AIBU to think that self service tills are horrible

[uglyflowers]

In my area there used to be lots of individual shops and a sense of community. Then they built a massive Tesco which put all the little shops out of business. But local jobs were promised instead. Then those staff members’ hours were cut so many were part time and had their living boosted by benefits. And now they are being replaced by machines. Near me they are trialling two completely self service supermarkets. So eventually all the poor bloody ‘key workers’ who risked their health during Covid and who pay income tax etc will be replaced with machines.
And what about shops as community hubs? Can’t be the local library for that since they closed ours down. So those people who are a bit lonely won’t even get their two minutes of chat.
Additionally I don’t WANT to scan my big shops. I like someone doing it. They get paid to do it. I don’t.
I think everyone should boycott them. They won’t use them if we refuse to.

Morrison's self service tills hate me. Ditto Tesco's. Lidl, sometimes are a pain in the butt. Aldi and Asda, hardly ever. Co o p never. Co o p ones are a dream. But I can't afford a whole grocery shop there. Just bits and pieces .

Self service tills sold to the public as convience as you work for free scanning and packing your shopping. Not believing scan n go is quicker, I've noticed I'm out first with a weekly shop compared to some scanners that have been doddling in front of me getting in the effing way.

I love the self-checkouts, they are really quick. I go to Asda once a week and only have a basket so it is easy to go through. There is usually one manned checkout open if you go after 8am but always a long queue. There are also 4 much larger trolley self checkouts. So a choice.

You got it in one, choice. It shouldn't have to be one or the other.

It’s not much of a choice if there’s only one manned checkout and it’s got a queue like an execution. Surely that should tell them something.

Scan as you shop is brilliant for wheelchair users, (until staff want items from the bottom of the bag for a security check, but expect you to find somewhere else to now repack so it all fits.) It does mean having to use cards.
Self scan is a 2nd best option, and they're forcing card use through those too..

Manned belts are hell for many in wheelchairs. We have long had to battle to be allowed to pack our own shopping so it's transportable on laps and chairs, working from belts too high to properly reach, not how others want it packed, and well meaning cashiers etc interfering.
Yes they'll organize someone to take the extra bags they've created and charged me for, to my vehicle, but what am I supposed to do the other end? Their answer is often to make my day worse by insisting there must be people around to help me the other end, with the problem they've created for me.
I only buy what I can manage alone on one trip, because that's my physical limitations, so it's Tetris packed.
Choice is the simple answer.

But I don't disagree with insisting on using whatever systems you feel will keep society as a whole working best.

Will depend on the type of shop, local, and local demographics.

In our village Co Op, virtually everyone uses the self service machines.

The shop assistants only go to the "proper" till/counter if someone's waiting there, otherwise they're all busy on the shop floor, filling shelves, tidying, helping with customer queries, etc.

From casual observation, I'd say most customers only go to the counter to buy cigarettes, lottery tickets, etc.

And this is a village with quite a significant elderly population, most of whom seem to be able to use the self service tills well enough. Though, must admit, the staff are VERY helpful and happy to spend time showing people how to use them.

They are awful, they are making you do the job of the cashier.

I hate them for 2 reasons:

1. I'm not paid to work there
2. I'm keen to protect the jobs of the people who do work there.

Do you feel the same about all the other things that we now do ourselves, such as filling a car with petrol, using a cash machine, etc? How did you feel when shops become self-service after previously been counters where the shopkeeper got everything for you?

Staff do different things, such as keeping the shelves stocked, being far more accessible for customer queries on the shop floor, tidying, picking home delivery orders, etc.

Selecting your own items in a shop (otherwise known as shopping!) is a world away from doing an actual cashier's job.

As for these roles being 're-deployed', you and I both know that's not happening. Nothing is ever introduced to benefit customers and staff, it's just to cut overheads.

This also applies to using ATMs. I'll use them to get cash out on occasion - but I will always insist on seeing a cashier inside the branch for anything else.

For me, I'm happy to wait for the person serving, knowing that my patience is (hopefully) keeping them employed.

But what about all the new jobs in designing and building the self service tills, developing and installing the software, service and maintenance workers, etc.

It's been happening throughout time. Some jobs disappear, others appear. You don't see many blacksmiths, chimney sweeps nor farriers around anymore, do you? Yes, there are a few, but nothing like a hundred years ago when they'd be in every village. We have gas heating engineers, motor mechanics, etc. instead.

I hate them too and much prefer manned checkouts. Also for some elderly people it is their only human interaction and that's important too.

I'm aware of all that, so I don't need an 'education' thanks.

Yes, things develop and new roles emerge but it seems it's the customer facing/service roles that are becoming obsolete.

As someone else has pointed out, chatting to a cashier in the supermarket might be the only interaction someone gets. We shouldn't be in a hurry to replace people with tech.

I like scan as you shop, let alone the SS till!

And I fold clothes much better than any assistant I've had lately