Discussions

and tired of being asked if I would like to donate or buy item of the week from cashiers. I use those machines any chance I get.

Calgary had self checkouts 10 years ago, and they still have jobs, Walmart & superstore were still open last time I was there, I don't get this post , at all

perhaps said "What's the difference between using a self check out and a bank machine ?     Used to have to stand in a line waiting for the bank teller to cash your cheque and give you cash. Now the majority of people have direct deposit and use a bank machine.   Still plenty of bank tellers out there.     Self checkouts are used everywhere nice to see Brandon Walmart coming on board. "

I guess the obvious difference is ATMs are required to let you access banking 24/7/365.

Next thing you know people will be using email rather than sending mail through Canada post! Thank God everyone that thinks self checkout destroys jobs knows that its more important to keep mail carriers employed and would never do that. In fact the more I think about it I should go back to riding horse because the robot used to make my truck MUST have put someone out of a job....right?  
 
I kid but, people have been saying this for YEARS! literally since the first automated process have been put in place.  
 
http://conversableeconomist.blogspot.ca/2016/03/automation-and-job-loss-fears-of-1927.html  
 
Here's an example of concerns about automation replacing labor from a speech given in 1927 by the US Secretary of Labor James J. Davis called "The Problem of the Worker Displaced by Machinery, which was published in the Monthly Labor Review of September 1927 (25: 3, pp. 32-37, available through JSTOR).  
 
http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2015/02/25/be-calm-robots-arent-about-to-take-your-job-mit-economist-says/  
 
"Be Calm, Robots Aren’t About to Take Your Job, MIT Economist Says"

Its no use trying to convince the public of corporate greed. All you can do is choose to shop local and support local business. Don't throw your pearls to swine.

Does anyone actually believe that Walmart's motivation for putting in self checkouts is improved customer service? Just curious.

JackAzz said "Does anyone actually believe that Walmart's motivation for putting in self checkouts is improved customer service? Just curious. "

you don't think so! I think it will increase efficiency for people who a a few items and are paying by debit or credit. When using those methods, there's really no need to have another person to scan the items then press one button.  
 
Walmart is not forcing anyone to use the self checkouts. If you don't want to use them then use the staffed ones. It seems like some think the world is going to end because the Brandon Walmart put in self check outs like what the majority of Walmart's have  
 
When I used them today, they had 2 staff members assisting people.  
 
And in this case they are not salespeople, they are cashiers.

kgb said "Its no use trying to convince the public of corporate greed. All you can do is choose to shop local and support local business. Don't throw your pearls to swine. "

If you don't support the "big greedy corporations", where do you shop? Just asking.

all stores should go back to the single shopkeeper and you tell him what you want and he gets everything. Good thing the internet wasn't around when the customers were actually allowed to shop in the store and be the one who selects the products.

JackAzz said "Does anyone actually believe that Walmart's motivation for putting in self checkouts is improved customer service? Just curious. "

I don't care what their motivation is. If it lets me get out of the store faster then that's all that matters to me.

sure can't help you pack your groceries! Cashiers come in handy sometimes like when you have your arm in a cast!  
 
A lot of people are slagging off cashiers but the ladies at Superstore rocked when I was by myself they bagged my groceries for me.  
 
I pick human contact any day of the week!

ultraguy said "    JackAzz said "Does anyone actually believe that Walmart's motivation for putting in self checkouts is improved customer service? Just curious. " I don't care what their motivation is. If it lets me get out of the store faster then that's all that matters to me. "

And there's the problem. "Thats all that matters to me." Nobody gives two sh1ts anyomore about anyone but themselves.

if we choose to use a self check out, there is most certainly going to be a person there, holding up the line because the don't know how to scan or use produce codes...its bad enough when a cashier doesn't know what a cantaloupe is, or complains because bringing in your own bags is harder for them. I have a few cashiers that I like, they are quick, and friendly, and good packers. The others I avoid if at all possible.

Timetowakeup said "Well if they actually cared or tried to do a decent job or at least try. Not all some do a great job. More and more I've noticed that many work very very slow or seem to have a great ability to find busy work rather than help customers. Many give off the attitude that the customer is an inconvenience. The computer works it's easy to use and consistent, if you need help the people they have there are at least willing and able to speak to you! Will it save Walmart money, fore sure! Do customers like it? ABSOLUTELY! It's the easier faster alternative. "

The service only started to go downhill the moment the store manager Michael retired a few years ago, before he retired the cashiers were certainly friendlier and happier than they are now

Were first installed, lots of people said the same thing. Tellers would lose their jobs. And they were required to encourage people to use the ATM showing customers how to use them.if your not going to use a self checkout at a retail store, then you should also not use an ATM machine when the bank is open and a perfectly good teller is waiting to help you.

