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Modiv exec says wireless checkout would require a change in shopper mindset that might not happen

Every consumer has stood in a long line to check out at their favorite store and wondered why the store has 20 checkout lanes and only three open. Self-checkout lines have helped alleviate the hassle of long lines to some extent, but the shopping cart still has to be unloaded and your items scanned before paying.

Grocery store chain Stop & Shop, which has 389 locations in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and New Jersey, has been running a trial of a new checkout service since October that could make standing in checkout lines a thing of the past.

The system, called Modiv Shopper from Modiv Media, is a small device that is issued to shoppers from a kiosk in the store after they swipe their loyalty cards. The gadget sits on the cart and as items are added it automatically tallies the cart contents up. The system also sends the shoppers commercials based on their prior shopping habits.

The device can also notify a shopper when their deli order is ready to be picked up. In theory the system sounds like a slam dunk from the shopper’s perspective. Stop & Shop opted out of the most interesting feature in its trials though, the automated checkout.

Modiv CEO Bob Wesley is quoted by eWeek as saying that the wireless checkout feature would require a change in consumer behavior, which consumers were resistant too. Many consumers would welcome faster checkouts and not having to watch while a clerk repeatedly scans items.

The wireless checkout system would work in conjunction with the loyalty card and a stored payment method. System security would require shoppers to scan their card again to prove they are who they claim to be. The Modiv system has an unspecified database issue that requires the dual swipe at a register.

Modiv has some stiff competition in the market with Microsoft and MediaCart pushing a system that is virtually identical. The Microsoft system features a cart mounted LCD screen that also helps shoppers find an item in the store in addition to wireless checkout.

Update: Modiv Media’s PR firm contacted DailyTech to provide more information on the Modiv Shopper device. According to the source the Modiv Shopper device is a hand held scanner, not a cart attached unit like the Microsoft system. Stop & Shop opted out of the wireless checkout feature of the Modiv Shopper because it already has an automated checkout feature that doesn’t require dual card swipes. According to Modiv Media the Modiv Shopper is beyond a trial and in production deployment in 90 stores at this time.



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I Hate Self Checkout....
By tigz1218 on 1/30/2008 7:37:51 PM , Rating: 2
I never used self check out and never will. My reason is that prices are marked up for many reasons, one being to pay employees. Unless they give a discount at self check out I will never use it. I will gladly wait in a longer line and have someone do the work for me and pay the same price.




RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By TomZ on 1/30/2008 7:47:00 PM , Rating: 2
Same here - once they offer a 5% discount for self-checkout, then I'll be first in line. Otherwise, I want someone else to scan, pack, and handle the payment for me.


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By paperfist on 1/31/2008 3:28:04 AM , Rating: 2
I agree, I'm paying for a service and I want a human to assist me in the check out line, not a machine. Plus at least at Home Depot those self assist checkouts are so bloody annoying to use - they don't always scan a bar code and I end up needing help from 1 person who's dealing with 4 self assist checkouts.


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By omnicronx on 1/31/2008 10:46:11 AM , Rating: 5
Well i will see you guys at the finish line, because I think the Walmart self check out is a great idea. I went in yesterday bought two movies and was out within 5 minutes.

As for the 5%, the cashiers account for a small percentage of the workers there. Between those who stock items, and other workers in other departments (fish, baking etc), cashiers seem like the minority. As such i do not see why you deserve any discount at all whatsoever. They are already spending cash putting these systems in so that you can checkout faster.

Complaining about your cut the $7 an hour a cashier gets is a bit pointless (thats an amazing $21 an hour if 3 cashes are working). But if 20 cents really makes a difference to you, maybe you should organize a protest.

What i want to know is how expensive could it possibly be to have an rfid on every item. You could then simply role your cart through a sensor for all your items to be counted. of course there would always be the issue of people taking off tags, but since any self checkout would be partially based on the honor system, i don't think it would really matter.


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By TomZ on 1/31/2008 12:01:21 PM , Rating: 2
It's really quite simple. The purpose of self-checkout is for the retailer to save labor costs by shifting the labor onto you, the customer. Because of this, having a cashier is slightly more valuable to most customers compared to self-checkout. Therefore, there should be a small cost differential between the two. It's a classical value proposition.

Whether you call that a "discount" for using self-checkout or a "surcharge" for using a real cashier is just a question of getting the PR right.

Also, the argument you make that self-checkout is faster makes no sense. Self-checkout is fast if there is an available (empty) lane, but an empty express lane would be at least as fast. And actually, I think that having a cashier would be usually faster, since you have two people - yourself and the cashier - splitting the work in processing the order.

