More self checkouts being allocated

I assume any chilled or frozen products have to be thrown away from an abandoned full trolley, as I think they have no idea if they have started defrosting or similar.

Recently read that’s what happens to such products ‘dumped’ in another part of the store, if a customer changes their mind and can’t be bothered to return it to the correct shelf.

I understand what you are saying, Bukkie, hence why I said it is important that there should always be a choice for people to use self-scan/self-service tills or a manned checkout. However, while you are saying you tell the shop staff you know it's not their fault, it's those same stuff who then have to go round putting all your shopping back if you abandon a full trolley load.

Mollygo - Exactly, the satisfaction of leaving the full trolley is more than worth it. I accept some people like self service and self scan but I don't. Why should my choice be taken away from me? And why should people with mobility issues, visual impairment, loneliness and other hidden issues by cast aside like they don't matter. They are equally entitled to the shopping experience they deserve. I always make a point saying to the shop assistants I know it's not their fault and how much I appreciate them and this ridiculous decision for self scan comes from head office. My parents know a manager of a small local supermarket and he told them shoplifting has gone up considerably since self checkouts became commonplace. People only scan one item if they have two, put expensive fruit and vegetables through as carrots etc...

Now I am on my own I find it utterly depressing to do a self-scan shop and come out without having spoken to a soul. The cafe has closed in the one I use most so there is no human interaction at all. There is usually just one manned till which always has a queue so even if I used that, there’s little chance of a chat because there’ll be people behind wanting me to get a move on.

S/S is very good for getting in and out quickly, though, and I like not having to unpack the trolley etc.

I do self service if I have 5 items or fewer. Never used Scan and Shop on principle and as I’m retired, I really don’t mind waiting in line for a ‘manned’ checkout. I’ve no real health problems, so out of the trolley onto the belt and back into the trolley is fine by me. Still got to get it into the car, home and unloaded whichever method. DH couldn’t get home delivery during Covid, but if the time comes, I’m willing to try again.

I've used scan and shop for years - mainly in Sainsburys. Very easy these days and when you scan your Nectar card, special offers (for things you regularly buy) are shown on the screen.

I also remember going to the grocers shop with my Mum and sister. There was a chair next to the counter for folk to use whilst the assistant fetched each item by item. It would close on Wednesday afternoon and all day Sunday. Different world. Just imagine if no progress had been made?

I always use self scan and have done for years. That way, I can scan and pack my items in the order I want to according to shape, size and delicateness and at the speed I want to rather have them coming at me fast down a conveyor belt, piling up in a heap at the end.

I can also check prices as I scan, which you can’t do if you are having to hurry to pack as someone else scans, plus I can treat fruit that bruises more gently.

With self-service there will usually be multiple tills open so, unlike staffed tills, you don’t feel rushed or guilty holding up the person behind you who chose that queue to join. I’m no slouch but I like to do things at my own pace and not at a pace dictated by someone else.

The saving jobs argument is a non-starter as supermarket staff are often rotated to a multitude of jobs e.g. shelf replenishment, pick and pack for online shoppers, bakeries and deli counters, customer service tills, sales of tobacco and lottery tickets or back room jobs we never see like dealing with stock as it arrives. I don’t imagine there is a ever a shortage of job to do in a busy store.

Bukkie

I refuse to use them. I have left full trolleys to prove a point. Waitrose always open tills. I always think about a conversation with a lovely checkout man in Tesco a couple of years ago who said an old man told him he came in every day for a few bits rather than get them in one go because it was the only human interaction he got.

Whereas I consider it a win if I actually manage to go and do my shopping and get in and out of the supermarket without any human interaction.
PS: I'm saying that a bit tongue-in-cheek, as I realise that for some people, any bit of human interaction they can get is very welcome. The main thing here is that people should always have the choice between the self-service/self-scan and a proper manned checkout.

Casdon

Honestly Bukkie, the biggest crime you’re committing by doing that is wasting your own time and effort in filling a trolley, because you’ll only have to go and do the same thing again to get the shopping you need?

Yes but it makes her feel good. 😄

Honestly Bukkie, the biggest crime you’re committing by doing that is wasting your own time and effort in filling a trolley, because you’ll only have to go and do the same thing again to get the shopping you need?

