[Vella Gonzaga]

Checkout Chick​

Image Source:Australia Remember When / Facebook

Who remembers the ‘checkout chicks’? They were a familiar face at the grocery store, ringing up your items with a smile and calculating your change by hand. Do you remember when groceries were cheaper and service was personal? Share your memories here.

 

[Lyn Giampietro]

I was a checkout chick at Jewels when I was 15 that’s 52 years ago I still remember it the old cash register the personal service miss the old days!

 

[jaymel]

I was a checkout chick 63 years ago at woolworths West pennant Hills NSW. We had to memorise prices and pack the orders for our customers. Highlight of my stint as a checkout chick was serving Richie Benault.

 

[Jo Piper3]

My work as a checkout chick was at Franklins in Putney when I was 15

 

[Leenie]

Those days are well and truly gone ,just like the servos who would fill your tank clean the windshield,check the tyres. Self service Is being pushed on customers while the big companies rip us off.

 

[Gunpark]

I was a checkout chick 63 years ago at woolworths West pennant Hills NSW. We had to memorise prices and pack the orders for our customers. Highlight of my stint as a checkout chick was serving Richie Benault.

I presume you mean the cricketer, Richie Benaud. Not being smart, just helping.

 

[Bezz]

Much better service in those days, and they would pack your groceries in large paper bags. We were looking after the environment much better in those days, none of this prepackaged fruit & vegetables.

 

[Skydiver]

I remember when the first supermarket came to our village. People were a bit hesitant to use it after going to the local shops where the shopkeepers asked what you wanted and then got it for you. SO MUCH choice and no one to help you choose? How were you supposed to manage? but it slowly took on, causing the sad decline of the small local shops. The supermarket employed some check out chicks who had previously worked at the local shops, so there were familiar faces once you had navigated the aisles. And everything you needed was in 1 place, so no need to go from shop to shop to gather your items. But no more friendly chats from shopkeepers who knew you name and family and always asked how they were. So impersonal, so convenient! And now the checkout chicks are being replaced by scanning machines, forcing you to work for the supermarket for no reward! Personally, I refuse to scan my own shopping. (I always mess it up) I wait patiently for the manned checkouts and at least get a nice smile and greeting from the poor overworked and often lonely young girl or lad who serves me. They have a job, so are among the lucky ones. I wonder what happens to ex checkout chicks in this day and age of automation?

 

[Veggiepatch]

Say hi to your checkout chick!

 

[starrysnan]

The old system may have been a little slower but a real person served you, knew the prices, and gave you the right change. No scanning, bar codes etc. Even today they always need a real person to fix up the machine's mistakes. Progress is not always that!

 

[Barbara Finnegan]

I still get good check out service at my local Food land Munno Para , staff there are friendly helpful and are good at packing ,no self serve there

 

[havingadoggyday]

I was a checkout chick.Whrn I turned 15 and Thursday night shopping had just been introduced.Wirked Thursday night 5+9pm and Saturday 8.30-12,pm hot $13 take home pay.I loved that job at woollies BUT you had to call out the price of every item out loud so the customer knew what you were charging,your voice was cactus by the end of the shift.
Had to work out your own change a d heaven forbid you were out 1 cent!!!!!