On the other hand, if there is a long line at self-checkout, it is not going to be fast at all, especially when you consider less-sophisticated customers fumbling around with their purchases, entering payment, etc.


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By omnicronx on 1/31/2008 12:15:24 PM , Rating: 2
It quite simply is faster with under 10 items. Of course my only experience with these machines is at Walmart, but lets face it the express lane in any store is rarely empty. I've never waited more than a minute or two at the self checkout, and when this was the case, the express lane was usually long, and would have taken me much longer. Having 4+ people check themselves out at the same time is effectively 3x+ faster than going through a 1 line express lane.


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By TomZ on 1/31/2008 12:50:01 PM , Rating: 2
Sure, 4x the number of self-checkout lanes will be faster than a normal express check-out lane. But if you compare something more reasonable - like 4 self-checkout lanes against 4 express lanes - please explain how the self-checkout could possibly be faster?

Remember, a self-checkout lane takes about the same space and has about the same capital costs as an express lane. The main difference is the additional employees available in the express lanes to help get the scanning done.


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By pomaikai on 1/31/2008 2:10:01 PM , Rating: 2
Easy. Go to a store at non peak hours and there may be one express lane open with 6 people in line. I have had times where there are no express lanes open and you are forced to stand in line with people with a cart full of groceries. With self-checkout the lanes are open 24x7. Whats faster one OPEN express lane or 4 OPEN self-checkouts?


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By TomZ on 1/31/2008 2:42:54 PM , Rating: 2
Obviously that's a staffing/management issue, rather than a proof of the superiority or efficiency of self-checkout. The store manager has decided to staff the store in that way, and for a reason. Do you think it is customer convenience... or is it labor cost savings?


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By chrnochime on 1/31/2008 7:32:48 PM , Rating: 2
Your point is moot when there isn't even any express lane, just regular and self-checkout.


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By TomZ on 1/31/2008 7:58:56 PM , Rating: 1
Again, that would depend on the number of each type of lane, wouldn't it? And again, the scheduling of staff to have those lanes open is a management decision.

In other words, if there was enough staff there to keep regular lanes flowing without a backup, then your check-out time through a regular lane would be the same as or less than self-checkout, right?

But the situation you are really getting at is where management has intentionally under-staffed regular and express checkout lanes just slightly in order to "encourage" customers to use self-checkout to avoid the lines. There is no question in my mind that this goes on all the time.


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By pomaikai on 1/31/2008 12:44:52 PM , Rating: 2
At the walmarts I have been to there is usually no one at the self checkout while there is a line of 2-3 people at all other registers. The mass dislike of self-checkout is what makes it work right now. Every once in a while I end up behind someone who is fumbling through, but rarely is there ever a line at self-checkout in the stores I have been in.

I dont see it as a discount or a charge. Everything is rolled into accounting and accounted for in the price of the goods. Are you gonna see a change? No because we are talking pennies per item scanned per person. take the annual salary of those cashiers and divide it by how many items they would scan over a year. The dollar amount is almost non-existant per item so the consumer would not see the difference.

I really dont see self-checkout expanding beyond the few registers stores have. I would never go to a self-checkout with more than a few items. I will also never stand in a line for self-checkout that is more than 2 deep because of slow people.


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By eye smite on 1/30/2008 7:52:33 PM , Rating: 2
You make a very good point. Where's the discount for the self checkout lane? There is none. At least at old style gas stations you get a lower price for filling up the tank yourself.


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By Rockjock51 on 1/30/2008 8:45:31 PM , Rating: 5
Some would say "Time is money."


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By eye smite on 1/30/08, Rating: 0
RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By pomaikai on 1/31/2008 9:51:37 AM , Rating: 4
Self checkout works really good when purchasing a few items. Anything over 4 or 5 and I go to a register. I thank people like you because it keeps the self pay lines open so I just can walk up, swipe my item or two, pay, and leave. There are times where I am in a hurry and 3 minutes could make or break my day.

Those that say they pay for the service and recieve no discount. The checker makes minimum wage and you may take up 5 minutes of there time checking out. You are talking less than 50cents worth of savings for the company.


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By omnicronx on 1/31/2008 10:53:47 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Do you have to be somewhere or something to do so badly that saving 3 minutes in the checkout line is going to make or break your day
Damn right, if i saved 3 minutes on every half hour i was up a day, I would reclaim over an hour a day ;)

On a serious note though, if you only have a few items, it can save a lot more than 3 minutes. Going to walmart during the day means almost an automatic 10 minutes waiting at the 1-10 items line. With the self checkout i can be in and out within minutes. Of course this is not groceries, but i would expect that these self checkouts will also help out those with under 10 items in grocery stores.