Just curious how folks compare self checkout to pay at the pump in gas stations. If you're against self checkout for the reasons noted by the OP are you also more inclined to go inside a gas station to pay vs swiping your card at the pump?

Adam said "Just curious how folks compare self checkout to pay at the pump in gas stations. If you're against self checkout for the reasons noted by the OP are you also more inclined to go inside a gas station to pay vs swiping your card at the pump? "

even purchasing online from the many online retailers including Walmart and Superstore.

Adam said "Just curious how folks compare self checkout to pay at the pump in gas stations. If you're against self checkout for the reasons noted by the OP are you also more inclined to go inside a gas station to pay vs swiping your card at the pump? "

I don't like the pay at the pump either and tbh I don't really know why. Don't use it unless its the only option. I do a little bit of on-line shopping, mostly stuff I can't get here.

Don't use self-serve or pay at the pump at the gas station. Guys and girls working are always very customer friendly, regularly ask if you want your oil checked or windshield washed. (Heritage Co-op).  
I was witness to a very irate customer at one of the stations out on the highway whose card had got stuck in the machine at the pump, that was not pleasant.

Prefer human contact. I find the cashiers courteous, but I suppose that's me.... BTW, their hours have been cut, I asked! I also prefer not to use pay at the gas pumps.

Online shopping, atm's, online banking, EMT's are some of the things that I use that one could say take away jobs from people. I use the self checkouts from time to time too. I enjoy the convenience of all of the above  
 
A lot of places can't afford (or don't want too!) hire more cashiers so a way to alleviate some of the customers complaints about lack of tills open, is to bring in self checkouts.  
 
There's always someone unhappy. Do what you gotta do!

I prefer human contact. I hate self checkout. It does take away jobs. You want me to use them then give me the employee discount.

They don't speed things up where I'm involved, sometimes I choose to be technology illiterate, if there are any problems going through them I just wait until someone comes to help. Another thing I wonder about us the honesty factor, if you scan an item an it doesn't read and you place it in your bag are you stealing, I would say yes but some people say no, their reasoning is if a machine is supposed to do a job as good as a person then it should recognize a mistake because a teller would.  
 
Purchasing online is sort of a different idea, the self checkout is to save wages as well as maybe speed things up, when purchasing thing online the time factor is taken out of it since you will be waiting for delivery, but in a way it does hurt local economies. When a person places an order online, a person somewhere still has to fill that order and are paid for doing so, so you end up paying wages to someone not usually in your community, savings from online purchases come from different areas but people still have to fill orders and get paid.

I have realized the turn over of cashiers at Walmart is really constant. It is difficulty for a business to operate at its full potential when there is almost severe lack of people who are willing to accept and continue employment. I for one respected the move Walmart made for taking this long to install self checkouts.  
 
It is an unfortunate situation but it's also sad to see the amount of people unemployed here in Brandon and how busineses struggle to find employees.

I am all for the self checkouts. If you don't want to use them, by all means, use the staffed checkouts. Shorter lines at self checkouts mean I get in & out of the store faster. Absolutely despise waiting in line.

Banks charge extra if you go to teller and takeout money. so they have same concept of saving money as corporate,  
 
but think of whole society not just for you as per convenience,  
 
The only motive of this discussion was that these corporate should not govern our lives,

I must say I am not a super fan of the self checkout stations in some stores BUT.... My experience is both good and bad with cashiers in said stores. Some are extremely friendly and fantastic to chat with as they busily work away, others need to be sent home because they are obviously not happy with their day or their job or the public. There is one in particular that shocks me every time I go to Walmart, she wears a 10 years of service pin and let me tell you she should not be there one more day. She is absolutely miserable and should not be working in the front line with the public.  
I would happily struggle through the self check out to avoid her.

I'm sorry but I'd rather go with self check-outs. Not every cashier is friendly as stated many times above. Last time I went to walmart the cashier wasn't even gonna give me any bags for my items they just ran them through and left them. Obviously I needed bags I had a cart full of items.  
 
Also with self check outs I can make sure everything is bagged the way I want them, categorized with cold items, canned goods, hygienic and so on.

I love self checkout. If only I had under 20 items at Walmart. That never happens

we would like to buy from people, not machines  
 
either its self checkouts or issues relating to phone bills,  
 
FOR THAT these big companies have to hire more people.