What's Normal? - Do you usually use the self-checkout at the grocery store? (1 Viewer)

[Doug B]

The thing is even with self checkout, they still need more cashiers. Cashier lines are still way too long because there's only one or two ever open now.

This was an issue with our local groceries and WalMarts well before self-checkout became common. The only times more than a few lines were open were during holiday rushes.

 

[BrutalPenguin]

For those of you that use the personal shopper... how often do you get wrong/bad/deleted/expired/damaged items? We are pretty picky with our groceries, so maybe we're an outlier, but I don't trust anyone else to do my shopping for me.

My wife uses them all the time. The expired/wrong thing happens incredibly rarely. If there's a mistake it's usually in the amount (e.g. 1/2 gallon of milk versus one whole gallon).

We very rarely get a wrong item, and when we do, they credit our card immediately and we keep the item (if we want it. Tuna in oil goes in the garbage)

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Bill Burr on self checkout

And more Bill Burr on business doing less

 

[guru_007]

To me it's like a bartender. A new big craft beer place opened in town and you go in an buy a "card" with a set amount of money on it. Then you go to the tap and swipe the card and beers are priced by the ounce. It's terrible.

Great for the company as they cut staff and eliminate jobs and likely rake in extra profit as people don't accurately calculate the math on how much a beer should cost by the ounce. Especially after a few drinks.

Hate that place.

I appreciate your point of view here. I see grocery stores and bars/restaurants very differently. I want my grocery store experience to be as utilitarian as possible, which is why I love self check-out. But I want some level of socialization at a bar, and my reaction to a self-serve tap would be the same as yours.

I also self-checkout at hardware stores all the time. But if I need a hand or have a question I'm more than happy to find a customer service person to help out. That's the extent of the interaction I need when I'm shopping for something I need at home. If I'm going to a bar I am there to socialize and relax and human interaction is expected.

 

[belljr]

For those of you that use the personal shopper... how often do you get wrong/bad/deleted/expired/damaged items? We are pretty picky with our groceries, so maybe we're an outlier, but I don't trust anyone else to do my shopping for me.

Our local store is shoprite.....
Wrong item every once in a while but its usually in the same family (we asked for pretzel rods and got twists or something dumb like that)
expired/bad item - don't think ever (one time we did have a frozen bag of tenders that had a fine expiration date on them but when we opened them they were completely black)..........
damaged - never

The big screw ups are usually when they are out and they call and ask for a substitution .... they aren't always what we are looking for...

We don't buy a ton of fruit - but overall I'd say 90% of the time everything is perfect with the order

As others mentioned - we get credited with no hassle

 

[belljr]

Back in its infancy of self checkout - was in Florida - hit up a super Walmart for like 2 items - there were I think 3 self checkout machines......

A couple decided it would be a good idea to self checkout their 2 FULL carts.... so we were down to 2 machines and watching Bubba trying to navigate that self checkout was a sight to be seen

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Never. I’m pro labor and pro human labor. (This will be a thing in our lifetime)

Miss me with the nonsense that these actually create more jobs.

 

[Scoresman]

Tuna in oil goes in the garbage)

Canned tuna in oil is superior in every way to tuna in water.

 

[nirad3]

The other staffing related issue with grocery stores that I HATE is that now all the restocking happens during business hours. It's getting impossible to shop without asking a restocker to move their giant carts that are blocking all the aisles.

Not to mention the other cart thingies that employees use to collect items that are to be picked up for curbside delivery. I get it that they are effectively replacing a customer coming in, but half the time their carts are blocking the aisle along with the restockers.

Restocking should occur when the store is closed.

 

[Keith R]

I rarely actually go into the grocery store. I pull up at 7:30 am and they put my groceries in the trunk, and by 7:45 I'm on my way home.

Used to do this regularly. Rethinking this after last night, where they kept me waiting 40+ minutes. And then when I got home, NINE items were missing despite my email saying they were all picked up (including big items like grapefruits and oranges). Spent another 1/2 hour on the phone to get refunded

 

[dgreen]

Adamantly opposed to self checkout. One more way we're eliminating people needed for jobs. And I know that sounds dumb. But I hate the loss of customer-to-store interaction.

