Pack your patience: Mum’s simple self-serve solution sparks checkout chatter

Navigating the self-service checkout at your local ALDI can be a bit like participating in a supermarket sweep with a twist—you're not only racing to scan your items but also to pack them before the next eager shopper steps up.

It's a modern-day conundrum that can lead to a trolley-load of stress, especially during peak shopping hours.

However, one savvy mum has sparked a debate with her ‘obvious’ solution to this common problem, and it's got everyone talking.


The issue is clear: shoppers are spending an inordinate amount of time bagging their groceries at the checkout, causing queues to snake around the store and tempers to fray.

According to this mum, the solution is as straightforward as it is ingenious.

Instead of packing groceries at the checkout, shoppers should simply return their items to the trolley after scanning and then proceed to pack their bags in their car or at the designated benches provided by ALDI.


Self-checkout.jpg
A mum suggested a solution for ALDI self-serve checkout packing issues: use the trolley for groceries and pack them elsewhere instead of at the checkout. Credit: ALDI Unpacked


The savvy mum shared this in a social media group and titled the post, ‘Re. self-serve checkouts. Don’t you people get it???’

‘You are supposed to put your stuff in a trolley as you move around the store. After checkout, you return the shopping to your trolley. You then go to the boot of your car or to benches (that are part of the infrastructure of every single ALDI store) and pack your shopping into your bag/s,’ the mum explained.

‘Using the small, light ALDI “coin” that you used to first release the empty trolley (keep it on your keyring), return the trolley, and it won’t cost a cent.’

She then claimed, ‘It’s not hard,’ and reminded everyone that ‘extra staff and extra technology mean higher prices’.

‘That’s not hard to figure out, either,’ she added.


However, not everyone is on board with this time-saving tactic. The suggestion has sparked a flurry of comments from ALDI enthusiasts who prefer to pack as they go.

‘Self-service means self-service. If I want to put my items straight in the bags while serving myself, I will. There's no rule saying you can't,’ one member asserted.

‘Who made her boss? I'll shop and pack my groceries the way I want!! Thank you,’ another commented.

‘Sorry, but I bag as I go. Not sorry,’ a third chimed.


And things didn’t get any more productive from there.

‘How about you let everyone be and let them do their own shopping as they like?’ one suggested.

‘Thanks for clarifying that,’ another sarcastically responded.

‘Self-serve just means that there are no rules of where you should bag your stuff. I do mine as I am scanning. If you or people like you don't like it, I really don't care. There is no time limit on how long you can spend at the self-serve register,’ someone else said.

‘Self-serve, self-pace, self-let-me-be,’ another member remarked.

One bluntly said, ‘I don't think she “GETS IT”.’

‘Hell no!! I pack at the checkout because I ain't triple-handling groceries—NOPE. I pack and won't apologise. Organise the food on the belt, how they would be packed in what bags, and open all bags in the trolley so they're scanned and packed right there. Easy, done,’ one user suggested.

Another questioned the poster's assertion that self-service lowers supermarket costs, commenting, ‘Crazy to think self-serve will keep the prices down, hasn't worked at other supermarkets.’


As discussions continue about the challenges and solutions related to self-service checkouts, one mum’s practical tip to improve the experience at ALDI falls flat.

This suggestion comes at a time when ALDI is making headlines for expanding its self-service checkout options, following the lead of other major supermarket chains.

As the retail landscape evolves, these changes highlight the ongoing adjustments and innovations aimed at enhancing convenience for shoppers.
Key Takeaways
  • A mum shared her solution to a common issue at ALDI self-serve checkouts regarding the packing of groceries, suggesting shoppers should not pack at the checkout but instead use their trolley and pack elsewhere.
  • The mum's post sparked a debate among ALDI shoppers, with many countering that they prefer to pack their groceries as they scan them and insisting on their right to shop and pack as they please.
  • The debate highlighted different preferences for the checkout process, showing no consensus among customers, with some valuing speed and efficiency while others prioritised convenience.
  • Some commenters questioned the claim that self-service checkouts help keep supermarket prices low, with one user offering their own efficient packing strategy to avoid triple handling of groceries.
So, where do you stand on this checkout conundrum? Are you a fan of the ‘scan and dash’ to the car park, or do you prefer the methodical ‘scan and pack’ at the checkout? Do you have a system that works like a charm, or have you encountered any self-service snags?

