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[HN] Self-Checkout Is a Failed Experiment
(www.theatlantic.com)
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this post was submitted on 18 Oct 2023
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Paywalled, but even the bit I could read I don't agree with. It works great where I live, and totally does cut down on lines! The supermarkets I go to usually have one manned line, and 6-8 self-checkout terminals manned by a single employee. In one discount store the person manning the normal line also has the self-checkout, unless someone else is nearby, and that isn't ideal. But even then, I get to stroll past people who can't figure the system out, and maniacs who are either paying with coins or arguing over lettuce prices.
It works fine 80-90% of the time, and the employees are pretty swift to help, because it's usually one of two problems: Either I'm buying alcohol, or fruit and veg that's in season doesn't have uniform weight. Otherwise it works great.
The one grocery store I regularly visit that doesn't have it is a nuisance, because I wait in line every time.
I personally detest them. I'd rather see 6-8 cashed with humans working then 1 or 2. Plus all the stores here are treating every customer like criminals when they use the self checkout. Demanding receipts, holding you up from leaving etc... No reason for it other then more greed.
I hate having a camera in my face while checking out so I block it with him or a post it and low and behold..security comes up and attempts to remove it. I put it right back because we'll, I don't want a camera in my face. Some stores even show me my own face while scanning shit..
Long story short, screw these things. People broke em just like they did with drive throughs. It should be for one or two items very quick...but no, people buy 300+ worth of things and just delay everything. It's actually faster to use the human cash vs the I'm a robber cashes.