More self checkouts being allocated

SS tills are an annoying scourge of modern society. I don't stack their shelves and for the same reason, I wont use a SS till.

I refuse to use them.. if we don`t use them and queue to be served they will have to consider our views! I read of one store that indulged in all self service , customers left and they had to reinstate check outs... putting people out of jobs as well as not what we want..

I prefer them

IMO There should be both/all three.
Those who prefer to load once, or take their time, or find standing a queue difficult can get through more quickly.
They actually benefit those who want manned tills, by not taking up spaces in the queue.
There is a problem as some have already mentioned, if you have too much shopping to fit on the space available.
Our Sainsbury’s has basket only checkouts with smaller spaces -enough to accommodate the contents of a basket, and the trolley checkouts have longer loading spaces, but Aldi and Lidl don’t.

Losing jobs is a good point.
Over the years that has already affected garages-finding one that isn’t self service is almost impossible.
Bus services have been cut because people go by car.
Banks have closed because people pay by card or use ATM to draw cash.
The postal service is poorer because people communicate on line, whether it’s cards or emails or even letters to the editor of the newspaper.
Imagine if we had to write to GN instead of just sitting down and tapping! Maybe we wouldn’t be reduced to fewer mail deliveries, but does anyone on here want to go back, and use only snail mail to save post office jobs?

Mollygo

IMO There should be both/all three.
Those who prefer to load once, or take their time, or find standing a queue difficult can get through more quickly.
They actually benefit those who want manned tills, by not taking up spaces in the queue.
There is a problem as some have already mentioned, if you have too much shopping to fit on the space available.
Our Sainsbury’s has basket only checkouts with smaller spaces -enough to accommodate the contents of a basket, and the trolley checkouts have longer loading spaces, but Aldi and Lidl don’t.

Losing jobs is a good point.
Over the years that has already affected garages-finding one that isn’t self service is almost impossible.
Bus services have been cut because people go by car.
Banks have closed because people pay by card or use ATM to draw cash.
The postal service is poorer because people communicate on line, whether it’s cards or emails or even letters to the editor of the newspaper.
Imagine if we had to write to GN instead of just sitting down and tapping! Maybe we wouldn’t be reduced to fewer mail deliveries, but does anyone on here want to go back, and use only snail mail to save post office jobs?

Sainsbury’s big SM must thing with cost of living we all must do tiny shops as out of ten ss tills there are only two large areas to place shopping. So most people in the queue are waiting for those larger ones, holding up the queue behind.
It’s really annoying.
This why I won’t use them.
As for every thing else like cash, libraries, etc.. use them, or loose them.

As someone who hates pointless human interactions I'd prefer it this way. I haven't used a manned till for so long I can't remember, I get my big shop delivered and any other time I will use the self scan tills without doubt.
Unfortunately losing jobs to autonomy is happening and we might as well get used to it because it's only going to increase.

I don't like self service, there is always a problem when I try to use one. I tried again last week and had to call for help whereupon I was told that "this always happens, they're temperamental". I would rather stand in a queue than try to deal with a temperamental machine.

We have just had a massive Home Bargains open near us, and it is all manned tills, I kept looking for the self checkout, but you can't!

I work in a large supermarket. We have a few older people who come in every day for just a couple of items and always come to a manned till. I think it’s so they can have a little chat . It may be the only human interaction they have all day and it would be a shame if that disappeared.

seasider I’m really in favour of both, but that’s a good reason for keeping some manned tills. I’ve heard at least 2 young mums who use manned tills for much the same reason-as one said, “A chance of normal conversation with someone who doesn’t scream at me!”
What else could be done though, for the people who have to rely on a shop for daily conversation, especially since many supermarket cafés closed during Covid and have never reopened?

This isn’t meant to sound unkind but supermarket chains are busy places and many shoppers are short on time or don't want to spend a lot of time in the shop. One of the reasons I like self checkouts, not so much that I am short on time now, but because I dislike shopping and just want to be in and out without being stuck behind people who want a chat. There are plenty of other places if people want social interaction.

For those who claim that self checkouts lead to loss of jobs then what you are saying is that a store needs to employ more people because some people like a chat. That’s simply nonsensical from a business point of view.

AI: It costs a UK supermarket approximately £155,000 to £195,000 per year to staff a single checkout till continuously 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If the store is located in London or within the M25, higher regional pay premiums can push this cost closer to £170,000 to £210,000 per year. Remember, it isn’t just the wage cost but NIC, pension contributions, sick and holiday pay, apprenticeship levy etc.

Tesco have over 5,000 stores. At the lower end that would cost an additional £750 million, costs that would be added to prices.

Like a lot of other GNs here, I choose not to use the "self service" tills. I hate them!

Davida1968

Like a lot of other GNs here, I choose not to use the "self service" tills. I hate them!

It’s good that you can do that. Let’s keep pressing for that choice to remain available.

I prefer self service or scan&shop.