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Amazon is closing its cashierless stores in NYC, San Francisco and Seattle

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141–150 of 416 posts

Re: Amazon is closing its cashierless stores in NYC, San Francisco and Seattle

#141

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And yet everything is now behind locked glass at the pharmacy. I doubt the cameras are that good at catching shoplifters.

There's a tipping point where it's cheaper to employ staff to get stuff out of a cabinet than to catch all the people stealing.

Sure, but it's very strange when that threshhold seems to be in the $2-4 range.

Some US cities, you show up for a conference or something, walk to the corner store across from your hotel, and find that all of the toothbrushes and bags of trail mix are locked away.

How little are they paying these people who are doing the unlocking, that it's worthwhile for such small items?

Re: Amazon is closing its cashierless stores in NYC, San Francisco and Seattle

#142

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is that an issue with the store concept, or an issue with not making it clear to users that it’s a non standard drop off location? I don’t see the lack of a warning reflecting on the actual store itself very strongly. Also- why even bother with Amazon and trying to return packages etc if you have no easy way of getting your password? If this is too much of a hassle just use in person stores.. I’ve had drop off at mai…

I mean, I agree with you; it’s incomprehensible to me someone would go there without an app or at least their device logged into the Amazon website. …but, let’s be charitable and say some has lost their phone or whatever; it’s not totally unreasonable to expect some kind of special process for it. …turns out, there was a special process for it. Without a receipt. Oh well… /shrug Some people are just weird about it. L…

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Re: Amazon is closing its cashierless stores in NYC, San Francisco and Seattle

#143
They just opened an Amazon Go store in LA (Woodland Hills) at the beginning of the year. From my unscientific sample of personal visits it seems to be getting decent traffic, is well run, and is a much nicer place to quickly grab something on a walk over a gas station or a market that only takes cash.

For whatever reason there's also a Whole Foods and an Amazon Fresh near by as well. Woodland Hills is well stocked with Amazon retail!

Re: Amazon is closing its cashierless stores in NYC, San Francisco and Seattle

#144
post #115

I hope this doesn't signal the end of the entire business model. I know there are still speed bumps and problems to address, but cashier in a convenience store is one of those awful jobs I don't think anyone should have to do if we can avoid it. I've had plenty of friends and family work those jobs, and briefly did it myself (at a gas station). Often these friends worked overnight, with the risk of being held up at 3…

Cashier jobs are entry level positions. As such they are also a means of advancement to other roles in retail. Countless people started as cashier and worked their way up to roles like customer services, buyer, store manager etc.

These jobs are also an opportunity for students to earn money and get work experience. But yes, "Let's destroy this job" simply because you don't like it?

Since your profile states you are a staff developer at Shopify, here's a Shopify link that outlines the value that the role of cashier brings to a retail environment:

https://www.shopify.com/retail/retail-jobs-common-positions

Re: Amazon is closing its cashierless stores in NYC, San Francisco and Seattle

#145

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I mean, I agree with you; it’s incomprehensible to me someone would go there without an app or at least their device logged into the Amazon website. …but, let’s be charitable and say some has lost their phone or whatever; it’s not totally unreasonable to expect some kind of special process for it. …turns out, there was a special process for it. Without a receipt. Oh well… /shrug Some people are just weird about it. L…

[flagged]

"if you don't give up all your privacy to mega corp then you deserve to be blacklisted by society"

Re: Amazon is closing its cashierless stores in NYC, San Francisco and Seattle

#146

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He was trying to return a package, not shop at the store. You can return Amazon packages at WholeFoods, Kohl’s and the UPS Store using the Amazon website on your phone — app not needed. I do it all the time because I refuse to use their app.

Thanks for confirming you need to login into Amazon in some form to do this

you don't necessarily. you just need a barcode photo

Re: Amazon is closing its cashierless stores in NYC, San Francisco and Seattle

#147
post #10

I shopped at their location at 30 rock. It was a mixed bag feeling. I was in awe of the technology, but at the same time I felt like I was being overly observed like in a prison.. I never went back, even though I work in the building.

it's interesting yea, they keep track of what you pick up and put back and sell that data to the company of the product you decided not to buy, its an opt out program thats really hard to find.

Re: Amazon is closing its cashierless stores in NYC, San Francisco and Seattle

#148

I had to go to one to return a package. I couldn't get past the turnstiles because I don't use the app and don't know my password because I use a password manager. This meant I couldn't hand my parcel in at the counter. The woman on the turnstile wouldn't let me in even when I explained the situation. So she went off and got a scanner to take my package. She didn't offer a receipt, and when I asked for one said it wa…

Did you have the QR code they email you for dropoff returns? No app needed (besides email).

Re: Amazon is closing its cashierless stores in NYC, San Francisco and Seattle

#149
post #79
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They do mention it. They simply don’t let people in who don’t already have an account with them: https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/22/16920784/amazon-go-cashie...

Because people who routinely steal stuff will draw the line at jumping over a turnstile /s

Fine then make a rotating door or other thing you can’t jump over!

Re: Amazon is closing its cashierless stores in NYC, San Francisco and Seattle

#150

I had to go to one to return a package. I couldn't get past the turnstiles because I don't use the app and don't know my password because I use a password manager. This meant I couldn't hand my parcel in at the counter. The woman on the turnstile wouldn't let me in even when I explained the situation. So she went off and got a scanner to take my package. She didn't offer a receipt, and when I asked for one said it wa…

So did you get your refund? If so, sounds like it wasn’t a disaster.
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