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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWalmart Gives Up Replacing Store Cashiers With Machines
Walmart Gives Up Replacing Store Cashiers With Machines
Thats according to a recent Bloomberg report, which reveals that the retail giant is getting rid of Mobile Scan & Go technology, which allowed customers to ring up their own purchases.
Apparently, the technology didnt work for Walmart's customers. "It took Walmart almost a year to figure out what the rest of us already know: you can't convince customers to do the job of a cashier just because you don't want to pay for the work, especially when eliminating cashiers doesn't result in more convenient shopping, says Making Change at Walmart (MCAW) director, Randy Parraz.
Meanwhile, the new technology hasnt helped Walmarts operating marginssee tables.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/panosmourdoukoutas/2018/05/16/walmart-gives-up-replacing-store-cashiers-with-machines/#71f7b0982f91
TeamPooka
(24,156 posts)Initech
(99,914 posts)That's why even the best automation is prone to human error, and that human error usually involves not having a human present.
marlakay
(11,370 posts)Into Walmart, just started with new things they have at doors.
It beeped as I walked in but no one was there as I walked out the guy was standing there so I started taking things out of my purse while laughing and putting in front of the posts my keys set it off.
I hate doing my own because paying is slower. And since I bring my own bag it gets confusing.
Arkansas Granny
(31,483 posts)I won't use the damned things.
GusBob
(7,286 posts)Mobile scan and go is not the same thing as self check out. There are no lanes
I think mobile scan and go uses smart phone technology. You scan the item into your device and the money comes out of your account automatically
You just scan and take your stuff. No lines, no lanes
I could be wrong but I think that's what they are ditching
Arkansas Granny
(31,483 posts)whether it is a self scan or one with a checker.
http://help.walmart.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/889/~/walmart-pay
GusBob
(7,286 posts)No wonder why they are ditching it.
mythology
(9,527 posts)It doesn't work.
wishstar
(5,267 posts)I have found their self check out to be fast and efficient and I have had better luck with price accuracy compared to other grocery stores nearby where almost every time items ring up too high. So I can't complain, but just hope if they eliminate self help that they will hire enough cashiers to not have to stand in line which was the case before they added all the self check stations at my store.
PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)None of those is true for in general for the self-scanners.
Zoonart
(11,749 posts)I will never use a self-scanner. That is a job...people need jobs. PERIOD.
Bettie
(15,998 posts)people need jobs. I also make an effort to be pleasant and friendly, since too often, people treat checkers and clerks as if they are not human.
Zoonart
(11,749 posts)Crutchez_CuiBono
(7,725 posts)they pay some barker to yell at you to step up to the scanners as you go up and they only have 0ne lane open intentionally. I'll walk away from a cart full of groceries before someones going to shout me into swiping and bagging my own food.
I HAVENT SEEN A DECREASE IN FOOD PRICES HAVE YOU? AND the cost of gas is over 3.00 now. Fracking coast to coast...Pipelines everywhere...oil derricks and gas pumps in fields everywhere...but, our gas is going to 4.00 again. Fuck this corporate noise.
OPT OUT OF THE SELF HELP.
That especially includes kiosks at mcdonalds....I thought bush justified factories leaving bc we were going to a service economy? Now they're wiping out the service people.
Imagine the grout on those kiosks...then you go and try to eat your food...gross.
easttexaslefty
(1,554 posts)Won't use them
former9thward
(31,802 posts)Do you pay any bills online?
Zoonart
(11,749 posts)I bank online and by phone...or old school, write a check and mail it.
former9thward
(31,802 posts)Banks did not do those things for your convenience, they did it to cut jobs and save money.
Zoonart
(11,749 posts)jrthin
(4,825 posts)HAB911
(8,811 posts)Crutchez_CuiBono
(7,725 posts)when food prices are at an all time high. Like the Waltons can't afford three lines open 24/7 at every walmart they own. They did the market research before they built them.
Moostache
(9,895 posts)My thought has always been, "why should I volunteer to do work for the owner so he/she can avoid hiring people?"
Profits are what the owners should get to keep and do with what they wish AFTER all expenses...I hate the concept of 'externalities' and 'corporate tax incentives' and 'self-check outs' all equally...society needs to fix our wealth worship addictions...they have to go!
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)a hurry and even then, I still usually have to ask one of the attendants for help. They are so annoying.
standingtall
(2,785 posts)but if you have large items or you did all your grocery shopping it's better to go through the line.
tanyev
(42,360 posts)Last time I was in I discovered they had put in a bunch of self-check lanes and those were the only ones open. I generally dont mind using self-check, but for heavens sake they need to use bags that easily open and pull forward so you can access more than one bag. I dont know how long I stood there fighting with those Walmart bags, getting more and more irritated. Mental note made that IF I ever go back in there again to only buy what can fit in one bag.
marybourg
(12,540 posts)scanners where you have to scan in your own insurance cards and drivers license, with no place to put down your handbag while you're searching for the cards. I made the employees do it for me, and will continue to do so as long as they keep these monstrosities.
Mosby
(16,168 posts)I find myself stopping more at grocery stores because I can get in and out faster.
madinmaryland
(64,920 posts)Doesnt work.