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By rtrski on 1/30/08, Rating: -1
RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By jpeyton on 1/31/2008 1:47:30 AM , Rating: 5
I LOVE self-checkout. I hate waiting in line and I can ring myself up as quickly as any register jockey.


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By Polynikes on 1/31/2008 10:09:32 AM , Rating: 3
I applaud you for having such infinite patience. You are an inspiration to us all.


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By omnicronx on 1/31/2008 11:06:12 AM , Rating: 3
Those same corporate gods that had to spend a hell of a lot of cash to implement the system, in which they will probably take a good 5 years to get back in sales?

As i said previously, the wages of the 3-4 people working are dwarfed by the money it would cost to implement such a system.

In the end, any company that implements a system like this will be losing money, not making it. Stores like this are merely hoping the checkout lines will bring in more customers, and ring them through faster, hoping this will offset the money spent on the system.

As such I do not think it is unreasonable to keep prices the same as normal checkout lines. It's a win, win situation, faster for the customer, cheaper in the long run for the company. It should not effect you in the slightest if you choose to use self checkout or not.


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By TomZ on 1/31/2008 12:52:53 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Those same corporate gods that had to spend a hell of a lot of cash to implement the system, in which they will probably take a good 5 years to get back in sales?

Incorrect, because you are assuming that a self-checkout lane costs significantly more than a traditional checkout lane, which is not the case.

The reality is that both types of lanes cost about the same in terms of capital investment to set up, but the main difference being that the self-checkout costs less in labor on an ongoing basis - approx 1/4 the cost based on what I can tell.


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By omnicronx on 1/31/2008 1:43:02 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
The reality is that both types of lanes cost about the same in terms of capital investment to set up, but the main difference being that the self-checkout costs less in labor on an ongoing basis
How do you figure? If you had the chance to pick between the two for an upgrade, both would require the same amount of space as you said, and both require scanners. Where the difference is, is in the creation of the systems software(if done in house) or the licensing fees of the software.

Adding an extra cash would merely require finding the space and ordering parts, and setting it up. A far cry from 'costing about the same'.

Over time, you are absolutely right, they will save money from the cashiers that could have been working those tills. This is still a risky investment for a grocery store, as food is a necessity, and people are not just going to stop buying food, this is more of a convenience for the customer, rather than a money making adventure for the grocery store.


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By TomZ on 1/31/2008 2:16:59 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Where the difference is, is in the creation of the systems software(if done in house) or the licensing fees of the software.

How do you figure? You seem to assume that tranditional POS systems are purchased from outside vendors and that self-scan are designed in-house. That's not correct - both types of systems are typically purchased off-the-shelf from companies like Fujitsu, IBM, and NCR.
quote:
...this is more of a convenience for the customer, rather than a money making adventure for the grocery store.

I disagree - the primary motivation for self-scan for the grocery stores is the cost savings. Just google around a bit and read some of the sell sheets for self-scan systems.


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By pomaikai on 1/31/2008 2:17:04 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
but the main difference being that the self-checkout costs less in labor on an ongoing basis


Exactly, with self-checkout they dont have to shutdown the register during non-peak hours because of the cost of labor. Imagine a walmart where all 40 registers are open 24x7.


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By Screwballl on 1/30/2008 10:57:49 PM , Rating: 5
So you would rather wait in line wasting your own time just to be lazy and make someone else do it? You go through the same motions in the self checkout except for you not only put it on the conveyor, you also scan it.

That is the problem with some people nowadays. So f*n lazy.

I would rather go through the self checkout and only if a sale price is wrong will I get the attention of the associates. Otherwise I spend 5 minutes scanning and doing it myself rather then 20 minutes waiting in one of 3 open (with 30 closed) lanes.

You trust your money/check/credit card to an almost minimum wage person?

I would welcome the auto-checkout feature as long as it gave me a paper printout of the items and a way to dispute an item if it is not coming up under the sale price...


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By InternetGeek on 1/30/2008 11:18:26 PM , Rating: 2
I think you missed his point. He says shoppers should be given an additional discount because they are self-checking out. Same as in McDonalds or any other fast food store: They charge you less because they don't have to pay someone to server and clean up after you.

Self-checking out is no much different than buying online, only you are taking your items right away and you don't have to pay for shipping.


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By omnicronx on 1/31/2008 11:20:54 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Same as in McDonalds or any other fast food store: They charge you less because they don't have to pay someone to server and clean up after you.
They do not do that here, (toronto canada). Are you confusing paying tax on items over $5.00 with this so called self serv discount.

That said, how would you like your share of $7 an hour? is check ok? I don't think paypal excepts transactions of less than a cent.

I understand what you guys are saying, but you fail to notice how much else goes on behind the scenes in a grocery store. How many channels do you think your food goes through before it hits your cart.

