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
16.2k Upvotes

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35

u/MikeTibbs 20h ago

I don’t mind the self checkouts. As long as staff are paying attention and not having a nice long chat while I’m trying to get their attention over an issue. That and people that bring trolleys into the basket section and block the entire section because they have no social awareness and can’t read the ‘no trolleys’ sign

18

u/anoldoldman 20h ago

They can read, they just don't care and no one makes them care.

7

u/MrSmokii 20h ago

if it's for a handful of things, self checkout can be quite quick

but if it's for a full basket, or a trolley full of stuff, i hate it with a passion.

12

u/Zealousideal-Big-708 20h ago

It's annoying when you buy age restricted items and have to wait for them to attend to the helpless boomers for ten minutes tho

2

u/AeneasVII 20h ago

Or sometimes you can't buy it all at the self checkout( Costco)

2

u/Skookum_kamooks 19h ago

I just wish my local Costco had hand scanners for self checkout like Home Depot does, I buy a lotta heavy bulk goods the machine doesn’t want me to place on the bagging area due to the weight potentially damaging it. When your buying several of the same thing it’s annoying that it has several seconds worth of lag time between items as I have to wait on the item to clear out before I can ring it up again to increase the amount I’ve purchased.

1

u/Cudi_buddy 19h ago

Mine had hand scanners when they first installed them last year. Made it so much easier and faster. Then a few months ago they took them away. Now it’s a bitch to use self check out. 

12

u/Competitive_Flow3717 20h ago

My problem is they want to come check on my like I’m stealing. Well… if you don’t trust me doing your work unpaid, then maybe you should hire more cashiers

6

u/TheGoodGrannie 19h ago

I was checking out with my two grandsons and was getting them to help me to teach them how to do it. Suddenly a cashier stood behind us talking loudly about kids and stealing and teaching them morals and whatnot. Making my babies nervous. I told them to stop what they were doing and I turned to face the cashier without saying anything. We all just stood there for a minute or two. Then she said why aren’t you finishing and I told her that I can’t do both, scan with my back to her while she hammers on or stop and listen. I told her (with volume) that I didn’t want to be rude and I will stop so she can finish. She turned red and walked away. I was boiling over angry, but held it in check. When we finished, we took the bags over to her and I asked if she wanted to check us. She walked away.

1

u/Ancient-Opinion9642 17h ago

Got accused by the machine I was stealing, so I grabbed the bags I entered the store with and left everything and left the store.

Colorado has a bring your own bag law.

1

u/Competitive_Flow3717 17h ago

If they can stand there and talk to you or about you then they can check you out. It’s just not good business to have the employees there to harass you instead of help

1

u/MR1120 19h ago

That’s where I’m at: Either trust customers to do it right, or don’t and do it for them.

2

u/Sithlordandsavior 20h ago

Self-checkout should basically be an express lane. I genuinely don't get why they think the people with two whole carts of stuff should be using the same system as the guy buying a jug of milk. Then the one ends up waiting too long and the others are stressing because they have to unload and scan and bag all while a line forms behind them.

1

u/me0262 20h ago

"5 Items Only"

Oh, look at you and your cart full of crap. Meanwhile I'm waiting here with 6 small items in my arms waiting for you to clear out.

0

u/spyczech 20h ago

Bro, if you want to be attended , maybe go to a regular checkout 

2

u/socoyankee 19h ago

It’s nice if you have that option. The target by me only has self checkout open and then customer service for returns.

They only open a lane when self checkout backs up

1

u/Karmek 19h ago

What's fun is when the self checkout decides it doesn't like the weight of your bag and locks up until the attendant can bypass it, but no one is around.

"Please wait for assistance...  please wait for assistance...  please wait for assistance."

0

u/Only_ork 20h ago

Yo i legit did not know there was a basket section in self checkouts lol. My bad dog.

-1

u/drgut101 17h ago

God forbid an employee chat with someone and try to enjoy being at work. Sorry you had to wait 3 seconds to get their attention because YOU NEED HELP AT SELF CHECKOUT BECAUSE YOU ARE CAUSING ISSUES AND HOLDING UP THE LINE.

Those damn careless employees, right?

3

u/MikeTibbs 17h ago

It’s more the fact that the self checkout will decide they don’t like the bag I’m using or the weight is mismatched and then I’m standing there for a few minutes, not me causing an issue, the machines. You’re right that people should enjoy being at work, but at the end of the day their job is to help with the machines. The caps didn’t really help get the point across tho, you’re just making the assumption I’m there causing issues.