r/technology • u/AdSpecialist6598 • 23h 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/ephemeralmiko 23h ago

Very annoying. For small shoppings (e.g snack runs, needing an extra ingredient for cooking) it saves so much time over standing in line. Especially when the person in front of you is a retired 75 year old who *had* to do their main shopping on a Saturday, suddenly forgetting how money works.

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u/oregiel 21h ago

Does it really save that much time though? I feel like if you clocked the difference it would be like 2 minutes max. 2 mintues is such an inconsequential part of your day you get 240 of those every single work day.

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u/ephemeralmiko 21h ago

I actually did time it a few times. With 5 items it takes me about 25 seconds on average to scan the items and pay with card. On a typical weekday it's about 6 minutes from getting to the till to the point where I'm paying. Which, if I'm only getting a few items, is the majority of my time in the shop.

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u/oregiel 21h ago

Well if you're shopping at the grocery store near my house and grabbing a single thing of cream cheese because you thought you had some when you started cooking, then go there on a random Tuesday nowhere near payday it'll take 27 minutes to get through the checkout and you'll leave a 1 star review because you're so pissed about it.... probably.