app is shitty on Android, locks up on every phone I've ever tried it on. I power through all its bugs though because I need the grease and cheese. Apps are no good for those at the bottom of the system though - if you don't have a phone or data or a debit card, then apps are hard.