Stand in line or self checkout

I prefer self checkout, mostly because where I am, they go ignored and few people use them. Another reason I prefer self checkout is because of the long lines at the cashiers. It always feels like stores need to have more registers open.

 

I find it saves more time and money to go through a line with a cashier. I buy a lot of produce, and a seasoned cashier knows all of the codes by heart. I have to fumble around and look at pictures (is this a tangerine or a tangelo?). Also, it is a lot easier to shop with lots of coupons in a line with an actual cashier. That way, I can be sure the savings are maximized. I have had great cashiers who found coupons I had missed on products. Also, if I forget my loyalty card, the cashier will usually scan theirs.

 

When I shop I try to go into the stores when the least amount of people are in the store, I do not like crowds. If the lines are long and self checkout is moving faster I will use self checkout now that I have gotten more compfortable using the check out registers. It can be a little confusing and the stores are not the same, which is why I will go to the checker most of the time.

 

I actually never used to like self-checkout machines. Mostly because I didn't know how to use them and I didn't want to embarrass myself lol. But I have since gotten over that, and I never wait in lines anymore. Who has got time for that, unless one is trying to burn time? Lol.

 

Since I use coupons most of the time, I usually opt for a cashier. Truth be told, I'm sure you can use coupons at some self checkouts, but I haven't bothered to check, haha. If I don't have any coupons then I have no qualms using the self checkout though, although it drives me nuts when I have to put my item on the scale afterwards.

 

Actually you bring up a very good point. Over here, In England, I have never actually seen a self cashout machine that deals with coupons, or vouchers as we more frequently tend to refer to them over here. It would certainly eliminate that nightmare that people fret over - getting stuck in a line behind someone who has a long booklet of coupons to use.

 

I've used self checkout on Home Depot and one CVS. I like it and it's pretty convenient when you are only paying for a few items. But cashiers are still important and necessary. For many items, the cashier will most likely scan the items faster than you can. Also sometimes the machines don't work. One time at CVS, the machine refused to take my bill, the bill was almost new so it shouldn't be a problem. We ended up needing help from the cashier anyway to finish the transaction.

 

It depends on what I think will faster. However, at the grocery store I go to, they have a little scanner thing where you scan all your items (as you get them) and then walk up to self checkout, scan your bonus card thing and then all your items are on the screen and all you have to do is pay. It's honestly the future of the industry.

 

Not to get off topic, but this thread reminded me of when the PA turnpike near me decided to switch to all automatic machines for paying to go through the turnpikes. It didn't last very long because people were literally getting stuck on the turnpikes at night because they didn't have the proper change on them to put in the machines, lol. They should have at least put ATM's and change machines there too if they were going to do something like that, or accept credit card payments.

With regards to the self checkout lanes, yes you can use coupons on them. It's rather simple, you just scan in all their barcodes as you are checking out then insert them into the machine.

My main gripe with the self checkouts is the ones that are too hyper sensitive to potential stealing, or bagging an item without paying for it. Some of them use weight sensors under the bagging racks. It's annoying if you have some personal belongings like an umbrella that you need to set down and it thinks it's merchandise and keeps giving you a hard time about ringing it up first.

 

As a former cashier and self-checkout supervisor at a grocery store in Pennsylvania, I would advise the self-checkout machine. Though I would only advise this if you can actually work it. When they first came out it was horrible trying to get people to complete their orders (especially older folks, no offense), because people would get impatient with the machines.

I use self-checkout machines wherever they are available. I find that they save me time and by doing so I am not forced to interact with anyone. If there is one thing that I hate about shopping it is people who detest their jobs. I don't enjoy feeling like I am annoying someone by purchasing groceries, especially when you work in a grocery store.

Self-checkouts are great but don't get angry if something goes wrong. I used to have people that would bring a cart of 50+ items to a self-checkout meant for QUICK checkout (aka 10 or less items). They would drag their cart over and then try and bag items, leaving full bags around their cart which blocked others from accessing the self-checkout machines.

It's all a personal choice. Coupons are easy to do at self-checkout but only if the correct items are bought, and you are not attempting to use expired ones or scam the system.

I've deal with a lot of issues with self-checkout and supervising cashiers and I prefer robotic machines at this point.

 

Some cashiers like to chat a lot. I have experienced cashiers who - even after having rung up you items and taken your money - will continue to talk. So I guess talking the self checkout machine would be a good idea if you wanted to avoid small talk or whatever. Overall though, I should use the self checkout machine more often. It is more convenient. But as I mentioned above, there may even be a line for those too. So you may still have to wait.

 

I like to use self checkout more. I'm not sure why. Maybe because less people use it so I never have to wait in line for it also it's sometimes much quicker if you're only buying a few items at a time. But if I have about 40 items, I will surely use the till.

 

Give me self checkout any day of the week! I love this option and I run for it at every chance I get. I'm not all bother by a cashier's unpleasant disposition. I've had many encounters with them. I remember one cashier abruptly walked away from their station and I was the next person in line. I stood there for 5 minutes or so and left. It was weird and he was in the back somewhere talking amongst friends as if he was on a break. Jerk. With self checkout, I get done much quicker. I remember my friend telling me about self checkout in 2005 when she moved to Atlanta. I was surprise because at the time the concept was foreign in the town where I live. Even when I travelled to Chicago in that same year, I didn't come across self checkout at the grocery stores. So, I'm content with this option rather than standing line.

 

Glad you asked about self-checkout. I will not use it. There's always a young person trying to herd people to the self-check when the other lines get long, but I wait in line. Those things never work right, they are taking jobs away from people, and I just don't like them. At all. I like cashiers anyway. I greet them, ask how they are doing, wish them a great day, and I much prefer that kind of interaction a tinny voice that keeps telling me to do things I've already done. I hate self-checking. Can you tell?