this post was submitted on 06 Oct 2026
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Hmm I like self checkout because I don't like dealing with retail people. I'm introverted by nature.
Just get me the F in and get me the F out. Charge the correct price and give me correct change. Machines do this SO WELL.
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That's an interesting take you have. I personally find there needs to be more interaction in self checkouts as they often error meaning you need to wave down / seek out someone to help.
In the register I say "G'day" "ill pack my own " (take my own bags), and "on the card thanks" . Pretty smooth process , plus it helps keep someone employed and not me working for my own groceries I'm paying for.
Keeping someone employed for the sake of employment is the exact opposite thing that should happen. If you can pump your own gas, why should you be forced to have someone else do it for you?
If I had the option of someone filling my petrol whilst I just sat in the car I would 100% take that up. That's a much better service ! Used to happen, guess labor was too expensive. I don't see there being any harm in helping to keep a young workforce employed instead of doing the work myself for a business?
Shall someone also massage your feet while they pump your gas?
How about also read you a bedtime story?
How about we stop with the useless jobs that waste time and money? Those young workforce could actually be getting experience in a field that is useful to society. And that will get them further in life.
But ah, then you might have to get out of your car and get your own hand dirty. The horror!
You'd rather own slaves, wouldn't you?
You're a bit dramatic aren't you.
I'm guessing you want people to maintain your water and gas pipes. Probably want someone to build the buildings and even chop down the trees for you!? You just want slaves don't you .
Are you also particularly judgemental of people wanting shelves stocked as well?
I feel like if you have it often your store has particularly bad machines or you're accidentally doing something wrong. Granted there's no tutorial and they have a lot of things that can trip them up, but I'm a daily shopper, sometimes twice daily because it's in close walking distance to me, and I have to have someone come over maybe once a month, and even then it'll usually be for approving something like a gift card or knife rather than an error.
Eh, yeah some times. Like if you scan an object whilst holding something in your other hand it'll lock you out, sometimes if things are too light, some times errors in the scanning. I think taking your own bags also causes a bit of grief if there not perfectly zero'ed out on the scales.
I find that when using my own bags it's easier to just bag everything in the cart rather than using the scale
Yeah every time in Tesco it takes longer for me as the badly calibrated scale and cheap crappy scanner fall down. I hate the faux-cheery voice that blares at you while it doesn't work too, you used to be able to mute it but no we all have to listen to that patronising fucker now.
Like what?
There is only 2 instances I've ever need staff assistance. For age check (regular), and when there is a error with the card terminal (very rare). What other errors can there be?
Just like my comment above, if there are weight issues with you using your own bag, if you scan an item with something in your other hand , if there's an error with the barcode , if something is too light to be picked up by the scales.. im sure there's many other things .
Another upgrade is that usually all retirees come out of their houses to shop at 11 - 14:00 to shop groceries (same time as employees are getting out for lunch).
The self checkouts are smaller and usally only used by the ones that have small number of items.
And the seniors usually tend to go to the cashiers anyway.
They can jumble with their change while I do not have to wait two eons to finally get out of the shop and back to the office.
Realistically the golden oldies still slow everything down, I'm usually buying at least an energy drink which locks it down until you've shown you're not bloody sixteen. Given how understaffed the shops are, that's not getting unlocked until Doris or Nigel has finished with their basket.
man age checks on energy drinks must suck, we don't habe that here or I likely would dislike doing self check a little as well.
I would still do it because its defo faster but it might cause me to at least potentially think about it
Yeah it's a pain in the arse, I'm old enough to feel complimented when I get challenge 25'd but for energy drinks it's just annoying.
I think the only locked down items where I live are alcohol (and probably media that is age restricted for +12).
Side note:
What I observed in a franchise supermarket:
Shop A: Near a substance abuse help center
Shop B: Outskirts of my hometown (The area would peobably called suburban in the US. But there are some industrial, multi-family homes and mixed single houses. So not a classic house to house with garden area like stereotypical. Town is in Germany).
Both stock the "Bombay Saphire Gin".
Shop A: Locked and needs an employee to open the case
Shop B: Open to grab.
Quite insightful how the area influcences the item presentation and (unrestricted) access.
Yeah I noticed this, moved from a semi-rural area to a city centre and stuff is way more locked down against shoplifters.
Seriously: if they take away our self checkout, we riot.
Until the machine needs to verify an alcohol purchase...
Bro, you can just drink thr alcohol before buying.
The one person managing 10 lanes walks over and types in your age. Works pretty well in my experience.
Lucky you, she walked by me 10 times while talking to 15 other staff.
I'm on the same boat.