It's one of the very small things that connect people.

Yeah I think about this too sometimes. I got a good new joke the other day from my cashier. I was buying leeks and after they had been put in the bag the cashier said "Be careful there's a leak in that bag". I thought oh no, what a mess at first, but then I got it and we had a good laugh.

100%. It's the dumb little things like that. And depending on the store, you may never see the same person twice. But lots of places there will be a regular or two that you can get to know.

It's just a small nice thing.

I'm an entrepreneur and capitalist. I fully get that a checkout machine pays for itself and doesn't file worker comp claims or call in sick or ask for a raise. But groceries managed to make it work for a long time without them and I don't like eliminating jobs like this.

Even as an introvert, I don't mind interaction. But, too often, it seems fake/forced and some kind of customer service technique rather than a real conversation. I'm thinking of places like Trader Joe's where, as luck would have it, I have at least one item in my basket every time that's the cashier's favorite item! If someone makes a leek/leak joke, that's cool. But, if I get some kind of food joke on almost every visit, I'm going to think it's part of some training they give and not the cashier just being themselves.

 

[New Binky the Doormat]

I hate them and NEVER used them before they became almost the only option.

I don't work for the store - but somehow have become an unpaid employee for this f'n place. I last worked as a "bagboy" when I was 18/19 in college and am not at all interested in doing it again.

yet here we are.

I hate it with heat of a 1,000 suns. It just pisses me off to see 5-6 employees gathered ...yakking ...in front of all the self-check outs and 1 employee checkout ...with a long line.

Kroger is also notorious for not updating sales prices in the system - and used to be when they came to help - they just put the price you told them it was supposed to be ...or swiped their cards if your's wasn't working

no more - now they demand to see the coupon on your phone or they don't accept it - AND their f'n app doesn't work a lot of the time. Or they send someone to go aisle check the price that hasn't come up ...which takes forever because the person checking inevitably has the 'nam stare and is lost. I have started taking pictures of the item and shelf price - but do they say ok ...about half the time.

 

[Keerock]

I hate them and NEVER used them before they became almost the only option.

I don't work for the store - but somehow have become an unpaid employee for this f'n place. I last worked as a "bagboy" when I was 18/19 in college and am not at all interested in doing it again.

yet here we are.

I hate it with heat of a 1,000 suns. It just pisses me off to see 5-6 employees gathered ...yakking ...in front of all the self-check outs and 1 employee checkout ...with a long line.

Kroger is also notorious for not updating sales prices in the system - and used to be when they came to help - they just put the price you told them it was supposed to be ...or swiped their cards if your's wasn't working

no more - now they demand to see the coupon on your phone or they don't accept it - AND their f'n app doesn't work a lot of the time. Or they send someone to go aisle check the price that hasn't come up ...which takes forever because the person checking inevitably has the 'nam stare and is lost. I have started taking pictures of the item and shelf price - but do they say ok ...about half the time.

I despise Kroger for a bunch of reasons, but these aren't them... Have had no issues with the app/coupons, like ever. Have never had an issue with multiple employees gathered... more than not, it's lack of employees if I need help.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Yes, every single time - so much faster.

 

[Sullie]

I totally understand why people don't like self checkouts but I really don't mind it at all. I find the line(s) generally move faster, I can scan and bag my crap faster, I can sort/stack my crap the way I want it sorted and I can spend less time standing awkwardly in line looking at a cover of The Enquirer with the ultimate evidence that Tom Cruise is from another planet. . . do we really need more evidence at this point?

 

[Dr. Octopus]

To me it's like a bartender. A new big craft beer place opened in town and you go in an buy a "card" with a set amount of money on it. Then you go to the tap and swipe the card and beers are priced by the ounce. It's terrible.

Great for the company as they cut staff and eliminate jobs and likely rake in extra profit as people don't accurately calculate the math on how much a beer should cost by the ounce. Especially after a few drinks.

