Ironies of "Self Serve Checkouts"
I did pick up a few groceries however. When I went to check out, the "supervisor" tried to urge me to go to the self service checkout station. "Sir, you have just a few items, why don't you try our self checkout?" I looked at her kind of funny and replied, "I have to have special assistance just to look at your DVDs. You don't trust me to pick one up, read it and put it back without employee supervision. Yet you are encouraging me to check myself out?" She just looked at me dumbfounded.
Went into Meijer's over the weekend to check out their DVD selection
"I have to have special assistance just to look at your DVDs. You don't trust me to pick one up, read it and put it back without employee supervision. Yet you are encouraging me to check myself out?"
Good for you! That was the perfect response to her request. Though I’ve used the self checkout at a grocery store and Kmart, I plan to never do so again. I just know people are going to get laid off everywhere if these things succeed. Plus, why the hell should I check myself out? If these stores want my dollar, they have to work for it. Now if they want to pay me to check myself out, I’d be happy to oblige.
Abob Teff,
Good for you! That was the perfect response to her request. Though I’ve used the self checkout at a grocery store and Kmart, I plan to never do so again. I just know people are going to get laid off everywhere if these things succeed. Plus, why the hell should I check myself out? If these stores want my dollar, they have to work for it. Now if they want to pay me to check myself out, I’d be happy to oblige.
You did use the self-checkout, though, right? I would assume it is faster than waiting in a line...
I can also understand them keeping the DVDs locked up. It's not like there's a bunch of shoplifters looking to purloin cans of baked beans to sell on eBay. I guess their options are lock the DVDs up or install the same security scanners like they have at the exits in Best Buy, Circuit City and most mall stores. But grocery stores generate so much more traffic than those stores, there's almost a constant flow of people coming in and out of the doors. The stores here also keep the cigarettes locked up, but I believe that's required by law to prevent minors from getting them.
As for the self checkout lines, I find myself in Meijer quite a bit to buy just a few items. Thus, the self checkout lines (if I am paying with cash or a credit card) to be very convenient, though they are more of a hassle if you are writing with a check.
They started locking up their DVDs probably 6 months ago. I haven't browsed their DVDs since then, of course, and I can only imagine that their DVD sales have plummeted.
As for locking up the DVDs, yes, that eliminates some theft problems. But it also eliminates many customers too. I will not buy from such a display. It is very anti-customer. You cannot even see the prices. Walmart used to do this, but quickly got away from it when they realized that it is consumer antagonistic. K-Mart held on to it for awhile (still do in some areas), but then when did anybody ever accuse them of being pro-customer? As long as Meijers does this, I won't be back.
As far as the self-checkout goes, I'd rather check myself out and get out of wherever I am faster, I don't see it as any sort of big hassle. The only problem is when the usual morons who need someone to do things for them try to use the self-checkouts and take longer than a live cashier would!
Also if you like Dr. Pepper and have one of the coupons off the bottle, you can get paid for shopping.
Dr. Pepper on sale this week for 69 cents, coupon for 55 cents. Self-checker doubles it, and the store pays you 41 cents. I buy a few other things so that it doesn't try to go below 0. The other day I bought a 128oz HiC fruit punch and 2 2-liters of Dr. Pepper for $1.42 I think. Even on sale the HiC was $2 by itself.
-jarrod
Last edited by ajbowling; 05-10-02 at 11:09 AM.
Perfect response.
Also, First Chicago (now BankOne) was the bank that first started getting headlines for charging for counter visits. You get a few free per month and then they charge you. I'm used to it now.
The only problem is when the usual morons who need someone to do things for them try to use the self-checkouts and take longer than a live cashier would!
You guys need to change banks! Of course, chosing a bank is like voting anymore -- the eviler of two lessers.
In any case, I think it's about time DVDTalk members unite and form our own bank, one that floats lots of low interest loans for bulk DVD purchasing, offers check/credit cards that earn you Amazon GCs for using them, and doesn't EVER cancel your online orders!
Sorry Abob, I certainly didn't mean you when I was talking about the usuals. Your reasons for avoiding the lines are perfectly legit.
In any case, I think it's about time DVDTalk members unite and form our own bank, one that floats lots of low interest loans for bulk DVD purchasing, offers check/credit cards that earn you Amazon GCs for using them, and doesn't EVER cancel your online orders!
I like your bank idea!
days ago as I hardly ever look for dvd's at meijer, though be it a
way to stop theft, it also causes me not to want to buy dvd's
from them. An exsample of this just the other day when I first
noticed these new dvd-lock-up-cases another customer with their
child were looking at the dvd's, then went the nearest
employee, at the photo place, and asked about getting a dvd,
the employee told them that they would need to use the phone
next to the case to get the dvd they wanted out of the case.
Customer uses phone, after a few minutes no one comes the
customer is starting to discouraged. That is when I left, the
customer probably waited maybe 5+ before leaving, I know I
would.
Obviously their sales have really fallen off and they are hoping that a large sign will help things. I am not sure what their next move will be.