Other situations where you would get a discount such as gas are not in the same boat. I would also like to point out that even with Gas stations, you only save a fraction of a peny per L, or maybe a peny per gallon.

5% would be far too high even if they did offer a discount. A gas station in which they essentially do ALL your work for you, charge around 1-2% of your purchase depending on where you live. So in my mind, for doing maybe 15% of the shopping process yourself, you deserve a grand total of 15% of 1-2%.


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By TomZ on 1/31/2008 12:08:08 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Other situations where you would get a discount such as gas are not in the same boat. I would also like to point out that even with Gas stations, you only save a fraction of a peny per L, or maybe a peny per gallon.

Incorrect. In the days where self-serve and full-serve were offered side-by-side here in the states, there was a 5-10 cent/gallon price differential back when gas was around a dollar a gallon.

Also, your logic is off in calculating the value of the discount. Remember, prices are in general set based on perceived value to the customer, not on cost. So even if the labor cost differential is 1%, if the customer perceived difference is value is 5%, then the price differential should be 5%.

Applying that logic to full-serve gas stations, I'd be willing to wager that the gas station's gross margin was significanly higher on full-serve compared to self-serve. And that is how it should be.


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By omnicronx on 1/31/2008 12:31:39 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
if the customer perceived difference is value is 5%, then the price differential should be 5%.
This is not a rule set in stone, and by no means is it followed by everyone and in every situation.

For example I along with many people am i sure perceive that downloading a copy of windows xp/vista from Microsoft costs to much money, as i do not receive a CD packaging or manuals. I am sure the 'customer perceived difference' is much higher than the small percentage discount Microsoft offers.

Why? Probably because Microsoft realizes that it's OS is a necessity to some people. Food also being a necessity could also possibly find itself in this situation. After all, to most people self checkout will be perceived as a service, not a lack of.


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By TomZ on 1/31/2008 1:00:15 PM , Rating: 2
Sounds like you didn't do so well in econ 101. :o)


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By omnicronx on 1/31/2008 1:56:38 PM , Rating: 2
I did not do so well in home-room either.. I failed 3 times..


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By SeeManRun on 1/30/2008 11:52:33 PM , Rating: 1
quote:
You trust your money/check/credit card to an almost minimum wage person?


What does his wage have to do with anything? They are trained and you are not. I might make more money than the mechanic changing my oil, but that doesn't mean I am more qualified to do it. Get off your high horse and go bag your own groceries.


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By LiquidIce1337 on 1/30/2008 10:57:56 PM , Rating: 3
I have used this system. I am a college MIS student in my senior year and deal with all sorts of database's so I understood how it was helpful in making things more efficient.

It can be in a way yet here was the problem when my fellow students and I used it.

That modiv station was small, you have to scan your stop and shop barcode from your card or card on your keychain. This took a good 5 mins as the barcode scanners was iffy and had to be fiddled with at different angled for it to scan your tag. Once that was settled and you sure you hadn't caused a traffic jam behind you all armed with kids and carriages that would also like to use the system you grab your scanner and off you go. I heard this "CHA-CHING" sound to warn/alert you about deal's in your current zone. I however found this annoying as some deals didn't happen to be visible in the area, confused me as I though they had added to my shopping cart because they say remove at the bottom of each ad and I can't see whats in my virtual shopping cart at all times with these annoying advert's I have to clear off my screen.

Scanning and adding items was a breeze you see your instant saving as your card is already swiped. It caused me not to overspend as it shows my total (very useful) However stopping to scan stuff or find the bar code was annoying as my shopping was very stop and go but I found myself stopping in the middle of places while busy mom's and grandma's ripped on by me as the aisles are smaller at my location. I could see how this system caused a lot more unnecessary congestion than actually cleaning up foot traffic.

The bag as you go was the biggest problem to me. You have to open up those plastic bags that always a static clung to something, or it's a defective one, or you forgot to grab enough before you started your shopping adventure. I would find myself stopping to open another bag and deciding what I wanted in that bag, keeping meat together etc. I totally found this distracting and I was forgetting what I wanted to buy (good thing I broguht a shopping list) Whilst mainting my cart and making sure others could get by or i wasn't blocking someone from getting to whereever I was bagging. I just found this to cause so many congestions at the supermarket

Checkout: used to self checkout system/terminal it was a little confusing at first. You scan a barcode that was very small and up high (don't see how it was handicap accessible) and then you put your device back on the cradle stand next to it then pay as you would through a self checkout aisle. This part worked okay, nothing special.

conclusion: Good system, Good Idea, Bad for congestion. IMHO made traffic within supermarket worse and more stressful. I found myself asking if I had scanned a particular item in my cart already, going back to check my little device then realizing i had to clear another advertisement without adding it to my cart accidently then scrolling through the abbreviated list in my cart making sure it was there. I still don't know what the supermarket does when you don't scan or forget to scan an item and just bag it and walk out with it? I think they'd have to put in some new surveillance cameras which would just cost more in the end.

congestion, stop and go, confusion is all I really experienced. I could need see this system being senior citizen friendly nor a mother shopping with her kids trying to save time. It made my trip to the grocery store twice as long. It needs to be streamlined or something needs to be changed.

