Land of Oz

Automated Checkout Lanes

Here's another one of those features they tend to foist off as being "for your convenience" when in fact, it's a way to cut a couple of more employees off the payroll while making the customer do the work. However, be that as it may, I tend to like the automated checkout lanes. When I'm shopping - even grocery shopping - I'm usually buying only a few items at a time. What does annoy me (surprise) is how difficult it is for so many people to use these things.

You've given yourself up to a machine, so you might as well listen to it. The screen will dictate what you need to do. How often have you seen someone remove the bags early and then have to fuss and fidget while the human clerk clears things up. Or watch when people scan an item. Many will rub it against the glass scanner window as if the scanner has to feel the barcode. The other thing is the complete confusion that seems to overcome them when it's time to pay. I have yet to see a bill reader require a bill be inserted upside-down, but many folks like to try it. Put it in face up - that's just the way they work.

Having said all that, there are things that really tick me off about the machine. The "wait for cashier" display is what really annoys me. You wait and no one seems to be doing anything. The reason they put the scanners in is to get rid of workers, so when the machine tells you to wait for a worker, there isn't one around. And why don't they have all the numeric produce codes handy? You put your unmarked Bolivian purple passion fruit on the scanner, tell it you don't have a code and then (if you're lucky and someone is around) the human will ask if you have the code. And don't forget having to click through the "do you have anything under your cart?" screen. When I'm planning on stealing a bag of potatoes, I hardly think I'm going to cop to it on a touch screen.

Paying is another thing that gets annoying. I usually use a credit card and in Kroger's, after you scan the card, you have to go to the counter and sign for it. No one has ever checked any ID, so why bother? Just install a signable credit card scanner and be done with it. Of course all this brings up stuff not having price tags - but that's another rant.

2fers: Kroger and Automated Checkouts