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My problem with self-checkout (in the Netherlands) is not the interface or the system itself. I can navigate that. But then when I've finished checking out and

by Aeolun 3y ago

My problem with self-checkout (in the Netherlands) is not the interface or the system itself. I can navigate that. But then when I've finished checking out and bagging everything myself, the guy from the store came to do the whole thing again! I just stood there in utter disbelief as they rummaged through my neatly packed bag to mess everything up, scan only a handful of items, and then present me a bill that's several euros lower than it was before they started re-scanning stuff (e.g. they missed items). What is the point of self checkout if you are not going to trust that your customers scan everything? Conversely, I've been self-checking in Japan for years, and they've never checked the contents of my bag.

namdnay 3y ago
that's a random fraud check, it's usually about 10-20% of the time? i'm surprised by the bill though, are you sure it wasn't due to discounts or something? usually they just scan 5-10 items (and will try to scan the most expensive ones)
- Aeolun 3y ago
  I don't really remember any more, but he re-scanned everything, said I made a mistake, and gave me a new (lower) bill. Maybe it was something out of the ordinary? I was mildly frustrated because it was the second time in as many days that they checked me.
thanatos519 3y ago
Also in the Netherlands. These random audits are annoying indeed, especially when I have a lot of very carefully packed items. However, they don't happen to me too often, and it's as common with 3 items as with 30 so I think it's truly random. It seems like about the right frequency to catch thieves.
- radarsat1 3y ago
  The main problem with the way they do the check is that it isn't going to catch any theft. They make you unpack your bag and they start asking for items to scan. They literally let you choose which ones they scan. And they want to scan like 10 items lately so it really makes you unpack the whole thing which is annoying. But never have I had them actually trying to find an item in my bag that is not something I declared. They seem pretty focused on finding things I did scan and confirming them. Mostly because it's done by a teenager who just wants to get the scan done and move on.
  - Freak_NL 3y ago
    That teenager also doesn't want to deal with someone caught stealing. That's a bother that is way above their pay grade, with only downsides for them even if everything is handled with a minimum of fuss.
em500 3y ago
They do random spot checks (and do not scan each item in your bag) for the same reason that ticket inspectors do random checks in public transport: there is probably some optimum between checking each and every item/person/train (which is very costly) and never check anything at all (at which point a significant number of people might consider payments to be entirely optional).
guappa 3y ago
I've had the checkout machine reject my backpack as an approved container. So I had to balance everything on the tray, pay, THEN bag everything. Another thing I really hate is that I've seen locked exit barriers that open when scanning the receipt. In sweden there is a real disregard for workplace safety :( I guess other than "honoring the people who died in the disco fire in the 90s in the local museum", there is no will to do anything practical.
- mrintegrity 3y ago
  >Another thing I really hate is that I've seen locked exit barriers that open when scanning the receipt. In sweden there is a real disregard for workplace safety :( Here in Sweden you can just push those out of the way (it sets of an alarm but if you push it back to closed position the alarm stops). FYI Sweden has strict workplace safety rules, not sure why you think there is a real disregard for this.
  - guappa 3y ago
    > you can just push those out of the way Try to do that on a wheelchair or with crutches now. > FYI Sweden has strict workplace safety rules, not sure why you think there is a real disregard for this. I'm sure the rules are there. They are just ignored, like the supermarket case. Most buildings (including office buildings) have doors that have unreasonably strong springs (for no reason whatsoever, a much weaker one would suffice), and require 2 hands to be opened from inside to get out (a latch and an handle). Try getting out of those doors on a wheelchair if the electricity is out. That's an easy way to have multiple people die in a fire. What they would have if they were safe is this thing: https://www.toolshopitalia.it/imagecache/uploads/images/ninz-twist-twa-maniglione-tagliafuoco_0926da.jpg https://www.toolshopitalia.it/imagecache/uploads/images/ninz... The fact that you are getting triggered and rushed to respond without even stopping to think is a problem. But, living in Sweden, I'm kinda used to the smug (and unjustified) sense of superiority of the locals.
    - mrintegrity 3y ago
      Not triggered at all, had you mentioned wheelchair access from the start I might have agreed that it could be better (not that I have any personal experience). I will be sure to observe these things from now on. No need to get snarky friend :)
KptMarchewa 3y ago
Never seen that in Poland and I use self checkout all the time.

