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.

I use the self service for a small amount of shopping to leave the staffed tills for those that need them but do get annoyed at how sensitive they can be. I also use scan and go when doing my big weekly shop as I prefer it.

Pressed post too quick.

But I agree with you, OP. There are people who need staffed tills and it's ridiculous the way supermarkets are going with all this self service. I personally don't mind it but can see it won't cater for everyone, my 70 year old able bodied dad for example, he is just plain useless with technical stuff like self service tills.

I love them personally. Queues are shorter and maybe the people who need a 2 minute chat can get 3 minutes instead because the people who don't want to chat use the self service.
Love scan as you shop for big shops.

I can't help wonder about the percentage of people using them dishonestly. I remember a certain tv chef trying to nick cheese and you sometimes you hear about people who try a scan an onion but actually buy fillet steak but they are a minority right?

I love them, and I love scan and shop even more. So quick and easy, pack as you go around, no queuing, don’t have to see or speak to anyone.

I don't use them simply because their sole purpose is to reduce staffing

@TellingBone

I don't use them simply because their sole purpose is to reduce staffing

It's really not. Those staff can be deployed elsewhere in the store doing everything else.

@TellingBone

I don't use them simply because their sole purpose is to reduce staffing

Do you not use the ATM to withdraw cash? Or a machine to buy a train ticket?

@TellingBone

I don't use them simply because their sole purpose is to reduce staffing

No, it’s really not.

I think they're incredibly dreadful.

You often have a situation where one worker is Manning 6/8 of these tills and because they're shit and don't work, they're essentially Manning lots of checkouts.

In our local co op they don't have anyone Manning them, I assume due to staffing issues. There's one person on the kiosk with a massive queue so if you're buying, for example alcohol, you have to wait until someone comes from the back of the shop where they're restocking.

The problem is, automation is the big socialist dream in the respect that it should ideally lighten everyone's work load and we can all benefit from greater profits and more free time but because we live in a capitalist society where wealth is hoarded it literally only benefits the share holders.

I used to work next to a supermarket. They were great when you were running into buy a sandwich/some milk.
Amazed by the number of people trying to put a whole weeks shop through it and making a total bloody disaster of piling all the things up on the small scale bit.

It's really not. Those staff can be deployed elsewhere in the store doing everything else.

I'm sorry but if you'll believe that, you'll believe anything

Do you not use the ATM to withdraw cash? Or a machine to buy a train ticket?

Yes people do that's why there are less people employed on the railways and in banks

@IamnotSethRogan

Do you not use the ATM to withdraw cash? Or a machine to buy a train ticket?

Yes people do that's why there are less people employed on the railways and in banks

Yes I know. I was asking the ouster who said they don't use self scan because if human jobs if they used these things.

English self service tills are the worst: constantly barking orders at you and getting stuck, urgh! I live in the Netherlands and you just scan and pay, they don’t have the supposed anti theft measures which only succeed in infuriating honest shoppers.

If it’s done right, a mix of self service and non self service and the self service area being sufficiently manned then it can be a real asset and I prefer them.

I love them when they're done right: scan your items and pay with cash or card. They're great when you're abroad and do not want to inflict your rudimentary command of the local language on a person, and they also give you the opportunity to get change for the large bills you get from an ATM. I agree with AgentJohnson: best mix is some of each, and people available to deal with issues with the automated tills.

That's from a customer perspective, though, not considering the effect that automation has on the workforce, which we should consider.

@IamnotSethRogan

It's really not. Those staff can be deployed elsewhere in the store doing everything else.

I'm sorry but if you'll believe that, you'll believe anything

I know what I believe but thanks anyway. Gone are the days when stores recruit for cashiers. Everyone does everything-it's cost effective for people to be cross trained. That's how it is now.

I love self service. No interest in feeling like I need to make small talk with bored looking till staff.

It's exactly why they exist - to cut staff costs. Why do you think the majority of bank branches have closed down?

YABU I love them. Especially the ones where you scan and pack as you go. So much quicker, easier for budgeting and the tills are never busy either.

@TellingBone

It's exactly why they exist - to cut staff costs. Why do you think the majority of bank branches have closed down?

There's little need to go to into an actual bank these days, they close due to lack of footfall generally.

@TellingBone

It's exactly why they exist - to cut staff costs. Why do you think the majority of bank branches have closed down?

Not because of ATMs which have been around for decades. It's more because of the switch to less cash use in general.

At our local shop, they used to have 2 tills, with usually 2 staff. When it wasn't busy, they'd be filling the shelves on the shop floor.

They renovated. Still have 2 staff. But now they have 1 counter and 4 self service tills. It's far quicker now. If you self serve, you literally never have to wait for a till. If you need the counter, then the queues are never more than 1 or 2 people in front of you, because most customers are using the self serve.

It's a massive improvement. Same number of staff, much quicker and more options for customers. What's not to like?

First bank ATM was in 1967 apparently.

I love them, I haven't gone through a manned till in years, I only use self service or the self scan ones you do as you go around, I find it less stressful.

TellingBone

It's exactly why they exist - to cut staff costs. Why do you think the majority of bank branches have closed down?

Not because of ATMs which have been around for decades. It's more because of the switch to less cash use in general.

And also online banking. There is very little need to physically visit a bank for actual banking these days unless you want to arrange a loan or a mortgage.