I brought a bar code scanner to scan my book collection (they are surprisingly cheap and works with just about anything since they just act like a USB keyboard

I brought a bar code scanner to scan my book collection (they are surprisingly cheap and works with just about anything since they just act like a USB keyboard for your computer, anyway) so I know how fast self-checkout should be. I reality? Self-service sucks. The machines are super slow and having to scan and put away each item one at a time is even more annoying. Half the time you get some clerk to check up on you and so on. So I don't use them. I can stand in line and just read on my phone instead. Plus as a bonus, when the clerk ends up undercharging me (pretty sure that happened last month) I don't have to worry about being accused of theft[0]. [0]: I once had a clerk scan a 12-pack of beer and announce the price and then ask me to pay. It was only when I pointed out that he had charged me the price of one beer that he realized his mistake. Autopilot is a thing that happens and it isn't worth the risk of a theft accusation.