Discussions

Hey guys, I just want to know what everyone thinks of this.  
 
So I have noticed that there is one more establishment here in Brandon where the self checkouts actually verbalizes (Very loudly in fact) the price of the item AND the item itself loud enough for everyone to hear. There is usually no problem with this except I have noticed, especially with this holiday season that it may be becoming a bit of a safety hazard.  
 
Several times I have gone to this store and payed for my items only to realize that I was being watched by a man or a group. At first I didn't think anything of it until I got outside. I've been yelled at and followed almost all the way to my car by people asking what I bought and then verbalizing that I must have money since I was able to buy what I bought. I've never had anything serous happen as of yet but I am wondering if anyone else has had this happen.  
 
I have done my research and discovered that several locations had to go and mute the self checkouts due to this same reason. Turns out there are certain people who will listen in on what you are buying and how much you spent on said item and then will try and follow you out of the store into the parking lot, especially when it's dark out.  
 
What do you guys think? Should this last establishment go ahead and mute theirs before anything serous happens? ESPECIALLY during the holiday season?

Almost sounds ridiculous, and pretty far fetched. So are u saying that panhandlers are standing inside the stores listening to the purchases? Why would stores allow them to loiter in their businesses. ? I’ve never heard of this happening to anyone

When you go through a staffed check out they do not announce the price as they ring things up for you.  
 
The Loto kiosks are also a problem. You win something and a loud who ho causes everyone around you to look and see how much you have won.  
 
Got some cash at the bank the other day from the teller. I am pretty sure everyone in the bank heard her count it out to me, as she was so loud.  
 
I understand that some of these practices are in place to protect the consumer and in some cases the staff, but there is always some else listening.  
 
I have been approached many times, on a number of different parking lots, by people begging and they are aggressive. These audible kiosks and checkout systems just make you a bigger target now. Thanks technology.

What checkouts do you use? I have used Sobeys, Shoppers Drug, Walmart, Superstore, bank tellers, etc and not once have I ever had someone say something to me.

is also hard to believe, but not saying it didn't happen to you.  
 
What about people that drive very expensive vehicles, park in the stores lot... do groups of men/panhandlers loiter outside the vehicle waiting to prey on the individual who has the nicest & most expensive vehicles and their purchases after going through self checkout?  
 
This sounds ludicrous to be honest, perhaps an isolated incident. Goes to show that one must always be aware of their surroundings but I do not think this is an issue with self checkouts exclusively.

Fishin Guy said "What checkouts do you use? I have used Sobeys, Shoppers Drug, Walmart, Superstore, bank tellers, etc and not once have I ever had someone say something to me. "

The Walmart self checkouts now announce all the items prices out loud as you scan them, and voice prompts for everything now. I’m assuming This is the place the op is referring too. I’ve had a few people look over and watch as I scan from time to time after it has said prices, but I haven’t paid much attention to them, not had any problems stemming from it.  
And I’ve had many approaches in the parking lot for money at Walmart. It’s super uncomfortable when they come right up to your car, when you are alone, loading bags into car. But none of those were people who heard what I was buying in the self checkout.

Cheezies said "    Fishin Guy said "What checkouts do you use? I have used Sobeys, Shoppers Drug, Walmart, Superstore, bank tellers, etc and not once have I ever had someone say something to me. " The Walmart self checkouts now announce all the items prices out loud as you scan them, and voice prompts for everything now. I’m assuming This is the place the op is referring too. I’ve had a few people look over and watch as I scan from time to time after it has said prices, but I haven’t paid much attention to them, not had any problems stemming from it.   And I’ve had many approaches in the parking lot for money at Walmart. It’s super uncomfortable when they come right up to your car, when you are alone, loading bags into car. But none of those were people who heard what I was buying in the self checkout. "

It has been a while since shopping at Walmart. They always just beeped when I last used them. That's what made me wonder as they all just beep to confirm I scanned the item. Hmmmmm.....maybe I need to go in their and self checkout some hemorrhoid cream but damage the bar code...Love to see the faces of the people around me as I yell out to the attendant "My hemorrhoid cream isn't scanning." Don't think I would get bugged in the parking lot lol.

...you can mute the machines yourself. there’s a volume adjustment on the screen.

