Self-checkout machines now ask for tips in latest squeeze on customers

Fox2 ^ | 5-15-23 | Emily Robertson

[Responsibility2nd]

I want an Eff U button!

———————————————

Your wish is granted. All these machines have such a button. It’s called Custom Tip. Leave $0.01

They’ll get the message.

[BobL]

I only tip in jurisdictions where there is NOT a living wage, such as here in Texas. In most Blue States, they already are paid a ‘Living Wage’, so I figure that ‘Living Wage’ is built into the base price of my food.

[LizzieD]

Is there a button for FU?

[Alas Babylon!]

I’ve seen this when I use my card at Subway restaurants, but I do occasionally tip there.

The waitresses at the Huddle House have this little card scanners, and the machines ask you to tip, also.

I usually do, because they get wait staff minimum wage, and they’re almost always sweet young ‘uns who are always cheerful.

[Ronaldus Magnus III]

Yes, we noticed, not only is there an automatic tip step in the checkout process, there are different levels (10%, 20%, etc).

I can imagine the day when the machine will act as if it is malfunctioning, and then some human will be forced to come by to ‘clear’ the issue. Issues happen now off and on with these self checkout stations. Sometimes the store clerk fixing the issue is very customer service oriented. Other times, not so much.

I was blown away by the changes at a very large, Super Walmart. Before the Plandemic, there were about 10 self checkout stations, and over 20 checkout places with a human cashier. After the major shutdown period, I visited the Walmart. It is now almost all self checkout, with 3 checkout stands that can be staffed by a person. Each bank of self checkout stations has one staff to monitor and fix issues.

PS. I just had a thought about that recent viral video of the meat looter loading the stolen meats into her trunk. The store clerk kept trying to pull the cart away, to no avail. It would have been hilarious to take the stolen meat out of the trunk as the thief was loading it up. One could even imagine a Monty Python type of video, where the clerk keeps putting the meat back in the cart.

[cuban leaf]

I just see it as an idiot tax.

[Alas Babylon!]

Not for wait staff.

While waiters are categorically underpaid, the living wage a waiter can make, at least in the United States, generally comes from tips.

New York State wait staff minimum wage, by law: $8.80 Cash Wage $4.40 Tip Credit, in NYC, $10.00 Cash Wage, $5.00 Tip Credit.

https://dol.ny.gov/minimum-wage-tipped-workers

[Bigg Red]

Oh, that one bugs me, too.

[Zack Attack]

Self-service tipping will soon be mandatory

[discostu]

People aren’t realizing what this is. It’s got nothing to do with employees. It’s got to do with employers. In most places the minimum wage for jobs with tips is lower than the minimum wage for jobs without. So the easier way to way to reduce labor costs is reclassify your employees. Add a “tip jar” and boom, you don’t have to pay them as much.

[17th Miss Regt]

I'll bet he is privy to some info that a lot of folks don't want to be known. Like how various ethnic groups tend to tip. And I'll bet he never says a word about it.

[BRL]

I tip, I also go out a lot less

[milagro]

BRILLIANT!
:)

[BobL]

They demanded $15/hour for their Living Wage, and that’s what they get, at least in NYC. So they’re covered, as far as I’m concerned.

[Chgogal]

Ditto that!

[ansel12]

Tipping needs to die, look at all of the non-parasitic workers who do their jobs for you and that you don’t tip because no one ever told you to.

[Alas Babylon!]

$10 /= $15...

[fuzzylogic]

I _picked up_ pizza the other day, I was asked if I wanted to leave a tip. My answer, “No, I’m picking up, why would I want to do that?”. It’s almost a guilt trip to ask.

[gathersnomoss]

AI will assist with the “tip “.

[lapsus calami]

 

 

Self checkout is pretty well a necessity for me now. Better than getting stuck behind a conga line of people with jacked-up if not stolen credit/debit cards and counterfeit cash. Always hilarious when they cannot a remember a simple 4 digit pin for "their" card. Then there are the ones who break out a pile of cards and go through them one at a time until one gets traction - if at all. And our "new citizens" who have not worked out the concept of how welfare/snap works. Those are the ones who show up with a cart (or two or THREE) loaded like the Grinch's Christmas sleigh (more often than not in the 15 items or less express lane), with stuff that doesn't qualify and/or exceeds the amount available in the account at the time. There's always an ordeal over it. Under these circumstances self checkout is the logical choice. Such is life in FJB's America.