The Wal-Marts by me got rid of them about 10 years ago. I used to love them for the speed, but I think too many people were using them to steal. Scan a cheaper item, set it aside, put the more expensive one in the bag...

LOL! The people at the Alzheimers place my father lives in joke about working in the checkout lane at the Walmart of life.

I hate them, and refuse to use them.

1. I'm not an employee of the store. Not to be a jerk, but when they have 9 of them, and one person who watches over them, there are 8 jobs that have been lost.

2. They are seldom faster than a regular checkout. Morons take too long, get frustrated, and then wait for the monitor person to help them out.

3. If the company offered me a nominal percentage back for doing the work, then I might consider it. IE: Use the self-checkout and get 3% off your total bill.

Another thing that drives me nuts is the lack of efficiency at the deli counter. Why not build a meat slicer that has the digital scale right where the sliced meat lands? To slice meat, hope it's the right amount, walk it over to the scale, put it down, realize that you're 1/4 pound off (on a half pound purchase) and then walk back over to slice more meat is ridiculous. Build a meat slicer with a built in scale. Save lots of time. Easy.

+1 - well said. Exactly how I feel. There are plenty of stores that have people that help you. Trader Joe's, Costco and the local produce place all have folks taking care of you and your purchases.

I think this is done on purpose - they never ask "is it okay 2 ounces less?" - they always only go over and nobody tells them to take 2 ounces off. I don't do deli meats, so I could care less (buying bulk, I can cut it myself, thank you!).

George

I think they are facist. After all, I am now doing more work to buy my stuff, putting some person out of a job, and they are not compensating me. Why do I need to work for them for free?

Exactly! When I use cash at Vons it usually takes the checkout person by surprise. I like to watch them count the change I give them as well, instead of having the autochangermeister do it for them.

I went to an ATM today for probably the first time in a year (in the US). I only ever get my cash as cash back when paying with my ATM card at the store in order to avoid the fees. So I have to use the manned checkout lanes for that. I just needed more cash today (was buying a gun in a parking lot deal) than they ever seem to have at the store. And it's always a pain in the ass when buying booze at the self-checkout lanes. And I'm always buying booze too.

Booze is easy.. Have you ever tried to buy a head of lettuce???

Please scan ite... "BEEP!!" Please place item in bag...."Done"
Please remove item from bag and rescan...
"Removing lettuce.... and rescanning"
Please rescan... "I AM!!!"
Please place item in bag..."I already did that once..."
"Removing lettuce.... and rescanning"
Please remove item and rescan.
"You know what? F you!!!"
Please place item in bag..."I did twice now you f**K!!"
Go through that once more and its happy... On to the garlic..
Repeat above...

The lady next to me was not amused.

Booze is easy...

personally i prefer the self checkout. i just cant stand the frustration of those who have fifty coupons to sort through...welfare patrons with food stamps,the person who has selected the only unpriced, bar codeless item in the store, the little old lady who has to write out a check and cant find her checkbook, the old gray hair who has to discuss his life history with the clerk, the machine that has just run out of receipt paper, the kid who is slower than a snail bagging,the mother who has to control three kids and trying to pay the bill, and on and on! of course being retired and wifeless, i can select my shopping times when things are less busy!

I like self checkout, minimizes the potential for having to deal with some arsehole.

Hah! Just wait until you have to deal with a store employee give you attitude that "you aren't doing it right", when the scanner isn't programmed properly.

I have a dozen donuts for the employees. So I use the "dozen donuts" tab, and it doesn't work. And then the "helper" tells me I don't know what I'm doing since I should put in as 12 single donuts. I then ask her "do I get the dozen discount if I put in 12 single donuts?" Then she really gave me some attitude. At which point I called for a manager.

Nope, the scan yourself line isn't always the quickest...

That's why i said minimizes.

LOL produce is the worst when using the self checkout.

I hate using them. I would much rather use the regular checkout. ( especially if it is a pretty girl) I have no problem with human interaction. My only problem with regular checkout is when they bag your groceries too. Just scan, let me bag my stuff myself.

Hugh you are wicked...

I NEVER USE SELF CHECKOUT...

1. I don't want to learn how to do it myself for starters and all the BS hassles..

2. I want to talk to a person and not a machine.

3. It is a JOB for a real person that is being eliminated.

I have yet to talk to a person who worked in the Grocery industry that had anything good to say about those companies.

I love the self checkout.

I go to our large, 8 acre under roof grocery store and zoom around on the cart like is a glorified skateboard, collect all that I need in under 10 minutes, ride to the self checkout on said glorified skateboard and checkout in under 1.5 minutes.

It is great fun.

Speedy:)

Weird. I love the self check out. Assuming I don't have to stand in line for it, it's definitely faster. I feel no need to talk to the check out people. We have one girl that's probably 30. She's very nice, but definitely seems a little learning impared or something. There are also a bunch of HS or college age kids that often are chattering amongst themselves about kid crap or flirting with each other or whatever. My favorite's will smile, scan the stuff quickly, and get me out of there fast with minimal fuss. Those types are few and far between.

I use self check when no one else is using it. I won't wait while someone learns how to use it. My 15 yo daughter can check out faster than anyone I've seen using it.

I also look at it as a "I don't need someone else to do for me what I can do myself issue".

oh the good old days..
as a 'cashier' you were it..
they could smoke and hit those keys and babble..
all at the same time..
now you must endure 5 swipes..
before they attempt to hit the keys...
while you bagger adjust his noserings..

Rika

I hate those things. If I wanted to work at the supermarket, I would apply for a job there. You don't even get a discount, right? Similarly, it bugs me when there's no bagger and the checker looks at me with those expecting eyes thinking I'm going to bag my own stuff. Once in a while I do help out, but usually not.