..to suggest that self-service checkouts should have a 'silent' mode?

[Chil1234]

"UNEXPECTED ITEM IN THE BAGGING AREA. PLEASE REMOVE BEFORE CONTINUING" ... "ARE YOU USING YOUR OWN BAGS?".... "PLEASE TAKE YOUR ITEMS"... "THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AT TES-WAIT-MARKS-BURY-SONS"...

All delivered at penetrating volume by someone trying to 'do a Dervla' in slightly pitying tones. "Have you swiped your Nectar Card?" she asks breathily (You sad, forgetful creature, you) And if there are a few people using the self-checkouts at the same time there's a freaky echo effect to boot. "Please place the item in the bag... in the bag... in the bag.... "

I love the concept and I'm sure the voice is jolly handy for the visually impaired or novice self-packer, but couldn't there be a 'silent mode'? Let those of us who can read the screen get on with the blipping & packing in peace?

Unreasonable, moi?

Oh don't get me started - I agree COMPLETELY! I love using the self-service machines, but can't stand the annoying, nagging, patronising voice! I KNOW when to take my shopping, I KNOW when to pay. It should have a volume button so that you can turn it up if you're hearing/visually impaired but mute it if not! I suppose it's to alert the staff if someone is trying to put something in the bagging area without swiping it, but they wouldn't pay attention anyway, so it's moot.

[steam coning out of ears at mere though emoticon]

Aaaannnnddddd breath....

The ones in Morrisons are the worst. They shout at you. Just one of the many reasons I avoid Morrisons.

I agree actually. It is very annoying.

I stand and argue with them. Have had women behind me in the queue in fits of laughter at it.

B&Q self serve also holler at you.

It wouldn't be so bad if the damn things actually work and that the self serve attendants noticed you standing there waiting for them to input the code to let you carry on istead of gossiping with other staff

I shouted at one in ASDA once.

It kept saying "please place item int he bagging area", "unexpected item in bagging area", "please place item in bagging area", "unexpected item in bagging area", "please place item in bagging area"... with me picking up and putting down a tin of tomatoes until I was ready to hurl it at the screen.

They don't like birthday cards, I've noticed. Too light, presumably. "Put the item in the bag"... in it goes... "Put the item in the bag".... try again.... "put the item in the bag".... try again and wiggle it about a bit.... "put the item in the bag"... press thumb down..... (machine now thinks you are a confused old bat) .... "do you wish to continue shopping?"

The Co-op ones announce the price fo each item which is hugely annoying as i don't necessarily want the entire store knowing that I'm spending "one pound and forty seven pence" on something

@shrinkingviolet... that's a new low in talking till technology.

This is why I never use them.

The companies know they are inefficient - this is why they all have a member of staff whose job it is to stand there and direct the customers for whom they have gone wrong!!

I argue with them too emptyshell. I say things like: 'It is in the sodding bagging area' and 'Alright, give me a chance' and 'Shut up'. I have only just now realised that I am not amusing and witty, I am a mad old bat who talks to the tills in the supermarket. Bugger.

I'd like them add a ouce saying 'Can one of you three assistants standing around chatting, please come to authorise the wine I'm buying..before I lose the will and open it right here and now'

I won't use them, I get too furious, and end up leaving all the unscannable frustrating items all over the place, so now I queue!

LOL Valpollicella!

I'm glad I'm not the only --nutter- one who talks back to them. "I AM putting it in the bagging area", "I WILL insert my card if you give me half a millisecond to get it out my bag", "oh shut up" etc....

Completely agree. I'm not sure why they think I would forget my change (please take your change. Notes are dispensed below the scanner)

Worse still is when the light comes on above your head thus alerting the whole store (except the blooming supervisor) that you need assistance..

i have never used one. i am frightened by this technological marvel, in the manner of my mother grandmother.

Can you imagine the quiet? just the beep beep beep from the normal tills.
I hate using them, but needs must.
"Please take your bags" is the best one. Nah I thought I'd pay and run
I did find a fiver once. I guess someone didn't listen that notes are dispensed benieth the scanner.

I completely agree, personally find it annoying when it asks "are you going to use your own bags?", you say "yes", it tells you to "put it in the bagging area", you do so and then at the end it says "did you use any of your own bags"???? Yes I told you this 2 minutes ago!!

Also went through the huge rigmarole once and then it had a fit at the end which the assistant couldn't fix so then had to collect all my stuff and go through a checkout...I was not a happy customer !!!

hate hate hate. i argue with them too. they rush you, and confuse me and go on and on and on about the bagging area.

i was very pissed off the discover b&q ONLY have self service tills and one octogenarian to help if when it goes wrong

i avoid if possible

Hmm...I find the "talking till" queues in London move twice as fast as those operated by a member of staff. Maybe experienced users or small no of items (usually lunch).

They are incredibly bossy though and whilst I like the speed I hate the irritating prompts.

Um, they do have a silent feature.

On the first screen before you start beeping through your stuff there is a volume touch key on the screen. Just press it repeatedly and it puts it on mute. Job done.

They're nothing compared to the ceaseless annoyance of the Sainsbury's talking travelators though. 'Please prepare to push your trolley off the end of the conveyor'. I mean ffs...

Silence would be bliss. It is like being harangued by a hormonal drill sergeant.

I wouldn't mind if it wasn't so polite. If it would say "Oh get a fecking MOVE on", "Can't you do ANYTHING right?" and "Come on, hurry up, there is such a thing as a profit margin you now" then I would at least respect the company's honesty.

At our Tesco the staff are very prompt to respond. But when I needed wine approved today I did do this when I noticed the clerk pressed 'obviously over 25'.

Granted, I'm 41, but still....

OOhh bingtata, I'll look out for the volume control