2.5 out of 5 stars


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By tastyratz on 1/31/08, Rating: -1
RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By Spivonious on 1/31/2008 10:02:52 AM , Rating: 2
Yeah with RFID this system would make sense and would eliminate any shoplifting possibilities in the process, if it could be adjusted to read all items in the cart, but not the ones on the shelf right next to the scanner.


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By omnicronx on 1/31/2008 11:26:52 AM , Rating: 2
I doubt it would be feasible to have RFID's embedded in the items themselves, as this would require doing it on a store basis, as the manufacturer probably will ship to more than one store for many products. An RFID on or in the barcode would probably be needed (putting an rfid and barcode on every item would be a waste of money and time), which would make this system faster, but would probably not eliminate shoplifting at all, as the barcode could be removed.


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By TomZ on 1/31/2008 3:16:51 PM , Rating: 2
Sorry, don't mean to make it sound like I'm picking on you today...

But I don't see your point. Probably in the future, RFIDs will be attached to the product packaging, just as anti-theft tags and UPC codes are now. It will be done as part of the manufacturing process, just like UPC codes are today, once the industry arrives at a consensus about the type and format of RFIDs.

In other words, just like UPC did in the 1970's...

I would expect a large mega-retailer like Wal-Mart to lead the charge this time. We'll see.


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By Denigrate on 1/31/2008 9:43:12 AM , Rating: 5
'tard. You'd rather spend 15 minutes in line at whatever rate you think your time is worth, than zip through a self checkout lane? Gee, that's smart.


RE: I Hate Self Checkout....
By tigz1218 on 2/2/2008 3:34:11 PM , Rating: 2
You're right, I am a "tard" for doing something so drastic as waiting in line for a few extra minutes to stand up for something I believe to be unfair.

The fact people rated your comment up to 5, really, really, frightens me.


Well ummmm.......
By eye smite on 1/30/08, Rating: 0
RE: Well ummmm.......
By Brandon Hill (blog) on 1/30/2008 6:41:33 PM , Rating: 4
I love self checkout. I'm often faster at scanning my own items than the cashiers anyway.

I find self-checkout especially helpful when there are long lines at the standard checkout and I only have a few items. I just walk up, scan my member card, scan my item, swipe my debit card, punch the pin, then leave.


RE: Well ummmm.......
By See Spot Run on 1/30/2008 9:01:40 PM , Rating: 2
Every time I've had the opportunity of using a self-checkout, there's always clueless people there, kinda starting dumbly at it. I've always been through faster with cashiers, but it could be that it's just my area, being somewhat backwoods.

That, and I figure since I'm paying for the cashiers to be there, might as well make them work for their check.


RE: Well ummmm.......
By iFX on 1/31/2008 11:29:06 AM , Rating: 2
There are only long lines because the cheapo-ass grocery store doesn't pay enough cashiers to handle the lines... Hello, McFly?


RE: Well ummmm.......
By therealnickdanger on 1/30/2008 6:43:20 PM , Rating: 2
You are old fashioned. I like scanning my own stuff and getting out quick!


RE: Well ummmm.......
By eye smite on 1/30/08, Rating: -1
RE: Well ummmm.......
By isorfir on 1/30/2008 8:34:36 PM , Rating: 2
Stop complaining that this will "eliminate jobs." That's just a whine-ass way of saying you're lazy and want someone else to wait while you to write your check.

It's called progress, or would you rather have not put those telegraph operators out of their jobs when we went to using phones, then put operators out of their jobs when automated switchboards came along...you get the point. Progress allows people to get better jobs. No one likes being a cashier.


