Self checkouts - Pro or Con?

After the discussion here re shoppers using the barcode-reader guns as they shop, I checked with my local large chain if there are plans for Australia to allow us privileges. Apparently there were some trials in Sydney last year; from the facial expression, I gather uptake and results weren't wonderful and there's no great rush to implement this aspect of self-service. 

joanne said:

After the discussion here re shoppers using the barcode-reader guns as they shop, I checked with my local large chain if there are plans for Australia to allow us privileges. Apparently there were some trials in Sydney last year; from the facial expression, I gather uptake and results weren't wonderful and there's no great rush to implement this aspect of self-service. 

 It's only one grocery chain in our area as far as I'm aware.  I really like it, but I don't see that many people using it and I'm sure that the upfront cost is not trivial.  

It was so funny yesterday, watching everyone avoiding the 12 self-scan terminals, and queuing for 1 staffed checkout. All ages of shopper, not just elderly or tech-challenged. People’s facial expressions seemed to be ‘if I wanted to do this “automatically”, I would have shopped online and collected out front’, even with two assistants there to help.

joanne said:

It was so funny yesterday, watching everyone avoiding the 12 self-scan terminals, and queuing for 1 staffed checkout. All ages of shopper, not just elderly or tech-challenged. People’s facial expressions seemed to be ‘if I wanted to do this “automatically”, I would have shopped online and collected out front’, even with two assistants there to help.

I avoid staffed checkout lines if possible.  I will choose staff if I have too many items.

yahooyahoo said:

joanne said:

It was so funny yesterday, watching everyone avoiding the 12 self-scan terminals, and queuing for 1 staffed checkout. All ages of shopper, not just elderly or tech-challenged. People’s facial expressions seemed to be ‘if I wanted to do this “automatically”, I would have shopped online and collected out front’, even with two assistants there to help.

I avoid staffed checkout lines if possible.  I will choose staff if I have too many items.

 I'll ONLY go to staffed lines, even if I only have 4 items and even if there's a line of peeps waiting.

The_Soulful_Mr_T said:

 I'll ONLY go to staffed lines, even if I only have 4 items and even if there's a line of peeps waiting.

 I do the same.

Yes, I recognise it may be relatively low-paid menial work, but it's a job, and work gives a person self-respect.

Was at Shop Rite Millburn recently and they just added self service aisles.  What a mess!  They need a lot of more user input to make checkout easy.

marksierra said:

The_Soulful_Mr_T said:

 I'll ONLY go to staffed lines, even if I only have 4 items and even if there's a line of peeps waiting.

 I do the same.

Yes, I recognise it may be relatively low-paid menial work, but it's a job, and work gives a person self-respect.

I too support my fellow humans in this manner

I want people to help me, and I'm glad when they do. If they don't know how to pack the bags, it's because they haven't been taught. I can pack the bags, but I still like it when a checkout person does the check out. Let's face it, if I'm doing it, then I should either be paid or get a discount. My labor isn't free, and after I shop, I'm exhausted, and I'd rather someone do the checkout. I still have to get the stuff to the car, home, and put it away. What benefit is a self-check-out to the shopper? 

reservationgirl said:

...What benefit is a self-check-out to the shopper? 

 Lower prices than if the store had to hire more cashiers.

reservationgirl said:

I want people to help me, and I'm glad when they do. If they don't know how to pack the bags, it's because they haven't been taught. I can pack the bags, but I still like it when a checkout person does the check out. Let's face it, if I'm doing it, then I should either be paid or get a discount. My labor isn't free, and after I shop, I'm exhausted, and I'd rather someone do the checkout. I still have to get the stuff to the car, home, and put it away. What benefit is a self-check-out to the shopper? 

 My "discount" from using the self-checkout is that I get out much faster, in addition to packing my bags the way I prefer.  And even moreso with Stop & Shop's scanner guns.  I sure wish ShopRite and Target and Whole Foods would get those also!