Technologies That Stink
Sometimes I feel we've jumped the technological shark. All the really good stuff has already been invented and all we're left to create is nonsense.
Like Self-Checkout.
I don't know about you but I went way over my head in student loan debt for the express purpose of NOT becoming a cashier. In fact, during my college days I made my book money as a cashier and I did not find the experience to be at all fun. Yet here I am, thanks to a marvel of modern technology, ringing up my own Ding Dongs.
I cannot purchase cough medicine at the self-checkout without calling a cashier to confirm I am over 18. If the weight of my purchases is amiss a cashier must be called to authorize my purchase. If anything goes awry in any way my self-checkout master calls a cashier to rescue me.
And there I stand giving an apologetic raise of the eyebrows to the grumpy man behind me.
Self-Checkout Machine, YOU STINK!
Any other nominees?
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Comments :
Nov '10
Re: Technologies That Stink
The fundamental idea is a good one, and I am actually quite impressed at the underlying trust of the consumer to be honest, as these devices are open invitations for theft.
However, you are quite right that it is also demeaning for consumers to have to check their own items like a cashier, a position we willinging pay others to do because it is ... demeaning. But not just any cashier; one who is subject to another's judgement because apparently we are not responsible citizens (violating the apparent trust mentioned above).
But I have a bigger beef with them. They are, despite their impressive design, VERY slow and cumbersome. Given the number of store staff required to continually assist, and to fix problems when they occur, and to monitor customers who may have an increased temptation to "cheat" in these lines, I cannot imagine that this represents any kind of cost savings. They do represent a great waste of space in the biggest traffic jam area in every supermarket. They are ergonomically just dumb. And I imagine the cost of shoplifting, sophisticated hardware and extra staffing just gets incorporated into prices we pay.
Perhaps this is only an evolutionary step.
Nov '11
Re: Technologies That Stink
In defense of self checkouts
1. They are voluntary.
2. I'm quicker and value my own time more than a lowly paid cashier.
3. I get bored waiting in line, self checkout does not bore me.
Aug '10
Re: Technologies That Stink
Fred Cole: In defense of self checkouts
1. They are voluntary.
True.
I wish I were quicker at self-checkout. Then I would actually use it. But most of the times I've tried self-checkout, I couldn't get it to work for one reason or another, and so I burned time just waiting there for the one technician to help me, sometimes repeatedly. I've even left groceries behind out of the sheer frustration of not being able to get them to scan.
So I haven't found that it saves much time when I use it. However, having self-checkout available to those who are magically able to get it to work should shorten the lines for human-powered checkout, even for a neanderthal like myself, right?
But how many self-checkout stations does it take to equal one human cashier? If most of the world is like me, plenty.
On the other hand, I've had friends make fun of me for not being able to use self-checkout easily. So maybe most of the world isn't like me.
Dec '10
Re: Technologies That Stink
I am the grumpy man behind you.
I love self checkout, but I'm a control freak. What I don't love is how self checkout invites violation of the 10% rule which states that you must be at least 10% smarter than the equipment you are attempting to operate. Walmart attracts violators more readily than any other retail outlet on the planet.
Mar '11
Re: Technologies That Stink
Midget Faded Rattlesnake
I wish I were quicker at self-checkout. Then I would actually use it. But most of the times I've tried self-checkout, I couldn't get it to work for one reason or another, and so I burned time just waiting there for the one technician to help me, sometimes repeatedly. I've even left groceries behind out of the sheer frustration of not being able to get them to scan.
Works well if you're buying gum with a credit card. Buying okra with exact change? Impossible.
Dec '10
Re: Technologies That Stink
Casey:
Midget Faded Rattlesnake
I wish I were quicker at self-checkout. Then I would actually use it. But most of the times I've tried self-checkout, I couldn't get it to work for one reason or another, and so I burned time just waiting there for the one technician to help me, sometimes repeatedly. I've even left groceries behind out of the sheer frustration of not being able to get them to scan.
Works well if you're buying gum with a credit card. Buying okra with exact change? Impossible. · Dec 1 at 2:13pm
Well there's yer problem. Stop buying okra.
Aug '11
Re: Technologies That Stink
Sentence of the week.
Having spent plenty of time on the cashier side of the counter in my youth, I don't consider the job demeaning. I could even be convinced that there is an art to it that is lost on today's generation of cashiers. (For example, when was the last time a cashier properly counted back change to you rather than just tossing change into your hand and grunting out the amount the register told him it should be?)
But even though I spent my formative years doing the check-out scene in the family grocery store (no scanner -- everything punched in by hand*) I cannot for the life of me operate one of these STUPID AND USELESS SELF-CHECK-OUT THINGIES!
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*I would like to see a John Henry-style competition between a modern grocery scanner and a "punch in the price by hand" contestant, with speed and accuracy comparisons. I am convinced that I and those who were part of my generation of cashiers could out-perform the computers. We were FAST, man!
Aug '10
Re: Technologies That Stink
Casey:
Midget Faded Rattlesnake
I wish I were quicker at self-checkout. Then I would actually use it. But most of the times I've tried self-checkout, I couldn't get it to work for one reason or another...
Works well if you're buying gum with a credit card. Buying okra with exact change? Impossible.