I refuse to use them. I have left full trolleys to prove a point. Waitrose always open tills. I always think about a conversation with a lovely checkout man in Tesco a couple of years ago who said an old man told him he came in every day for a few bits rather than get them in one go because it was the only human interaction he got.

I’ve used the scan and shop since covid , it’s so much easier . I shop mostly at Sainsbury’s and you scan your nectar card to get started . If it’s a few items I use the self scanning machines.
Personally I hate queuing , so it suits me.
In my Sainsbury’s the ex till staff are used as pickers for the home deliveries or click and collect.

Yes, if it's alcohol then an an assistant has to come and approve it. Same if you are buying anything like paracetamol, ibuprofen etc.

Missedout

Can someone tell me what happens when you buy alcohol (or any other age-appropiate product) using the scan and shop method. Does a 'colleague' always have to get involved?

If it’s spirits, someone has to come to take the tag off. It asks if you have any items like that.

Not sure about beer etc, I know Sainsburys come and age check, so probably Tesco do as well ?

When in town I occasionally pop into Lidl. They have removed all tills and the girls are really rushed (and rude) if one needs help. IU do as I am partially sighted so usually with bad grace I am helped. I go shopping online, but it is good to see what is on the shelves.

The queue for the self scan is long but does move quickly.

I prefer Waitrose which had to open 4 tills to help the likes of me and many others.

I made a rare trip to sainsburys yesterday and there was only one person on an actual checkout. The rest were self service.

Where it is is quite friendly but it must be really isolating for some people who maybe only speak to that one person on the till iykwim

Can someone tell me what happens when you buy alcohol (or any other age-appropiate product) using the scan and shop method. Does a 'colleague' always have to get involved?

DH and I have just started doing scan and shop at our local Tesco. Prefer it to the self service tills.

Only because we do our weekly shop first thing in the morning, they now only have one manned till open until 9, there’s always a queue, I don’t mind waiting, but I feel guilty about not serving myself.

It’s always the same chap on the till, he’s always pleasant, he says the more people who serve themselves, the fewer staff they’ll be, anyone leaving doesn’t get replaced. He comes in on the bus from another village and he is worried that he will be sent to work at a store many miles away.

Say what you like, it does affect jobs.

Not sure where everyone will be working in time to come.

I have found different supermarket self service machine act differently.
Lidl, machines very sensitive, even a bit of the handle of my shopping bag, if flopped near the glass "Ray" causes it to stop, staff has to be called to restart it , or if you inadvertently hold a checked product to one side, so you can leave a space to put something else in it stops!
M&S and Waitrose you have to angle correctly, same with Sainsburys.
Tbh Tesco seems the best....

I'm sticking to my big shop every fortnight on line with Waitrose, much easier.

I am old enough to remember when my mum sat at the counter and the assistant ran up and down fetching items !

Thanks for explaining that ViceVersa

Provided there are still serviced tills for those who like or need to be served, I can’t see what the problem is. Different systems to suit everyone.

I have used the Waitrose ScanPayGo system for almost 30 years since they trialled it in my local branch, and I love it.

I can’t stand queuing either, but each to their own.

Did people resist self- service supermarkets when they first appeared 🤷🏻‍♀️?

I always use scan and shop, I hate to queue.

Here in Germany, people are notoriously wary of technology. Scan and shop is totally unknown, at least in my part of Germany. Self-service tills are installed in one supermarket but I've not seen anyone use them, although I have in the building supplies store, which also has a couple. Everywhere where I have seen one, there is always a member of staff nearby, constantly seeing to the customers, so I doubt if any jobs are being lost because of them.

Fallingstar

I use self service tills because there are always queues at the other tills and some customers take a long time chatting to the till operator and packing their bags, but I wouldn’t want to see the till operators lose their jobs.
I would also like to know how to use the scan and shop method. Could someone explain this please.

It varies from one store for another, but basically you register for it first (in Tesco, you use your Clubcard), then each time you use it, you sign in, take your scanner and just scan each item as you go and put it directly into your shopping bags. Once you've finished, you go to the checkouts, scan a barcode at the till and then pay for your shopping. It's very simple.