Should I stop using self-checkout after it messed up my grocery run?

I was at the store yesterday and decided to use self-checkout. Scanned my items like milk and bread. When I put my bag down, the machine yelled about an unexpected item. I looked, but there was nothing there. Had to wave over a worker to fix it. This whole thing added five minutes to my trip. Now I'm debating if self-checkout is worth the hassle. Should I just use a regular cashier from now on? What's your experience with these machines?

3 comments

3 Comments

bethdavis2mo ago

My local supermarket installed these self-checkouts six months ago. I've had that exact weight sensor freak-out happen with a bag of apples. It's part of this trend where we're told tech makes life easier, but it just adds new hoops to jump through. Like when apps update and suddenly you can't find the simple button to pay your bill. Why do we accept systems that punish us for tiny mistakes? I'm starting to think the old way with a cashier is less stress, even if it takes a bit longer.

wrenadams2mo ago

That weight sensor under the bagging area is the real problem. It's looking for the exact weight of the scanned milk, and if your reusable bag is half a gram off, it freaks out. Honestly it turns the whole thing into a test you didn't study for, and failing it in front of a line of people feels weirdly embarrassing. Tbh I only use self-checkout for like three items now, stuff I can hold in my hands. Anything more and I'd rather just wait for a person.

robert2461mo ago

Honestly the tech is fine, people just don't read the screen. It says to place the item in the bagging area, not set your purse on the scale. A quick reset fixes it and you're still out faster than waiting in a long line.