TheBlackAdder
(28,073 posts)lpbk2713
(42,696 posts)Only because there were no human checkouts available. After several attempts the item would not identify. Took it to the courtesy desk. Same thing with the experienced Lowe's employee after several failing attempts with the bar code and manually with the UPC. She went to another courtesy desk terminal and it finally identified after a few more attempts. Now if I don't see a human available I put the item down and walk out.
Tommy_Carcetti
(43,085 posts)Part of it is if course ideological, but the other part is practical.
The times I did try using it, there would always be a problem at the machine, an employee would always have to come over and assist for me, so what was the point? Eventually I noticed that they'd man employees by the self-checkouts to assist with customers in the self-checkouts, and that completely defeated the purpose of the self-checkout.
So I always use the employee manned checkout. Sometimes as I'm heading towards the checkout an employee will remind me of the self-checkout and I always politely decline.
GusBob
(7,286 posts)It's the app thing on smart devices.
They are not going to ditch self check out
JenniferJuniper
(4,496 posts)These aren't check out stations like the ones that have been in supermarkets for many years.
We have a company store that sells snacks and assorted sundries. It's not manned. You walk in scan and pay what you want on your phone and leave.
I don't know what happens if you just walk out without scanning, but there are cameras everywhere, and well, it's work and most people wouldn't want to risk getting fired over a diet coke.
GusBob
(7,286 posts)You use the app at Wal Mart and you still have to scan your items
Sounds confusing for sure
JenniferJuniper
(4,496 posts)Here's what Amazon is doing now. More along the lines of what I experience at work.
They'll all be doing this eventually, even if they have to create a robot to watch over the activities.
https://techcrunch.com/2018/01/21/inside-amazons-surveillance-powered-no-checkout-convenience-store/
Le Gaucher
(1,547 posts)Even if it is silly small talk ..I hope it gives them a minute of interaction with someone who values other humans
OriginalGeek
(12,132 posts)and then it's ONLY when I have no more than 2 items and all the regular lanes are backed up to the granola bars and then I STILL make the kid with the scan gun come help me.
It's very very rare I leave Costco with only 1 or 2 items.
I don't shop at Walmart on general principle.
shanti
(21,670 posts)I've never seen a self-checkout lane at Costco.
OriginalGeek
(12,132 posts)actually, i guess it's one wide lane with 4 self checkout stations and a guy in the middle to fix all the screw-ups we make trying to figure out how to use it lol.
BannonsLiver
(16,162 posts)I don't know how many times i've stood waiting for someone who can't read a screen and follow instructions. In the end, i discovered it's often faster to go the human route. And certainly good for people who need those jobs.
snowybirdie
(5,191 posts)an automatic order taker and pay station in a McDonalds the other day. Also saw three of their places remodeling their lobbies. Looks they're giving it a try. What could go wrong?
nancy1942
(635 posts)2 months ago they put the scan and go crap in the local hellhole which is Wal-Mart; I left and have not returned since. I hope they throw the entire concept into the trash where it belongs. I loathe everything about Wal-Mart.
brooklynite
(93,859 posts)Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)their maintaince costs are rather high and so in some sense you are correct.
XRubicon
(2,212 posts)I opted for the self check out, the scanner could not scan the barcode because it was too small, I tried to get the attendants attention as she walked away for a break or something. I kept trying to scan it, then finally I got someone to help and they scanned it at the attendants station using a hand held wand... she said the barcode is too small, happens all the time.
These systems are not there yet, I think they will be eventually but not now.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)DeminPennswoods
(15,246 posts)at one of the big local grocers if they or the self-help scanners were faster. I wasn't surprised to learn clerks can do about 5 items in the same time it takes a customer to do 1 in the auto checkout line. So, the cashiers are actually faster (they know what they're doing) that customers checking themselves out who have to think about it.
In fact, I usually see help hanging around the self-checkout lanes to help customers who get stuck. So where really are the savings?
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)It is one of those things that looked good on paper to replace labor, but as you mentioned they do not really speed up the checkout process and as I understand they are difficult and costly to maintain.
Mosby
(16,168 posts)Even if customers are slower scanning and paying, its still way more efficient than having multiple check out lanes open at all times.
DrDan
(20,411 posts)roamer65
(36,739 posts)Last edited Thu May 17, 2018, 09:29 PM - Edit history (1)
If I have 2 or 3 items, it is often quicker to self checkout. Otherwise I usually use a cashier line.
Its a judgement call, based on how busy the store is at that time.
Their self checkout works ok, except doing fresh produce on it sucks.
DeminPennswoods
(15,246 posts)at the local WalMart. What a hassle! I am never doing that again.
Ohiogal
(31,660 posts)But you have to use your Sam's Club charge to pay! So they make money off of them! No way do I use those.
MichMan
(11,789 posts)I usually only buy a dozen items at most. Refuse to get in line behind someone with a overflowing cart just to use a cashier
VOX
(22,976 posts)-Buy shit online, carrier leaves it at the door.
-Pump your own gas. (Been doing so since the 1970s)
-Refill prescriptions via touch-tone, pickup at drive-thru window.
-Self-checkout here and there.
-Your car's dash display tells you it needs service.
-Robocalls.
-Texting/messaging/email/social media.
-Security gate says aloud, "Access granted."