Target's self check-out

[Freshjive2103]

The stupidest places I have seen self checkouts are Home Depot and Lowes. When I go into there... I am not dropping 20 or 30 dollars. However, more times than not, they have 1 checkout person and 3 or 4 self checkout lanes.

 

[seminole97]

Trust me, you are doomed.

Naw, there is always a role for those capable of critical thinking. The ones who are doomed are the ones who can't imagine a world different than the one they're in right now. The ones who are terrified of the only constant - Change.

Something will soon be available that is faster, better or cheaper than you. Good luck.

There will always be faster, better and cheaper tools. Question is, are you just a tool at work? Or are you a brain behind the hands that hold the tools?

 

[LT4PLY]

"Self check-out" is yet another way of shifting overhead to you, the (alleged) customer. Fewer employees means smaller payroll, fewer benefits, etc. But what's in this for me?? Despite the lower cost-of-goods-sold, you never see these places reducing their prices. And when these corporate behemoths fire their check-out personnel, you/me then get the privilege of propping up many of the displaced workers with government handouts.

Screw all of these big-box places. And for those of you who "like" the automation, be careful what you ask for.....you too could be eligible for, um, er, outplacement.

Believe it or not, being a "cashier" at fast food places and big box stores is not, and never was, considered a career. (with the exception of the already mentioned Costco, which believes in their employees and pays them very well to do these jobs to keep customer service high).

Growing up the the workforce in these jobs consisted mainly of High School and College Students. Whether we went to Taco Bell, Publix, Pizza joints, etc. the bulk of the basic work force were students with career employees (i.e. managers) mixed in for training, support, etc. Now we are seeing people leveraging them as careers instead of starting points for many reasons (no responsibility, no drive, no work ethic, etc.)

Publix still sticks to that model but I can't think of other places that do. Everywhere I go I am dealing with an adult in these jobs that should be doing something higher end. I also notice that I don't see the same people working in these jobs from week to week / month to month. Even in HS we knew who worked where and it was consistently the same people for lengthy periods of time.

 

[EveryoneBleedsGarnet]

I don't shop at big box stores that don't sell ammo.

 

[Fijimn]

Naw, there is always a role for those capable of critical thinking. The ones who are doomed are the ones who can't imagine a world different than the one they're in right now. The ones who are terrified of the only constant - Change.



There will always be faster, better and cheaper tools. Question is, are you just a tool at work? Or are you a brain behind the hands that hold the tools?

Get back in your cubicle and make the damn machines run so the rainmakers can get their work down before our tee time.

 

[GwinnettNole]

Get back in your cubicle and make the damn machines run so the rainmakers can get their work down before our tee time.

Ah yes the sales guy. When are you coming to my office and buying me lunch-- it's been a three days since one of you took me...? This is when I can pretend to be interested all for a free meal ;-)

Seriously, sales is a tough job that has always intrigued me though. But I've been in IT for so long-- I also enjoy not traveling and not relying on my ability to make others spend their money. I'm good where I'm at...

 

[BelemNole]

The stupidest places I have seen self checkouts are Home Depot and Lowes. When I go into there... I am not dropping 20 or 30 dollars. However, more times than not, they have 1 checkout person and 3 or 4 self checkout lanes.

I almost always use the self checkout at Lowes unless I'm buying loose fasteners, etc. If I'm in there for random handful of home repair items I'm thru the self-check out line in 30 seconds.

 

[West Duval Nole]

I don't go to target nearly as much as usually they only have a couple lanes open and I only have a few items and would qualify for express lane which they never have open. And the lanes they have open are in the middle as opposed to one on each end. Then when it gets backed up. They call additional cashiers to the front and the people that haven't been waiting very long or at all get right to the front. A very reactive instead of proactive approach.

 

[surfnole]

One of my recent worst experiences was at Newark International in the United terminal. Every F'n restaurant forced you to order off an iPad and the only way to pay was via credit card...in the entire terminal except for a few far flung kiosks. You had no idea if anybody actually got your order or if anybody was going to bring your food. Even worse coming back when I wanted to give the three kids each a $20 to go get something to eat and meet somewhere instead of making trips to four different restaurants with a credit card.

 

[KitingHigh]

I almost always use the self checkout at Lowes unless I'm buying loose fasteners, etc. If I'm in there for random handful of home repair items I'm thru the self-check out line in 30 seconds.

Self checkout at HD is good for loose fasteners. It has a visual menu system on the screen for identifying and checking them out.

 

[OrlandNole]

Publix still sticks to that model but I can't think of other places that do. Everywhere I go I am dealing with an adult in these jobs that should be doing something higher end. I also notice that I don't see the same people working in these jobs from week to week / month to month. Even in HS we knew who worked where and it was consistently the same people for lengthy periods of time.

The Publix near my house as plenty of adult employees in all positions.