Share your experiences in the comments below, and let's navigate the ALDI aisles together, one scan at a time.
 
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I usually pack my groceries at the shelves not the checkout. What I do hate at the self checkout is that you HAVE to pay by card. I often only have only a few items to purchase, go to the regular checkout and find people with full trollies in front of me. They seldom offer to let me go in front of them so I'm forced to use self checkout and my card for only a few dollars. More often than not when this happens, I put my groceries down and walk out. Sorry, I'm old school and prefer to use cash not my card whenever possible.
So you've taken your time to pick your items and just leave them, let someone else put them back?

Wow, the entitlement here is astounding.

And what's so bad with using a card. Far more convenient, no coins to deal with, no dirty money to touch.
 
It's not rocket science. I do the same thing at the serviced checkouts so I don't hold up those behind me. I also let anyone through before me that may have only a couple of items. These ideas wouldn't appeal to the self entitled, of course.
I only go through serviced checkouts. I put a bag on the counter and then what I want in the bag next. I then put another bag and then what I want in that bag. The assistants tell me that it is so much easier to pack and I am happy that I get what I want in each bag.
 
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Firstly, those Aldi self serve checkouts are the best out of the supermarkets now. I done a small trolley with 30 items yesterday. :)

After I've put all my shopping in that space, and paid for it, I put it back in the trolley, then put it in boxes I've got in my car boot. And do the same at the selfe serve in the other supermarkets when I shop in them.
 
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I usually pack my groceries at the shelves not the checkout. What I do hate at the self checkout is that you HAVE to pay by card. I often only have only a few items to purchase, go to the regular checkout and find people with full trollies in front of me. They seldom offer to let me go in front of them so I'm forced to use self checkout and my card for only a few dollars. More often than not when this happens, I put my groceries down and walk out. Sorry, I'm old school and prefer to use cash not my card whenever possible.
So you have to pay by card. Big deal.:rolleyes: Even if its only a few dollars what difference does it make? It's still coming out of your bank account whether its cash or card. I paid for something that only cost $3 this morning by card. Never even gave it another thought.
 
  • Wow
Reactions: BeautifulMousey
Firstly, those Aldi self serve checkouts are the best out of the supermarkets now. I done a small trolley with 30 items yesterday. :)

After I've put all my shopping in that space, and paid for it, I put it back in the trolley, then put it in boxes I've got in my car boot. And do the same at the selfe serve in the other supermarkets when I shop in them.
I've found them user friendly with superior software, compared to the other supermarkets. The other day I bought a few items at Woolworths. The self-serve said my bananas were cauliflowers when I weighed them. Now, I couldn't do a quick calculation in my head because I couldn't compare them, so had to call the staff to fix it.
 
So you have to pay by card. Big deal.:rolleyes: Even if its only a few dollars what difference does it make? It's still coming out of your bank account whether its cash or card. I paid for something that only cost $3 this morning by card. Never even gave it another thought.
 
I've found them user friendly with superior software, compared to the other supermarkets. The other day I bought a few items at Woolworths. The self-serve said my bananas were cauliflowers when I weighed them. Now, I couldn't do a quick calculation in my head because I couldn't compare them, so had to call the staff to fix it.
Must have been a 'one off' error. I've found that automatic weighing quite good. It knows what I'm buying before I've even had a chance to look it up. :)
 
So you have to pay by card. Big deal.:rolleyes: Even if its only a few dollars what difference does it make? It's still coming out of your bank account whether its cash or card. I paid for something that only cost $3 this morning by card. Never even gave it another thought.
So you've taken your time to pick your items and just leave them, let someone else put them back?

Wow, the entitlement here is astounding.

And what's so bad with using a card. Far more convenient, no coins to deal with, no dirty money to touch.
lf you don't pay a fee with your transaction l agree it would be an easier and cleaner way but l can understand it if you did. My pension goes into ANZ and l never pay fees and that should apply to all banks.
 
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I never pack at Aldi, or any other place I do my shopping, nor do I take bags with me ( which stay in the car) (the others stores try, without success, to convince me to take their bags, they presume I have forgotten them :D ) . Shopping is quickly and efficiently shoved back in the trolley, and everything is sorted in the car boot in cartons or bags
 

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