#self checkouts

And it can't die quickly enough for me. My favorite is when the store is really busy, the lineup to the self checkouts is a mile long, yet for some algorithm-related reason the store only has 2 of their 10 self checkouts operational (Wal-Mart and Value Village, I am pointing my finger at YOU). Never mind how many places have likely lost a lot of product from people just walking out (especially given a lot of places don't provide bags anymore). And the jobs lost. Who needs 10 employees working the tills when you just need one or two chaperones?

And yes I know most places still have a few traditional tills too. But I've been to places where it's become difficult to find them at times, or there might be one such till, with its own mile-long lineup.

Arkansas Walmart testing self-checkout only

FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas

Customers at a Walmart in Arkansas will no longer use cashiers in checkout lines.

A Fayetteville Walmart is only offering self-checkout as a test for the retailer.

While the store no longer has cashiers, self-checkout hosts are at the front of the store to help customers. They will also check out a customer’s groceries…

12 items or less means 12 items or less. You may be able to get away with more, although the exasperated groans will be there. For the love of God, do not be that asshole checking out through the 12 items or less side with 70+ items on a busy Sunday morning or afternoon. 

If the machine is telling you that there is an unexpected item in the bagging area, use your brain and think about the last thing you did. Do not automatically hit the “I am using my own bag” button, because 9 times out of 10, it is going to call an attendant over (who is usually busy to begin with) and you are going to have to wait longer. Did you set your hand on the scale? Is your kid leaning on it? Is your item dangling off the side? 

No, you can’t cut everyone else who has been patiently waiting in line just because you have Coinstar or bottle slips you want to redeem. You have to wait in line like everyone else. The attendant does not possess some magical ability to check you out before everyone else, because in doing so, they would have to take away from someone who actually waited their turn... and no. We won’t do that.

If you no longer want an item, let the attendant know. No one appreciates temperature sensitive foods going to waste just because you thought it would be a good idea to stash them somewhere they don’t belong.

Stop leaving your shopping carts or baskets behind. The attendant does not want to clean up after you, nor do they have the time when they are responsible for 4-10 people at once. You’re waltzing right past the area where you picked up the cart/basket when you leave the store. Fucking take it with you.

If you’re worried about scanning an item twice, you’re doing something wrong to begin with. The checkouts prevent this from happening by forcing you to bag your item and “locking” the scanner. It also prevents you from scanning the same barcode within a specific amount of time. Honestly, WTF are you doing when you “accidentally” scan something twice? Pay attention.

Where Did Everyone Go? Where is all this automation taking us and is it somewhere we really want to go?

I think it started with Automated Teller Machines (ATM). TD Bank introduced us to the Green Machine and we fell in love. No longer did we have to wait in line to deposit our pay-cheques or withdraw money. Convenience was king. Soon all the other banks followed suit. Then came the self-checkouts, also known as SACAT machines (semi-attended customer-activated terminals). They started popping up…

Soldier 76: Takes him a minute to realize it's the self-checkouts and not just a tiny till. Doesn't ask for help if something goes wrong, just stands there and waits for you to realize

Reaper: Curses out the self-checks as he uses them. Constantly telling them to "shut the fuck up", but refuses to use the mute button. Actually punches the self checkout sceens

Sombra: She's always done her transaction before you realize she's even there. Never takes her Canadian Tire Money, yet comes in bi-weekly to get it put on her card

Tracer (and Emily): Tracer is constantly remembering things to add to the bill last minute, be it a drink, chips, or the thing they came in for specifically. They also stand there and kiss/grab each others asses while they wait for the payment to go through. Tracer's card never is accepted for tapping

Ana: She marches right up to you and hands you her item, waiting for you to scan it for her (which you do-- it's your job). Always buys something heavy, but waits until the last moment to ask for a hand out, even if you already asked her if she needed one and she said no

Mercy: Shoves her hands in your hair, then informs you that you "have bad dandruff". Always picks the same, broken, SCO, and wonders why we haven't fixed it yet

D.va: Always has a 5$ bill that doesn't work, but refuses to swap it out. "It's fine, no worries!" she says, putting a crisp, new 100$ bill in for her 3.50$ purchase.

Lucio: There's always an issue with his SCO, but he's polite about it. Fluffs the bags when he takes one, and tries to put any that fall off back for you.

Reinhardt: Puts his basket of things on the weight scale and acts confused when the machine screams at him to take it off. Somehow manages to fit enough stuff on the scale that it overloads and we have to move things into a second cart

Torbjorn: complains because you have to scan in every item individually. Makes jokes about grabbing a hammer and "fixing" the machines for you

Junkrat: Lets you know, with pride in his voice, that his disgusting Canadian Tire money was found in a dumpster and that's why it's wet. Uses change for what the bills don't cover.

Winston: Very polite, but needs help with almost everything. Leans on the weight scale and you have to ask hm to stop 4 or 5 times

Zenyatta: Everything goes perfectly. You joke about them being broken, but "liking him" and he agrees. You feel like you've spoken to the Self-Checkouts master

Hanzo: Grunts when you say hello at first, but is friendly when you go to help him deal with a useless UPC code. Forgets his cashback 9 out of 10 times, but you always catch him before he leaves

Genji: He buys the weirdest things, and always asked you to help him find things you're not sure you have in store ("Sir, what is a greased nipple used for?") Walks into the window because he thinks it's the out doors

Roadhog: Doesn't talk much, but askes for large bags or garbage bags to carry his things in. Never takes his reciept

McCree: Complains that we think he's stealing when things have to be walked up, and hits the self-checkouts with more force than nessasary. Wants to know how we can stand being there all day while the computer talks

Mei: Double Bags everything, up to and including her bags of chips. Wants a sale or discount price on something with damaged packaging but perfect product.

Zarya: Doesn't want help getting her things outside and is, frankly, offended that you asked. Also doesn't let you scan things for her, and complains that the self-checkouts are stealing jobs

Widowmaker: Brings ammo up to the self-checkouts, and is disgusted when you tell her she'll have to go through the tills. If she does use the SCO's, she puts her purse on the weight scale.

Pharah: Checks and double checks every price for the things she rings in. Leaves 3-4 times to check the price, and is surprised (and happy) when you give her the week before price on something.

Symmetra: Hates the Self-Checkouts. Makes snide comments to it, but is v happy about the mute button. Has over 3000$ canadian tire money on her card, but doesn't use it. Lets you know when the till tape is almost finished.