Hate that place.

I appreciate your point of view here. I see grocery stores and bars/restaurants very differently. I want my grocery store experience to be as utilitarian as possible, which is why I love self check-out. But I want some level of socialization at a bar, and my reaction to a self-serve tap would be the same as yours.

Same - I like to chat with a bartender but don't feel the need to make small talk with the teenager scanning my groceries while reading his/her texts.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

become an unpaid employee for this f'n place

why do people's minds go there? - it's my stuff and I'm taking it with me. The quicker I can get out of the store the better = what's the difference if I stand and wait in line or if I stand and swipe?

 

[Scoresman]

I don't work for the store - but somehow have become an unpaid employee for this f'n place. I last worked as a "bagboy" when I was 18/19 in college and am not at all interested in doing it again.

Another good "What's Normal" thread would be "Do you help the grocery clerk bag your groceries when there is no bagger working?"

Personally, I hate it when able-bodied people just sit there when they could be helping bag, making the line go faster.

 

[Mister CIA]

The worst part of self-checkout is the layout/design - let's remove two traditional checkout registers and replace them with six self-checkouts. At least that's been my Kroger experience - and Kroger is the clear front-runner for worst grocery chain in the US. A little elbow room, please.

 

[Joe Bryant]

I don't work for the store - but somehow have become an unpaid employee for this f'n place. I last worked as a "bagboy" when I was 18/19 in college and am not at all interested in doing it again.

Another good "What's Normal" thread would be "Do you help the grocery clerk bag your groceries when there is no bagger working?"

Personally, I hate it when able-bodied people just sit there when they could be helping bag, making the line go faster.

That would be a good one. I'd hope it would be 100% help the clerk.

 

[FatMax]

Self-checkouts are just a byproduct of increased (and sometimes bloated) minimum wage laws. If you are for high minimum wages, but against self-checkouts, I'm not sure you're realistic.

 

[Wildcat]

Timely Article

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Self-checkouts are just a byproduct of increased (and sometimes bloated) minimum wage laws. If you are for high minimum wages, but against self-checkouts, I'm not sure you're realistic.

You’d also have to have an incredible lack of foresight not to see that high minimum wage jobs are only good for large corporations and bad for small business.

 

[Sullie]

I don't work for the store - but somehow have become an unpaid employee for this f'n place. I last worked as a "bagboy" when I was 18/19 in college and am not at all interested in doing it again.

Another good "What's Normal" thread would be "Do you help the grocery clerk bag your groceries when there is no bagger working?"

Personally, I hate it when able-bodied people just sit there when they could be helping bag, making the line go faster.

I do this all the time because, invariably, no matter which store I'm at, the checkout person is almost always an elderly person and I always think "I hope I make it to that person's age. . . and that I don't have to be a grocery store clerk." And I say that b/c a LOT of people are jerks to these people for some reason.

 

[FatMax]

Self-checkouts are just a byproduct of increased (and sometimes bloated) minimum wage laws. If you are for high minimum wages, but against self-checkouts, I'm not sure you're realistic.

You’d also have to have an incredible lack of foresight not to see that high minimum wage jobs are only good for large corporations and bad for small business.

I don't think they are good for either, but I'm curious to hear why you feel that they are good for the large corps.

 

[Da Guru]

To me it's like a bartender. A new big craft beer place opened in town and you go in an buy a "card" with a set amount of money on it. Then you go to the tap and swipe the card and beers are priced by the ounce. It's terrible.

Great for the company as they cut staff and eliminate jobs and likely rake in extra profit as people don't accurately calculate the math on how much a beer should cost by the ounce. Especially after a few drinks.

Hate that place.

There is a popular little brewery in downtown Detroit that we go to once in awhile. I read that they went to all app ordering and paying to cut staff and costs.

When you sit down be it inside or outside no server comes over, you have to scan menu on your phone, figure out what kind of beer you would like, if you want food the same thing. Order on their and pay on their app.