by Aeolun 3y ago

namdnay 3y ago

that's a random fraud check, it's usually about 10-20% of the time? i'm surprised by the bill though, are you sure it wasn't due to discounts or something? usually they just scan 5-10 items (and will try to scan the most expensive ones)

Aeolun 3y ago
I don't really remember any more, but he re-scanned everything, said I made a mistake, and gave me a new (lower) bill. Maybe it was something out of the ordinary? I was mildly frustrated because it was the second time in as many days that they checked me.

thanatos519 3y ago

Also in the Netherlands. These random audits are annoying indeed, especially when I have a lot of very carefully packed items. However, they don't happen to me too often, and it's as common with 3 items as with 30 so I think it's truly random. It seems like about the right frequency to catch thieves.

radarsat1 3y ago
The main problem with the way they do the check is that it isn't going to catch any theft. They make you unpack your bag and they start asking for items to scan. They literally let you choose which ones they scan. And they want to scan like 10 items lately so it really makes you unpack the whole thing which is annoying. But never have I had them actually trying to find an item in my bag that is not something I declared. They seem pretty focused on finding things I did scan and confirming them. Mostly because it's done by a teenager who just wants to get the scan done and move on.
- Freak_NL 3y ago
  That teenager also doesn't want to deal with someone caught stealing. That's a bother that is way above their pay grade, with only downsides for them even if everything is handled with a minimum of fuss.

em500 3y ago

They do random spot checks (and do not scan each item in your bag) for the same reason that ticket inspectors do random checks in public transport: there is probably some optimum between checking each and every item/person/train (which is very costly) and never check anything at all (at which point a significant number of people might consider payments to be entirely optional).

guappa 3y ago

I've had the checkout machine reject my backpack as an approved container. So I had to balance everything on the tray, pay, THEN bag everything. Another thing I really hate is that I've seen locked exit barriers that open when scanning the receipt. In sweden there is a real disregard for workplace safety :( I guess other than "honoring the people who died in the disco fire in the 90s in the local museum", there is no will to do anything practical.

mrintegrity 3y ago
>Another thing I really hate is that I've seen locked exit barriers that open when scanning the receipt. In sweden there is a real disregard for workplace safety :( Here in Sweden you can just push those out of the way (it sets of an alarm but if you push it back to closed position the alarm stops). FYI Sweden has strict workplace safety rules, not sure why you think there is a real disregard for this.
- guappa 3y ago
  > you can just push those out of the way Try to do that on a wheelchair or with crutches now. > FYI Sweden has strict workplace safety rules, not sure why you think there is a real disregard for this. I'm sure the rules are there. They are just ignored, like the supermarket case. Most buildings (including office buildings) have doors that have unreasonably strong springs (for no reason whatsoever, a much weaker one would suffice), and require 2 hands to be opened from inside to get out (a latch and an handle). Try getting out of those doors on a wheelchair if the electricity is out. That's an easy way to have multiple people die in a fire. What they would have if they were safe is this thing: https://www.toolshopitalia.it/imagecache/uploads/images/ninz-twist-twa-maniglione-tagliafuoco_0926da.jpg https://www.toolshopitalia.it/imagecache/uploads/images/ninz... The fact that you are getting triggered and rushed to respond without even stopping to think is a problem. But, living in Sweden, I'm kinda used to the smug (and unjustified) sense of superiority of the locals.
  - mrintegrity 3y ago
    Not triggered at all, had you mentioned wheelchair access from the start I might have agreed that it could be better (not that I have any personal experience). I will be sure to observe these things from now on. No need to get snarky friend :)

KptMarchewa 3y ago

Never seen that in Poland and I use self checkout all the time.