Wal-Mart Is Testing Mobile Checkout - Polidicks

I like easier shoplifting and the progression of ease of use. I mean, I'm sorry for you guys losing your jobs but something will come up. I wouldn't want anyone to have to work in Walmart anyway, I appreciate it's better than nothing but still.

[QUOTE=latin_geek;37490757]Gee I guess we should go back to this: [IMG]http://jimbaumerexperience.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/assembly-line.jpg[/IMG] instead of this: [IMG]http://cdn.thetechjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/robots.jpg[/IMG] Machines that render repetitive or simple jobs useless are being created and implemented all the time, stop whining[/QUOTE] Yeah but being a previous cashier with the Kroger Co. I can honestly say it is not a useless or repetitive job. We don't just stand there and scan groceries, in fact, there's a ton more to it. There are some tasks that machines can't handle. For example taking foodstamps, WIC, etc. Even though you can still go through self-checkout with these payment methods, it takes much, much, much longer to to process. For example, with WIC there are only specific brands, foods, and other groceries that can be purchased; this changing on a monthly basis. So when someone comes to checkout with products they can't purchase it holds up the line even more. Now with a normal cashier we generally can take care of the problem a lot quicker than the self-checkout attendant because there were courtesy clerks at the end of our belt who would go and get the right products. Now the Self-Checkout attendant would have to call someone which they would then show up and be explained the situation and have to go fetch the proper product. This takes much longer, and with the whole goal of these machines being quicker for the the customer it defeats the purpose. Another issue is the change of method in which WIC and Foodstamps are processed. There are around 3-4 more steps than at a normal register; plus the Attendant also has to manage the other checkout machines, answer questions, and help customers. As you can imagine a single person managing 6 different customers can get hectic at busy hours. At the register we simply tallied up the amount on the purchase, pressed a few buttons on the keyboard, processed the slip through the check machine, signed it, verified the signature, and finally put it in our register. I've worked both self-checkout and regular registers; I can honestly admit that a normal register is much quicker than an automated checkout system, especially with large orders. Plus, the amount of people who have trouble using the machines slows the entire system down. I can't tell you how many times I've heard, "Please remove the last item from the bagging area."

[QUOTE=yawmwen;37491948]It has happened tons to me and whenever I try and ask a cashier about it I get blank stares and confusion and sometimes someone calls a manager.[/QUOTE] Because unless they know for a fact what the price is supposed to be or have someone to run back there and check there's nothing they can do about it other than tell you it won't ring up and they can't sell it. [QUOTE=Amez;37490903]When I walk into a store I usually prefer the self checkout lanes, it's just so much easier to do everything myself.[/QUOTE] Once you've used those more than a couple of times you'll find that they're more trouble than they're worth.

[QUOTE=TrippyJuicyj;37492440]Shoplifting just got a hell of a lot easier.[/QUOTE] you're implying that self-checkout wasn't already easy enough. in a big city most of the people supervising don't even pay attention enough to notice that you accidentally didn't swipe something

[QUOTE=yawmwen;37491948]It has happened tons to me and whenever I try and ask a cashier about it I get blank stares and confusion and sometimes someone calls a manager.[/QUOTE] Because cashiers don't know the PLU, UPC, or Price of every item in the store. I seriously don't understand what people like you don't understand about that. If we don't have the full barcode we can't scan it, if part of the numbers are missing we can't manually type it it. So what options do we have? Call and wait for someone to tell us. At least at Kroger we would simply have a Courtesy Clerk run back to where the product is and get the UPC Code or Price. [editline]1st September 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=SSBMX;37491945]I know this happens a lot, I am a walmart cashier. My point is the customer could not have the resources needed to fix the problem, fuck half the time I don't[/QUOTE] Yeah, being a cashier is all about thinking on your feet. Usually it's the customer giving you a dumbfounded look of utter lost-ness hoping you have an answer to their problem. Now let's say WalMart gets rid of their cashiers and other able-bodied employees that can handle situations, what happens then? Sure there's customer service, and I'm sure there would be a few floor supervisors that would handle customer inquiries; but on a busy day most don't realize how swamped front end associates get with customer issues. [editline]1st September 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=Greenen72;37494871]you're implying that self-checkout wasn't already easy enough. in a big city most of the people supervising don't even pay attention enough to notice that you accidentally didn't swipe something[/QUOTE] At my Kroger we were pretty good about watching customers. Plus, if they didn't swipe something and put it in the bagging area it would lock that machine until they removed the item. [editline]1st September 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=DiscoBiscut;37494806]Because unless they know for a fact what the price is supposed to be or have someone to run back there and check there's nothing they can do about it other than tell you it won't ring up and they can't sell it. Once you've used those more than a couple of times you'll find that they're more trouble than they're worth.[/QUOTE] Yeah, I have dealt with more customers who have no idea what they're doing at self-checkout than I can count. Even if the ratio compared to "smart" shoppers is offset, those customers that do slow everything throw the entire system out of whack. For 6 U-Scan Machines there's only 1 attendant who is responsible for helping every customer there. So if Granny Mableton comes through and has an issue scanning her vegetables, the rest of those customers in need assistance are forced to wait; which then means those others in line queuing for a self-checkout machine have to wait. In the end the whole system can get backed up by 1 person.

yea self check out can turn into a cluster fuck when 2 people need age approval, somebody is buying produce (at my store you have to scan a barcode in this little flip book type thing) and somebody else has "unknown items in bagging area"

[QUOTE=latin_geek;37490757]Gee I guess we should go back to this: [IMG]http://jimbaumerexperience.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/assembly-line.jpg[/IMG] instead of this: [IMG]http://cdn.thetechjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/robots.jpg[/IMG] Machines that render repetitive or simple jobs useless are being created and implemented all the time, stop whining[/QUOTE] That's still a god damn job, I'd rather work at wal-mart than being unemployed.

[QUOTE=SSBMX;37500764]yea self check out can turn into a cluster fuck when 2 people need age approval, somebody is buying produce (at my store you have to scan a barcode in this little flip book type thing) and somebody else has "unknown items in bagging area"[/QUOTE] I hate the barcode for produce. I like Fred Meyers because it allows you to just type in "green beans" or whatever into the machine really quick, the scanner weighs the item, and then you proceed forward.

[QUOTE=yawmwen;37500816]I hate the barcode for produce. I like Fred Meyers because it allows you to just type in "green beans" or whatever into the machine really quick, the scanner weighs the item, and then you proceed forward.[/QUOTE] walmart doesn't sell produce by weight

[QUOTE=yawmwen;37500816]I hate the barcode for produce. I like Fred Meyers because it allows you to just type in "green beans" or whatever into the machine really quick, the scanner weighs the item, and then you proceed forward.[/QUOTE] My Kroger was that way, but even with the simple pictures and easy to navigate menus, a lot of people still managed to screw that up and require assistance. Imagine what two people fucking up can do to the entire queue.

I AM A ROBOT I AM HERE TO TAKE AMERICAN JOBS

I typically only use the self-checkout lines when I only have a handful of things. If the only reason I'm at the QFC is because I'm getting mac and cheese from their hot food place for lunch, then there's only three things I have to scan: - QFC card - Mac and Cheese - Soda and it's that simple.