The only time you see anyone is when they drop your beer or food off at the table. Almost zero interaction. Out bill was 50 dollars and when i go to pay of course the tip % pops up. My wife said "Nobody even talked to us", they just ran the food out like a busboy would.

 

[NutterButter]

Always. Love that they keep adding more instances of these at the few stores i go to. I'm not even anti-banter with the checkout person. I just don't believe in having others do what I can do myself.

 

[FatMax]

To me it's like a bartender. A new big craft beer place opened in town and you go in an buy a "card" with a set amount of money on it. Then you go to the tap and swipe the card and beers are priced by the ounce. It's terrible.

Great for the company as they cut staff and eliminate jobs and likely rake in extra profit as people don't accurately calculate the math on how much a beer should cost by the ounce. Especially after a few drinks.

Hate that place.

There is a popular little brewery in downtown Detroit that we go to once in awhile. I read that they went to all app ordering and paying to cut staff and costs.

When you sit down be it inside or outside no server comes over, you have to scan menu on your phone, figure out what kind of beer you would like, if you want food the same thing. Order on their and pay on their app.

The only time you see anyone is when they drop your beer or food off at the table. Almost zero interaction. Out bill was 50 dollars and when i go to pay of course the tip % pops up. My wife said "Nobody even talked to us", they just ran the food out like a busboy would.

If that's the restaurant experience I was looking for, I'd just use DoorDash. Of course, they get tips too.

 

[NutterButter]

To me it's like a bartender. A new big craft beer place opened in town and you go in an buy a "card" with a set amount of money on it. Then you go to the tap and swipe the card and beers are priced by the ounce. It's terrible.

Great for the company as they cut staff and eliminate jobs and likely rake in extra profit as people don't accurately calculate the math on how much a beer should cost by the ounce. Especially after a few drinks.

Hate that place.

There is a popular little brewery in downtown Detroit that we go to once in awhile. I read that they went to all app ordering and paying to cut staff and costs.

When you sit down be it inside or outside no server comes over, you have to scan menu on your phone, figure out what kind of beer you would like, if you want food the same thing. Order on their and pay on their app.

The only time you see anyone is when they drop your beer or food off at the table. Almost zero interaction. Out bill was 50 dollars and when i go to pay of course the tip % pops up. My wife said "Nobody even talked to us", they just ran the food out like a busboy would.

Love that system so much. Only time I've experienced it was in Miami at a sushi place and I thought it was brilliant. They don't even accept tips. I was in heaven.

 

[Mister CIA]

Always. Love that they keep adding more instances of these at the few stores i go to. I'm not even anti-banter with the checkout person. I just don't believe in having others do what I can do myself.

That's what he said.

 

[Courtjester]

The other staffing related issue with grocery stores that I HATE is that now all the restocking happens during business hours. It's getting impossible to shop without asking a restocker to move their giant carts that are blocking all the aisles.

Between the restocking carts and then the employees doing the shopping for the curbside picks, it is heck navigating an aisle. Throw in the fact that stores put products in the center of the aisle and it basically divides the traffic flow to two lanes. All it takes is one person to be taking forever to pick something out of a frozen food case and you are stuck there until they move on.

 

[Da Guru]

To me it's like a bartender. A new big craft beer place opened in town and you go in an buy a "card" with a set amount of money on it. Then you go to the tap and swipe the card and beers are priced by the ounce. It's terrible.

Great for the company as they cut staff and eliminate jobs and likely rake in extra profit as people don't accurately calculate the math on how much a beer should cost by the ounce. Especially after a few drinks.

Hate that place.

There is a popular little brewery in downtown Detroit that we go to once in awhile. I read that they went to all app ordering and paying to cut staff and costs.

When you sit down be it inside or outside no server comes over, you have to scan menu on your phone, figure out what kind of beer you would like, if you want food the same thing. Order on their and pay on their app.

The only time you see anyone is when they drop your beer or food off at the table. Almost zero interaction. Out bill was 50 dollars and when i go to pay of course the tip % pops up. My wife said "Nobody even talked to us", they just ran the food out like a busboy would.