RE: Well ummmm.......
By eye smite on 1/30/08, Rating: 0
RE: Well ummmm.......
By isorfir on 1/30/2008 10:34:41 PM , Rating: 4
quote:
who the fuck said I was whining

I said you were whining, obviously.

quote:
I'm making a god damn good valid point

That makes one person that agrees with you.

quote:
Some of those people don't want the stress of, or have the education for a better job

There are other jobs that are less stressful and do not require higher education.

quote:
progress in the name of greed

If by greed you mean profit, then you misunderstand how business works.

quote:
where's the fucking discount for self checkout

The break-even point on the investment of self-checkout machines are (depending on the store) about a year or two. Even then there's usually a pretty hefty service agreement on maintaining them (look, better paying jobs!). Once the machines are paying for themselves, you can expect to see lower prices on goods (competitive advantage).

quote:
I can post ammicably (sic) or I can be a total ass and show you contempt

You chose...poorly.

quote:
I hope you get stuck in a line behind me

Sorry, I'll have already checked-out in the self-checkout line.


RE: Well ummmm.......
By omnicronx on 1/31/2008 11:46:06 AM , Rating: 2
Mr Smite definitely got smited....


RE: Well ummmm.......
By JustTom on 1/31/2008 1:55:25 AM , Rating: 2
You're not a very happy person, are you?


RE: Well ummmm.......
By pomaikai on 1/31/2008 10:19:23 AM , Rating: 1
Discount? If it takes a cashier 5 minutes to check out you are talking 50cents of savings. You are the one that sounds greedy. Where is my damn savings. I want my 50cent discount. Go ahead and take your sweet ass time. The only thing that would be going through my head is man this guy is a moron and doesnt know how to use the self-checkout. Do you also think that self-checkout will ever take over? Do you know how long it would take to checkout a grocery cart full of items with coupons? Self-checkout is there for a convenience to customers. I love self checkout when I have one or two items. It is much faster than waiting in line. I thank you for not using self checkout, because it allows me to get in and out of the store while you can wait in line.

You say these people take these jobs to avoid stress? How stressful do you think there home life is trying to pay there bills on-time? or hoping there car doesnt break down again because they cant afford to fix it again. There are alot of jobs that dont require an education. I know alot of people who make over 2-3times what a cashier makes with no education. The lack of education is just a cop-out statement. I know people without an education that make over $100,000 because they work hard.


RE: Well ummmm.......
By AnnihilatorX on 1/30/2008 6:43:34 PM , Rating: 2
It's a problem of implementation. If they can't get something as easy as an accurate database of inventory, I wonder how the supermarket you go to handles its stock and inventory. They can't be using logbooks and purchase ledgers.

I never have any problems with wrong items on database. When the staffs scans their terminals are linked up to the same databases anyway.


RE: Well ummmm.......
By v1001 on 1/30/2008 6:52:49 PM , Rating: 1
I also hate self checkout. And by the lack of people I ever see using it I'd say most people do also. I also dislike pumping my own gas. Call me crazy.

But I'd be fine with tags that let me just run the whole cart under for one swipe ring up. Then have baggers there to quickly bag it all for you.


RE: Well ummmm.......
By eye smite on 1/30/2008 6:54:07 PM , Rating: 3
I've had it happen many times at walmart and more than one walmart.


RE: Well ummmm.......
By Chaser on 1/30/2008 7:09:42 PM , Rating: 3
As someone with a retail self scan is usually faster and provides some reassurance to the customer that there wasn't a scanning mistake by the clerk. But the most important reason for its popularity is bestowing the feeling of control to the customer.

Studies have shown that the least most desirable part of shopping is waiting in line at the checkout. Self checkout bestows a sense of control back to the customer which is essential in our control freak "I want it now" society.


RE: Well ummmm.......
By eye smite on 1/30/2008 7:33:41 PM , Rating: 1
I don't live in that control freak mindset. If people are that control freaked and are so driven by society's rat race that got psych issues. Control Freak is a learned behaviour just like pavlov's dog and it can be overcome. I'm so glad I left one of the largest cities where I grew up and moved to a town of 6k people. It's simpler, quieter and just over all nicer. The 78 yr old man that's too old to drive safely, drives his riding lawn mower around town to different stores, and the cops wave at him as they go by. Small town syndrom is healthier.


RE: Well ummmm.......
By Chaser on 1/31/2008 12:23:47 PM , Rating: 2
And I'm so glad I live in a moderate sized city in the suburbs. With two shopping malls close by I have numerous shopping options, 3 different grocery chains all within the same 1/2 mile distance from my home, and numerous dining options. If I need to go downtown to take in a sport event or concert it's a 15 minute drive on the highway.

Enjoy your simpler, quieter existance. It's not for me. I prefer to be connected to the rest of the world, not bury my head in the sand while letting life slip past me while stuck in traffic behind a lawn mower.


