Good ideas that just aren't working out...for me

[Mike Schwartz]

Stopped at a supermarket today on my day off during the late morning, no crowds.

The only checkout saw two folks with carts piled high.....me with my carry basket and a few items.

AH-HAH!!
Self check -out was empty.
Bad idea.....once again, I needed to find a clerk to help me through it. They actually have employees ready to help the folks like me who stumble around the *self* check out.

[tippy]

I thought self check out is when you put the items under your coat and sneak out the store. I have to admit I’ve never seen a self check out thingie. I guess they know New Yorkers too well.

[Mike Schwartz]

Originally Posted by tippy

I thought self check out is when you put the items under your coat and sneak out the store. I have to admit I’ve never seen a self check out thingie. I guess they know New Yorkers too well.

I know what you mean tip, from my NY days. Did a lot of that as a kid.

They have it all over out here; the chain grocery stores, Home Depot (pretty much anything that'll scan)

I got stuck with my produce, which didn't have bar codes.
How was I supposed to know I was supposed to scroll through the alphabet and touch the picture of celery???

[Jon Abbey]

Originally Posted by tippy

I thought self check out is when you put the items under your coat and sneak out the store. I have to admit I’ve never seen a self check out thingie. I guess they know New Yorkers too well.

the Pathmark here in Jersey City has one, there's one cashier watching four scanners, but you do it all yourself unless you have a problem.

[tippy]

Well, goddamnit, I’m gonna complain to my rep in queens. One cashier for 4 scanners, huh? That means I could scan 1, take 3. hee hee. Actually where I live – if we had one of these self-scanner thingies – I could take it all because the cashiers are usually engaged in mundane conversations with one another. My favorites are at Rite Aid. The test is you can’t show any consternation because then you’ll get the “excuse me I’m having a conversation here” dirty look and a lotta attitude. I’m a pro now, I just wait patiently and then give them my I’m a chump smile replete with gratitude.

[Monte Smith]

I always use the self-checkout in groceries. 4011 = bananas. I'm GOOD!

[Monte Smith]

Originally Posted by Mike Schwartz

4070

[Scott Dolan]

If you're right, that is truly saddening.

Either way, I think self checkout stomps ass.

[Mike Schwartz]

Smith is bluffing about the codes, though the checkers use them.

At least here, mere civilians like myself, have to sort through the alphabet and find the picture. It did offer me 4 languages to stumble along in

[Scott Dolan]

No, with produce you can enter the code that is on the little stickers attached to them.

It can be done your way as well, but...

[patricia]

Just before Christmas I found myself in a crowded market that offered long lineups at the manned checkouts, as well as self-checkout facilities.
I opted for the self-checkout, never having used one before.

I still feel guilty about this, but I got home, checked my tape and realized that although I had six packages of vanilla pudding-mix.............I had only charged myself for four of them.
What to do.
I did nothing.
No uniformed constabulary came to my door.
How do stores that offer self-checkouts stop the customers from not charging themselves for some of their groceries.

[Mike Schwartz]

That video and hefty fine should be arriving soon

Probably, and I hope not...

[Mike Schwartz]

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

No, with produce you can enter the code that is on the little stickers attached to them.

It can be done your way as well, but...

Then I'm with you; if Monte has them memorized, needs to get out a little more

[Scott Dolan]

It would be a start...

[Tom Storer]

Self-checkout, huh? Should hit France in 2012.

[Ron Thorne]

Originally Posted by Tom Storer

Self-checkout, huh? Should hit France in 2012.

And here I thought that Alaska was probably the last place to enjoy the technology ... back in about 1998.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

I never go to the self-checkout. That's just a way for the huge grocery chains to cut labor costs at the expense of their employees as well as customers. What the fuck, next thing you know they'll have us stocking the fucking shelves. "Uh, excuse me, I'm just gonna slice me a pound of roast beef." I have yet to ask a supermarket employee to come in and do my job.

[Monte Smith]

They are called PLU or Price Look Up codes. I memorized bananas, but I looked up celery. (This is the internet, folks, you can look up anything). Scott is right, a lot of foods have stickers on them with a four digit code. That is the PLU.

[tippy]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Cantiello

[B]What the fuck, next thing you know they'll have us stocking the fucking shelves. "Uh, excuse me, I'm just gonna slice me a pound of roast beef."

LOL!

[Douglas]

Originally Posted by Tom Storer

Self-checkout, huh? Should hit France in 2012.

They have it at Auchan in La Defense. 2 cashiers and 4 scanners, three of which never seem to be working (any combination of cashiers and scanners). Often quicker to join the regular line.

[Tom Storer]

Jésus, I'm behind the times.

I'm with Jimmy. First they have you do everything yourself because it's supposedly easier and quicker, then they complain about unemployment!

[Mike Schwartz]

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

They are called PLU or Price Look Up codes. I memorized bananas, but I looked up celery. (This is the internet, folks, you can look up anything). Scott is right, a lot of foods have stickers on them with a four digit code. That is the PLU.

Seriously, I've seen the codes at many places on the stickers on the produce.

I've thought all those things that Jimmy mentions, and beyond that, it's not for me (unless or until they force it on me) because it's simply not an every day thing, and the few times I've tried it have managed to mess up and not get through it quickly anyway.

[Chris D]

I'm with Jimmy. I want the checkers to keep their jobs. And the one who is usually on Aisle 4 is smokin' hot.

[clinthopson]

If I have to check out myself I should get a discount. I won't shop at Albertson's because that's just about all they have, just one checker in a big store.

I have found a way to beat the system at Home Depot. I go to the gardening section where they always have checkers and usually a short, if any, line.

[patricia]

Originally Posted by Mike Schwartz

That video and hefty fine should be arriving soon

Probably, and I hope not...

YIKES!! Is there a statute of limitations on inadvertant theft of dessert items??

[larrycohen]

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

They are called PLU or Price Look Up codes. I memorized bananas, but I looked up celery. (This is the internet, folks, you can look up anything). Scott is right, a lot of foods have stickers on them with a four digit code. That is the PLU.

It's a 5 digit code if it's organic or genetically modified. The code is the same as the 4 digit one, except put a 9 in front for organic, or an 8 in front for genetically engineered. (Although I've never actually seen an 8xxxx code, and I wouldn't buy the stuff if I did see it.) So:

4011 = bananas
94011 = organic bananas

[Monte Smith]

Organic produce costing more, that's a good code *not* to know. Wink wink.