Love that system so much. Only time I've experienced it was in Miami at a sushi place and I thought it was brilliant. They don't even accept tips. I was in heaven.

I did not mind it either. I tipped much less than usual.

But I like a good server in a brewery that knows the beer.

 

[NutterButter]

Always. Love that they keep adding more instances of these at the few stores i go to. I'm not even anti-banter with the checkout person. I just don't believe in having others do what I can do myself.

That's what he said.

We're not all the way there yet but maybe some day

 

[dgreen]

To me it's like a bartender. A new big craft beer place opened in town and you go in an buy a "card" with a set amount of money on it. Then you go to the tap and swipe the card and beers are priced by the ounce. It's terrible.

Great for the company as they cut staff and eliminate jobs and likely rake in extra profit as people don't accurately calculate the math on how much a beer should cost by the ounce. Especially after a few drinks.

Hate that place.

There is a popular little brewery in downtown Detroit that we go to once in awhile. I read that they went to all app ordering and paying to cut staff and costs.

When you sit down be it inside or outside no server comes over, you have to scan menu on your phone, figure out what kind of beer you would like, if you want food the same thing. Order on their and pay on their app.

The only time you see anyone is when they drop your beer or food off at the table. Almost zero interaction. Out bill was 50 dollars and when i go to pay of course the tip % pops up. My wife said "Nobody even talked to us", they just ran the food out like a busboy would.

Wife and I went to a new brewery the other night. It was the same way. You scan the QR code at your table to order. With this one, you pay when you order, not at the end. So, it's asking for a tip before they've done anything. I found that annoying, but went ahead and tipped 20% (the lowest preset option - you could choose custom and do a different amount). Food came and was simply dropped off by someone. No other interaction. I had no idea if someone would come by to offer to-go boxes, so I just walked up to the counter by the kitchen and grabbed one. I mostly won't be going back because the food was pretty bad, but I'd have to think twice about going even if the food was good.

 

[the moops]

I don't work for the store - but somehow have become an unpaid employee for this f'n place. I last worked as a "bagboy" when I was 18/19 in college and am not at all interested in doing it again.

Another good "What's Normal" thread would be "Do you help the grocery clerk bag your groceries when there is no bagger working?"

Personally, I hate it when able-bodied people just sit there when they could be helping bag, making the line go faster.

That would be a good one. I'd hope it would be 100% help the clerk.

I'm guessing it would be like 75% yes, 25% no. I actually really enjoy the puzzle of bagging groceries. See how fast and how efficient I can be

 

[Leroy Hoard]

I actually really enjoy the puzzle of bagging groceries. See how fast and how efficient I can be

Like a puzzle and dexterity exercise in one. I love to show off my can flipping technique.

 

[Ilov80s]

Yes if I have 1 or 2 things and am in a hurry. If I have a lot of stuff, nope. I would like the assistance and want to keep people employed.

 

[SWC]

Adamantly opposed to self checkout. One more way we're eliminating people needed for jobs. And I know that sounds dumb. But I hate the loss of customer-to-store interaction.

It's one of the very small things that connect people.

joehan i totally agree with this but it is sort of based on the false assumption that if a store didnt have self checkouts they would staff up and have 10 people up front but the truth is they wont and even if they wanted to no one will fill the jobs now you can argue about why people dont want those jobs and all that but that is another topic if you dont have the robocheckers you are standing behind four ladies with carts full of 100 items holding your bag of chips just trying to pay and leave i guess it is a sign of the times up north here anyhow but i think the days of old red who just got out of prison asking for a pee break arent coming back take that to the bank brochacho

 

[Terminalxylem]

Here's one reason to use self checkout

Huh? Is he suggesting mis-scanning to steal stuff?

 

[Terminalxylem]

I avoid that thing unless I have like 3 items.

Me too. Surprised so lopsided the other way.

 

[fightingillini]

I use it all the time when I shop for myself. Rarely have more than 20 items. I don't want to wait for some mom(s) who is shopping for 4-6 and has over $300 in groceries.

When I used to shop for my family, I didn't use the self checkout.

