To Not Use Self Sevice Tills

[TitusOatesLivesNextDoor]

Because:

1. I'm not employed by the supermarket as a cashier and don't want to work for nothing

2. They will eventually put cashiers out of work.

I like them because I have mental health issues. I used to really struggle doing my shopping and DH would always been left at the tills. Some days interacting with strangers triggers my OCD. I only use self scan.

My big local supermarket was late to the install them.

I looove them, sometimes I do have to call for help when the screen says error but they're so much quicker. I hated waiting with one item to check out behind someone who had a full trolley.

We are moving towards becoming a cashless society so these business decisions match the majority of customer’s habits, particularly in cities or within stations.

I use my debit card/Apple Pay for everything, regardless of how small the transaction is - I have always been paid directly into my bank account, I would have to go out of my way to take cash out. It’s just not as convenient as using my card.

I hope you still have your milk delivered by the milkman, I hope you send letters instead of emails

The problems I get are from customers. Don't stand at my shoulder while I'm packing, really don't start scanning while I'm packing, and seriously, if I'm getting my bags out, I'm starting not finishing.

I only like them when they work properly which the M&S ones never do. Plus I find it really rude that the shopping is weighed as you move it from one side to the other as if it is automatically assumed that I am a thief! The Waitrose ones seem to work ok but I am irritated by the instructions to scan another item or pay - what the fuck do you think I am doing?!

I prefer them. I don't like small talk and the cashiers infuriate me sometimes with their slowness when I'm in a hurry. At least only I'm responsible then.

Thanks @MistyCloud!

I think enough people agree and some that don't have valid reasons for not doing so and it's always interesting to get another point of view.

I just ignore the "rude and snarky" comments because you'll always get that on MN: sometimes because people genuinely can't see a bigger picture and sometimes because making one might be the only little buzz they get all day. I'm happy for them to show their arse!

YABU because ...

1. I'd rather swipe my own shopping than pay someone else to do it (by way of the extra they would add onto the prices of the stuff I was buying).
2. It's dull and unnecessary work. The people who do it could be doing something more interesting or productive instead.

I'm not employed by the supermarket as a cashier and don't want to work for nothing

How is it any more work than lifting stuff out of your bag onto the belt and then putting it from the end belt into your bag once the cashier has scanned it?

Depends on what I'm buying...

orange juice, bag of ready to eat prunes, anusol cream and a bag of ice?

Thanks, I'll scan that one myself.

So when doing it yourself, unpaid, that is the very definition of slave labour.

It really isn't!

Self service tills and scanners won't completely replace checkouts because not everyone can use one, and they still need staff to keep an eye on things, and help people who have a problem. They break down.
The hand held scanners have to be cleaned between each use.

But generally, some jobs will be replaced by machines. That really isnt the issue.

The issue is, what do we do with the people who no longer have full time jobs as a result of mechanization?
Its completely possible for society to change and just give everyone enough to live on and more leisure time, but attitudes will have to change for that to happen.

The problem is, the Citizens Wage smack of socialism and a lot of people don't like that.

slartbarti I'd hate that, just standing there like a lemon while they do it all for me.

I thought it was odd at first, but it works really well, and is faster than me packing on a conveyor belt. If it didn't work, they wouldn't do it! Carrefour and Delhaize have scan and shop, and normal tills; Colruyt and OK pack for you.

I work in a supermarket. ( customer service)
I’d like to request that if you have no idea how to use the self serve - don’t!
It’s way harder for my colleagues to fix things when you mess up!
Take your shopping to a till...PLEASE!

The hand held scanners have to be cleaned between each use.

Except they aren't.

poorstudent We are moving towards becoming a cashless society Not totally, and even Sweden is beginning to row back on it, as they have had it pointed out how vulnerable it makes them in terms of cyber attacks.

I was in the UK last summer when there was a problem with the electronic payment system. I'd got some sterling, so could buy what I wanted at Fleet services, unlike those waving their temporarily useless debit cards about!

Cashless is not the answer, not least in terms of others tracking what you spend.

Why would the hand held scanners need to be cleaned between uses? Trolley and basket handles aren't cleaned between uses and they have the same contact with customers hands.

So when doing it yourself, unpaid, that is the very definition of slave labour.

Imagine being dense enough to liken scanning groceries at self checkouts to slavery.

I tried one in Waitrose the other day and it was lovely. No weighing scales so it recognises the item you put through so it was quick and easy

The Waitrose ones are fab! They obviously trust their clientele not to take 5 carrots and only pay for one. Also handy for bakery items. I shove everything in one bag whereas in Tesco they have to be weighed separately so need individual bags

Yabu, I love scan and shop and can’t imagine having to queue up with a weeks worth of shopping , ever again !
There’s never a queue either

I'm not employed by the supermarket as a cashier and don't want to work for nothing

I park my car in the supermarket car park. No valet parking for me.
I do not pay to rent the trolley or basket to put the groceries in. (The pound coin in the trolley seem to have gone by the board ?)
I collect my groceries off the shelves. I do not need help either paid or voluntary.
Scanning my own groceries is no big deal.

I haven't read the full thread.

I used to use them in Morrison's and 90% of the time they'd have an error, so almost 4 years ago, I made a New Year's resolution not to use self-service tills. Still going strong and makes shopping much less stressful.

I think the PP meant the scanners have to be cleared after every use.

The chip & pin devices would be at least as germy as the scanners/trolley handles if not more.

I’d like to request that if you have no idea how to use the self serve - don’t! It’s way harder for my colleagues to fix things when you mess up! Take your shopping to a till...PLEASE!

We can only do that if there are sufficient tills open, though.

If people are heading to the tills and there's a choice of queuing up for the two tills that are open, or going straight to a self-service till, most are going to go for the latter, especially if they're in a rush.

This morning I managed to scan a £60 shop through the self-scan and be out of the door in less time than it took the sole cashier on duty to serve four or five people with a handful of items. What would have been the point in queuing? I'd rather not spend any more time in a supermarket than is strictly necessary!