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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be worried about this trend? - Tesco check-out free store.

117 replies

mustlovegin · 28/11/2021 18:04

It was first started by Amazon Fresh I believe.

Now Tesco are trying to do the same with their first check-out free store.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58951984

Basically you cannot physically get into the store unless you have the Tesco App. You also cannot pay by means of cash or a credit/debit card - you are made to pay for your purchases through the App.

Isn't this potentially discriminatory plus it forces customers to fit into their ecosystem and comply with their restrictions?

This particular store is in an area with many council flats nearby. Elderly and disabled people used to shop there and will now need to walk at least 15 minutes to do their shopping.

Where are we heading with all of this? Shouldn't we have more options and freedom not less?

OP posts:

Ilikewinter · 28/11/2021 20:41

Im really looking forward to trying this!. I always scan and pack now but there was a problem with the scanners on Saturday so i had to go through self checkout. Id forgotton what a faff it is, felt like it took forever to scan my shopping at the end instead of scan and pack as i go along!

AtLeastPretendToCare · 28/11/2021 20:43

Oh come on. This is by Chancery Lane tube, the vast majority of people who shop there are from nearby workplaces or are visiting such. It is hardly full of the elderly using rolators. And that is exactly why they start trialling with such stores - such customers are more likely to be tech savvy and willingness to use new innovations.

Now that doesn’t mean literally nobody will be inconvenienced sure but this is hardly the same as dropping it in the centre of a residential area.

ddl1 · 28/11/2021 20:46

No, that is just wrong. What about people who don't have smartphones. or prefer not to do money transactions on them even if they do?

I live in an area where there are quite a few shops, so if Tesco's did this, I just wouldn't use Tesco's (I don't often anyway). But for people who don't have much choice of nearby shops, it would be a real pain!

housemaus · 28/11/2021 20:47

it forces customers to fit into their ecosystem

What do you mean by this part? Also, lots of elderly and disabled people are perfectly capable of using a smartphone app.

I think this is great - doesn't it do exactly what you say, give customers more options and more freedom? I'd prefer not to have to speak to people while I'm doing my shopping and as a PP said above, already use Sainsbury's smart shop so if something like this was available where I lived, I'd be really glad of the option. Which didn't exist before. So this is a new option for people who want it, whereas there are other options available for those who don't.

Whether or not the demographic in the area will be supported by it is semi-irrelevant to Tesco - as a private business, I assume their market research shows it'll be used in that area, and as long as it makes them money they don't really care whether some people nearby like it or not. I'm not saying that's a good thing - but unless you think the Government should start mandating what technology upgrades shops are allowed to make*, it's not something Tesco are going to be bothered by.

*You could say the same about the move to contactless in lots of places, for example. But times change and technology moves on and some of that includes people changing how they do things.

Original poster

mustlovegin · 28/11/2021 20:49

Much like Uber

Another worrying example where a company is trying to exercise monopolistic control of a market through the initial provision of a 'platform'. It seems convenient at first, but the ones who control the platform end up controlling almost everything else

OP posts:

Comefromaway · 28/11/2021 20:50

@ddl1

No, that is just wrong. What about people who don't have smartphones. or prefer not to do money transactions on them even if they do?

It’s in central London. Hardly a lack of choice of shops.

Stuckhere2021 · 28/11/2021 20:55

My husband was just saying time the other day that we (customers) will soon be stacking the shelves too - this was after a particularly challenging self serve experience he had, bless him. I agree with PPs who say people will vote with their feet. I can see there being a particular demographic who will live this and those who won’t. My DC (21 and 24) hate having to actually speak to anyone when ordering anything / shopping etc so I can imagine them being all for it

colourfulpuddles · 28/11/2021 20:57

YABU. I think it’s a fantastic idea!

Nobody is forced to do anything; they don’t have to shop there.

RobotValkyrie · 28/11/2021 21:00

Probably won't matter for just that one shop, but that kind of system sounds dreadful for tourists.

I can imagine the whole world having the Amazon app already installed on their smart phone (if they have one), but why would a tourist from the States or from Japan have the Tesco app? They're not that hot...