 

[NutterButter]

I actually really enjoy the puzzle of bagging groceries. See how fast and how efficient I can be

Like a puzzle and dexterity exercise in one. I love to show off my can flipping technique.

I'm typically just buying a few different veggies that I'm not buying in bulk at costco and I like to test myself with seeing how quickly i can look them up. like i'm never in a hurry. i have all the time in the world. but seeing how fast i can get in and out of the super market is just some twisted little game i like to play. part of the reason i like going in the evening when the crowd is small b/c you can work your way around people so much quicker as you're trying to set a personal record.

 

[urbanhack]

Yes. I live really close to my favorite grocery store. I never go on big shopping trips. Normally it's a few times a week to just grab what I'm going to need in the short term. I'm usually doing less than 15 items so I do the self checkout 95% of the time.

 

[BassNBrew]

Adamantly opposed to self checkout. One more way we're eliminating people needed for jobs. And I know that sounds dumb. But I hate the loss of customer-to-store interaction.

It's one of the very small things that connect people.

Yeah I think about this too sometimes. I got a good new joke the other day from my cashier. I was buying leeks and after they had been put in the bag the cashier said "Be careful there's a leak in that bag". I thought oh no, what a mess at first, but then I got it and we had a good laugh.

100%. It's the dumb little things like that. And depending on the store, you may never see the same person twice. But lots of places there will be a regular or two that you can get to know.

It's just a small nice thing.

I'm an entrepreneur and capitalist. I fully get that a checkout machine pays for itself and doesn't file worker comp claims or call in sick or ask for a raise. But groceries managed to make it work for a long time without them and I don't like eliminating jobs like this.

I don't work for the store - but somehow have become an unpaid employee for this f'n place. I last worked as a "bagboy" when I was 18/19 in college and am not at all interested in doing it again.

Another good "What's Normal" thread would be "Do you help the grocery clerk bag your groceries when there is no bagger working?"

Personally, I hate it when able-bodied people just sit there when they could be helping bag, making the line go faster.

That would be a good one. I'd hope it would be 100% help the clerk.

Why are you helping them eliminate bagging jobs? You probably take the cart back inside and reduce the opportunity for workers to get outside too???

 

[Terminalxylem]

To me it's like a bartender. A new big craft beer place opened in town and you go in an buy a "card" with a set amount of money on it. Then you go to the tap and swipe the card and beers are priced by the ounce. It's terrible.

Great for the company as they cut staff and eliminate jobs and likely rake in extra profit as people don't accurately calculate the math on how much a beer should cost by the ounce. Especially after a few drinks.

Hate that place.

There is a popular little brewery in downtown Detroit that we go to once in awhile. I read that they went to all app ordering and paying to cut staff and costs.

When you sit down be it inside or outside no server comes over, you have to scan menu on your phone, figure out what kind of beer you would like, if you want food the same thing. Order on their and pay on their app.

The only time you see anyone is when they drop your beer or food off at the table. Almost zero interaction. Out bill was 50 dollars and when i go to pay of course the tip % pops up. My wife said "Nobody even talked to us", they just ran the food out like a busboy would.

I don’t use self scan regularly at grocery stores, but love QR menu/order/pay restaurants.

Don’t really enjoy interacting with waitstaff. Just give me the info electronically, so I don’t have to endure a ten-minute spiel about specials I definitely won’t be ordering, alcoholic beverage pretense, and multiple delays before my order is taken/bill arrives.

I’m dining with people with whom I’m interested in socializing, not looking for gratuitous small talk with the workers.

As long as an human is available if something goes wrong/questions arise, I’d be content to be served by robots. Everything else electronically automated.

This also takes care of a few others peeves, like indecisive orderers and bickering over how a bill is split. The only downside, imo, is it may involve downloading an app.

 

[Joe Bryant]

To me it's like a bartender. A new big craft beer place opened in town and you go in an buy a "card" with a set amount of money on it. Then you go to the tap and swipe the card and beers are priced by the ounce. It's terrible.