RE: Well ummmm.......
By rtrski on 1/30/2008 10:59:27 PM , Rating: 2
Except around here you've just exchanged the hated waiting in line for a cashier for waiting in line for the self-checkout (when that's about the only option - lines still form), and added the incompetence of many vs. the (out of my control, but at least semi-trained incompetence) of the one cashier. Worse yet, with only one employee 'watching' 4-8 self-check lines, if there is a problem you get less attention than before. I don't know how many times I've walked up to their podium and hit the button to "acknowledge ID" for an alcohol purchase myself after giving them a reasonable amount of time to do it first. Really pisses them off. :)

It's a lose-lose situation IMO. I have to work to spend my money...and still have to wait to do it. I'm resigned to it, it's just the way the world rolls. But I don't gain any control out of it. I do it because purposely waiting for the ONE checkout line our local grocery has open is just additionally painful enough to not be worth it just to try and 'make a statement'.


RE: Well ummmm.......
By deeceefar2 on 1/30/2008 9:03:21 PM , Rating: 2
It isn't like all baggers and scanners are going to be fired. There are still going to be plenty of people who prefer to have other people bag for them, like you do, and there are still people who may not be able to do it themselves. I expect that slowly baggers and scanners will be replaced as more people prefer to do it themselves, until eventually there are just a few left as a courtesy for shoppers who prefer it. I'm sure plenty people made your same remarks about ATMs replacing bank tellers.


RE: Well ummmm.......
By G2cool on 1/31/2008 8:09:07 AM , Rating: 2
Or perhaps after after the scanning and bagging associates are completely replaced, a new line of grocery stores will open where scanning and bagging associates were brought back to be trendy. Instead of our carriages returning to their docking station at the terminal, staff members will have to "push" them back to where they belong. Of course these sorts of thrills will come with a higher grocery price, but I bet it will be very fun.


I have a better idea...
By Micronite on 1/30/2008 6:40:50 PM , Rating: 2
I've always thought some sort of modified-RFID checkout would make things much better. Imagine... your cart is already like a farady cage. All you'd have to do is move a high-power RFID reader over the top of the cart and all the contents are automatically scanned.
Imagine! If the RFID reader were high-power enough, it might even cook the food for you!




RE: I have a better idea...
By SpatulaCity on 1/30/2008 10:01:33 PM , Rating: 2
Similar to what you described, IBM made a commerical that I believe is what we should be aiming towards.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-ZYY85IyDNM


RE: I have a better idea...
By SpatulaCity on 1/30/2008 10:01:33 PM , Rating: 2
Similar to what you described, IBM made a commerical that I believe is what we should be aiming towards.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-ZYY85IyDNM


RE: I have a better idea...
By cleal on 1/31/2008 3:00:06 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
I've always thought some sort of modified-RFID checkout would make things much better.


True, BUT, the system adopted, after much political wrangling, is in a frequency that does not allow the tags to penetrate many of the containers. Metal cans and dense liquids are real tests for these passive tags. In shipping containers, the tags are battery powered, different frequency and the total unit the size of a shoe-box. Same thing for pallets that have tags on them. Item level tags on most products are probably not going to be seen anytime soon.

The promise is great, not only for checkout but for reorder purposes, but the technology has to evolve to meet the promise.


thoughts
By AnnihilatorX on 1/30/2008 6:40:26 PM , Rating: 2
I for one would welcome this sort of payment system.

The supermarket near my area is always jam packed and it doesn't help when the staffs work at snails pace and counters are not fully opened. I had switched to self-checkout since it's become available but still get significant slowdowns when a customer doesn't know how to use such system effectively, or when the system itself is not doing the job, e.g. slow system.

However the current self-checkout system which checks for item weight against the stuff you scanned is not 100% shoplifter proof. For items like vegetables and fruits which have variable weight you can easily key in say 1 lemon but take 2 out. The system also causes slow down as you have to wait for the machine to ready to place the balance.

I am not sure however if loose items such as an apple would all be RFID tagged in this wireless technology.




RE: thoughts
By Spivonious on 1/31/2008 10:06:51 AM , Rating: 2
Yeah the system at Walmart always seems really slow, and you have to wait for it to read the price to you before you can scan the next item. Then again, I can't remember having a good experience at Walmart, so I don't go there very often anymore.

The current system requires you to punch in the item code for fruits and vegetables and then weighs it. I've never seen somewhere that charges per lemon; it's always by weight.


RE: thoughts
By pomaikai on 1/31/2008 10:23:21 AM , Rating: 2
Its even worse at home depot. Imagine getting all different kinds of hardware and having to look it up in a 50 page book. If it doesnt have a barcode, or I need to use coupons I just go to a cashier. If I have just one or two items With barcodes I go to a self-checkout. It saves time when you just need to run in for a few things. They are usually right by the door and you can get in and out really quick.


Forget the supermarket! Go home delivery.
By Squilliam on 1/31/2008 4:29:30 AM , Rating: 1
I hate going to the supermarket in general so I just get my stuff delivered to my home instead. All boxed up and ready to go. The only people that handle the food at the warehouse is the guy that drives it to my house.

