Woolworths under fire for this 'frustrating' self-service checkout feature
- Replies 45
Shopping for groceries is a part of the weekly routine of many Aussies.
However, the standard experience we’ve all become accustomed to is quickly changing, thanks to industry-leading technology designed to reduce errors in scanning products, improve the speed at the checkout, and of course, prevent theft.
A recent Reddit post posed the question: ‘Anyone else frustrated with the Woolies self-checkouts?’ It quickly sparked a lively discussion on the technology Woolworths has in place across their stores.
‘The last few times I've been to Woolies my self-checkout has been locked and required a staff member to come over and approve something I've entered because their AI algorithm has decided it doesn't look like it should,’ the original poster (OP) said.
‘If this happened occasionally I'd understand, but it seems to (happen) at least once every time I shop and I have to compete with a quarter of the other self-serve checkouts for the attention of the one busy staff member.’
Woolies has introduced weighing scales at self-checkouts as a means to ensure the estimated weight of products scanned at the counters matches what customers are taking away.
Of course, there are also security cameras they’ve installed just to keep an extra eye on shoppers who might be tempted to cheat the self-checkout system Woolies has been hard at work to install.
While most shoppers do the right thing, there are a few who think they can get away with a sneaky shoplifting attempt.
But as Woolies tries its best to catch hot-handed shoppers, it unwittingly places strain on shoppers who just want their grocery errands done and over with.
‘I know (the self-checkout errors) will reduce as the software learns but I'm sick of training corporations’ AI algorithms for them,’ the poster added out of frustration.
Their sentiments struck a chord with many users who agreed.
‘The process could be a lot more streamlined and user-friendly,’ the top-rated comment read.
‘I think there are too many prompts. I don’t want to donate, and I don’t want a free toy. I just want to get out of there with my overpriced items ASAP.’
‘It’s also annoying when you’ve scanned correctly and placed the item in the bag, but the machine isn’t happy with the weight of it, so (Woolies staff) have to come over and approve of it.’
Another user emphatically shared their thoughts on Woolies’ security cameras.
‘There’s dystopian facial recognition cameras everywhere and if there’s actually an attendant, they’re standing 30cm behind you in case you don’t click the right bananas option,’ they said.
‘No Ms Attendant, I’m not purposefully trying to defraud Woolworths…17 cents…’
‘I’ve had it lock me out and make me wait for staff because I had the nerve to leave empty bags hanging off the back of my trolley,’ a third added.
And a fourth one voiced a slightly different but nonetheless relatable criticism of Woolies’ self-checkouts: ‘Not much room to operate. Also, I hate the camera that reflects my own image back to me on the screen. It’s horrible.’
Meanwhile, Woolworths has insisted that their Scan Assist technology does not lock customers out.
‘If (an error in scanning) occurs, a short video highlights the affected product and customers then have the opportunity to re-scan it,' they said.
'While most customers do the right thing at our self-serve checkouts, we’re all busy and mistakes can easily happen.'
Woolworths also said it will ‘listen closely’ to feedback about their self-service checkouts.
In related news, Woolworths introduced yet another new feature that has some concerned about their privacy — and some rethinking how we treat store workers.
So, what do you think of this story? Have you also been inconvenienced at a self-checkout in a similar way as the poster?
Tell us your thoughts and experiences below!
However, the standard experience we’ve all become accustomed to is quickly changing, thanks to industry-leading technology designed to reduce errors in scanning products, improve the speed at the checkout, and of course, prevent theft.
A recent Reddit post posed the question: ‘Anyone else frustrated with the Woolies self-checkouts?’ It quickly sparked a lively discussion on the technology Woolworths has in place across their stores.
‘The last few times I've been to Woolies my self-checkout has been locked and required a staff member to come over and approve something I've entered because their AI algorithm has decided it doesn't look like it should,’ the original poster (OP) said.
‘If this happened occasionally I'd understand, but it seems to (happen) at least once every time I shop and I have to compete with a quarter of the other self-serve checkouts for the attention of the one busy staff member.’
Woolies has introduced weighing scales at self-checkouts as a means to ensure the estimated weight of products scanned at the counters matches what customers are taking away.
Woolworths’ self-checkouts have been the subject of many customer complaints. Screengrab Credit: YouTube/dongtranhuynh
Of course, there are also security cameras they’ve installed just to keep an extra eye on shoppers who might be tempted to cheat the self-checkout system Woolies has been hard at work to install.
While most shoppers do the right thing, there are a few who think they can get away with a sneaky shoplifting attempt.
But as Woolies tries its best to catch hot-handed shoppers, it unwittingly places strain on shoppers who just want their grocery errands done and over with.
‘I know (the self-checkout errors) will reduce as the software learns but I'm sick of training corporations’ AI algorithms for them,’ the poster added out of frustration.
Their sentiments struck a chord with many users who agreed.
‘The process could be a lot more streamlined and user-friendly,’ the top-rated comment read.
‘I think there are too many prompts. I don’t want to donate, and I don’t want a free toy. I just want to get out of there with my overpriced items ASAP.’
‘It’s also annoying when you’ve scanned correctly and placed the item in the bag, but the machine isn’t happy with the weight of it, so (Woolies staff) have to come over and approve of it.’
Many stores have introduced new technologies to improve the Aussie grocery shopping experience, but not all things have gone over smoothly. Stock Image Credit: Pexels/Tara Clark
Another user emphatically shared their thoughts on Woolies’ security cameras.
‘There’s dystopian facial recognition cameras everywhere and if there’s actually an attendant, they’re standing 30cm behind you in case you don’t click the right bananas option,’ they said.
‘No Ms Attendant, I’m not purposefully trying to defraud Woolworths…17 cents…’
‘I’ve had it lock me out and make me wait for staff because I had the nerve to leave empty bags hanging off the back of my trolley,’ a third added.
And a fourth one voiced a slightly different but nonetheless relatable criticism of Woolies’ self-checkouts: ‘Not much room to operate. Also, I hate the camera that reflects my own image back to me on the screen. It’s horrible.’
Meanwhile, Woolworths has insisted that their Scan Assist technology does not lock customers out.
‘If (an error in scanning) occurs, a short video highlights the affected product and customers then have the opportunity to re-scan it,' they said.
'While most customers do the right thing at our self-serve checkouts, we’re all busy and mistakes can easily happen.'
Woolworths also said it will ‘listen closely’ to feedback about their self-service checkouts.
In related news, Woolworths introduced yet another new feature that has some concerned about their privacy — and some rethinking how we treat store workers.
So, what do you think of this story? Have you also been inconvenienced at a self-checkout in a similar way as the poster?
Tell us your thoughts and experiences below!
.png){kind=icon}
I just want it so I can shop quicker.
