‘Not complicated to use’: Shopper shares sentiments on self-service checkouts
- Replies 85
The advent of self-service checkouts in supermarkets has been a game-changer for many shoppers, offering a quick and convenient way to breeze through grocery shopping.
However, for some Australians, these machines have become a source of frustration and confusion.
A recent online debate has shed light on the struggles some people face with these checkouts, sparking a discussion on whether the problem lies with the user or the technology itself.
The debate was ignited by a shopper who expressed his bafflement on social media, saying he ‘can’t imagine’ why so many people struggle with self-service checkouts.
He argued that the system is ‘not a super complicated thing to use’ and suggested that those encountering issues are ‘just doing something wrong’.
‘I know I'm beating a dead horse with this subject, but do people REALLY have trouble at self-service checkouts?’ the shopper asked online.
‘I'm not even sure when the last time I had an issue with this was, and the scarce few times I can recall having a problem (in the distant past when I first started using them) was when I was doing genuinely silly stuff, like brain-farting and not weighing my fruit.’
The man said he’s been using self-service checkouts ‘almost daily’, and he found scanning or weighing an item and putting it in the bagging area relatively easy.
‘Some people make it sound like they're just constantly throwing errors at them. I can't help but assume it's user error, but at the same time, I can't even imagine what that might be (it's not a super complicated thing to use),' he said.
'I'm borderline fascinated by this subject whenever it comes up and would love to observe someone who struggles with these using one so I can just see what's actually happening.'
'Like when my grandma thinks her phone is broken, but she's actually just muted it,' the shopper jokingly said.
His comments sparked a flurry of responses, with many people sharing their experiences and perspectives.
While some agreed with the shopper, stating that they find self-service checkouts efficient and easy to use, others were quick to voice their frustrations.
Common complaints included the machines being ‘slow’ and ‘glitchy’, often not detecting items in the bagging area, and being overly sensitive to the weight of items.
Some users also reported being frequently accused of shoplifting by the system, leading to embarrassing and time-consuming interventions by store staff.
The debate also touched on the new anti-theft technology installed in many supermarkets.
While these measures are designed to prevent shoplifting, some shoppers argue that they make the self-service checkout process more complicated and time-consuming.
For instance, one shopper shared her experience, saying: ‘'The last time I used it, the new anti-theft software stopped me three times and would not let me continue until the checkout chick confirmed that I had really scanned my stuff correctly...it added another 15 minutes to my shop.'
'Most of the issues with self-service stem from anti-theft measures. Overly sensitive scales, not giving customers the ability to fix mistakes by taking things off, etc,' another claimed.
'When my toddler is sitting in the trolley seat, the camera is convinced he's an unscanned item and won't let me proceed without a staff member,' a mum said.
Others also slammed the registers, with some saying they refused to use them.
'I have never, and I mean never, had a shop where at least one person at self-service has not had a problem which sucks,' one user said.
'The computer always has a problem with something and needs approval. They're painfully slow,' a second added.
'The machine doesn't trust you and asks the staff member to confirm that you have bags/fruit/lightweight items, and by the time you wait for them to be free, wave them down, get the machine unlocked and go back to scanning three or four times in one session, it really does start to feel like a lot bigger hassle than a regular checkout,' a third replied.
However, many said they rarely encounter issues with self-service checkouts, which has become a prevalent problem in most Australian supermarkets.
A social media poll revealed that more than 5,400 Aussies are in favour of stores removing their self-service checkouts, compared to 840 people who wanted these to stay.
'Having worked on checkouts for years (prior to self-service being installed), I almost never have an issue unless I'm getting something that weighs next to nothing (like a card),' one replied.
'I love them. It's way faster, regardless of the quantity of groceries. I hate going to the checkout and waiting, waiting, waiting. I don't have issues regardless of whether it's Woolies, BIG W or Coles. I dread the day they are killed off,' another commented.
'People just like to whinge. If they took away the self-service checkouts, there would be just as much complaining. You can't please everyone,' a third added.
