Why some stores are bringing back human cashiers 

I worked as a cashier in major retail stores for years. It is a horrible job. I hope that there will be a rise in pay for cashiers, since human cashiers deter theft.

I don’t necessarily need conversation with a human to pay for my groceries. I like to check out as quick as possible and the self checkout option allows me to do this. Despite the frustration of machine errors and such, I still prefer it over going into an actual cashier check out line.🤷🏽‍♀️

I like the self checkouts. 1. No conversations. 2. You are not asked if you wanna donate to a charity, well you just push a button. 3. You are not judged on what you buy or asked questions about it. 4. Regular checkout lines are too long when you just have a couple of items. 5. Fast and convenient. 6. Bag my own stuff “correctly”. 7. Lines are relatively short due to small orders. 8. In and out, no pleasantries. 9. I like having options. 10. I can use as many plastic bags as I want without getting dirty looks from a cashier when I want something double bagged. One last note, when you buy a restricted item like beer and whatnot, you have to wait for the attendant to check your ID. All in all, more pros than cons.

Self checkout is easy, fast, and convenient. I also don't want to have small talk with the cashier. I just wanna pay for my stuff and go.

I like to get In and out! If you're busy/running late it's a great option! Glad there are people who enjoy the interaction. To each their own. I would definitely ask to increase enforcement of the 10-15 items or less rule. That's where things get backed up with lines.

I ran to my local grocery store the other day for rolls, salad dressing, and a bag of candy. 3 items. I still had to stand in the self checkout like for 10mins as people with full grocery carts were ahead of me. Self checkouts should be for quick purchases. If you are doing your weekly shopping, go to a cashier for your 10-15min checkout and don't make the quick line longer than it needs to be.

I love self-checkout. I've been using it for years. I recently tried checking out with a cashier and she totally over rung several of my items, adding more than I actually had. Because of the high bill, I checked it and when I told her, we then went to customer service where she then removed all of the extra's. I swore never again to use a Walmart cashier. Plus cashier's are much slower and do not bag my items how they should be bagged. So self-checkout is the way for me.

I worked as a produce clerk in the early 80's in southern California when if you worked full-time, paid enough to buy a modest house. I left in '84 to pursue a master's degree out of state, with my boss trying to convince me to stay, saying I could make a good living without a degree. LOL. Went on to work as a mental health clinician, and shortly thereafter law school, and switching between practicing law and going back to mental health a few times. Thank God I didn't listen to the store manager.

“If I’m going to do the work give me a discount” 😂😂😂 By the way they like a chatty cashier??? Are they nuts??? 😂😂

Self-checkouts are quick and simple to use. Just learn how to use them and always be prepared. I find there's more human error than technical error. Don't pick up items from they are on the scale. Save double bagging until after you have paid. Don't attempt to purchase something without a fully intact bar code. Pay attention. People making mistakes, disputing prices, using a ton of coupons, or are up to something shady are what hold up the lines. Those are the people that need to go to a cashier instead. Those are the longest lines because people focus more on chatting than getting in and out of the store.

I like to get in and get out and that’s when I have to go to the store. No long ass waits, and no conversation …Thieves have screwed it up for everybody.

In Sweden we have portable scanners that you can activate using your membership card. You can then scan each item as you pick them off the shelf. Once you’re ready to checkout you drop off the scanner at the charging port, scan your membership card at the self-checkout screen and it’ll bring up all the groceries you scanned. Takes like 20 seconds to get through checkout and we’ve had this system for about the last 15 years

They should make a lane for introverts, it might be a good compromise

I personally hate human interaction at the store. I would much rather go into a store, purchase what I need, pay and get the heck outta there. I don’t care about having a conversation with someone I don’t know and I hate small talk. It’s a waste of my time. I hope that stores keep self checkouts but use new technologies to deter theft & loss.

Such a bad idea. When I go into the store, I don’t wanna talk to anyone…especially rude cashiers that most of the time don’t say hello or thank you

I miss the professional cashiers they had up until a few years ago at my local supermarket. They were super fast, didn’t waste time talking but yet were very polite. Just took a couple of minutes to get through a full cart. The decisions stores made in shifting to mostly self checkouts are misguided. Shoppers in general do not purchase as much when they know they have to use self checkouts.(especially when they don’t provide a large area to work it). I know I don’t.

