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'It hasn't delivered': The spectacular failure of self-checkout technology (www.bbc.com)

submitted 10 months ago by ooli@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world

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[–] mundane@feddit.nu 31 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (19 children)

I don't recognize these pain points. I always use the self checkout and it's usually quick and painless. My experience is.

Edit: seems I made the assumption that everyone uses wireless scanner handles.

When we enter the store we scan the ID to get a wireless scanner handle.
Collect your wares, scan with the handle, placing them directly into the bags along the way.
Put the handle back and blip your membership id (card or qr code on phone) again to start the checkout.
Blip your payment card.
Walk out

Every once in a while I get caught in a random check, which is kind of a pain, but it's so infrequent that it is acceptable.

Is this not how it usually works?

[–] Zitronensaft@feddit.de 7 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (3 children)

Ok now I am curious where you live that you have to provide ID to shop. Here in the US we scan the items and then swipe our payment card, the ID is only used to check your age for tobacco and alcohol purchases which can’t be sold to minors. An employee has to come look at the ID to make sure a minor hasn’t borrowed someone else’s, so it doesn’t even get scanned. Employees just swipe their work badge and confirm that they checked your age.

As for the pain, a lot of self checkout systems have very limited space and can be awkward to run all your items through. Manned stations have the conveyor so you can unload multiple items from your cart at a time to be scanned. They also have more end space so you can have room to bag everything if you are doing a big shopping trip.

[–] IHeartBadCode@kbin.social 16 points 10 months ago

I think they mean ID as store loyalty card and/or membership card. Not actual government issued ID.

[–] runefehay@kbin.social 5 points 10 months ago

I think they may be talking about the "discount" tracker cards. The ones which you fill out an application to get, so you can get the special "discount" (really what the price used to be).

[–] SnotFlickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

I would assume they meant something like a CostCo proof of membership ID.

This is how self checkouts at CostCo work in the US, however they are pretty good about having plenty of regular cashiers available as well.

[–] mundane@feddit.nu 1 points 10 months ago

Exactly, a membership id to checkout the wireless scanner that you have with you in the store.

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