What's your take on self-service checkouts? Do you find them convenient or confusing? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
However, for some Australians, these machines have become a source of frustration and confusion.
A recent online debate has shed light on the struggles some people face with these checkouts, sparking a discussion on whether the problem lies with the user or the technology itself.
The debate was ignited by a shopper who expressed his bafflement on social media, saying he ‘can’t imagine’ why so many people struggle with self-service checkouts.
He argued that the system is ‘not a super complicated thing to use’ and suggested that those encountering issues are ‘just doing something wrong’.
A man shared online his confusion as to why people are having problems with self-service checkouts. Credit: Shutterstock
‘I know I'm beating a dead horse with this subject, but do people REALLY have trouble at self-service checkouts?’ the shopper asked online.
‘I'm not even sure when the last time I had an issue with this was, and the scarce few times I can recall having a problem (in the distant past when I first started using them) was when I was doing genuinely silly stuff, like brain-farting and not weighing my fruit.’
The man said he’s been using self-service checkouts ‘almost daily’, and he found scanning or weighing an item and putting it in the bagging area relatively easy.
‘Some people make it sound like they're just constantly throwing errors at them. I can't help but assume it's user error, but at the same time, I can't even imagine what that might be (it's not a super complicated thing to use),' he said.
'I'm borderline fascinated by this subject whenever it comes up and would love to observe someone who struggles with these using one so I can just see what's actually happening.'
'Like when my grandma thinks her phone is broken, but she's actually just muted it,' the shopper jokingly said.
His comments sparked a flurry of responses, with many people sharing their experiences and perspectives.
While some agreed with the shopper, stating that they find self-service checkouts efficient and easy to use, others were quick to voice their frustrations.
Common complaints included the machines being ‘slow’ and ‘glitchy’, often not detecting items in the bagging area, and being overly sensitive to the weight of items.
Some users also reported being frequently accused of shoplifting by the system, leading to embarrassing and time-consuming interventions by store staff.
The debate also touched on the new anti-theft technology installed in many supermarkets.
While these measures are designed to prevent shoplifting, some shoppers argue that they make the self-service checkout process more complicated and time-consuming.
Most shoppers find self-service checkouts problematic for being ‘slow’ and ‘glitchy’. Credit: Shutterstock
For instance, one shopper shared her experience, saying: ‘'The last time I used it, the new anti-theft software stopped me three times and would not let me continue until the checkout chick confirmed that I had really scanned my stuff correctly...it added another 15 minutes to my shop.'
'Most of the issues with self-service stem from anti-theft measures. Overly sensitive scales, not giving customers the ability to fix mistakes by taking things off, etc,' another claimed.
'When my toddler is sitting in the trolley seat, the camera is convinced he's an unscanned item and won't let me proceed without a staff member,' a mum said.
Others also slammed the registers, with some saying they refused to use them.
'I have never, and I mean never, had a shop where at least one person at self-service has not had a problem which sucks,' one user said.
'The computer always has a problem with something and needs approval. They're painfully slow,' a second added.
'The machine doesn't trust you and asks the staff member to confirm that you have bags/fruit/lightweight items, and by the time you wait for them to be free, wave them down, get the machine unlocked and go back to scanning three or four times in one session, it really does start to feel like a lot bigger hassle than a regular checkout,' a third replied.
However, many said they rarely encounter issues with self-service checkouts, which has become a prevalent problem in most Australian supermarkets.
A social media poll revealed that more than 5,400 Aussies are in favour of stores removing their self-service checkouts, compared to 840 people who wanted these to stay.
'Having worked on checkouts for years (prior to self-service being installed), I almost never have an issue unless I'm getting something that weighs next to nothing (like a card),' one replied.
'I love them. It's way faster, regardless of the quantity of groceries. I hate going to the checkout and waiting, waiting, waiting. I don't have issues regardless of whether it's Woolies, BIG W or Coles. I dread the day they are killed off,' another commented.
'People just like to whinge. If they took away the self-service checkouts, there would be just as much complaining. You can't please everyone,' a third added.
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