The War on Self-Checkouts Shows the Make-Work Bias Is Alive and Well

The Foundation for Economic Education ^ | February 26, 2020 | David Youngberg

[roadcat]

I wish someone would still pump gas and clean windshields.

Ah, the good old days. As a teen in the 1960s I worked at several gas stations. Had a spiffy uniform, was told by the boss to automatically lift the hood on each car. If the driver balked and said not to, I was told to try a 2nd and 3rd time before giving up. After popping the hood, I had to check the water and oil. Also had to clean the windshield and check the tires. We did service with a smile.

[shanover]

I’ll take the self check lane anytime (unless a cashier is cute - increasingly rare).

Maybe not PC but I relate.

[McGruff]

I avoid self checkouts like the coronavirus. Besides I’m keeping somebody’s job safe. If you can’t hire humans you don’t need my support.

[Stravinsky]

Rare is the self check that doesn’t have a problem or two. Much prefer to go through the regular checkout line.

[Fiji Hill]

One of my pet peeves when it comes to supermarket shopping is that when I’m ready to check out at one of the big chains, only two or three checstands are open even though the store may have 10 or 12. I often shop at an independent, non-union ethnic supermarket where the checkstands are always manned.

[dragnet2]

Self check out and robots are great, as all these companies will soon be lowering their prices as they save big in labor costs.

[dp0622]

It’s ridiculous.

I got no problem with technology.

But how about having it actually work well before rolling it out?

To be honest, I like having a cashier take care of it.

Are prices being slashed because of the companies’ savings?

I’ll bet no.

[EinNYC]

I love self-checkouts, as I breeze past people waiting in line at the cashier operated registers. On the other hand, self-checkouts can be a nightmare if:

1. You end up behind someone who has no idea how to operate the thing, and then you have to wait for help to arrive for them.

2. You have people ahead of you who can't figure out how to straighten out or wipe off the price code bars so they can be read, and thus waste your time.

3. You have people ahead of you who don't have enough money to pay for their stuff and then you have to wait for help to arrive.

4. You have food stamp recipients ahead of you (usually buying stuff YOU couldn't afford) and they are trying to buy stuff not covered by food stamps. BTW, these are usually well dressed people who drive nice cars.

[roadcat]

Also, a a bank teller who thought it was a good idea to count out the bills I was getting on top of the counter and counting loudly.

My wife hates that. Especially when getting $2000 in cash and the teller is loudly counting it out. But I'm there to watch my wife's back. Still...

[dmzTahoe]

I hate self-order kiosks. McDonald’s is pushing it. They have an employee helping you. For a morning senior coffee or paying cash for an order, it makes no sense.

Go straight to the counter, then hope someone notices you and takes your order.

[Wm F Buckley Republican]

I do self check outs because they are faster.

[Spktyr]

So were you the guy that caused ridiculous amounts of damage to my uncle’s Jaguar trying to pry up the hood at the front when it flips open from the back? :P

[Political Junkie Too]

Do people want to go back to the days of waiting in line at the bank for cash from the teller, or do people prefer to self-transact at automated teller machines?

-PJ

[Spktyr]

If you learned to use the kiosk and used a debit card, you would have your order in in seconds and it would be completed even faster.

[dp0622]

lol

The poor guy :)

I go shopping usually very late or very early because of the hours I work so there is NO cashier in the CVS I go to at that time.

And sometimes I wait 10 minutes just for someone to come over and fix the darn machine.

[Spktyr]

There’s a report out from Winco (grocery chain, employee owned) that their self-checkouts *are* allowing them to lower prices and thereby be more competitive. Kroger had a similar declaration a couple years ago.

[TexasTransplant]

I’m a Cash guy so if I self-checkout I need someone to come collect and render change (it can be done, I’ve done it) then they want to send my receipt to my Cell Phone which is a lovely conversation when leaving the store as the receipt takes about 30 minutes to show up (I just say Thank you for your concern and leave)
Self-checkout is (for me) far more of a hassle, no matter how long the lines are.
PS I can still bag and load my own stuff in a regular checkout

[Stravinsky]

Attractive men and women get more customers, better tips, etc. No one wants to admit to it these days, but it’s the way it is.

[Spktyr]

Press the help button. It will page the employee that is supposed to be supervising the self checkouts through the handheld controller they’re required to carry. (If they’re not at the podium or holding the controller, that’s because the store manager is lax and not enforcing policies, usually.)

[Leaning Right]

> Besides I’m keeping somebody’s job safe. If you can’t hire humans you don’t need my support. <

I agree 100%. See also my post #8.