Customer self-checkout

[Assembly Boards Representative]

I honestly cannot see this ever replacing the need of human clerks in grocery stores. I'm sure there are plenty of people who go grocery shopping with a maxed out shopping cart that would much prefer to have someone who has the practice to scan and bag their groceries than having to rely on their own merits for a time-consuming filled to the brim cart.

I can see it replacing human clerks at fast food restaurants and convienence stores where the number of total purchases allow for the ease and quickness that self-checkout offers. I cannot see how this can be a wide replacement for human clerks since grocery stores will likley continue to operate with human clerks and even baggers for years to go.

[bigballofyarn]

A lot of Targets and Walmarts I visit don't even have real cashiers anymore. The Amazon Fresh store in my area is 100% automated. I put things in my bag and don't even have to check out because of the thousands of cameras. I'm not sure how I feel. People deserve jobs too.

[User 180565 is taking donation]

Meh it's not there to really replace workers but to make checkouts easier, if you go into Walmarts and see workers standing next to them they aren't just chit chatting with customers, their phones display what you purchase, they assist customers punching in things such as fruits and vegetables since the dang barcode numbers always likes to peel off.

The fear of technology completely disregarding human support shouldn't be an issue, the only time you should fear it is if robots starts repairing themselves and making new ones.

Robots still can't stock or give advice like that.

[Assembly Boards Representative]

Mar 21, 2023 15:38:14 GMT -8 bigballofyarn said:

A lot of Targets and Walmarts I visit don't even have real cashiers anymore. The Amazon Fresh store in my area is 100% automated. I put things in my bag and don't even have to check out because of the thousands of cameras. I'm not sure how I feel. People deserve jobs too.

Amazon Fresh is probably one of the few exceptions since they clearly mastered the tech. Those Target and Wal-Mart stores sound like a nightmare if you have to do routine grocery shopping. Though with the rise of automation, perhaps, it's finally time to realize that we have more value than our production and our net worth. Since capitalism seems like its trying to survive by exposing itself as a system that doesn't care about the people who used to work those jobs by insisting they continue to surrender their life energy to make those at the top of the caste happy.

[Linette]

Of course all the clerks will eventually be jobless (maybe) eventually it'll be like Amazon,  order offline and have it delivered or have it delivered. Save on foods is half way there already as well as Walmart and that Amazon place BigBallofYarn said. It's different, but I kind of like it and perfect for seniors and those with disabilities.

Whether people like it or not, it's already happening whether we like it or not, I love the idea.

There's a mess load of personal shoppers out here, but there's already an issue with that. I have met so many that say they're underpaid and have no benefits and they're right, they are underpaid with the cost of fuel and maintenance their vehicles need, yeah they're very underpaid and they don't even get the tips they are given. If anything I'm waiting to see where that goes because a lot of people use a personal shopper.

Clerks will most likely be given a choice for those who are chosen (hard and good workers) if they want to stay working for the company and be a sorter or move onto something new. The world is changing, eventually my job will be gone (not a bad idea since nobody appreciates it for the right reasons and we're disrespected at every chance they get), but if Costco asked me if I wanted to be a sorter I'd jump to the opportunity in less than a heartbeat.

[Assembly Boards Representative]

We're just witnessing the start of the post-capitalist world. Either way, not sure how people take a full shopping cart and use the self-checkout stands without taking up all of the time from other shoppers. Seems inefficient and rude to other customers unless we automate fully the bagging and check out process (e.g. Amazon Fresh).

[Darkmage4]

Mar 21, 2023 16:13:37 GMT -8 User 180565 is taking donation said:

Meh it's not there to really replace workers but to make checkouts easier, if you go into Walmarts and see workers standing next to them they aren't just chit chatting with customers, their phones display what you purchase, they assist customers punching in things such as fruits and vegetables since the dang barcode numbers always likes to peel off.

The fear of technology completely disregarding human support shouldn't be an issue, the only time you should fear it is if robots starts repairing themselves and making new ones.

Robots still can't stock or give advice like that.

I agree on this one. Also, cashiers are not losing their jobs either. Why? Because Walmart takes from other departments and asks them to be cashier 99.9% of the time. I worked in Deli, and Meat Dept, and they asked me to work in a 3rd dept. The Cashier, and I was like 1. No, I am not good with money, Dyscalculia will be my down fall. and 2. You already got me running ragged working in 2 different dept. at the same time. You're already killing me and my sanity (Is exactly what I told them verbatim.) Which is true. Working 80-90 hours a WEEK with over time because everyone else was out sick with the flu, and (2016, so pre CV19) But then I get sick with the flu, and they're like you take off, you're fired. 102F temp. Yeah. lol. So I told them No. My manager wasn't shocked, and has heard worse. But, they'll pull you from your dept. Whenever needed, and screw the dept. you're in.

So, I don't really feel bad using self checkouts. Also, my bread never gets smooshed anymore. My donuts never get ruined and upside down and destroyed. None of the delicate food items get destroyed at all. So meh. lol.

[BEAST]

Many checkouts in the UK have long runs offs from the point of an item being scanned, which back in the day was fine as the staff would push the item down the slope, but I guess health and safety has stepped in (plus claims for strain injuries) and now many scan and leave the item at the top of the ramp. It is almost like a T Rex is scanning your items
This for me and others means more leg work and messing around leaning over and back again to load your bag.

So self service checkouts are for me a bonus and one I use more than staffed checkouts.

