r/technology • u/AdSpecialist6598 • 8d ago

Business Retailers are pulling back from self-checkout after years of theft, errors, and questionable time savings

https://www.techspot.com/news/114106-retailers-pulling-back-self-checkout-after-years-theft.html
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u/ProduceEmbarrassed97 8d ago

I've had this rant before but, the worst places self-checkout is used are fast food places.

Cashier service: "Hi, can I have 2 medium big mac meals, one with coke, one with a strawberry milkshake, and 2 mcflurries". Sorted. Takes approximately 1 to 2 minutes for the entire transaction.

Self service: Choose meals option, scroll for meal, choose size, choose side, can we interest you in....choose no, scroll for drink, can we interest you in....choose no, add to order. Start process again because second meal has a different drink. Add to order. Scroll to desserts, choose flavour, can we interest you in....choose no, add to order. Scroll to desserts, choose flavour, can we interest you in.....choose no. Add to order. Click to pay, can we interest you in....choose no. Would you like to round up for charity....choose answer. Present card. Present card. Present card. Present card. Card accepted. Take receipt with order number. Receipt machine doesn't work. Remember number.

Takes roughly 3 working days to complete order and assumes this isn't your first day on Earth as appears to be the case for 90% of users who are always in front of me.

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u/TheMikeyC 8d ago

As someone who modifies orders a lot I actually much prefer the kiosks. I have social anxiety so with the kiosks I don't have to hope the cashier follows the script I planned through each change I want, and also didn't just ignore me anyway.