Not to offend anyone but my problem is slow people that are awkward with self- checkout. They hold up the line because they don’t know what they’re doing. They want to use it because they’re in a hurry but you can tell that they aren’t savvy at using it. I can take self-checkout or leave them really.

Last year, I paid for something twice over the machine that gave me an error message and i thought the transaction didn’t go through. Earlier today, someone didn’t pay for their groceries when I wasn’t able to scan my items. I’d be happy to see companies lose money over self checkouts.

I’m happy using self checkout. Not much of a talker.

I love self checkout. I just hate when people with a cart full of items use self checkout and hold everyone up.

I only like self check outs if I’m buying a couple things. I don’t want to bring a week’s worth of groceries through the self check out.

I love self checkout. I hate having to interact with people ❤

Yes, self-checkout should be for those quick in and out purchases. There are so many cashier lanes at Walmart and half the time only like 1 or 2 are in use. Hopefully, this will stop theft and promote a friendly cashier experience. Companies have been getting away with not training cashiers in customer service skills as well. At some store if you do go to a cashier other than Publix, the cashiers are so rude. They don't want to deal with any nuances such as using a coupon or too much items. I've had one cashier see the amount of items I had, turned to the cashier next to him and said you know I don't like scanning big purchases and walked off leaving the other cashier with no option but to assist. Enfamil sends coupons through the mail for formula and not everyone gets assistant to buy formula so what do you do use it! It took nearly 30 mins for the cashier to figure out how to use it. They also are almost always staring at their phones instead of taking the time to say hi. There's pros and cons for both methods.

I prefer self check out. It’s usually faster I like no interactions and know how to do it efficiently. But funny how companies are too poor to pay higher wages but have money to hire cashiers?

What do you mean bringing them back? They never left. There are no stores that run completely by self-checkout machines. Self-checkouts are optional.

Some of us love and prefer self check out.

Self check out should never be looked at as a way to replace and layoff Real Person Cashiers. Should be looked at as those 20 item or fewer lanes

I’m a millennial and love self checkout. These older people are just pissed off cause they don’t know how to use self checkout.

I didn’t know that many people hated self-checkout. Ever since they were implemented, I’ve always found them to be more convenient than not. Usually the lines go by faster than regular checkout because there’s 5-6 machines for one line, vs the long line waiting one by one for the cashier. I also like the flexibility of bagging items myself because the baggers don’t always bag items smartly, squishing fragile and perishable items under heavier and bulkier items. With self-checkout, I find my purchases go through less damage by the time I get it back home. The only frustrating part is when stores make use of the scale so it detects you moving things around and accuses you of removing items from the scale…but a lot of stores are removing that function now, especially supermarkets. Going through the payment prompts is pretty straightforward for the normal person with an average IQ. I really can’t imagine all the backlash on them. I usually prefer to use them to get in and out quickly.

The only thing I really hate is when at Walmart when i go to the self check out the left side is closed and the right side is opened. The next day the left side Credit cards only and the right side cash only! How about open both self checkout and get the day going little faster

I love self-checkout, I find them super easy to do.

I pick self checkout any chance I get.

I love self-checkout. I hate waiting behind long lines because cashier and customers are gossiping about everything that went on in their life. It should be quick , don't take 40 minutes to scan each customer's ordee andcollect payment. Some people are on work lunch breaks or have appointments they need to be at or kids to pick up from school.

You know they are not bringing back cashiers for customer satisfaction, it must be for the increased theft. I do not care why they bring back cashiers - just bring them back. And... if they prevent theft, they should give them a raise. 😎

Dollar General doesn't hire friendly people so that's a lie. Secondly, I was a cashier for 25 years, I prefer to use self checkout bc the cashiers at most stores are nasty, angry and don't want to be there! The problem I saw at self checkout was ppl being on their phones and not paying attention, ppl who have trouble reading, or the ones who would come to sco and tell me to ring them up 🤦

A lot of honest people are getting arrested for shoplifting, because the self checkout. Sometimes, an item doesn’t scan properly, or the checkout doesn’t detect an item being placed on it. WalMart has made several false arrests.

