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We recently got self-checkout at our local supermarket (REWE). The system itself is mostly fine, no distractions, and a clear screen, payment also works just li

We recently got self-checkout at our local supermarket (REWE). The system itself is mostly fine, no distractions, and a clear screen, payment also works just like at the normal register. One Software issue is probably not one for most, but for kg-price or non-scannable items, I’d love text input for search, and the same instant numbers that the employees can use (e.g. 1056 = cauliflower (by weight), 1432 = cucumber (per piece)), as well as a "repeat" button. That would have to be behind an "advanced interface" switch to not confuse most people, so that will never happen. Still, it’s nice to dream. Very much agree with the layout. I usually have a full shopping cart. That means, despite me technically preferring the self-checkout, I’ll only use it if my wife is with me because otherwise I’ll run out of space and can’t properly pack things away at a decent speed.

addandsubtract 3y ago
Whenever I have more than one item without a bar code, I don't even bother with the self-checkout. Looking items up is such a pain. Is it a fruit or a vegetable? Are the bananas the ones from country X, Y, Z? What's the name of the pastry? Even buying drinks is a hassle, because of the pop-up asking you if you bought 1 or 24? Why not just let me input the number I bought? Or better yet, measure it automatically. The biggest shortcoming of the self-checkouts are the fact that you can't edit an order. Oh, the system scanned the item twice? Good luck getting a cashier to help you remove it again. I've walked over to another self-checkout before, because that was quicker than waiting for someone come over and edit the order.
- Ekaros 3y ago
  Living in country where you add bar code to items like that yourself when you pick them up, these problems always feel strange. As with produce you have a sign of price and number there. You put items in plastic bag or not, then go to scale put item there and press button. Prints out barcode. Solves the whole remembering which item thing. For multiple items, there is separate bar code on larger packaging. Ofc, this does not solve the issue of some large number of individual items...
  - Semaphor 3y ago
    We used to have those in Germany, but most stores abandoned that approach in favor of registers weighing the produce. I think the only ones I know that still do it with customer scales are CITTI and Real.

addandsubtract 3y ago

Whenever I have more than one item without a bar code, I don't even bother with the self-checkout. Looking items up is such a pain. Is it a fruit or a vegetable? Are the bananas the ones from country X, Y, Z? What's the name of the pastry? Even buying drinks is a hassle, because of the pop-up asking you if you bought 1 or 24? Why not just let me input the number I bought? Or better yet, measure it automatically. The biggest shortcoming of the self-checkouts are the fact that you can't edit an order. Oh, the system scanned the item twice? Good luck getting a cashier to help you remove it again. I've walked over to another self-checkout before, because that was quicker than waiting for someone come over and edit the order.

Ekaros 3y ago
Living in country where you add bar code to items like that yourself when you pick them up, these problems always feel strange. As with produce you have a sign of price and number there. You put items in plastic bag or not, then go to scale put item there and press button. Prints out barcode. Solves the whole remembering which item thing. For multiple items, there is separate bar code on larger packaging. Ofc, this does not solve the issue of some large number of individual items...
- Semaphor 3y ago
  We used to have those in Germany, but most stores abandoned that approach in favor of registers weighing the produce. I think the only ones I know that still do it with customer scales are CITTI and Real.