BonesInTheOcean · 28/11/2021 21:19

For goodness sake, people didnt like electric lights when they came in, any progress/change

I hated my first touch screen phone, and returned it for one with buttons, now? wouldnt be without it

Iggly · 28/11/2021 21:33

@BonesInTheOcean

For goodness sake, people didnt like electric lights when they came in, any progress/change

I hated my first touch screen phone, and returned it for one with buttons, now? wouldnt be without it

All new tech doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good.

I have a love hate relationship with my touch screen smart phone. Life is actually better without constant internet access IMO.

Original poster

mustlovegin · 28/11/2021 21:58

My DC (21 and 24) hate having to actually speak to anyone when ordering anything / shopping etc so I can imagine them being all for it

You don't have to speak to anyone in other stores/supermarkets where self-check out is available if you don't want to. But you are allowed to go into the shop and use cash or card for payment. This set up is bonkers.

OP posts:

Original poster

mustlovegin · 28/11/2021 22:04

it forces customers to fit into their ecosystem
What do you mean by this part?

If I go into a shop to get some bread, I expect to be able to grab some bread, hand over a £1 coin and get out. Job done.

I don't want to be forced to install an app to take up space in my phone, give the app access to my details, reveal my shopping habits as part of some loyalty scheme and be forced to use a certain form of payment (also handing over additional information to google/Apple). See also Amazon no longer accepting Visa credit cards from next January, meddling with financial systems

I don't want to be part of Tesco's world, I just want to buy some bread.

OP posts:

MumUndone · 28/11/2021 22:06

Oh come on, if you don't like it then don't shop there but lots of people do want this. Times change.

BritWifeInUSA · 28/11/2021 22:22

Along with the issues that have been mentioned (difficult for elderly and disabled people to use, apps not always working or reliable, etc), I also dislike how this reduces the income tax paid into the government as there are no employees. The government will then find other ways of making that money back that will usually heavily impact those who can least afford it.

blueirises · 28/11/2021 22:22

There was a massive buzz about the first Amazon Fresh when it opened in Ealing Broadway; it was on the news and everything. But last time I was in Ealing a few weeks ago there was one customer and about 10 staff looking bored. I think it might be sobering to realise that everything you buy is tracked by the likes of Amazon. So I'm not sure Tesco is going in the right direction here.

wheresmymojo · 28/11/2021 22:24

I get that some people don't want this, but that doesn't mean that some people do.

I'd bloody love this.

I haven't carried cash now for more years than I can remember.

I don't even carry a purse. Everything is done on my phone and I love it that way.

If you don't like it, don't shop there

Kinneddar · 28/11/2021 22:24

This particular store is in an area with many council flats nearby. Elderly and disabled people used to shop there and will now need to walk at least 15 minutes to do their shopping

Why would you assume council tenants & disabled people cant shop this way. Its not going to be dearer its just another way of shopping. A lot of elderly people will also be more than capable of using it

It's like pretty much every other thing in life, some people will like it, others won't

A580Hojas · 28/11/2021 22:25

Aren't you worried that your adult children are so averse to talking to people that they can't even say "Hello" "I've got my own bag" "Thank you" in a shop?

Maybe when they're old no one will ever actually say words to anyone else at all. Speaking will become obsolete. All of life will be on an app .

wheresmymojo · 28/11/2021 22:25

@blueirises

There are plenty of us who give not one fig Amazon or whoever knows what I buy.

My weekly shopping isn't very interesting. They can knock themselves out.

madmomma · 28/11/2021 22:27

Urgh I won't be using it. Vote with your feet indeed.

wheresmymojo · 28/11/2021 22:27

@A580Hojas

Aren't you worried that your adult children are so averse to talking to people that they can't even say "Hello" "I've got my own bag" "Thank you" in a shop?

Maybe when they're old no one will ever actually say words to anyone else at all. Speaking will become obsolete. All of life will be on an app .

How silly.

I also prefer not speaking to people in a supermarket or where ever. It's inefficient and I just want to go about my business in peace.

I'm nearly 40, an extrovert and perfectly good at speaking to people.

user1471443411 · 28/11/2021 22:29

That's good to hear Blueirises.

A580Hojas · 28/11/2021 22:30

Weren't a load if Tesla cars put out of action recently because of a fault with the app? The internet is not fool proof, infact it makes you vulnerable to hacking in myriad ways. Huge banks like NatWest and RBS have been out of action for days at a time in recent memory.

A580Hojas · 28/11/2021 22:32

What is the benefit to the customer again?

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