Yes! I hate self-check out. Only sometimes. But majority of the time its annoying.

I love self-checkouts!!! 😂

As a customer i want that back , those are jobs that citizens need not robot

I will not shop anywhere where I cannot interact with a human being. I am 80 years old and not as physically adept as I once was. I only buy what I can carry as I use public transportation and I pack my own bags as I know how much I can lift.

Soon as the companies realize they are losing money, they’ll change. They should have mostly real cashiers . I don’t feel bad at all about stores losing from self check out

I am Gen Z. I am the opposite. I don’t want to talk to anyone. Leave me alone with the machine and I check exactly what I am scanning

If a cashier is gossiping about everybody else's business. She's also gossiping to everybody else about (your) business.

No. Heck no. I only want to do self-checkout. yes the "lady" is bossy. Only in today's world does someone want a discount to "do the work" in our ENTITLED society. Geez. I love the self-checkout. It lets me bag how I want to bag my items, it lets me bag them correctly (no, I do not like meat with bread or detergent or bags so stuffed they tear immediately because some idiot doesn't know how to bag or is forced by company to do one way). I had a lady yell at me (cashier) at JCPenney because I asked for an extra bag after I spent $100 and waited 30 minutes patiently in line (mostly because the cashiers were jabbering with each other and one was training and kept asking questions for every single thing she rang up). I had to explain 3 times that I was walking and bags rip and you shoved everything into one bag AND I have a disability. No care. She said WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO GIVE OUT BAGS UNLESS YOU BUY SOMETHING. Um, I bought $100 worth of something you nitwit. Don't take away my self-checkout. I will take a bossy computer over a human any day. The only computer I don't like is Verizon Assistant and DirecTV.

They are not stolen!!! Sometimes when you have many items you forget to scan 1 which has happened to me. Bring cashiers and you won’t lose as much inventory.

I like self check out when I’m trying to get In-N-Out or have less than 10 items. But if I go grocery shop and I’ve got over 50 items in my cart, I shouldn’t have to self check out.

shouldn’t be talking to to cashier anyway since your holding up the line. Self checkout is suppose to be convenient and fast. All you do is scan barcode the same way cashier does it. The problem is there glitches in the system then there is still someone there to assist.

I'm for choice. I use SCO when I have fewer items (e.g.,

I like self checkouts but.... If there is a problem I would like for it to be fixed with due time. I shouldn't have to wait 10 min for someone to help me. I know it comes with the territory though. I like my items to be scanned correctly, I like to bag my own items, I also like to make sure all my discounts, points, rewards and sales are correct. It would be nice to get a discount for doing that though. There are stores where I know if an issue occurs I'm waiting for a long time for someone so I just go to a cashier. But that's just my choice. Not everyone likes self checkouts it should be a choice not forced upon them!

I hate self checkout

Too much shoplifting that's why.

The only reason those self checkout lanes are longer is because they don't hire enough staff to be at the checkout lanes...there's always only like 1 maybe 2 lanes open.

If I'm going to cash out myself, I want an employee discount from that store.

It’s CVS that has the WORST self check out machine and Walmart is absurd for not allowing you to pay with Apple Pay or Samsung pay at self check 🙄

meanwhile, i waiting for 30 minutes for you to have a convo. let me pay for my things and go

Originally I was against the idea of jobs being replaced by machines, but quite frankly, a lot of cashiers are dopey af. The amount of times I've clearly said 'in 2 bags' held up 2 fingers, and even given them the bags, and then they stuff it all into one overflowing bag leaving the other one empty... 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ One of the people who oversee the self-checkouts actually told me that most people use them because they prefer to pack their own bags. And I really don't need to have a chat with a cashier to complete my day, lol.

I prefer to go to a real cashier. I never spoke that much to my cashiers. Ive only went to a self checkout with maybe 1 to 6 items if i were in a rush.

The ppl that think “if I gotta do the work then give me a discount” are the most annoying. And the rarity that there is a problem with self checkout it’s those ppl that aren’t paying attention when the machines are literally telling you what to do. I’m just glad I don’t work in retail anymore because dealing with annoying ppl all day was driving me absolutely insane. But seriously check on these cashiers mental health

Seriously, No! Keep the line moving! By the time you finish talking with the cashier my milk is warm and my ice cream is soup! There's two sides to everything and pros and cons to everything. Shopping and checking out should be swift! Don't waste my time and get out of my way!! No time for this! People need to be honest in the self-checkout. Some grocery stores need to upgrade their technology. The bigger the company the better the self-checkout and it's tecnological mechanics.

