When at the self checkout do you select some produce as 'non-organic' when in fact it is organic to save $0.50?

Do you happen to forget to scan an item or two?

I watched someone at the Ralphs (I miss Lucky's) do just that while I waited my turn and it left me wondering how many others do the same or have observed the same.

You hardly see any self-checkouts at supermarkets up here in the northwest, everyone has rejected them, stores & shoppers alike. Ironic considering this is one of the most progressive parts of the United States in terms of technological adoption. I personally think they are one of the worst ideas ever, their intent was to eliminate (Union) jobs, but they still need to have these checkers present to watch over people, what sense does that make?

Well there's always dishonest people who one way or another will exercise their thievery. I suspect the suoermarkets do extensive research on these possibilities and weigh out their options in terms of losses/expenses. They probably arrived at the conclusion that the expense of hiring more cashiers is staggering compared to the occasional losses of petty thiefs running off with a lettuce or a package of steak.

@Robert, I agree they are designed to eliminate jobs. I was guilty of using one last night but I usually try to go to a line manned by a cashier.

@Mario, good point.

BTW I use the self checkout stations at Home Depot and always pay for every single item. I like the technology as it makes perfect sense.

Mario's point is accurate.    And I don't buy into the job-elimination crap when there is legitimate customer-benefiting efficiency to be added.  In 2015 Ralph's, I can actually get in and out faster than fucken 7-11 at the 6PM after-work-dinner rush or other busy times, like that traditionally-insane Wednesday evening before Thanksgiving.  Ain't nobody got time to stand up in no lines.

The market I go to has 6 self checkout stands (which always have at least one employee there to monitor) and about the same if not more cashier check out stands open most times.  

Is it a fact that these were created to eliminate jobs rather than create a faster and more efficient process to move more customers through at a time?  The way I see it, the space of 6 self checkouts takes up the space of two cashier check outs.  And since self check out is always monitored by an employee you've really only "eliminated" one cashier job.  

Also how do you not scan an item at self check out?  If you put it in your bag without scanning it asks you to remove the last item and scan it and wont let you proceed otherwise.

Do you guys remember the first time you ever used self checkout? I do. It was like the scene in 2001: A Space Odyssey where the apes wake up and discover the monolith. I approached the machine all slowly, and then started banging on things while grunting and scratching my head. My how far we've come.

i have never actually seen people pay at those things; most just pretend like they don't know what's going on and walk off.

How honest are they when saying it's organic? Do you just take their word for it? I don't believe anything I read or hear now days. So yes, I buy organic but don't pay for it.

I refuse to use self check out.

I agree with Robert.   They're job eliminators, and of no benefit to me.
I'm not under the impression cost savings are being passed to the consumer in the form of lower prices.

I agree with Mario.   The markets did, and continue to do cost/benefit/loss analysis and concluded labor costs outweigh petty theft costs.

I agree with Tone.  Behind the scenes staggering numbers of jobs are being eliminated, and that will only accelerate.

As a consumer, I can't do anything to prevent job loss at the loading docks.
I can do something to slow the loss of cashier and bagger jobs.

Fresh&Easy has one main entrance/exit, of course alarms would go off if something were stolen

Will G:
How honest are they when saying it's organic? Do you just take their word for it?
~~~
Good points, there's no great way to really verify that shit as a consumer.  There's bound to be corners cut all the time. Anyone who is that concerned about GMO's pesticides, etc. should really just move some place where they can have a backyard garden.  Regardless, I'll take the superior flavors and textures of my genetically optimized produce grown with modern pest-control techniques, thank you very much.

I use them when I have only a few things to purchase and in a hurry. I'm honest about it. No need to be leech off society by lying/stealing. If I can't afford it, I don't put it in my basket.

In addition to not using self checkouts you also need to top using ATM's and actually go inside the bank and get your money. This will also save jobs.  Tellers actually have to get the money for you.  People power.

Next up....
someone needs to wash and detail your car by hand and you need to stop going through the automatic car washes ...hehe...

no and no.  so lame to change price fiddy cents or out-right steal.  i only use self check-out when the other lines are too long or i have only a few things

The Sam's club in my area has 4 self check outs. There's always an employee standing in btwn closely watching  & listening for the loud beep for every an item scanned. Also there's a "checker " at the exit to verify your receipt and items. The Walmart that's nearby actually removed their self check out machines, Lol.

Was reluctant to use them at first but now use them more often than not.

I pay for every item.  I don't know what constitutes reasonable quantities for condiments for a deli sandwich, but c'est la vie.

As for the OP, I like that avatar quite a bit!

@ Chad/Lisa  --  I only use ATMs when traveling.   Locally i only need to do in-person banking about 4 x annually.   I rarely use cash.   Credit for everything.  Pay it off at the end of the month.

I do make sure to have some accounts with banks that have a brick & mortar presence. {Local Jobs}  It's invaluable to know tellers and managers in the event there's ever an error in your account, or if there's been fraudulent activity.

As to detailing the car ... never wash it! ... drought.

I only use the self check outs at fresh and easy.. My pro union parents would kill me if I used it at stater bros., albertsons, et.all ;)

Kim: "The way I see it, the space of 6 self checkouts takes up the space of two cashier check outs.  And since self check out is always monitored by an employee you've really only "eliminated" one cashier job."

--

*Scratches Head*

That's some pretty odd math you've got going on there... I'm pretty sure the decision to eliminate employees isn't based on how much floor space the counters take up vs floor space for the self checkout stands. Basically, one employee can handle (or "monitor") 6 checkouts at once (via self check out). Because all are being handled at once, all 6 of those customers will be in and out in a relatively short amount of time... For an equivalent checkout time / experience at the cashier's counter, the store would need to hire 6 dedicated counter employees... otherwise, you'd just have 2 long lines with all 6 people being handled 2 at a time. That will take forever... especially if someone's grandma is at the front of the line dissecting coupons and counting pennies.

So that's 5 jobs eliminated... if you want to get technical about it :o





...oh, and yes, I will continue to use self-checkout. I embrace our human-less / android future.

I remember going to a CVS&a guy tried to shoplift, but the alarms went off! Fresh&Easy is the same way too, except their alarms are hyper-sensitive. Attempting to steal would be.... stupid.

Fresh & Easy is the only store where I use a self checkout because that is all they have. I seldom shop there anyway and when I do it's only for 2 or 3 items. Their prices went up dramatically after they were bought out by Kroger (Ralph's and Food 4 Less) As far as stealing? That's just so low class.

Most of my grocery shopping is done at the local Super King where they have 14 full service checkout stands and no self chekout.

AJ - the math isn't making sense because you're assuming that if a store quit doing self check out, they'd spend the money to add additional space for check stands (because again, 6 self check outs fit in the space of 2 traditional check stands).  

All that would happen if they eliminated 6 self check outs and added 2 regular ones is they wouldn't make money as quickly because they wouldn't be able to serve people as quickly and they'd have to hire one additional person (if that, they could probably just have more full time positions instead).  So is it REALLY a scheme to eliminate jobs or is it just a simple way to make more money by moving people through more quickly?  I just don't see it as a seriously evil thing like some people do.  That's all.

Totally. I'm not going to jail over something petty

Nah, I'm honest.

I once stole a candy, I was 3 and I still hear about it from my parents. I don't recall the incident but I'm fortunate enough to afford my life.

I am honest.

I had a chance to sneak some organic bananas as regular ones today at fresh & easy...I was honest...

I think im honest lol

"Organic" is rubbish.

Would you like to eat rocks instead?