50. Self-Checkout | The Economics of Everyday Things

Grocery stores have turned shoppers into cashiers. Zachary Crockett runs two bags of chips and a Gatorade over the scanner.

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[compugasm]

Not only do I hate self checkout, I hate standing in line at the self checkout. I'M TALKING TO YOU KROGER!!!

[valerieodonnell]

I don’t mind self checkout if I have 5 or less items. 30 items? Forget it. The issue is you can’t just scan, scan, scan as quickly as you want. You have to pause between each item for the machine to register that you put it in the bagging area and heaven forbid you accidentally bump that area. Then you have to wait for someone to come help. It takes much longer.

[garrybrown]

The self checkout started with self service gasoline. Now in my early 70's, I worked at my grandfather and great uncle's Chevron station pumping gas when it cost 30 cents a gallon. Services included washing the windshield, checking the oil and tire pressure and people would offer their trash as they remained seated in their cars. I agree with Mr. Crockett and prefer to have a store employee check out my items. I prefer NOT to be an unpaid servant for a grocery store and have them question my ability to check out or question my integrity as the final step in shopping.

[troutnut]

As a former 20 year grocery manager and clerk, starting as a bagger, I started when we still had Sweda cash registers, then digital, then scanners came along. The chains have always used the “compete with Costco, Walmart, blah, blah, blah” excuse, they wanted customers to scan the items as they put it in the cart, they came up with the self-check out, and employees all told upper management “It’s not gonna work” “people are going to steal more than they save in labor costs” and we all knew they were going to lose customers. Now they all shop at AMAZON.

[celieboo]

My issue with self checkout is the fact that I am not saving any money on the groceries that i am buying. The store is using me as unpaid labor.

[pamelaroyce]

Many senior citizens *need* that human interaction, psychologically, because they live alone and seldom see people. The smile, the small talk, maybe a chuckle over something amusing, really adds value to the shopper’s day. I will only use self-checkout for one item. The machine jabbering at me makes me nervous, as does another shopper sighing with annoyance as they wait for me to understand the machine and find the relevant buttons to push or the tap thingie. I hate self-checkout. It’s too impersonal and depersonalizing. ☹️

[schenksteven]

I hate fighting with the kiosk. “How many bags do you want?” “Would you like to enter your phone number?” “Would you like to add a dollar for a charity?”

I hate being grilled by a machine that’s supposed to be there for my convenience.

[marymelchior]

If I was on a jury of a person who failed to scan a couple items accused of shoplifting, I’d find them not guilty. They deserve to get paid to do the work.

[kjmav]

I’m old enough to remember when Texaco gas stationed actually pumped your gas, cleaned your windshield, and checked your oil. And then we started doing it ourselves. We don’t think about it anymore. It’s not about speed. It’s about Big Grocery. $$$

[McRyach]

I love self checkout. I can scan and bag my groceries myself. There are no special skills needed. I don’t need serfs.

[celieboo]

My mom refuses to use self checkout. She will call the manager and make them check her out. 😂

[D-Rex-]

People need jobs, being a cashier is a good, reputable job (I did this for 3 years while in college)
I don't use self checkout, I want humans to have jobs.
I am not paid by the grocery store, I don't work for free.

[michaelhuang]

Soon we will be going to the back of the grocery stores to collect our own free range chicken eggs. Then they'll let us go to the other section of the hay field and thrasher on wheat to make our pasta

[dwagner]

I like self-check out as I can pack my bags my way and because most of the time I don't need to interact with someone which is a relief on busy days. I also don't feel pressured to go faster, if I do it myself, it takes the time it takes. Also, I hate it when I do go through regular check out and cease to exist as soon as I paid, but my bags still need to get managed.

[tvdavis]

Self checkout rarely works for a complete order without freaking out about not putting an object in the bagging area (but you did), or requiring authorization for alcohol (and one time, NON-alcohol sparkling grape juice), or just locking up for some unknown reason, and you end up waiting for an employee anyway. The area to place items is too small for more than a few things. And then, I’ve got someone standing there, pretending to straighten the candy and mints while watching me like a hawk to make sure I don’t steal. Screw that. If you won’t put cashiers at the registers, especially when you have three or four employees standing around doing nothing (looking at you, Target), I’ll shop elsewhere.

[Bludongle]

I refuse to self-checkout.
It's the same as stores asking me to round up to give to charity when the corporation gets to write off MY fukken donation.
Tired of this greed.

[CeeDeeTeeVee]

When I’m given a discount for doing the work…. I might consider it. I was recently in a CVS… there was a man behind the counter and farther down there was a self check out. Man said “You can use the self check out” (he wasn’t waiting on anyone). I said “I don’t do that.” He said “Give me a minute and I’ll come show you how”. I repeated “I don’t do that”. He begrudgingly rang me up.
I also hate the “kiosk” in fast food places! Three people behind the counter and no one will take your order… they say “ you have to use the kiosk”. I just leave.

[AprilFriday-devm]

If it takes you 30 minutes to check your groceries in self-checkout, you’re doing it wrong. Like tragically wrong.

[InvaderMik]

0:40 Why does it take you 20-30 minutes to use a self-checkout?

[rickhaydan]

Cashiers always work faster than the average shopper. The cashier knows stuff we don't, like how to read damaged price tags.