I do my weekly grocery shopping at my local Safeway for over two decades and the past year I’ve been using the self check out and I love the convenience

Full carts need to be banned from self checkout or have a one with a belt

I agree , if there is not a person. I don’t purchase anything. I don’t shop where there’s not a cashier.

I want to pay and leave as efficiently as I can. I do appreciate being able to say hi and thank you to someone but I can do that with a greeter. My problem with self-checkout is too often they don't work! Too often 5 of the 10 machines are closed or you need an attendant to fix something. Some stores are better at it than others.

Not interested in having a conversation with the cashier, but I detest self-checkout, and refuse to do it.

It's true, it's ridiculous. I'm buying the items i'm buying the bags and i'm checking myself out.

There never would been self checkout if places like Walmart and Target would have enough registers open to meet demand. Alidi does it the smart way. Add and Pull cashiers when needed if the lines get long but still have enough running at all times to keep things going.

I HATE when customers ahead of me are engaging in unnecessary "blah blah blah" with cashiers...so I prefer the self-checkout station.

Self check out is more convenient. Problem is they should keep it 20 items or less. Maximum. People with full shopping carts. Should have to go to the main registers.

Love self-checkout specially if I'm buying a few items. What I hate is people with full carts with plenty of items doing self-checkout to "skip" the human cashier line.

I will not use self checkout. Never have. If I make the cashier line long it forces them to open another register. They give cashiers more hours.

What a concept! Service

I don't want any human interaction. I love self-checkout. I can just get my stuff, scan, and pay. Done and out the door. No need to bother with needing to talk to anyone.

The LAST two things I want is to engage in meaningless, mindless blather with an employee I very likely have nothing in common with nor hear the customer in front of me engage in said conversation.

On top of that if someone has kids and they're distracted at the right time they can miss scanning something. And Bam accusation of stealing.

I hate talking to the cashier. I don’t want to be your friend. I love that target made self checkout 10 items or less because of how little self checkout machines they have. At Walmart here in Nebraska there no item limit because there are only two human cashier and almost 20 self checkout machines . There’s always an open machine to get out quicker.

The bottom line is that A LOT of people STEAL at self checkout.

Look logically, if we're talking about buying at least 1 to 4 items and without coupons, then the self-checkout system works for some buyers, but for a full cart, filled with at least a week's worth of groceries, as honestly the human cashiers are a must have, for helping people out,

I currently work in one of the big box retail stores, and let me tell you… I just hired 7 full time cashiers. One of the reasons being lines are getting too long at self checkout, and the self checkout terminals are ALWAYS failings, not to mention the theft. It’s a lose-lose for the customer and the company.

I don't want that personal interaction. I don't want a chatty cashier. I just want to get in and out.

Human cashiers? You mean employees?

Give both options for people to choose. I don't want to go through cashier if I have only a few to check out.

If i am going to do all the work, don't ask to see my receipt 😂😂😂

All the mistakes these "Humans" make in this video is a great example why I want the self checkout! Slow moving "humans" really get on my nerves. If a store removes this option, I will go to a new store that DOES have self checkouts.

Our local Home Depot went all self checkout. WTAF!! That was a HUGE mistake to have gen pop have to count, search, and enter wood, nails, screws and everything else. The lines were horrendous! After that, I shopped elsewhere. 🛍

My Target has put a 20 item limit at the self checkout but it hasn't done anything to help curtail that long lines, especially when only 4 of the 6 machines are working.

I had a walmart employee freak out on me one time at self-checkout. She thought I was stealing. I just stood there waiting for her to figure out her mistake so I could get on with my day. Self-checkout is faster for people with just a few items. Just give the cashiers a pay raise and treat them well and let people with more items go to cashiers.