Pretty much all my stuff that I can, I get off the internet. Modern shops are horrible, cramped and I'd rather spend that time with my dog.




RE: Forget the supermarket! Go home delivery.
By Spivonious on 1/31/2008 10:11:40 AM , Rating: 2
Link?


By Squilliam on 1/31/2008 10:25:44 AM , Rating: 1
It's new zealand so it's no good for you sorry. :)


Ideal system
By AntiM on 1/31/2008 11:03:33 AM , Rating: 2
In the ideal system, you walk into the store, put the items you want into your cart and walk out the door. Your credit card (or some other pre-arranged payment method) is automatically billed. This would be technically possible with RFID technology. It won't be long before these devices can be manufactured for less than 1 cent apiece and will be small enough to attach to almost any package. I know that in actual practice there will still be some hurdles to overcome, such as how to handle produce.




RE: Ideal system
By omnicronx on 1/31/2008 12:09:11 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
I know that in actual practice there will still be some hurdles to overcome, such as how to handle produce.
It would not be that hard, you could simply use a mixed system where you would keep produce and other items separate. When you reach the cash, the RFID items would be scanned, and produce could be done manually. Although this would slow down the process, not having to ring in most of your items would make lines a breeze. Keep in mind that you could still have an express checkout, but you would not be able to buy produce.


By bigpow on 1/30/2008 10:52:40 PM , Rating: 3
For me, not waiting in line, is a discount!
Time is money.

Let grandmas go to the slow checkout lane.

Same goes with ATM. They should have labels: 1 is normal ATM for people who want to save time, and 2 is for the rest who like to waste their time.




How do you KNOW
By Choppedliver on 1/31/2008 10:03:19 AM , Rating: 3
Two comments

People are saying "Why dont we have a 5% discount for self checkout"

A) The goal of any for profit company is to make money.

B) How do you know they aren't reducing prices instead of giving a discount at the register? I mean you aren't going to see the price drop on EVERY ITEM IN THE STORE, so it would be very difficult for the average consumer to pinpoint where they are paying less. Even if it were a few hundred or few thousand items, in a store as big as WALMART it would be hard to tell.

C) Since the goal is to MAKE MORE MONEY, how do you know they arent splitting the difference, ie, making more profit, but passing some of the savings on to the consumer in form of lower prices ( see item b above )




By ice456789 on 1/30/2008 8:27:15 PM , Rating: 2
the idiot in front of me in line. It's not rocket science! Just press the 'skip bagging' button and move on! Once they create a self-checkout that doesn't require a minimum IQ of 80 I'll be all for it.




Not about customer
By rdeegvainl on 1/31/2008 9:48:10 AM , Rating: 2
I think it is more about, all the might-as-well-buys that people grab at the checkout, be it manned our self checkout. If there is a wireless checkout, people will buy less magazines, and gum and candy and other things that just sit there while you wait in the line to checkout. Aren't those supposed to be the highest profit margin items anyways?




RE: Not about customer
By Spivonious on 1/31/08, Rating: 0
Wireless checkout? No thanks.
By clovell on 1/31/2008 10:32:39 AM , Rating: 2
I don't know about you guys, but I'm lucky if I can go two weeks without the bank trying to roll some bs fee over me, the cable company inserting another tax, being double-billed for a dentist appt., getting cryptic EoBs from my insurers, etc. - Even more often, I catch stuff ringing up at the register higher than it's listed in the store.

It wears on my last nerve. This idea of wireless checkout may save people some time, but it will probably end up costing me more money than it's worth. I'd much rather watch my items be rung up individually than have to check my receipt in the parking lot.




Err...
By iFX on 1/31/2008 11:19:44 AM , Rating: 2
Do you take cash?

No I am not a member of your secret club...




I LOVE easyShop
By Hifidogi on 1/31/2008 6:45:45 PM , Rating: 2
I work long hours and I use the system just about every time I go into the store - especially when I have a lot to buy. Its fast - I know what i'm spending, I get to check prices as i go - I don't have to bother with anyone else, I get to bring my own bags - and put things in them the way I want - AND checkout is way easy. I don't have to re-scan anything - all i do is scan a bar code,pay and go. And I usually get these 'ka-ching' thingy coupons - sometimes they are for things I want to buy - sometimes not - but they are easy enough to use or ignore. I can't believe people are wasting time going through full-service checkout just to prove the point that someone should pay them to do self-checkout? Have any of you been to europe in your lives? Do any of you value your time? Checkout people would be better used to help people use these things and check stock, clean up the store, smile....




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