To Be Greeted: By an actual Employee OR a Self-Service Machine
By Michelle
@infatuatedbby (95001)
United States
April 4, 2016 2:51pm CST
Earlier this morning - my boyfriend/ I ran some errands, one of them was going to the salon to get his hair cut. My usual hair stylist wasn't in so he got his hair cut only.
When you walk in - you're typically greeted by an actual employee right? Well, this time you're greeted with a touch screen self-service machine (computer display) asking if you're a New Guest or Existing Guest. Then you proceed to putting in your email, name, or phone number to have your member pulled up.
But luckily, it wasn't very busy in the morning - so one of the employees greeted us and checked us in.
However, future customers had to use the machine. As I watched each person struggle to use the machine and eventually flagged down an employee to further assist them. Why? They were older and not very tech savvy. I don't think it's quite useful for those who aren't familiar with using technology. Plus you are being paid for their service, the least they could do is greet you!
I can see where this machine comes in handy, when they have X amount of staff and X amount of customers coming in. They do not hire a receptionist instead they want a virtual self-service machine. Mind as well make a list where people just write their name in the order they come in.
What are your thoughts? Do you prefer the actually greeting by an employee, or you don't mind to be greeted or not?
11 people like this
16 responses
@OneOfMany (12150)
• United States
4 Apr 16
Unfortunately you will see machines all over in the future like this as well, especially at fast food restaurants. Now that different states are being forced to raise the minimum wage you can bet these chains are just going to get rid of most of their staff in time. Politicians and the ignorant populace don't understand the balance. They ask for a pay increase, they won't get it without a price. These employers aren't going to sit back and watch their companies nose dive.
2 people like this
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
5 Apr 16
Yes - they are going to get rid of staff and replace with computers. Same with self check out lines - one person watches over 6.
2 people like this
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
5 Apr 16
@OneOfMany I do like self checkout lanes - but for places like (salons, hospitals) areas you want to talk to someone like an update on the appointment, how much longer it'd be nice. But for quick transactions like groceries I'm fine with self check out lanes (I prefer it)!
1 person likes this
@OneOfMany (12150)
• United States
5 Apr 16
@infatuatedbby I actually like the self checkout lanes. If only they didn't have so many bugs they'd be even better. Eventually I hope for the day where technology makes lives easier without the added cost factor.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
4 Apr 16
Believe it or not, I am a very introverted person, so I don't mind automated greetings. That way, I really don't have to talk to anyone.
2 people like this
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
5 Apr 16
I don't mind personally but would prefer an actual person as I sat observing the man, and two ladies they had struggles putting their name on the list.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
5 Apr 16
@teamfreak16 Oh I would be annoyed if it was a clinic. Because you can't ask how long is the wait, etc.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
5 Apr 16
@infatuatedbby - I understand. I've seen the same thing when checking in to our local VA clinic.
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
4 Apr 16
I think salons are one of those places where people or customers expect a personal touch on the service that they need. Although I see the machine-display as beneficial if they get crowded, so they could figure out who's next, I see it as working against them.
I figure that a lot of people would still like the receptionist who could provide even just the small talk as they wait for their turn.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
5 Apr 16
I think having a receptionist is more professional and is there to let people know their turn is coming soon and to reassure them that they'll be helped. By no one greeting them ~ and just a machine it's not very welcoming but in favor of the employees. However, the boss / manager of this place is doing this to reduce an employee = save $$
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
5 Apr 16
@infatuatedbby
And the machine invasion continues! Slowly taking over people's jobs.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
5 Apr 16
@bounce58 Sadly but it's pretty true. Just like the self service machines, one employee watching over all 6 machines. That saves them an additional 5 cashiers.
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
5 Apr 16
I think it'd be nicer to have a receptionist too! That way it'd be more professional and welcoming, after all we are paying them for the hair service! But with this machine you're saving an employee!
