Self-service supermarket tills - love them or loathe them?

Narc

They are awful, I get "unexpected item in the bagging area" just about every time I've tried because of the crude weighing check, alcohol needs to be approved and fruit&veg is a pain - all in all it ends up slower.

I_luv_cats

If I get a bag ready or pack after each scan I always seem to get a problem. (un-identified item in the bagging area)

SO if I scan everything first and then pack all in one go (after paying) I'm normally fuss free. (despite the look of the queue)

Edwardia

I won't use them as I just want to unpack, pack, pay and go. I gather Waitrose has a system whereby you scan things as you put them in your trolley which sounds better

Lois_Lane

I don't have a problem with using them, what I don't like is knowing that the supermarkets will employ less people as a result. I know it's only one more industry in a long line where technology replaces human beings, but I'd rather not support it.

LL

michaels

Complaining about technology replacing staff I don't get - is it a fulfilling, intellectuallystimulating task or is it a job that pays the bills. When you use a washing machine it is technology doing a washer-person out of a job. When you dial someone abroad technology has replaced the operator. Do people want to go back to a time when people did boring and /or physical jobs such as laundry by hand or manual telephone operators or would we rather move forward where poeple have more fulfilling and lucrative jobs like designing washing machines, coding telephone exchange software etc.

nzseries1

I_luv_cats wrote: »

SO if I scan everything first and then pack all in one go (after paying) I'm normally fuss free. (despite the look of the queue)

GAH!!!!! YOU'RE ONE OF THOSE!!!!!!!!!!
One of those people that packs AFTER they've paid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hehehe I'm just kidding. Seriously I always wondered why people don't pack as they're going. At least there's a good reason for it.

bagby

I use them to get rid of all my pennies and five ps that I save up - instead of using the coinstar machines. It takes a bit of time but also saves bagging them up and taking to the bank. Unexpected item in bagging area is annoying tho.

*zippy*

In my local Sainsburys there is often the same guy on the "express" checkout who is so slow I avoid him by any means possible, he must know the life history of every customer by the time he has put through their few items I'm sure some customers love it though. A few bits I use the self service tills, but a bigger shop will go to a checkout with a member of staff I know is quick getting stuff through.

pineapple

michaels wrote: »

Do people want to go back to a time when people did boring and /or physical jobs such as laundry by hand or manual telephone operators or would we rather move forward where poeple have more fulfilling and lucrative jobs like designing washing machines, coding telephone exchange software etc.

I wonder how many ex check out staff are designing washing machines? :rotfl:
Ah the march of technology. We are already seeing the onset of virtual shops. One day we will be in a brave new world where no human interaction is required. Good luck to those elderly people whose main socialization is their weekly shopping trip. :huh:

Idiophreak

*zippy* wrote: »

A few bits I use the self service tills, but a bigger shop will go to a checkout with a member of staff I know is quick getting stuff through.

Oh, I hate the fast ones. I want to pack my bags...not have a race!