Fishin Guy said "    Cheezies said "    Fishin Guy said "What checkouts do you use? I have used Sobeys, Shoppers Drug, Walmart, Superstore, bank tellers, etc and not once have I ever had someone say something to me. " The Walmart self checkouts now announce all the items prices out loud as you scan them, and voice prompts for everything now. I’m assuming This is the place the op is referring too. I’ve had a few people look over and watch as I scan from time to time after it has said prices, but I haven’t paid much attention to them, not had any problems stemming from it.   And I’ve had many approaches in the parking lot for money at Walmart. It’s super uncomfortable when they come right up to your car, when you are alone, loading bags into car. But none of those were people who heard what I was buying in the self checkout. " It has been a while since shopping at Walmart. They always just beeped when I last used them. That's what made me wonder as they all just beep to confirm I scanned the item. Hmmmmm.....maybe I need to go in their and self checkout some hemorrhoid cream but damage the bar code...Love to see the faces of the people around me as I yell out to the attendant "My hemorrhoid cream isn't scanning." Don't think I would get bugged in the parking lot lol. "

Lol... I hope I’m next to you at the self checkout at Walmart when you do this Bahaha!  
All the self checkouts at Walmart now have cameras right on you, with video playing on the screen of you checking out. And when you walk up to it, it starts talking to you now. No more beeps. And I think it says the prices out loud, so if that’s not what you were expecting for price, then you can call the attendant over to help. This maybe helps protect them from customers saying they didn’t see the price, and thought it was supposed to be a different price. Consumer and store protection i suppose from wrong prices.

I've never had this specifically happen, but I have been almost followed out of the superstore parking lot by an aggressive panhandler. Came VERY close to telling him to F off.

Sounds like someone is paranoid lol I spoke to a few stores who have their self checkouts on mute and they say it was due to annoyance not Saftey lol also if they are listening to what you are buying they could just as easy see what your buying lol acute paranoia seems to be more of a problem lol

I don't care if they announce prices.  
I very much doubt the panhandlers are listening inside and then following people outside-if anyone is doing that, I would guess it is just the odd person. Someone can just as easily be outside and decide to follow someone and ask those questions even without hearing the prices inside. Anyone standing outside the checkout area won't distinguish prices, though they might see someone buying a TV. If there are several people checking out, the sound all runs together if you aren't right there at the checkout. I have seen people standing around outside the area, waiting for someone-i haven't seen any that appear to be just watching and listening to prices and no one has followed me to my car. I think some are very paranoid.

Wally World requires using a card - no cash.

The store doesn't want their customers bothered by panhandlers as they may lose business. In some cities, they aren't even allowed on the lot.

Walmart does take cash, you just have to tell the attendant, then you can pay cash at their terminal by the exit.

KeithSherwin said "Wally World requires using a card - no cash. "

You can pay cash at Walmart self checkouts - just let the attendant know that you want to pay cash and they take you over to their till to complete your purchase. Easy peasy.

Sign said Card only so that's all I have ever done. Thanks for the heads up.

KeithSherwin said "Sign said Card only so that's all I have ever done. Thanks for the heads up. "

Yes, their “cards only” signage is deceiving but when purchasing only a few small items it is nice to have the option of paying cash at the self checkouts. I don’t know why they don’t promote it as I expect they have to pay service fees of some sort for every credit and debit card transaction, but it is Walmart and they will have their reasons!

They have that wicket so that stupid people that dont read the sign that says the self checkout does not take cash have somewhere to pay when they have waited in line and then complain they dont take cash.The Walmarts in US take cash at about half of their checkouts but Americans tend to walk with cash in their pockets.

1. What about the visually disabled?  
 
2. They have a volume button on them..USE IT if you are that paranoid.

Grandmama said "    KeithSherwin said "Wally World requires using a card - no cash. " You can pay cash at Walmart self checkouts - just let the attendant know that you want to pay cash and they take you over to their till to complete your purchase. Easy peasy. "

But the couple times I have done that, they get quite cranky about it, at least the two I had.  
 
Not that it bothered me, that is what they are there for....just saying.

