“Just walk out” technology by Amazon • Hacker News Board

Re: “Just walk out” technology by Amazon

#11

Post by Spivak » Mon, Mar 09, 2020, 4:45 PM UTC

JohnFen wrote: post #3

> In Just Walk Out-enabled stores, shoppers enter the store using a credit card. They don't need to download an app or create an Amazon account. But you may as well. By giving them a CC# you're allowing Amazon to spy on you anyway -- and that's not even mentioning the copious surveillance in such stores in the form of cameras and behavior detection. > If shoppers need a receipt, they can visit a kiosk in the store an…

Does this really change anything compared to every other POS system that you swipe your credit card into and get your receipt sent to your email?

Re: “Just walk out” technology by Amazon

#12

Post by ckocagil » Mon, Mar 09, 2020, 4:46 PM UTC

vikramkr wrote: post #2

Is any retailer going to actually be willing to trust amazon though? And what if it doesn't work and the customer ends up not paying - is amazon also taking on the liability for that?

What's even worse is that once Amazon collects enough data they'll be able to compete more effectively with these retailers and eventually kill them.

Re: “Just walk out” technology by Amazon

#13

Post by vessenes » Mon, Mar 09, 2020, 4:46 PM UTC

Seeing a few negative comments here; I think these are short-sighted in the extreme.

Labor is a major cost for retail; anything that massively reduces labor costs is going to be hugely game changing. Combined with amazon promises that it takes only a few weeks to integrate (seriously??) if this works at all, this is going to be a super fast growth group at Amazon.

For reference think back to how many stories you’ve read about say managers short changing employees a few minutes at the end of work shifts.

This really could change retail permanently; the only question is if it works.

Re: “Just walk out” technology by Amazon

#14

Post by robszumski » Mon, Mar 09, 2020, 4:46 PM UTC

What a weird site and roll out of this announcement. The page doesn't even have a or call to action other than a buried email.

Is this someone's pet project to state that our landing page captured XX,000 hits in 24 hours?

Re: “Just walk out” technology by Amazon

#15

Post by femiagbabiaka » Mon, Mar 09, 2020, 4:47 PM UTC

vessenes wrote: post #13

Seeing a few negative comments here; I think these are short-sighted in the extreme. Labor is a major cost for retail; anything that massively reduces labor costs is going to be hugely game changing. Combined with amazon promises that it takes only a few weeks to integrate (seriously??) if this works at all, this is going to be a super fast growth group at Amazon. For reference think back to how many stories you’ve r…

if only most of the US labor force didn't rely on jobs in that sector...

Re: “Just walk out” technology by Amazon

#16

Post by apacheCamel » Mon, Mar 09, 2020, 4:47 PM UTC

Somewhat related: Initially, I thought this was about the walk out protests happening (over politics and environmental concerns) at some big tech companies. I had some pretty big questions on why Amazon wanted a piece of that market.

Re: “Just walk out” technology by Amazon

#17

Post by vsskanth » Mon, Mar 09, 2020, 4:48 PM UTC

In terms of cost-convenience trade-off, can someone tell me how is this better for a store when compared to self-checkout counters or scan-as-you-go apps (as suggested below) ?

I use these frequently at Walmart and Sams without any problems. Rarely have to deal with an actual checkout person unless I have to get a gift card.

IMO you can get very far simply addressing annoying latency and UX issues with self checkout counters.

Edit: There is also the advantage of seeing what you're exactly being billed for

Re: “Just walk out” technology by Amazon

#18

Post by dapuz » Mon, Mar 09, 2020, 4:48 PM UTC

vikramkr wrote: post #2

Is any retailer going to actually be willing to trust amazon though? And what if it doesn't work and the customer ends up not paying - is amazon also taking on the liability for that?

It might be slow for larger retailers, but I could imagine small independent "hipster" type shops opening up using this (people with the same mentality as the "no cash" bars/restaurants)

Re: “Just walk out” technology by Amazon

#19

Post by AndrewUnmuted » Mon, Mar 09, 2020, 4:48 PM UTC

What great timing. This is being introduced just as the entire global public becomes nervous about entering enclosed rooms populated with strangers.

Re: “Just walk out” technology by Amazon

#20

Post by buttersbrian » Mon, Mar 09, 2020, 4:48 PM UTC

Spivak wrote: post #11

JohnFen wrote: post #3

> In Just Walk Out-enabled stores, shoppers enter the store using a credit card. They don't need to download an app or create an Amazon account. But you may as well. By giving them a CC# you're allowing Amazon to spy on you anyway -- and that's not even mentioning the copious surveillance in such stores in the form of cameras and behavior detection. > If shoppers need a receipt, they can visit a kiosk in the store an…

Does this really change anything compared to every other POS system that you swipe your credit card into and get your receipt sent to your email?

But i have an option to get it printed right there and NOT give them my email, or phone number.