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
5 Apr 16
@SIMPLYD Ah yes! Machines can cheat.. I deposited money last time for $60. The machine got stuck and gave me only $40. I had to fill out a paperwork getting my $20 back from the bank
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
5 Apr 16
@infatuatedbby I absolutely agree . And with machines , specially in paying , one could cheat .
Like our driver , who paid for our company's cellphone bill. He was given 600 , but he only inserted 500 , so the machine took it as that . So when i audited it , i discovered it as only that .
We let her pay the 100 .
1 person likes this
@rakski (112925)
• Philippines
4 Apr 16
Why not have a receptionist that can greet and pull out your record from the computer? That is the problem nowadays with all the gadgets and new technology. We tend to forget the social graces. We are human and not machines that we need interaction from people not mahina, right?
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
5 Apr 16
It will cost them money and they're trying to reduce employees!
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
5 Apr 16
@rakski yeah but I don't think they'll realize that until afterwards
@rakski (112925)
• Philippines
5 Apr 16
@infatuatedbby
oh? but they can also lose money if the customers did not get the right service?
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
7 Apr 16
that's crazy, I have never heard of such a thing. Yup a person would be nice.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
7 Apr 16
My first thing seeing the new technology for a salon! You would think they care about customer service for this industry
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
11 Apr 16
@fishtiger58 Yikes I will be scared when that day comes. I am sure someone is working on that right now.. lol.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
10 Apr 16
@infatuatedbby Pretty soon it will be robots cutting our hair. Yikes
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
5 Apr 16
But machines can't further assist you like if you have questions, want to know an update, how much longer is the wait, etc?
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
6 Apr 16
I am of course appalled by this as I am an old school hairdresser.
Oh dear. 
This must be one of those fast cut places right?
This must be one of those fast cut places right?1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
7 Apr 16
I don't like this new technology either. It's from Fantastic Sams
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
7 Apr 16
@infatuatedbby If I were greeted like that at a salon, I would be very disappointed..it does not seem the right place to have this such impersonal treatment. I had worked there many years ago, I learned a lot there regarding Farouk systems.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
5 Apr 16
I do prefer a human being as well especially since we're paying for the service, right?!
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
6 Apr 16
That is lovely ! Your salon is top notch! 
It does suck by doing this - they're trying to cheat an employee!
It does suck by doing this - they're trying to cheat an employee!1 person likes this
@Traceyjayne (1763)
• United Kingdom
5 Apr 16
I think there is a time and place for using machines.....this is not one of them. It is the sort of place where a friendly hello goes a long way in my opinion x
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
11 Apr 16
Yes I agree with you. A salon you would expect service and you're also tipping too!
@rina110383 (24495)
•
5 Apr 16
I'm quite destructive when it comes to technologies I'm not familiar with. To avoid such, I'd prefer an actual employee greeting me or none at all, but not a virtual greeting machine.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
5 Apr 16
The virtual machine doesn't say hi or talk to you. You just self service yourself and I would expect more of it especially since I'm going there and paying for a service!
1 person likes this
@Dextoi (1845)
• Philippines
6 Apr 16
Personally, I'd prefer that machine maybe because I don't want to bother other people who are busy with their work. Sometimes front liners or attendants fail to greet their customers. That's why I don't mind having a machine to help me out. There's one bank I know that does this and I really find it convenient than having someone else to give you a number...
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
11 Apr 16
That's good you prefer the machine. I would prefer the machine at other locations just not at the salon.
@randomarts09 (1405)
• Indonesia
6 Apr 16
I don't mind for not being greeted though.
1 person likes this
@mypointsju (583)
• Westland, Michigan
4 Apr 16
My place still greets, but after they enter it, your name goes on a screen to show you how many people are in front of you. I like that atleast
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
5 Apr 16
That is good the people still greet you and if anyone has any questions they can right? Here - no one greets you or tells you how many minutes the wait is or anything (just your name on the #)