Hmm... I do buy a lot of produce.
And so far, I haven't been in a store that allows you to both print out your own price tags for bags of produce and do self-checkout.
Aug '10
Re: Technologies That Stink
Totally with you on the self-checkout, Casey. What a pain in the behind!
Wells Fargo has installed new ATMs here in the Twin Cities that scan your checks and cash rather than having you put them in an envelope and deposit them in a slot. sounds great, right? The problem is that half the time the scanner can't read all of your checks or bills and spits them back out at you, which can be a problem if you're in your car and one of the bills gets dumped out and blows away.
I run a small business so we are making deposits almost every night which usually involve checks and bills. I imagine this new technology is saving Wells Fargo some money but it is often a real pain to use.
Feb '11
Re: Technologies That Stink
I almost never spend less than $200 at the grocery store, because I go only once a week. I shop for 8 people, three of whom are boys who seem to drink a gallon of milk each per day. I never buy fewer than 12 bananas at a time. I can't even fit all my groceries on the "bagging area" of the checker. In the last 15 years, I have gone through the express lane maybe two or three times?
It is much easier for me to go through a regular line, with a checker who does this all day every day.
In Lowe's or some other places, I have used the self-checker successfully. But a seemingly equal number of times I have had to wait for the attendant.
May '10
Re: Technologies That Stink
I like self-checkout machines. They shorten the normal checkout lines for folks like me.
Suckers.
Nov '11
Re: Technologies That Stink
I need to add to my prior comments. What I said only applies to me. I buy few items, and I buy them quickly. In your case, the self checkout is not meant for you. If I were buying two hundred dollars worth of groceries per trip, I would never use the self-checkout.
Feb '11
Re: Technologies That Stink
The level of suckiness for self-checkout systems varies substantially from system to system. The ones at Giant are awful...they are like a science fair project partly assembled by somebody who ran out of time. I've only used the Safeway one once, but it seemed better.
Aug '10
Re: Technologies That Stink
Fred Cole
If I were buying two hundred dollars worth of groceries per trip, I would never use the self-checkout.
OK. That's my other problem, then. We, too, shop as infrequently as we can get away with, and buy a lot of ingredients at once.
Mar '11
Re: Technologies That Stink
The King Prawn
Casey:
Midget Faded Rattlesnake
I wish I were quicker at self-checkout. Then I would actually use it. But most of the times I've tried self-checkout, I couldn't get it to work for one reason or another, and so I burned time just waiting there for the one technician to help me, sometimes repeatedly. I've even left groceries behind out of the sheer frustration of not being able to get them to scan.
Works well if you're buying gum with a credit card. Buying okra with exact change? Impossible. · Dec 1 at 2:13pm
Well there's yer problem. Stop buying okra. · Dec 1 at 2:16pm
If only I were so strong.
Edited on Dec 1, 2011 at 2:45pmAug '10
Re: Technologies That Stink
I can't wait for the day when the store has RFID tags on everything, they read an iris scan of me on the way out to charge my card for everything that is in the cart as I walk to my car.No people, no checking, and maybe lower prices.
It's possible now, but there are guys screwing up the self-checkout so badly that the technicians are all trying to appease him and don't have time for the new tech.
Walmart tried to enforce RFID on everything coming into the store a couple of years ago for inventory and reorder purposes. Couldn't meet the schedule, they're trying though. Now, if we can just get them to manufacture everything here......
May '10
Re: Technologies That Stink
I remember I was appalled when gas stations started using self-serve machines. It seemed so impersonal. Now I get EXTREMELY ANNOYED when I have to gas up on the highways of New Jersey, where self-serve is not allowed. It always means waiting on lines four cars (at least) long and having to deal with someone. Such an interruption of the trip.
Technology I dislike is complicated coffee makers.
Oct '10
Re: Technologies That Stink
In large part, have to respect and do not mind dealing with the checkout folks. They are people and in large part nice folks. The checkout gizmos really serve a limited audience. For the times I have used them, they were tempermental and required addtional time wasting efforts in the checkout process. Even a grumpy clerk is faster.
Jun '10
Re: Technologies That Stink
I use self-checkout when I have so few items I don't need a cart; otherwise, I stand in line, which gives me a chance to ponder how Edmund Burke would respond to Obamacare (he'd hate it) or to lament that yet-again I am not one of People's 50 sexiest men (sadly, a correct judgment, but a guy can dream).
My pet peeve: I hate vending machines that won't take my dollars, even nice crisp ones.
Feb '11
Re: Technologies That Stink
Midget Faded Rattlesnake
Fred Cole: In defense of self checkouts
1. They are voluntary.
True.
I wish I were quicker at self-checkout. Then I would actually use it. But most of the times I've tried self-checkout, I couldn't get it to work for one reason or another, and so I burned time just waiting there for the one technician to help me, sometimes repeatedly. I've even left groceries behind out of the sheer frustration of not being able to get them to scan.
So I haven't found that it saves much time when I use it. However, having self-checkout available to those who are magically able to get it to work should shorten the lines for human-powered checkout, even for a neanderthal like myself, right?
Come on, Rattlesnakes could never use self-checkout. When you slither across with the item, the electronic eye picks up on the scales, the computer interprets it as some kind of bar code, and you're never in the computer.