Self service supermarket checkout.

frone? front.

I use quickscan at waitrose as well.

They are a pain in the proverbial and I refuse to use them. I'd rather queue for a human check out - which says something!

I rarely choose to use a self service checkout because I don't want to do the job of an employee. I do however like using the Quick Check scanner at Waitrose because I know they're not doing anyone out of a job and it is quick and easy to use. There is a Waitrose opening in Devon soon that used to be a Co-Op store employing sixty staff. Waitrose are keeping those staff and employing SIXTY MORE to run the same shop. I really don't mind paying the extra to shop at Waitrose because as employers they are brilliant and the quality of the food and customer service are just so good.

I often use the self service tills, but only with a few items. I have a problem now and again but they usually save time.

We were on holiday once in Italy and were queuing in a supermarket. I could see the self service till wasn't being used so I wondered over to have a look at it, as they were firmly new at the time. It had different flags on the screen so I pressed the Union Jack and everything came up in English.

DH and I quickly processed our basket but all the assistants came rushing over as they hadn't heard the till speaking English before! They just watched and chatted amongst themselves and shook their heads in amazement.

Do English tills have other language options I wonder?

I resent being forced into anything, so stood my ground when a very bossy Asda lady with a huge foam hand on a stick pointed me to the self-service tills. When I said that I would prefer to keep her in work, she actually claimed that she got a bonus for getting shoppers to use them! She then proceeded to talk to me like a frail little old lady and put my goods through self service while I stood stonily next to her a la Les Dawson, arms firmly crossed over my bosom. I really enjoyed the succession of faults and queries and messages about unexpected items in her bagging area. And when I eventually got out of the store I found I hadn't been charged for the big box of Thorntons. I really should have gone back....

I'm surprised that Asda are adding more as Waitrose have announced they are taking theirs out due to pilfering! There were a few in my local branch and they've disappeared already. I don't mind using them at all but I can see the potential for stealing...

Mollie My local Waitrose have just put in self service tills, together with the the Quick Scan tills. I can't imagine they will take them out just yet.

hate them! grrrrrrr don't think I have ever got through and Asda one yet! without it asking for assistance... and if you happen to have any that should be in every GNetters basket then you have no chance....or paracetomol. I use the ones at Tesco and never have any problem it's just the Asda ones.

Janthea, ours were only about six months old because the branch only opened late last year but I read it in a national newspaper before I noticed ours had gone...

grannyactivist forgive me if I'm being a bit thick, but I don't get your logic about the Quick Scan not taking anyones job. Surely if everyone used it they wouldn't need the checkout staff

I have no real practical problem using self service machines but I simply refuse to use them even if it means having to wait ages in a queue. These huge companies are making massive profits every year but they are still determined to cut costs and cut staff. There is usually one person manning several checkouts whereas they would need several members of staff to man proper checkout facilities. If we want jobs for our children and grandchildren then please, please stop using these machines. Complain to headquarters, tell them you do not want these machines, we want real people. If enough of us make a stand then they will re introduce manned checkouts again. If this trend continues then there will quite simply be no jobs whatsoever for people and then where will we be. Customers still have a lot of power so lets use it and stop being totally controlled by huge corporate businesses.

Shysal: We should get together an army of self-checkout-phobic Gransnetters to go along to your supermarket before 9am and bring things to a standstill with our slow checking out.

I reckon we could soon make them see the error of their ways!

I absolutely HATE this method of checkout. The conveyer is too small, half the time I can't properly see the pics of the fruit etc, that and having to cope with CC and loyalty card, and packing all at the same time, well it seems like it!!! You can keep them, nothing will induce me to use them, I'd sooner leave my shopping in the trolley and go elsewhere and start again!!!!

CariGransnet.

Why does your post have a green background please ?

Cari is a VERY important person at HQ, NanKate! She keeps us on the straight and narrow (usually), so her posts need to be more visible.

MamaCaz, I'm up for it.

They make me feel flustered and I refuse to use them. Tesco seems to have removed the basket only till. Yesterday I was just buying a paper and a loaf. I was told to go and queue at the customer service desk to pay. They make you feel like a failure or a stupid old lady! Grrrr...

You have to be quick! with the Asda staff!! (Iv'e got it off to perfection now lol) I go to the normal till where there is a real person, and as I feel the Asda staff trying to catch up with me to "encourage" me to us the self service till" I quickly throw items on the belt and if I am stood in the queue at a "real" persons checkout, I just say a polite "NO THANKS" when they ask "would you like to use the self service till"? No!!

We have them too, and I hate them, but our supermarkets open 8.30/9.00am close 19.00/20.00; and the shops close on Sundays !!!!!!!

I actually prefer the self service tills because I'm fairly anti social .

I scan & pack at my own pace and I've rarely experienced any problems.

There is also the added benefit of avoiding the children from the local dance school extorting money for squashing all my fruit & veg.

"Unexpected item in the bagging area" – no, there isn't.

"Wait for help" – that's because I've scanned a bottle of wine and someone has to check that I am over 21.

As for trying to scan light items, such as a birthday card or packet of seeds, forget it.

I think by the time they have a couple of staff hanging around to help customers they might as well open another checkout. Someone always comes rushing over of you have any alcohol as well, although I am disappointed that I have never been challenged about my age.

They won't be quiet when I tell them to shut up either.

Lona my point is that Waitrose employ TWICE as many staff as other supermarkets of the same size - and even though I use the quick scan handsets I still have to go through a checkout with a real person serving me; it's just much quicker and easier.
www.torquayheraldexpress.co.uk/Waitrose-confirms-opening-date-Teignmouth-store/story-20650105-detail/story.html