to be driven almost to the point of violence by self-serve machines in supermarkets?

[quesadilla]

They've been around long enough now that you'd think the manufacturers could have ironed out some of the teething problems. But they just seem to be so pedantic about stuff that really doesn't matter.
Why the frick does it matter if there's an unexpected item in the bagging area? Its not a security risk? Why can't I, once I've scanned the fecker, just put my newspaper and my croissant into my own bag without having to put it the sodding bagging area without the entire thing melting down? Why do I need authorization to buy a single can of lager when I'm old enough to be the grandmother of most of the employees in the shop?
These supermarkets bleat on about a) customer services and b) cutting operating costs. And yet these things make life infinitely more complicated and drive people like me to the point where I have to be restrained from taking a hammer to them.

I have been lambasted by a poster because of my opinion with regards to self service. Buttttt

Can I ask a question?

It may be because of where I live, but I have never, whether that be 7am, 10pm, Tesco metro, Sainsbury's Local have ever not seen a checkout open. (Except Wembley Tesco at 3am only self service there).

If its the case that your local supermarket only has self checkout at these times - write/phone/e-mail/facebook/twitter/carrier pigeon your dislike. People power does wonders.

They are too easy sink don't use them ?

What nonsense is this. ?

They are the handiest thing in the world to use, if you follow the instructions. Which seems to be a lot of the failings in here.

As for not buying beer, paracetamol, without staff authorisation, if you need that explained then it would explain why you struggle with such an easy concept of scan, scan, scan, pay

Oh, FFS.

Come on.

Did you honestly not get that some people don't find them 'the handiest thing in the world to use'? And struggle to follow those instructions?

I have no difficulty with the concept. I have difficulty with the practice.

Do you also go around pointing and sniggering at people in wheelchairs who can't manage stairs, or is it only funny to take the piss out of something like this?

I hate the fact that when there's a queue you have an audience.

everlong, I am that woman moving at the speed of dalek with the frozen stare of doom on her face, while everyone stands tutting and muttering.

Yep.

And then it still buggers up.

In my experience, these self-scan checkouts have real problems with light items - they don't register when I put them in the bag, so I get squawked at.

I use them almost exclusively in several different supermarkets and they all work fine. They are quick, convenient and easy to use.

The only annoyance I have is the eagerness with which Asda's tills tell me to "place the item in the bagging area".

Sainsburys near me has a teeny tiny elderly lady who mans the self serve. Always makes me smile when I see her helping people, she is so calm and unflappable. Makes me smile as well as I cannot work the things, but she looks v elderly and can sort them out.

However careful you are it goes wrong. In Waitrose the bagging area is too tiny so the bag falls off and seizes the whole thing up. The staff look like they want to cry

Have never used one (am fine with the operating instructions and would be happy to use any computer system anywhere ) - they are SOLELY intended to put people out of jobs and I love chatting to folks in the manned queues...

Where they could do with one is Lidl - only ever ONE till open anyhow and a queue of folks buying 250 toilet rolls (why?!?!?)

They are full of shit I guess

they are SOLELY intended to put people out of jobs

This, above all else, is the main reason why I loath these machines.

Exactly, Sameaizedtoes. Automatic tills don't chat, don't smile and don't pack your bags neatly into fridge and non fridge. The nice lad in Tesco does.

I do not want him replaced by a machine.

Especially a computerised machine that works perfectly for DH and breaks if I so much as look at it. I have quite enough tec. that does that in my life already.

My magazine always manages to get accidently tucked inside my newspaper and doesn't get scanned.Machine accepts the weight of newspapers because they change daily.

samesizetoes

"they are SOLELY intended to put people out of jobs"

"This, above all else, is the main reason why I loath these machines."

I sure hope your car wasn't built in one of those nasty robotised factories, because that would be, you know, double standards. And all that supermarket food you're buying, you're obviously getting the low volume stuff from specialist producers, rather than those with large automated production lines.

When I read "am I being unreasonable" on here, I always 'hear' it delivered in the same tone of voice as the robot voice that says "have you swiped your nectar card"? .

I love them. It's like playing shop Tesco scan and shop is even better!
A tip for really light items is to press down a bit on the bagging area when you put the item on. It registers it then.

I'm more bothered about the staff they've got rid of to justify the machines being there.

Not bothered enough to boycott the supermarkets, of course.

why the fuck they can't just programme your clubcard with your age so that it automatically authorises alcohol, glue, knives etc I really don't know. FFS they know every other bloody thing about you.

Unexpected item in bagging area.

Unexpected baseball bat through screen.

That is all

WMittens You're right, technologies in production lines and manufacturing processes have also pushed out jobs for the masses. A valid point which shouldn't go unnoticed. However this is about a technology which replaces a service rather than a product. A service which can not be replicated by an automated voice recording.

As supermarkets and high street stores introduce more and more self serve machines, eventually the general public will get used to using them. Essentially, they are training you to do their job for them.

samesizetoes

The point is that when automation "pushed out jobs for the masses", despite the doom mongers saying it would leave us with hundreds of thousands unemployed, those jobs were effectively transferred elsewhere. Large-scale manufacturing has been on automated production lines for twenty years or more, and it hasn't caused an implosion of the world economy (we left that to the bankers).

However this is about a technology which replaces a service rather than a product. A service which can not be replicated by an automated voice recording.

It can be replicated by a machine and has been effectively. It is a simple, repetitive process that is perfect for self-service. In my shopping experience, a checkout clerk doesn't perform any commercial action that the self-service till can't; I pack my own bags at either till, I can scan items as quick or quicker than a clerk, type in a barcode if the scanner doesn't recognise it, weigh fresh produce, and use loyalty points and vouchers. As mentioned, there are assistants to help with problems and authorise purchases if necessary.

As supermarkets and high street stores introduce more and more self serve machines, eventually the general public will get used to using them.

Like the public have got used to using Internet sites for buying financial services? Insurance, loans, credit cards, bank accounts can all be done online; holidays can be booked and paid for without visiting a travel agent, plus checking in for flights; you can pay for your car tax or buy postage, pay your utility bills (or change supplier) - all the at the click of button, and all end to end processes that have removed humans.

This is the nature of a capitalist society, increase profits - this is happening by increasing efficiency through greater use of technology and is nothing new.

If you don't want to support it, shop at your local corner shop or farm shop, buy your insurance from your local broker, go to the travel agent, buy a hand-built car etc. and pay for the privilege, while the tech adopters compete with each other to lower their prices; I would applaud you for doing so - however, don't think it's going to destroy the jobs market (any more than has been) because it will create new demands and opportunities.

Is this a serious thread???

You want to know why you can't just scan your shopping and put it straight in your bag? You can. Just put your bag on the scales and away you go.

It's not rocket science.

Why do you need age verification to buy alcohol??? Really?

Next thread you'll start will be "AIBU that I'm annoyed that there are numerous 12 year olds shitfaced outside my local superarket? Who sells them this alcohol??"