Great for the company as they cut staff and eliminate jobs and likely rake in extra profit as people don't accurately calculate the math on how much a beer should cost by the ounce. Especially after a few drinks.

Hate that place.

There is a popular little brewery in downtown Detroit that we go to once in awhile. I read that they went to all app ordering and paying to cut staff and costs.

When you sit down be it inside or outside no server comes over, you have to scan menu on your phone, figure out what kind of beer you would like, if you want food the same thing. Order on their and pay on their app.

The only time you see anyone is when they drop your beer or food off at the table. Almost zero interaction. Out bill was 50 dollars and when i go to pay of course the tip % pops up. My wife said "Nobody even talked to us", they just ran the food out like a busboy would.

Yes. One of our local breweries did the same. I went to the place mostly because the bartenders were great. Got to know them a bit and it was a primary reason I went as the beer was good but not more special than other places.

They went to the app and effectively removed the social connection from the customer experience.

Good business for them as they can cut costs. Bad business long term as I'm way less interested now.

 

[Joe Bryant]

To me it's like a bartender. A new big craft beer place opened in town and you go in an buy a "card" with a set amount of money on it. Then you go to the tap and swipe the card and beers are priced by the ounce. It's terrible.

Great for the company as they cut staff and eliminate jobs and likely rake in extra profit as people don't accurately calculate the math on how much a beer should cost by the ounce. Especially after a few drinks.

Hate that place.

There is a popular little brewery in downtown Detroit that we go to once in awhile. I read that they went to all app ordering and paying to cut staff and costs.

When you sit down be it inside or outside no server comes over, you have to scan menu on your phone, figure out what kind of beer you would like, if you want food the same thing. Order on their and pay on their app.

The only time you see anyone is when they drop your beer or food off at the table. Almost zero interaction. Out bill was 50 dollars and when i go to pay of course the tip % pops up. My wife said "Nobody even talked to us", they just ran the food out like a busboy would.

I don’t use self scan regularly at grocery stores, but love QR menu/order/pay restaurants.

Don’t really enjoy interacting with waitstaff. Just give me the info electronically, so I don’t have to endure a ten-minute spiel about specials I definitely won’t be ordering, alcoholic beverage pretense, and multiple delays before my order is taken/bill arrives.

I’m dining with people with whom I’m interested in socializing, not looking for gratuitous small talk with the workers.

As long as an human is available if something goes wrong/questions arise, I’d be content to be served by robots. Everything else electronically automated.

This also takes care of a few others peeves, like indecisive orderers and bickering over how a bill is split. The only downside, imo, is it may involve downloading an app.

I'm the exact opposite. One of the primary things about eating out is the social interaction with the staff. It's not gratuitous small talk in my opinion. It's the basics of hospitality.

Reducing it to door dash is a big negative for me.

In some of the best meals I can remember at a restaurant, a great service staff was a key part of it.

 

[Dickies]

I usually do self checkout, but the decision ultimately rests on which method gets me out of the store faster. Sometimes there is a line of people actively avoiding human interaction while the actual checker is open.

One thing that drives me absolutely crazy is how inept people are at managing the self check. It's basically a minimum wage job, yet it seems to be too complex for the majority of folks. There should be some kind of licensing requirement before being allowed to self check so that we can keep the lines moving. I can scan an entire cart of produce before some people can manage 3-5 items with barcodes.

 

[massraider]

I didn't realize there was this many angry people in the supermarket

 

[Ron Swanson]

To me it's like a bartender. A new big craft beer place opened in town and you go in an buy a "card" with a set amount of money on it. Then you go to the tap and swipe the card and beers are priced by the ounce. It's terrible.

Great for the company as they cut staff and eliminate jobs and likely rake in extra profit as people don't accurately calculate the math on how much a beer should cost by the ounce. Especially after a few drinks.

Hate that place.

I saw one of those a couple weeks ago. It was a really cool industrial mixed use building with a coffee shop, retro hipster barbershop, and some other stuff but then a wall of robo taps and some picnic tables. Super sterile and kinda creepy.