[bigballofyarn]

Mar 21, 2023 18:02:44 GMT -8 Linette said:

Of course all the clerks will eventually be jobless (maybe) eventually it'll be like Amazon,  order offline and have it delivered or have it delivered. Save on foods is half way there already as well as Walmart and that Amazon place BigBallofYarn said. It's different, but I kind of like it and perfect for seniors and those with disabilities.

Whether people like it or not, it's already happening whether we like it or not, I love the idea.

There's a mess load of personal shoppers out here, but there's already an issue with that. I have met so many that say they're underpaid and have no benefits and they're right, they are underpaid with the cost of fuel and maintenance their vehicles need, yeah they're very underpaid and they don't even get the tips they are given. If anything I'm waiting to see where that goes because a lot of people use a personal shopper.

Clerks will most likely be given a choice for those who are chosen (hard and good workers) if they want to stay working for the company and be a sorter or move onto something new. The world is changing, eventually my job will be gone (not a bad idea since nobody appreciates it for the right reasons and we're disrespected at every chance they get), but if Costco asked me if I wanted to be a sorter I'd jump to the opportunity in less than a heartbeat.

Being a personal shopper is interesting too. Part of Uber Eats has my boyfriend doing people's grocery shopping for them. He averages the same he does when he does food delivery, which is about $22 per hour.

[Linette]

Mar 22, 2023 2:23:46 GMT -8 bigballofyarn said:

Mar 21, 2023 18:02:44 GMT -8 Linette said:

Of course all the clerks will eventually be jobless (maybe) eventually it'll be like Amazon,  order offline and have it delivered or have it delivered. Save on foods is half way there already as well as Walmart and that Amazon place BigBallofYarn said. It's different, but I kind of like it and perfect for seniors and those with disabilities.

Whether people like it or not, it's already happening whether we like it or not, I love the idea.

There's a mess load of personal shoppers out here, but there's already an issue with that. I have met so many that say they're underpaid and have no benefits and they're right, they are underpaid with the cost of fuel and maintenance their vehicles need, yeah they're very underpaid and they don't even get the tips they are given. If anything I'm waiting to see where that goes because a lot of people use a personal shopper.

Clerks will most likely be given a choice for those who are chosen (hard and good workers) if they want to stay working for the company and be a sorter or move onto something new. The world is changing, eventually my job will be gone (not a bad idea since nobody appreciates it for the right reasons and we're disrespected at every chance they get), but if Costco asked me if I wanted to be a sorter I'd jump to the opportunity in less than a heartbeat.

Being a personal shopper is interesting too. Part of Uber Eats has my boyfriend doing people's grocery shopping for them. He averages the same he does when he does food delivery, which is about $22 per hour.

Here's a write up on personal shopping my friend pointed out to me when we were talking about it at Costco. My friend Lucian points out some good facts about it all as well as others. They don't pay well and they do take their tips which is unfair for them. With the cost of everything going up all the time they need more money. Lucian has been with this company for quite awhile if they are waiting on seniority I think he's earned his he's been a personal shopper for quite a while.

[bigballofyarn]

I'm sorry he's having such a bad experience. Maybe he should try Uber Eats or something similar instead.

[Linette]

I suggested that to him and he moaned and groaned and said he has been there for so long. I shrugged and said, well, you won't know unless widen your horizons, be adventurous and explore you might get lucky.

[📚 Dianne 📚]

I refuse to use the self-check-outs. I used to be a cashier (you know, way back when, when the cashier used to actually count your change out to you? ), and I loved the job.

If stores are going to go that way all the way, then I will be doing ALL of my shopping online. I know that is no big threat, but it is what I am comfortable with.

[Assembly Boards Representative]

There aren’t a lot of online grocery stores and if you’re reliant on EBT benefits then you’re kind of out of luck. Amazon is probably the primary marketplace and only if you have access to Amazon Fresh. Instacart allows for EBT transactions but only for a few select stores which where I’m at is just Aldi and a few other places.

Also, cashiers aren’t ancient history just let since most grocery stores only have one or two self-checkout stations. The number of aisles remain the same only it seems as if they’re always understaffed which is why it takes forever to get out of a WinCo Foods. Whomever attempts to self-checkout with a grocery cart full of items must be a true masochist or a martyr. If the option for clerks and baggers are no longer there then it seems like delivery really is the only feasible option for the consumer.

Something tells me if everything becomes self-checkout then it would be only temporary as the clerks will eventually return to grocery stores. Convenience stores and fast food places seem to be the only likely place where a full replacement may still permanent with one traditional check-out kiosk for when the machines go down.

[User 180565 is taking donation]

Mar 29, 2023 9:22:13 GMT -8 Assembly Boards Representative said:

There aren’t a lot of online grocery stores and if you’re reliant on EBT benefits then you’re kind of out of luck. Amazon is probably the primary marketplace and only if you have access to Amazon Fresh. Instacart allows for EBT transactions but only for a few select stores which where I’m at is just Aldi and a few other places.

Also, cashiers aren’t ancient history just let since most grocery stores only have one or two self-checkout stations. The number of aisles remain the same only it seems as if they’re always understaffed which is why it takes forever to get out of a WinCo Foods. Whomever attempts to self-checkout with a grocery cart full of items must be a true masochist or a martyr. If the option for clerks and baggers are no longer there then it seems like delivery really is the only feasible option for the consumer.

Something tells me if everything becomes self-checkout then it would be only temporary as the clerks will eventually return to grocery stores. Convenience stores and fast food places seem to be the only likely place where a full replacement may still permanent with one traditional check-out kiosk for when the machines go down.

Instacart supports 100s of stores with EBT options.