self service in supermarkets

[wendilla]

Just been reading about the supermarket trolleys further back by Carol anne and it brought to mind. I never use the self checkouts and have no intention using them just dont like them. I know they are quick .But if you put an item through without scanning it would it catch you out when you got to the out door. Got no intentions of trying it but just wounered how it worked.

[VHG]

They do it buy weight.

As you scan it you move it to the bagging area, which is a huge weighing scale. As the items are put in the bagging area the till works out if the total weight of items matches those that you have scanned.

I bought my wife a plant the other day, some had thin plastic pots others had thick terracota pots. I chose one with the thick pot and when I scanned it the alarm went off when I put it in the bagging area (too heavy). The lady had to come over a press a button to say it was ok.

[VHG]

Like you, I dont like the self service checkpouts, however I think we are gradually being forced to use them.

In my local Sainsburys the queues on the "normal" tills seem longer (probaby less staff) so it encourages you to use the self service tills.

In my local B&Q the had nobody on the "normal" tills, almost forcing you to use the self service tills.

And my local Tesco, on the normal tills, they now expect you to put your card in the machine yourself (most do this now) AND take your own receipt.

Not long I think when it will seem normal to do you own checkout (like filling up with petrol, I can rememebr when a person came out and filled the car up with petrol for you)

[wendilla]

Thank you for your reply. Yes I haven't seen a manned petrol station for a long time we just seem to go along with the flow and get used to it.

[cazzz1975]

i use the self checkouts a lot, they are quicker, although not thief proof, they are monitored by staff but in honesty I have seen a few people leave with a few extras in one tesco store I went to, the asda ones seem better security wise. you cannot "not scan" things otherwise when you put your item in the bagging area the computer has a fit!

the self service petrol is good too, better than going in the shop to pay

[jaydee101]

Adding to VHG's comment, there are some fresh produce items which vary in weight due to atmospheric conditions. These will often cause the alarm, and need authorisation from store staff.

There are also some items which do not have a 'weight' assigned to them and when scanned, almost anything can be placed into the bagging area with no alarms sounding. For obvious reasons I won't post what they are.

There is also an option to 'skip bagging'. Many people use this if they are re-using their own bags (bag for life etc). The system will only allow this 3 times before the alarm sounds. Many people don't realise that the self checkouts know how heavy the stores own bag for life is, and as long as it is placed in the bagging area before starting the transaction, it can be used with no issues.

I used to work for a company that designed these systems which is how I know all of this

[R1Geezer]

yes all done on weight. They do also have a "pit boss" keeping an eye on things. Obviously a target for theives but I think most are just grateful they can scan their own and get away. Anyway what have you got against self service? In my local ASDA they have 14 so there's usually no wait and I can Zip through past all you guys queing up. What's the problem? I think they are a god send, stops me having to pre hate all the pains in the ar5es that slow down the operation! You may have seen my rants in the past.

[R1Geezer]

usually there is no queue! However it's a 2 laner and I take the one that has a free till.

[Tallulah!]

I'd never dare use self service even if I wanted to. The till operators at my Morrisons are a friendly bunch and its good to chat while they put my stuff through..Some have been there 25 years. Much nicer than a machine doing the alarm at me. You should get a rebate for self service!

[jno]

'two for one' offers can be a trap - you put item one through and then item two and the scanenr thinks it's the same one twice and seizes up in case it overcharges you.

[R1Geezer]

never happenned to me jno, thay always seem to handle the multibuy items quite accurately, even when there are several sets and you can mix and match, never known mine get confused.

[madmaggot]

This debate is very similar to the one that went on when supermarkets first appeared ..................... .

[jaydee101]

@ jno

I may be able to explain that one

One of my roles when I worked for the company that supplies the self checkouts was to train the store team on not just how the system worked, but also how to 'educate' the customers on how to use them. The key words were 'Scan and Bag'. As an item is scanned, the scanner is disabled until the item is in the bagging area. This is for 2 reasons, firstly the security aspect, and secondly to stop customers being able to 'double scan' an item.

It doesn't matter how many times anyone is told this, when 2 identical items are selected, almost every time customers will scan one and hold on to it while they try to scan the other.

Try observing people when using these checkouts - You will be amazed at how many times this is true

[wendilla]

Thank you for all your replies very interesting to know but I still like the check out where you can have a little chat .

[kevo2k7]

Jaydee obviously newspapers do not have a weight measurement assigned to them right?

[jaydee101]

Sorry, as I said before, I'm not going to say what anyone 'could' try

[heathfield]

Aww c'mon Jaydee, don't be so bashful. Items sold by the 'pack' can be of variable weight - as I know from checking them on the store's scales.

[jaydee101]

That is correct Heathfield. Some items are assigned a 'tolerance' rather than just a single weight. Some items also have 2 weights assigned eg, a Jumper with or without the hanger. Still not saying what has nothing assigned though

[kevo2k7]

Ok then Jaydee thats fine if you want to stay tight lipped, can anyone else who knows about these self scanning machines please let us know what items are not weight assigned to these machines for educational purposes only, thankyou.
p.s i already know about Newspapers and Mags so anything else besides these items would be of great interest cheers ;-)

[another-view]

The only reason people would want to know this is for potentially criminal activities.