Self check out.... Is it just times moving like self service?

[neeep]

On 12 January 1948, three years after the end of the Second World War, in a rundown still-rationed Britain, shoppers in East London’s Manor Park were treated to the opening, by the Co-op, of the country’s first permanent self-service store.

https://heritagecalling.com/2023/01/12/how-englands-first-self-service-store-heralded-the-birth-of-the-modern-supermarket/

I was just thinking about people who don't like using self checkout, would you like to go back to the shop keeper serving you from behind a counter as you're not there to do their job?

Self service in supermarkets is relatively new.

Not really sure which way the voting should be, maybe YABU vote should be we should stop any further progression and go back to only people operated tills, YANBU for we should keep moving forward.

It’s not really comparable when you were served from behind a counter. Self service checkouts are fine, people more have an issue with it being the only option in some stores now, even when you’ve done a huge weekly shop.

I love self checkout. I think people just don’t like change.
We used to pay for shopping by cheque, can you imagine going back to that.
It’s called progress and people just need to accept that times move on.

Every time - and I'm not exaggerating - I've gone to use self-checkout, something has gone wrong, necessitating either an assistant coming to sort it or abandoning the exercise and moving to a till.

And then there's the increasing tendency for shoppers who have used self checkout to be stopped on exit so that a check can be made in case of error/shoplifting.

I'd rather avoid this and have someone do the checkout for me, thanks.

There is self scan for a huge weekly shop. Saves time as you don’t have to empty it all out of your trolley and can pack as you go around.
you also know how much your spending for those on a tight budget.

See, I'm not sure it isn't comparable - it's a massive change, that some struggle with and other absolutely love

True, but in some shops (like Sainsbury’s) you have to download a new app and use an online payment. Many people are Ok with this but there are people without smart phones or the IT literacy to do this. Maybe they’re elderly or disabled or too skint for a smart phone. It’s a great option but for many people it’s not viable.

Which Sainsbury's? My local one has scanners if you want to use them or use a self scan till?

I find it quite interesting that the generations that have been subject to many changes are loving self service check outs and the opportunity to learn something new.

It's middle aged people that seem keen to complain about having to learn something new and will throw out every which excuse to avoid using it and then also claim it's hard for older people to use when in reality they are loving it.

It's just something their not used too.

That sounds more like a you problem than a problem with self service checkouts. How are you messing it up everytime?

Self-checkout is great. Generally any tech that reduces interaction for some people can only be a good thing imho.

@tomatoontoast how old is middle-aged?:I'm 52... I like change

You don't need to download a new app, there are handheld scanners and you just need to scan your nectar card with it. You can do self scan and pay cash at a self check out or manned till by scanning the QR code with the scanner

With self scan, what happens if you’ve bought an item with s security tag on? When they come to remove it do they check you’ve actually scanned it?

You're in your prime at 52. Young and spritely.

I'm a big self-service fan., especially scan & shop.

Just so much easier & quicker.

Online shopping is sort of like how it was before if you think about it. You tell them what you want then someone goes and gets it for you.

Aw

What happens if you put something in your trolley and scan it, then a bit later decide you'd rather have something else and put the first thing back? (I've never done self scan).

I wanted to use the scanners and couldn’t unless I downloaded another app, because I don’t have a nectar card. Lots of people don’t. I’m not saying these are bad options I am just saying they don’t work for everyone.

I avoid shops, I do most of mine online.

You remove it with the scanner/app and out the item back. Easy.

Sainsbury's doesn't require an online payment. You pay at the till in the same way you would at a manned till.

Petrol stations used to be manned rather than self service. No one complains about having to do someone else's job for them when they fill up. Self scan will be the same.

Some customers believe they are doing staff out of a job by not using a manned checkout, this is incorrect as staff are allocated elsewhere such as dot.com. Also working on a checkout for hours on end is a form of torture, nobody in our store enjoys it, it's nothing but relentless hassle.
It will never go back, self service and online shopping are the new normal for now.

I hate it I'm a lot slower as I very rarely go to a shop in person and not every time but a large majority of the time there's an issue because the weights a little off due to how it's packed or something, or you buy something age restricted like alcohol and it always takes an age for the assistant to come, and a lot of the time there's multiple people waiting.

I don't really shop at Aldi, I think I've been there 3 times in like 2-3 years but I much prefer them at the checkout and me putting it in bags on the side.

I think online shopping and delivery is the new normal. Going into a supermarket would feel a bit old-fashioned to me.