do you use the "self-service" lines in grocery stores?

United States
December 6, 2006 10:21pm CST
I've tried them and always wound up having more problems and spending more time than if i'd gone through the regular line. what about you?
1 person likes this
8 responses
@babyhar (1335)
• Canada
19 Jan 07
I have only used them once so far quite honestly. I didn't have any problems in figuring out how to use them.. I find sometimes they are convenient if you are not wanting to wait in a long line up.. But if there isn't a long line up & you go through them sometimes it can take a little bit longer.. At least this is what I had observed from watching others use them.. But I may use it again next time I go shopping & they have one of those.. But I can see why people would say how they end up with problems.. I can see that happening.. I've heard a lot of people to consider them to be problematic, but also rather touchy. My girlfriend was telling me that one time she had gone through when of these self serve machines & then.. The self serve machine kept on ringing her item three times in a row & beeping like crazy.. The scanner ended up being all messed up & she had to get help from one of the cashiers to help her out.. She swears she won't use them again.. And I am thankful that I have not had that happen to me before.. But sometimes I'll be honest.. I've had days where.. I'm just having a bad day & rather deal with a machine then a real person.. Sometimes one just doesn't feel like talking at the time.. But now I am scared to use one again from hearing some people's bad experiences.. I hope if I decide to use this again that this doesn't end up happening to me.. I think the reason why they do this is so they don't have to hire anymore employees. To me it's become a way for the company to save money.. So then there would be less employees, less money spent on wages, etc.. It's quite sad but I am sure this is one of the biggest reasons why they are putting them in a lot more stores as of lately. I guess if we don't support them then maybe they'll take them out. But I doubt it.. Only if a large amount of people weren't using them that's the only way I could see that happening.. Or people complaining about them & so forth.. To me so many entry jobs are being automated now. And it's really not a good thing I find due to a lot of reasons. Technology can sometimes be a good thing, but it also has it's down falls sadly.. Like anything I guess..
• United States
19 Jan 07
yeah, it's like computers are supposed to make our lives easier...right...and when they break down our lives are twice as horrendous!!! ..i just think that with my luck the way it goes, those things will decide to go haywire just when i use them..lol...thanks
@LoganzMom (618)
• United States
7 Dec 06
self checkout - nifty
i like them a lot if i have just a few items...i can usually get it done faster than the cashier could lol...
• United States
29 Dec 06
you've had more luck than i have! i'm glad SOMEONE can use them!..thanks
@Lillith (774)
• United States
7 Dec 06
We use them when we only have a few items and there are long lines in the other ques. When they work right, they are great. But we have had a few occasions when it took us longer to do it that way than just waiting in line forever.
• United States
29 Dec 06
thanks for the response!
@mythmoh (3984)
• United States
7 Dec 06
i usually prefer self service line rather than standing in the regular line for a long time.most of the times it will work perfectly.
• United States
7 Dec 06
you're one of the lucky few..never works for me..thanks
@kokopelli (4842)
• United States
7 Dec 06
same with you, my husband and i ended up getting assistance so we now opt to fall in line rather than use the self checkout machines.
• United States
7 Dec 06
yep..not worth the extra time..thank you
@ChewySpree (1832)
• United States
7 Dec 06
If I only have a few items I always go through the self-service lines. I go to Kroger and the system where I shop works really well. It's rare that someone needs to intervene, which is how I prefer it.
• United States
7 Dec 06
you're very lucky...wish the ones in our stores worked that well..thank you
@aimee750 (1116)
• United States
7 Dec 06
Our walmart has them and I really don't like them. I will use it if the regular checkout lines are long. I have had problems with it telling me to put the item in the bag after I have already done so and then I have to take it out and put it in again. And one time something wouldn't scan and I was there for about 30 mins between trying to get it to scan and trying to get an employee over there to help me. And the other thing I don't like is how they announce your total to everyone around.
• United States
7 Dec 06
sounds like everyone has the same problem with them! i don't like them either and avoid them like the plague now!...thanks for the response
@krankies (811)
• United States
7 Dec 06
Not always, but there have been a number of times that the system would freeze until a clerk came and hit some buttons.
• United States
7 Dec 06
yep...same problem i've had. I think they're more trouble than they're worth..thanks