'It hasn't delivered': The spectacular failure of self-checkout technology
'It hasn't delivered': The spectacular failure of self-checkout technology
Unstaffed tills were supposed to revolutionise shopping. Now, both retailers and customers are bagging many self-checkout kiosks.
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In a new stadium in my city you swipe your credit card, pick up food or drink in a little monitored area and walk out with your items. It is an interesting idea but it is also creepy. That's probably what stores will be like eventually -- at least the ones with the resources to implement something that expensive and complex.
As far as self checkout, I don't mind it for small orders or when it is more convenient for me at the grocery store. Unexpected item in bagging is a bad consumer experience, and buying produce/alcohol is also a pain. If I feel like I am going to run into trouble I head for the traditional lines.
I really despise the ones at big box hardware stores that show a video of you checking out. I'm not stealing, don't judge me or make me judge myself with that unflattering angle.
you swipe your credit card, pick up food or drink in a little monitored area and walk out with your items.
The only time I used one of those was at a conference center and I was trying to get a cheap lunch. The item I wanted was out of stock in the computer system so it wouldn't let me purchase it and the item I grabbed was charged as something else entirely (netting me a $3 discount at least)
Vending machines have been around for years and their faultiness has long been a trope in media. I'm not holding my breath for employee-less checkout
I go to the cashier's and try to never self checkout. It has always seemed like a way to reduce the number of employees. The price of goods sure hasn't gone down as a result. People need jobs. These stores are rich enough. I realize that's a little naive but that's where I am with it.
The human checkout gives a better service but the shop does not charge me differently for different checkouts. For shoppers, the equation is simple.
People need good jobs. I doubt there are tons of people whose dream job is to be a cashier.
I'd always rather shop at a store with real life helpful employees who are happy to work there because they are treated well and properly compensated. I hope companies continue to see the value in that approach.