Self-Checkouts
A diary entry
The first self-checkouts were installed back in 1986, one year after my birth. Since then, it seems like every major retailor has made use of them. They all have self-checkouts. To be sure, sometimes they’re a convenience. The cashier is of course quicker than I. And they know all the veggie and snack codes. Still, one must always worry about the irritable customer in front of you. Yes, that customer is usually a female. She's eager to use her stack of coupons, even if she waits until everything has been rung up before digging them out of her purse. Another customer wants to return something. Ah, now there’s a problem with the card. Then you kick yourself: I should have gone through that line. "I'll be done with her in a minute, sir." You peek over, and see dozens of other customers easily make their way through the line just beyond, but you stay here, remaining silent, hoping the problem is soon solved.
LISTEN TO IT:
For these reasons, I'll often use the self-checkout.
Other times, I wonder what the point is, especially when there is no line, and the cashier is standing right there, doing nothing but watch. This happens at the Circle K's. Here they have these scanners in which you place all of your items, all at one time, within a squared space that’s a foot and half by a foot and a half. The items and their prices pop up on the screen, and you then select your payment method. Yesterday I bought a Pedialyte (no, for the post-run, not a hangover) and a Fiji water. Good thing I looked at the screen. “Bleach Clorox.” It was three dollars more than the water which was not properly scanned.
I didn't get angry. The guy was standing right there, stocking cigarettes or whatever. I'm cool with him. He took care of me. Normally I would have raged. God knows plenty of tech has faced my wrath. I’ve broken several automated faucets, for instance. These would probably break in the opposite manner. Probably could’ve just squeezed the water, frying the wires. Automate that, you bastard!
Googling up, I see that I’m not the only one with complaints about self-checkouts. Looks like several retailers are doing away with them, with theft being main reason; people just “forgetting” to scan something and putting the item in the bag. It’s not like the guy or gal at the Walmart actually reads every item on the receipt. I just wonder how many have paid for items they didn’t know they were paying for.
Indictments from the Convicted
Staying ON During the Great Reset
I haven't seen the type of self checkout you described where you put everything in the square. That's interesting.
When you use these self checkouts, just be careful what scan for. I’ve used them many times with no problems. But yet you will get the idiots that won’t Use them. Go figure. My time is more valuable than waiting in line. 😊