It’s no secret that self checkouts seem to be the new big thing in a lot of stores. And they have also become one of those things people love to hate.
Some people won’t use them. To the point I know people who have stopped shopping at some stores because they don’t seem to have checkouts available with actual cashiers. Others just refuse to go through the self checkout lanes.
I don’t really mind them much. I try to convince myself that I save time going through them, although studies actual show that isn’t true in most cases. They actual say that because we don’t know the packaging that well, we tend to spend a lot more time searching for bar codes. And don’t even get me started on packing. I don’t pack things correctly. I know that. I don’t apologize for it. Just accept the fact the bread will be a funny shape from now on.
But what seems to really be getting to people is when someone from the store asks to check your receipt. I realize theft may be up, but if there is really a concern about whether I have paid for everything, maybe hire someone to run it through a checkout for me?
But that is probably as big a part of the problem as anything. It’s also been no secret that finding people to work has not been easy lately. In some cases, installing self checkouts could be as much a result of not having available workers as trying to save a few bucks on staff.
I have heard many people say they don’t mind the self checkouts so much, but if we’re going to do the job, maybe stores should start paying us to do it.
Many of these retailers give their employees a staff discount. Maybe that could be an option. If we’re expected to do the job, maybe give us a little bonus for playing along.