RichardL said "Sounds like someone is paranoid lol I spoke to a few stores who have their self checkouts on mute and they say it was due to annoyance not Saftey lol also if they are listening to what you are buying they could just as easy see what your buying lol acute paranoia seems to be more of a problem lol "

You're a guy, and I'm going to presume you can take care of yourself if attacked. A female's world is a lot different. They have to be far more alert and aware of their surroundings: get their vehicle keys in their hands before leaving a building: check around before getting into a vehicle, etc. I don't know if the OP is female, but dealing with aggressive folks in the parking lot of any place is not paranoia. That may be misconstrued as a misogynistic (sp??)statement in this current climate.

Just because this has never happened to you doesn't mean it's not happening.  
 
Once again, this has happened to me several times now.  
 
This is not paranoia, this is legit, I am a small female and yeah when I walk out into the dark from a store I do look over my shoulder, I do speed walk over to my car. That is the life of a female, especially after dark.  
 
Even if it is just people who want to ask for money I still am going to be hesitant about them, ESPECIALLY with how aggressive some of the men who have approached me have been. I am usually by myself and again I am a small female. In comparison to a male who is what? A privileged man who weighs in at about 180pounds, possibly more, who looks big and strong has probably never had this problem and possibly never will. There is no room for argument.  
 
And to the person who announced that there is a mute button on those checkouts, now that I know that it's there, yes I will make use of it from now on.  
 
Stay safe out there for the holiday season!

Guess I’m really of a different mindset, but I see opportunity.  
There are those folks that walk around the parking lot harassing people for money. These people do exert a certain amount of energy, why don’t they go to the store, get a criminal check done, then offer their services to escort people to their vehicles for a loonie or twoonie, or maybe could be a fund raiser for a community group.  
Oh well! Just an idea.

we try to have a positive outlook, ive maybe seen 12 panhandlers in last 2 years, I gve whatever I have under ten bucks, they not asking for advice, sleep in your home, take on their problems, usually a buck or a smoke, jeepers, be kind, we CANADIAN,we kind, world over. if your driving very expensive vehicle, buy expensive stuff, id expect you be able to spare a buck, just saying , cant take it with you

This sounds like fake news

jennkenn999 said "we try to have a positive outlook, ive maybe seen 12 panhandlers in last 2 years, I gve whatever I have under ten bucks, they not asking for advice, sleep in your home, take on their problems, usually a buck or a smoke, jeepers, be kind, we CANADIAN,we kind, world over. if your driving very expensive vehicle, buy expensive stuff, id expect you be able to spare a buck, just saying , cant take it with you "

Well its people like you that keep encouraging these people to hound us for our spare change. The heavier set guy downtown that is always standing around in his sweat pants is super annoying. At least he can afford smokes! If you didn't give these people money they would quickly move along. There are services and programs available to people that are down on their luck. I donate a generous amount each year to these organizations in hopes I won't encounter as many aggressive panhandlers in my everyday life with my family. Yes I realize there will always be some but less if we stopped just giving our money away to anyone who asks. If these people actually wanted a job or help they would get it but why when people like yourself just hand them money for free on the street corner or loitering outside of banks and stores etc. Keep encouraging them and they will just multiple like Winnipeg.  
 
Back on topic, I don't exactly know what would be considered a "big ticket" item at Walmart. Its not like they sell cars or anything expensive. I mean I guess if you are talking about a 55" TV but I don't think someone needs to hear a price when they can clearly see the box in your cart.

 
 
Edited by jennkenn999, 2018-12-08 13:39:11

if you live in the rainbow and unicorn world you may want to read up on some things...when you have time away from your adult coloring books of course. Google "aggressive panhandlers in winnipeg" and read up a follow a few links. Your eyes maybe opened wider to what is and what is not reported in the local news. And trouble is, its only getting worse.

Was in Walmart on Saturday. Not by choice but needed a couple things I could only get there. It was a zoo when I happened to be there. Talked to a couple people I knew and overheard a couple more and most were extremely grumpy so I think if panhandlers were approaching people they might have received some unpleasant comments.  
 
I have been approached at Superstore a couple times after taking cart back by some one wanting loonie from cart, I was very intimidated. I only shop during daylight hours so would be really scary late at night. Main reason I try not to shop there.