self-checkout at a grocery store is so maddening. There are enough edge cases (discounted items, multiples, lack of barcodes, special deals) to make it painful if you have anything more than a few staples. And I'm sure it's also part of the disgusting push to barcode & box produce which is a negative for everyone but the suppliers & stores.

>> IMO, if you want to have self-checkout, you need to accept a higher rate of loss

I agree this is the logical conclusion, but obviously they're not going to accept it when you can throw a fraction of the labour savings to hire some cheap security theatre that reminds the honest people big brother is watching.

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fyrabanks 5 days ago | parent | next [-]

I was at a Whole Foods last year and was tired from driving for about 6hrs straight. I scanned one item, set up a paper bag on the right, and then mindlessly bagged every other item in my cart without scanning. I paid probably $3-4 on a $60 purchase.

As soon as I got to the hotel and figured it out, I went back to correct the mistake--but imagine getting harassed or taken to the back for a careless error? I'm sure that happens more often than I hear about.

(PS I am genuinely surprised their weight sensor, that flags an attendant, didn't go off. That thing usually trips if you breathe on it funny.)

	▲	autoexec 5 days ago \| parent \| next [-]
		The last time I forgot to scan something hiding the back of my cart I caught the mistake as I was leaving and ran to another self-checkout to scan the item. The one employee they had watching over at least 7 self checkout stations thanked me personally because apparently if the cameras caught the error the overworked employee would have been responsible and might have lost her job.
	▲	vwcx 5 days ago \| parent \| prev \| next [-]
		Given that Prime now displays itemized orders purchased at Whole Foods, imagine getting your Amazon account flagged/banned for your mistake...
	▲	mystraline 5 days ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		Depending on jurisdiction, they record everything and do nothing until you pass a felony amount. Then, they respond. Target is well known in doing exactly this. A lot of shoplifters stay away from target past a 1 time hit.

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lokar 5 days ago | parent | prev [-]

It’s not a universal replacement for a clerk, but it can be very useful.

I can be through the whole process at CVS (with some random item like a birthday card) in about 30 seconds.

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dml2135 5 days ago | parent [-]

It's funny that you mention CVS. I went to use the human checkout at CVS last time I was there because the line for self-checkout was so long, only to be told "in order to check out at this register, you need to have a CVS extra-care card".

I no longer shop at CVS.

	▲	autoexec 5 days ago \| parent \| next [-]
		I also refuse to go into a CVS. They are trash. It's a shame there as so many more of them than walgreens.
	▲	lokar 5 days ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		lol You really have to be able to judge to self checkout ability of the people in line. Some will get stuck for 5 min before a clerk comes to do it for them.