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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Exactly one week ago, when I left Aldi, I asked my wife to hit me over the head with a baseball bat if she ever sees me attempting to enter an Aldi store again.
I'm quite sure my head will stay unclobbered as I'll never again enter one.
One day, when I have the time, I'll make a list of the reasons.
There are many.
 
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.
 
The replies here merely show that so many people out there don’t give a toss about others. All those selfish shits are probably the same ones who complain about having to wait in queue at checkouts and whinge about someone not letting them jump the queue because they have less items than the person in front of them.
 
Quite frankly I don't know what is so hard about asking someone who clearly only has a few items if they want to go in front of you if you have a full trolley. Kindness never hurts and some peoples attitude on here beggars belief. I have had people say no it is okay when I have asked, but I will always ask if in that predicament as it makes the most sense to me. It's like letting cars in on the road and one day you will want someone to let you in. The world sure needs alot more kindness.
 
Wife and I find it much easier to just return goods to trolly and pack into the bags, open and ready, in the car boot. Cant carry all the full bags unaided to the car anyways.
AND, we ALWAYS allow people with just a couple of items to go ahead of us. It seems to us that it is just plain polite. Besides, we enjoy the smile and thanks we get.
 
The replies here merely show that so many people out there don’t give a toss about others. All those selfish shits are probably the same ones who complain about having to wait in queue at checkouts and whinge about someone not letting them jump the queue because they have less items than the person in front of them.
I never expect to be "let in" on the queue, but I make sure to sincerely thank the person when I am. It is amazing what a smile and sincere "thank you" can mean to most people. With the comments above, I suggest a lot of people should go back to bed and get out the other side.
 
& it took you how many years to figure that out? I do it the majority of the time, have done for years, even at a serviced checkout. Mainly because I nearly always buy more than I went in for & secondly because I nearly always forget my shopping bags. I have about 5000 of them but still forget them. That is how interested I am in shopping:)
 
I've always packed my groceries in the store after paying and firstly, made sure I had my receipt, credit card, purse and car keys.
It's not only a good way of rechecking that nothing is damaged or open, there's no rush at the counter or holding up other shoppers.

I always used assorted coloured bags for my items, Two different cooler bags - one for the freezer and another for the fridge, Green for fresh food, Red for cleaning and chemicals, Pink for personal hygiene and bathroom. etc. So, when I got home I knew immediately where everything was and where it went. (Especially if you needed a bottle of wine or a chocolate bar, before you start unpacking!)
 
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.
If paying with cash just press the Help button when finished and the assistant can suspend your sale and give you the receipt to pay at the cashier.
 
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People took this so personally I was surprised. I put as much in a bag as I can then when payment is due sweep anything left into the trolly to finish later at the packing bench. I know I don’t like having to wait while they pack at the register, it’s a case of courtesy to others and really not all that hard.
 
People took this so personally I was surprised. I put as much in a bag as I can then when payment is due sweep anything left into the trolly to finish later at the packing bench. I know I don’t like having to wait while they pack at the register, it’s a case of courtesy to others and really not all that hard.
I honestly prefer packing myself, no overloading, no squashed bread or fresh fruit with toilet cleaner..., etc.
 
Exactly one week ago, when I left Aldi, I asked my wife to hit me over the head with a baseball bat if she ever sees me attempting to enter an Aldi store again.
I'm quite sure my head will stay unclobbered as I'll never again enter one.
One day, when I have the time, I'll make a list of the reasons.
There are many.
To each his own I guess
 
& it took you how many years to figure that out? I do it the majority of the time, have done for years, even at a serviced checkout. Mainly because I nearly always buy more than I went in for & secondly because I nearly always forget my shopping bags. I have about 5000 of them but still forget them. That is how interested I am in shopping:)
Feel your pain. I have lots of those little nylon bags that squash into my handbag, my grandchildren call then nans magic bags as I pull them out.
 

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