MSE Forum poll: Self checkout vs human cashier?

mjm3346

Online so don't use either

Star_Rover

Self scan as you go for me. No unpacking or repacking, zap the screen and off you go.

gocurlygirl

eddddy said:

Supermarkets are very competitive businesses, and many customers are very focussed on paying low prices. If customers believe that one supermarket is cheaper than another, many people will choose the cheaper one.

So supermarkets look for any way they can to reduce costs, so that they can charge the lowest prices.

One way of reducing costs is by introducing self-checkouts.

(As an illustration, Waitrose often seem to employ more people in their stores on checkouts, deli counters, meat counters, fish counters, etc - but they charge higher prices, to pay for all those people.)


I've often thought that a good solution might be for supermarkets to keep their prices as low a possible, on the assumption that customers will use self-checkouts - but if customer prefers a member of staff to scan their shopping, they pay an extra 50p or £1 to cover the extra staff costs.

 

Great idea

Star_Rover

gocurlygirl said:

eddddy said:

Supermarkets are very competitive businesses, and many customers are very focussed on paying low prices. If customers believe that one supermarket is cheaper than another, many people will choose the cheaper one.

So supermarkets look for any way they can to reduce costs, so that they can charge the lowest prices.

One way of reducing costs is by introducing self-checkouts.

(As an illustration, Waitrose often seem to employ more people in their stores on checkouts, deli counters, meat counters, fish counters, etc - but they charge higher prices, to pay for all those people.)


I've often thought that a good solution might be for supermarkets to keep their prices as low a possible, on the assumption that customers will use self-checkouts - but if customer prefers a member of staff to scan their shopping, they pay an extra 50p or £1 to cover the extra staff costs.

 

Great idea

Sounds feasible to me.

Pathpink

Maybe if using Self-scan you should be treated as an employee and receive suitable benefits.
I would rather use a checkout with a person and keep them in employment. 

Lookslikeadeal

Human where possible. I can't remember when I last had a glitch at a staffed checkout. My branch of Boots seems to be 100% self checkout and at least 1 in 3 times I shop there, there are problems. Plus if I'm putting my shopping in a bag which already has stuff in, some self checkouts have a hissy fit.

WYSPECIAL

I'd have already scanned it myself with a handset and bagged it. Why handle stuff three times when once is enough?

WYSPECIAL

gocurlygirl said:

eddddy said:

Supermarkets are very competitive businesses, and many customers are very focussed on paying low prices. If customers believe that one supermarket is cheaper than another, many people will choose the cheaper one.

So supermarkets look for any way they can to reduce costs, so that they can charge the lowest prices.

One way of reducing costs is by introducing self-checkouts.

(As an illustration, Waitrose often seem to employ more people in their stores on checkouts, deli counters, meat counters, fish counters, etc - but they charge higher prices, to pay for all those people.)


I've often thought that a good solution might be for supermarkets to keep their prices as low a possible, on the assumption that customers will use self-checkouts - but if customer prefers a member of staff to scan their shopping, they pay an extra 50p or £1 to cover the extra staff costs.

 

Great idea

 Potential danger there is that it could be seen as discriminatory as more disabled people would prefer, or need, to use the manned checkouts. If a visually impaired person asks for help to do their shopping they don't get charged a fee for the extra help.

Rusty190

Self checkout everytime for me as it avoids the "chatty folk" having the craic at the tills.
Plus, I'm quicker than the till folk at my local supermarket - but certainly not quicker than the Aldi till folk, who I think are on crack rather than having it! 😉

no_real_names_please

I put cashier because supermarkets have been encouraged to remove cash self service at who ever's whim which encourages a cashless society which is harmful.