Page 3 | To think Primark shouldn't have got rid of their tills for self service.

ForRosePoster · 17/02/2026 16:11

As you'll see from this thread, it's because a lot of people prefer it.

And a lot don't

And it's difficult to please both.

Because the people who prefer in-person checkout will do it even when it isn't necessary.

So claim in-person checkout is needed when it really isn't.

chingchang · 17/02/2026 16:09

My local Primark is primarily self service. Doesn’t matter what I buy I am immediately told a staff member just needs to check on the screen, and I’m held up as they count out all the items in my bag.
Utter pain in the arse

PoliteSquid · 17/02/2026 16:09

And to all the people on here who constantly say teens/students should “get a job” the rise of self service tills that are quicker/better/preferred is one factor making “just get a job” so bloody difficult!!!
Rant over, as you were.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 17/02/2026 16:08

dicentra365 · 17/02/2026 16:04

If they have done it in our local one I will be so pleased. The queues are always immense. No where else has queues like it.

The queues are mental at my local one. But there’s no other choice.

Dragonflytamer · 17/02/2026 16:07

It's all about getting it as cheap as possible. Isn't that literally the only reason anyone is shopping at Primark? Service costs money.

Coconutter24 · 17/02/2026 16:07

wanderingstarz · 17/02/2026 15:40

You do have to scan a receipt to exit the self scan area,but I doubt that stops shop lifters.

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That would be so easy to get around, either walk out behind someone who has just scanned a receipt or pay for one item get a receipt and carry out the other 20 items

murasaki · 17/02/2026 16:07

dicentra365 · 17/02/2026 16:04

If they have done it in our local one I will be so pleased. The queues are always immense. No where else has queues like it.

To be fair to the queues, while huge, they do move relatively quickly.

murasaki · 17/02/2026 16:06

Ditto staff on the doors. I had a lovely chat with the regular guy in the local co op when it started chucking it down so I was waiting to leave by the doors. Always say hi and bye anyway, and so does he. Totally easy to have human interaction if you want it.

dicentra365 · 17/02/2026 16:04

If they have done it in our local one I will be so pleased. The queues are always immense. No where else has queues like it.

Needmorelego · 17/02/2026 16:03

shellyleppard · 17/02/2026 15:59

@Needmorelego yes I know. But they don't actually interact unless there is a problem with the tills.... just miss the human interaction

I always say "Thank You" to the staff member when I have finished and go to leave.
Pretty much every time I get a smile and sometimes even a "Thanks... have a nice day".
No different to the manned tills to be honest.

shellyleppard · 17/02/2026 15:59

@Needmorelego yes I know. But they don't actually interact unless there is a problem with the tills.... just miss the human interaction

Original poster

Netcurtainnelly · 17/02/2026 15:57

bandog · 17/02/2026 15:53

They are quicker but agree should have both options. I’m happy to use self service and can’t be bothered to wait in a big queue to buy a pack of socks but appreciate it’s not for everyone. It’s to reduce staffing (and so manage costs) and free up staff for other tasks. I get that people are frustrated as it’s passing the task on to the customer, but having worked for a few brands who are no longer around, retailers are having to adapt to survive mounting costs and tough sales.

I'm sure Primark are doing quite well. Never seen them empty.
Quite often self service tills go wrong or there are problems and a staff member is needed anyway.

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nomas · 17/02/2026 15:56

I get selected for random checks at Primark self-service tills, the thing is staff don't even have the time to do a proper check because they have so many self-service tills to oversee.

I suspect theft does go on in the self-service.

treeowl · 17/02/2026 15:56

What is this obsession with everyone wanted to get self service?
It's not for the customer at all

Their model is cheap so it’s to be expected

Original poster

Netcurtainnelly · 17/02/2026 15:55

wanderingstarz · 17/02/2026 15:49

Not in any Primark I've been in. There's always a member of staff telling you which way to leave.

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No member of staff around. Two on the refunds and exchanges only. The manned till next to them changes to self service card
I wonder how many businesses actually ask their customers for feedback first.

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wanderingstarz · 17/02/2026 15:53

I've grown to always use SS where it's available. I find them so much quicker.

bandog · 17/02/2026 15:53

They are quicker but agree should have both options. I’m happy to use self service and can’t be bothered to wait in a big queue to buy a pack of socks but appreciate it’s not for everyone. It’s to reduce staffing (and so manage costs) and free up staff for other tasks. I get that people are frustrated as it’s passing the task on to the customer, but having worked for a few brands who are no longer around, retailers are having to adapt to survive mounting costs and tough sales.

Needmorelego · 17/02/2026 15:52

shellyleppard · 17/02/2026 15:51

I miss being served by a actual person. Silly thing but self service machines do not do it for me

There is always one or two staff members at the self service to assist.
They are "actual people".

Needmorelego · 17/02/2026 15:51

Netcurtainnelly · 17/02/2026 15:49

From what I could see the only staff were the ones doing the refunds and exchanges.

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You have to use them if you only have cash but if you just prefer to use them they will serve you.
You aren't banned from using them 🤣

shellyleppard · 17/02/2026 15:51

I miss being served by a actual person. Silly thing but self service machines do not do it for me

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 17/02/2026 15:50

murasaki · 17/02/2026 15:38

Agree, I'd love self service in there, it'd be quicker. I suspect they expect massive shop lifting though, it's why our waitrose closed down.

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Yeah I heard that about the Waitrose. Scum bags!

wanderingstarz · 17/02/2026 15:49

Netcurtainnelly · 17/02/2026 15:47

You don't, you can go back the way you came .

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Not in any Primark I've been in. There's always a member of staff telling you which way to leave.

Needmorelego · 17/02/2026 15:49

wanderingstarz · 17/02/2026 15:40

You do have to scan a receipt to exit the self scan area,but I doubt that stops shop lifters.

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To be honest most shoplifters wouldn't go through the till section (self service or manned). They just fill their bags and walk out.

Original poster

Netcurtainnelly · 17/02/2026 15:49

Needmorelego · 17/02/2026 15:36

I love their self service. They are so much quicker.
There's always a manned till available (usually more than one) as an alternative.
No problem with them at all from me.

Edited

From what I could see the only staff were the ones doing the refunds and exchanges.

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Original poster

Netcurtainnelly · 17/02/2026 15:47

wanderingstarz · 17/02/2026 15:40

You do have to scan a receipt to exit the self scan area,but I doubt that stops shop lifters.

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You don't, you can go back the way you came .

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