Earlier quoted context omitted.
That's exactly how it works in the Netherlands, you just scan your items and go. There are no weight checks and you can scan items more than once and edit and remove things from the list. Apart from getting a poorly executed random check sometimes (which is far from effective for the purpose of avoiding theft imho) it actually works really well.
Enjoy your homogenous, high trust society. We are all jealous.
The failure of self-checkout technology
421–430 of 621 posts
Re: The failure of self-checkout technology
#422The difference may be that there is zero expectation of theft here, with shoplifting also being punished as the crime it is.
Re: The failure of self-checkout technology
#423It feels like almost all the issues with self-checkout technology come from the attempts to minimise shoplifting, which don't even seem that effective at doing that. In theory, a system that let you scan products the same way checkout staff do without any weight checks or bagging area rules or other interruptions would be incredibly efficient. Especially if you could do things like scan the same product multiple time…
> It feels like almost all the issues with self-checkout technology come from the attempts to minimise shoplifting, which don't even seem that effective at doing that. Agreed. And in some cases the issues almost feel like they're on purpose in order to drive people away from using the self checkouts. For example, when I use self checkout at my local grocery store, I have to hit a button to tell it I want to use my ow…
Re: The failure of self-checkout technology
#424It feels like almost all the issues with self-checkout technology come from the attempts to minimise shoplifting, which don't even seem that effective at doing that. In theory, a system that let you scan products the same way checkout staff do without any weight checks or bagging area rules or other interruptions would be incredibly efficient. Especially if you could do things like scan the same product multiple time…
I disagree. The majority of the problems that I run into with self-checkout are related to not being able to buy items I picked up off the shelf like Mucinex or children's cough syrup or alcohol without getting an employee to check me out... at self checkout. What's the point of "self" checkout if somebody is required —not by failure of the system but by rules—to come help me several times during the process? Edit: a…
In my nearby Walmart they have a dozen or more self-checkout stations which only require a few staff in total. Most people don't need assistance.
Re: The failure of self-checkout technology
#425Earlier quoted context omitted.
> It feels like almost all the issues with self-checkout technology come from the attempts to minimise shoplifting, which don't even seem that effective at doing that. Agreed. And in some cases the issues almost feel like they're on purpose in order to drive people away from using the self checkouts. For example, when I use self checkout at my local grocery store, I have to hit a button to tell it I want to use my ow…
I treat the self-checkout as if it has the "10 items or less" sign for an express checkout some supermarkets used to have. If I need multiple bags, it's probably not faster to use the self checkout.
Re: The failure of self-checkout technology
#426It feels like almost all the issues with self-checkout technology come from the attempts to minimise shoplifting, which don't even seem that effective at doing that. In theory, a system that let you scan products the same way checkout staff do without any weight checks or bagging area rules or other interruptions would be incredibly efficient. Especially if you could do things like scan the same product multiple time…
I disagree. The majority of the problems that I run into with self-checkout are related to not being able to buy items I picked up off the shelf like Mucinex or children's cough syrup or alcohol without getting an employee to check me out... at self checkout. What's the point of "self" checkout if somebody is required —not by failure of the system but by rules—to come help me several times during the process? Edit: a…
Re: The failure of self-checkout technology
#427Not to trot out the ol' meme: "Just as AI/ML", but why don't they add a camera that can guess what is your fruit/veg, or at least suggest 2-3 items that look close? That would solve a lot. In Hongkong, most major supermarkets have self-checkout sections now. Usually, there is a single person standing by to fix any issues. I am sure the labour cost for checkout is much lower in those areas. In Tokyo, Japan, most conve…
They had one of those in a larger supermarket I visited last summer. (EDIT: In Norway) They also had those mobile bar code scanners you bring with you and dock in your trolley, and app payment (including receipt storage), so the entire process was pretty smooth.
I live in a city so I don't use those large supermarkets, so I don't know if this is something new or not.
Re: The failure of self-checkout technology
#428Earlier quoted context omitted.
I disagree. The majority of the problems that I run into with self-checkout are related to not being able to buy items I picked up off the shelf like Mucinex or children's cough syrup or alcohol without getting an employee to check me out... at self checkout. What's the point of "self" checkout if somebody is required —not by failure of the system but by rules—to come help me several times during the process? Edit: a…
> What's the point of "self" checkout if somebody is required—not by failure of the system but by rules—to come help me several times during the process? In my nearby Walmart they have a dozen or more self-checkout stations which only require a few staff in total. Most people don't need assistance.
Re: The failure of self-checkout technology
#429In the stores here in Latvia, I've had reasonably positive experiences with self-checkout. I can pack stuff in my bags with no rush (there's usually no line for self-checkout, since not everyone uses it), just scan the bar codes for products that have them and pick from a menu/search for those that don't (e.g. freshly baked goods in paper bags). Then, I can pay with my card, or sometimes have to verify my ID with the…
In Germany there are a few Lidl's with self checkout now. But haven't seen an Aldi doing it.
Re: The failure of self-checkout technology
#430It feels like almost all the issues with self-checkout technology come from the attempts to minimise shoplifting, which don't even seem that effective at doing that. In theory, a system that let you scan products the same way checkout staff do without any weight checks or bagging area rules or other interruptions would be incredibly efficient. Especially if you could do things like scan the same product multiple time…