Double edged sword there, eh? Albertsons exists for profit, not to make you happy. If their customer relations affect the bottom line they will amend them. If they can streamline\automate\cost cut to increase profits they will... employees and customers be damned. Their model isn't based on people saying 'Albertsons lettuce is more expensive than WalMart, but the service is nice...'.

I, personally, am willing to pay a bit more for good service and to keep people employed (isn't that a form of job creation subsidy?). Many others are not: cheap is the bottom line.

I absolutely REFUSE to use them....

I got over that after I spent a month in Spain in highschool. There, you bag your own groceries. It's not difficult, and if it gets me on my way quicker, why not?

Re: the original question: I would have thought it was a union thing for eliminating self-checkout aisles. Theft would be a good reason, too. But I'm not one to steal stuff, so acts like that don't really cross my mind. Didn't think of the consumer relations angle.

Not to mention, the guys bagging are often not concerned with anything other than getting the groceries bagged as quick as possible (or looking at the butt of the checker) which means that if you have 5 cold, perishable items, and you end up with 5 bags, you'll probably find one cold item in each bag instead of finding them all together.

Or the potato chips under the canned goods.

I can't recall the last time I saw a check out girl I wanted to check out. I need to start shopping where you shop.

I can't believe the number of guys here that would rather wait in line, deal with people (cashiers/bag help), and not use technology. So you don't get a 3% discount, isn't your time worth something? Wow, I'm surprised.

Except the technology doesn't work well, its rarely faster, and I refuse to become an employee of the store.

+1

Works well where I shop. I used to have more problems when they initially installed it but it has been revised several times. The only thing that I regularly have a problem with is the Blue Bell Ice Cream. If you get one of the flavors that comes in a brown container there's not enough contrast for the scanner to read the bar code.

Depends, I figure the cute ones are usually 17-21. There's one cute little blond where I shop. Pretty face, cute figure, NO personality. She never even smiles. It's a real shame actually.

Self check-out might save time when you're just getting a 6-pack and some Doritos, but I really doubt that's the case when you have a cart full of stuff. Most of my supermarket trips are in the $125-250 range, 4-8 full bags, several times a week. The 'pros' - yes even the 17 year-old pimpley kids - generally do a fine, quick job of it around here.

I would not use the self check for an entire shopping cart full of stuff. I'd kill the machine. Plus I don't think it would be faster than using the regular line. For a small basket full of items - sans produce, not going through that again, I go through the self check.

They are designed for the quick in and out shopper with few items.

Here's an idea, don't take a full cart to the self checkout. Problem solved.

I use them when I can, but limit my number of items, to about 20 max. They seem to work well, unless the item is very light and the bag/scale can't detect it. Every place I've used has a max of 4 self check out registers.

Getting cash back is just as easy as a manned register.

Have you guys been to Aldi? It's the epitome of German efficiency. From the 25 cents to get a cart (keeps the parking lot clear, which i love) to the cash registers. If you go, notice how fast they check you out. They are timed, and must meet minimum scanning speed requirements. I love it.

I use them where applicable. Low traffic (in self ck. out) & few items. I have the "sku" # for produce and follow the directions. I use cash for purchases and have not experienced any problems. Home Depot or Lowes included. For a "cart" full of stuff at any location I use the reg. ck. out. So far no issues.

I do agree, jobs are being lost, and the "contact" is lost. But...When I know what I want, and want to get in and out quick, this seems to work well. If there is a problem I have no issue pointing that out, and it is usually easily remedied...:>)

I do 'prefer' the 15 items or "less" line that is usually loaded with folks that have at least 20 items, and is 4 customers deep, and staffed w/ just 2 registers. H*ll you're moved thru like cattle in a pen....(if your lucky) is that customer service or just contact?

One of the Albertson's near us did get rid of the self ck. out, they replaced 6 self ck. out's w/ two staffed 15 or less ck. outs. Now that line is as deep as the reg. ck. out. (During high volume times).

It sure seems to be a balance of maintaining customer service, customer contact, getting your money, having you return, and showing a profit.......so...... I use them where applicable.

Karl
88 Targa

I love them. They translate into significantly higher profit for the grocery store owner.

I love ALDI!! I don't typically buy our meat there but most of the other items are good quality. What is neat is that I have to try to keep up with them.

The self-checkout lines our local grocery store has are easy to use. I just wish they had a mute button for the annoying lady that tells you how much each item cost and how much you saved. The one I use sounds just like the lady that gave you the time when you phoned the number.

I do it in Spanish half the time.

HAHA!!! I do that too...get some wierd looks sometimes.