I don’t understand the big deal about self checkouts? I prefer them over humans. It’s quicker for me. Plus, it can’t be rude or discriminate against me. I have kidney disease and on disability. Because of this I use food stamps. I went to a grocery store that did not use self checkout and the cashier humiliated me over my being on food stamps. Once I explained why I was on them she seemed embarrassed, but did not apologize of course. Plus, now everyone within ear range knew about my personal business. So yes, self checkout please.

I’m germaphobic and I prefer to handle my food myself and a lot of cashiers don’t know how to bag 🙄 they put heavy stuff in one bag or put the raw meat with the fruit.

I prefer self check out, but they certainly can’t replace cashiers.

All the people who hate it are over 40. I like them . If you don’t like them don’t use it and wait even longer

Walmart employee here. I work both self checkout (mostly), and registers. Let me chime in: >The lady with black hair and glasses has no idea what she is talking about. Unless you have something unique to say, such as noticing a particular pin on my vest, or my t-shirt design, we do NOT care to hold a conversation. I want to scream every time I get asked "how are you doing today?" "Exhausted, and tired of dealing with rude customers. You?" Unless you make me laugh, or genuinely talk about something relevant to me, my smile is fake. >We know very little about what we sell. Most of the time we will draw a blank if asked how to use an item. Seriously, we have 120,000+ unique items. I'm familiar with maybe 100-200. Also, I have no idea when ANYTHING will be in stock. That's a separate department. I.e., it's a fool's errand to ask about "more in the back". >If you have a complaint, 9/10 times we will ignore it. If it's not a spill, or bathroom cleaning needed, it goes in one ear, and out the other. Take it to customer service (spoiler alert, they don't care either). >The "employee discount" joke is one of the most annoying things you can say to us. It's not original, and it's not funny. You DO get a discount. Walmart is cheap as shit, and most of the time self checkout is faster (time is money). >If you're not in a small town, there is no "gossip" (at least from the customer's POV, haha). Self checkout is awesome. I get to bag things the way I want, at the speed I want (which is fast), without any obligatory pleasantries. If you have autism or social anxiety (me), these are fantastic. Get real. The days of "Ye Olde General Store" are long gone. If you want Mom and Pop service, go to a small store (I like to sometimes). We are a big company with employees that get no training, and likely have a 6 month 50% turnover rate. I'm the "old timer" at just 1 year. Tl;dr: Use self checkout, or get in line at a manned register, be quiet, pay, and get out.

It's true, there's always an issue with those things

a major problem is if you make a simple mistake it can turn into a "crime"... who wants that risk when it's all just to save 'them" money?

Serves the greedy retailers right. Replaced humans to save money, screw them.

I WAS JUST AT A TARGET YESTERDAY AND I WAS IN LINE FOREVER for 1 item and after that long wait, i was offered a self check out and like that scan, pay and be out. These people are lying if they want cashiers

Baby, I want to get my groceries and go! The only reason that I would care to interact with a cashier is if I have over 20+ things of groceries…

I hate saying this: But I prefer self-checkout because I dislike small talk. Seriously, I get in and out with 5-10 items quicker than I have to deal with Target Lady looking over all my purchases and commenting.

As a veteran of several unions, I have vowed never to use self check out as I believe it is a union busting technique by store owners to push more $$ to the top and away from their workers. So far, I have kept my vow. Also, in our town we know the people who work in our stores and we care about them. And, yes, I do like to talk to my cashier.

I quit going to Krogers because of this problem they have no cashier in the morning so they lost my business. The self checkout lane is ok if you only have a couple items but not when you have a cart full of stuff. I go to another grocery store where they always have cashiers on duty.

My mom asked for help 3 times because the machine wasn't scanning things right. Finally, they sent her to customer service and scanned the suspended receipt. Despite my mom saying things weren't scanning right and everything needed to be scanned to be sure, the woman ignored her, scanned the suspended receipt, and told my mom to just pay. My mom again asked are you sure everything's on there and the woman just said yes you're free to go. As my mom was walking out she was tapped on the shoulder, and they arrested her and accused her of stealing $50 worth of merchandise. My mom offered to pay and said she asked for help multiple times which is on camera. The employee even admitted she told her everything was there on the receipt and that she was free to go. They still pressed charges despite it being their fault. And then refused to produce the tapes for my mom's case. This was Walmart if you hadn't already guessed that.