Aldi

earthstorm

Gromitt wrote: »

The service charge is included in the price of the goods.

what a load of BS, never heard anything so ridiculous

lisyloo

But it takes longer per person to get through them compared to a regular checkout as you have to take one thing at a time from your trolley or basket, whizz it past the scanner and then place it in the bagging area.

Doesn't take longer for me, but in the shops I've seen (like Morrissons) they can get 6 self-service checkouts into the same area as two conveyor belt ones.
So 3 times as many.

One normal checkout is as fast as 2 - 3 self-service checkouts.

That's not my experience, but I certainly reckon they can get 3 times as many checkouts in.
Anyway YOU DON'T MAKE THE RULES.
So even if you were right, it's still NOT UP TO YOU.
Stores do it because it saves money.

I would agree, but the typical view inside our local Asda is 4 self service checkouts that have 1 or 2 people at them, followed by a complete row of normal checkouts with people queueing up to use them. So it seems most people prefer to use normal checkouts.

Or perhaps those with small baskets have gone throught the self-service ones much more quickly as it reduces queues?
I'm not sure all your statements are scientifically tested.
You've just seen something and jumped to a conclusion that suits you.
Where is your evidence?

I think there's a certain % of the population (the elderly) who will NEVER get to grips with new technology, so I agree some people will like the self-service queues. No doubt some of them are also desperate for someone to talk to.
That isn't an argument for getting rid of the other sort.

Why can't we have both?

Now they expect you to find the items yourself (a challenge in itself), scan them all, pay for them and then bag them yourself as well!

No they don't.
You can have the CHOICE of the "normal" checkouts.
No-one is trying to dictate to you and remove this option.
You are the only one trying to dictate and remove options.

There are people with different likes in this world and some can't cope with new technology.
Why can't you agree that we can have CHOICE?

Money-Saving-King

Gromitt wrote: »

The service charge is included in the price of the goods.

Consumers have bought this upon themselves because they want everything so cheap. Don't like it, go somewhere else. They can also serve you how ever they choose, you don't own it. There's no laws saying you have to be served by a person. You're making up rubbish to suit yourself. If you don't like their business go somewhere else. It's no excuse to be rude to staff as you have previously stated you are.

earthstorm

Gromitt wrote: »

When I asked them to operate the empty (proper) checkout instead of walking around asking people to use the empty self service checkouts they also refused and seemed surprised that I asked.

If you walked into my shop and stated this to any of my staff members because you want to jump the queue, I would simple show you the door and tell you not to come back. you are not the only customer in the store, so why should staff do what you want.

Hooloovoo

earthstorm wrote: »

If you walked into my shop and stated this to any of my staff members because you want to jump the queue, I would simple show you the door and tell you not to come back. you are not the only customer in the store, so why should staff do what you want.

Who said anything about wanting to jump the queue?

I'm sure when said member of staff opened the till Gromitt would have maintained his position in the queue whilst all the waiting people migrated between the new position(s).

Or are you suggesting that supermarkets only ever open new tills when there is no one waiting to ensure no one "jumps the queue"? Because my experience is quite the opposite.

Also, remember Aldi have a policy where if there are two or more customers waiting at a till then they will immediately call a member of staff to open another till, up to the point where all the tills are open.

Aldi - best prices AND best customer service.

Gromitt

earthstorm wrote: »

what a load of BS, never heard anything so ridiculous

Ok, so how are the normal checkout operators paid? I'm going to guess from the profits of items sold. Now if you remove the need for the operators (by using self service) then there is no need to pay for those checkout operators, so the prices of the goods you are buying could be lowered to account for that, but no supermarket is going to do that.

earthstorm wrote: »

If you walked into my shop and stated this to any of my staff members because you want to jump the queue, I would simple show you the door and tell you not to come back. you are not the only customer in the store, so why should staff do what you want.

Where did I ever say I wanted to jump the queue? They asked me to use the under used self service checkouts to reduce the queue sizes. I simply replied stating that if they opened another normal checkout that would also reduce the queue sizes and you wouldn't need to ask people to use it.

lisyloo

if you walked into my shop and stated this to any of my staff members

Earstorm - would you not allow a very elderly person with obvious severe mobility difficulties to NOT move checkout if they asked?

you are not the only customer in the store, so why should staff do what you want

I thought staff were there to HELP customers especially those with special needs.
Some customers are NEVER going to get to grips with new technology - for example those with cataracts or dimensia.

A lot depends on attititude but I'd hope that customers who are polite get the help they need and deserve.

lisyloo

buying could be lowered to account for that, but no supermarket is going to do that

The supermarket game is highly competitive, so yes any savings on costs will in all likelihood be passed on.

I'm sure there are mosre expensive shops where you can get personl service, but naturally that will be reflected in the prices.

DCFC79

How did the thread get onto checkouts, it started off with credit cards only accepted in 1 Aldi store.

earthstorm

Gromitt wrote: »

Ok, so how are the normal checkout operators paid? I'm going to guess from the profits of items sold. Now if you remove the need for the operators (by using self service) then there is no need to pay for those checkout operators, so the prices of the goods you are buying could be lowered to account for that, but no supermarket is going to do that.

like any business they are their to make a profit and at the same time try and reduce overheads, which the reduction gets past onto customers. this is why aldi/lidl are not frills with min. staff and no fancy shelving.

the self service checkouts still need maintained and power to run them.

as stated you get 3 self services checkouts in the space for 1 normal checkout, so thats 3 customers served in the same time it would take 1 to be served on a normal checkout.