Raley's going to self check out

[monkey]

I was in Raleys today and they are almost ready to begin the "self checkout" process. They have about 5 checkstands where you won't even have contact with an employee. You will scan/weigh your items, insert your $$$, bag it and go. They will still have about 5 regular check out stands. I hate to think of the times I will be in line behind a bus load of tourists trying to figure it out. I have used this system at Lowe's in Orange County, it'll be interesting to see how well it goes over here.

[Sandman]

Wow. I have also used a system like that. It seems slower than having a person do it for you. I think it's kind of amazing how the honor system works with that. It seems like a lot of people will "forget" to check a few items. I think it's a big mistake switching over to self checkout. It seems like there are a lot of elderly people that shop there and they will probably switch to Vons where they will ring it up, bag it and even help you to the car.

[monkey]

They will still have 5 of the regular checkout stands, so I bet that's where us elderly people will go.

[Sandman]

They will still have 5 of the regular checkout stands, so I bet that's where us elderly people will go.

:rofl: monkey, I do not consider you elderly. After 20 more years and the gray/blue hair sets in, then you'll be considered elderly... :rofl:

...and when that happens, that'll be about that time that I'll be complaining about getting my AARP retirement card in the mail.

[only1alphafemale]

I was in Raleys today and they are almost ready to begin the "self checkout" process. They have about 5 checkstands where you won't even have contact with an employee. You will scan/weigh your items, insert your $$$, bag it and go. They will still have about 5 regular check out stands. I hate to think of the times I will be in line behind a bus load of tourists trying to figure it out. I have used this system at Lowe's in Orange County, it'll be interesting to see how well it goes over here.

Oh my ~ ! Yes it will be very interresting ! Like how many times has a bagger had to run and do a price check because an item wasnt in the computer and wouldnt scan? or didnt reflect a sale price?? How will that be handled I wonder? ( and how many "people" jobs are being taken by this new feature??? ) I am glad that there is still going to be the option of a live check out clerk there....lol....that will be my first choice every time.. :)

My second thoughts are how we are all ready so "plagued" by computerizatons in so many aspects of daily life already ~ and how frustratingly difficult it can be wading through the " please push " this number selection process when all I wanted to do was speak to a human representative, in regards to my banking or a question about my insurance or make a doctors appt~..... maybe I am just getting cranky in my old age..... ! :confused:

I believe that computerized services can be and are of great benifit at times, in certain areas, but there is still no replacement for the many times we need to interact with a human ~ .... and when it comes to a computerized voice trying to sell me something over the phone?? A machined telemarketer??? Grrrrrrr... That really fries my bacon... :mad:

LOL ! Sorry, didnt mean for this to turn into a rant ~ :eek: Thanks for posting this monkey ~ be sure to post when they are online and up and running with the peopleless checkers, I for one will want to check this out and see how well it works. :yes:

[Mysteefied]

I've used the self check out thing at a few stores, it seems they had someone standing by in case you needed help with it or had questions, I always thought it was kinda fun, my husband rolls his eyes at me over it...LOL, Maybe its the kid in me. When I don't want to deal with it, I'll go to a checker.

[Yosemite Joy]

I have used those in the city. Albertson's had them when I lived in Sacramento, along with Lowe's etc.

They weigh everything they sell in the store and you have to put it through to the other side where it is weighed again.

I am betting it would be pretty difficult to steal from the store with the automated checkstands. They are under scrupulous eyes, both above and on the ground there watching you.

Von's is TERRIBLE as far as grocery stores go. And I can imagine that the elderly that go there don't realise that they don't HAVE to lift everything out of their carts onto the belt across the street at Raley's. Also, I don't know how you would use a check at the auto checkers, and it seems to me elderly folk like to use the paper checks.

I will try the autocheck stands just for fun when not in a hurry, but I like the people who work at Raley's and know most of them by face. Therefore I will probably go the old fashioned way.

[MtnDAD]

I used the self-checkout all the time when we lived in Clovis (Albertsons). It was usually much quicker since it seems that most people are intimidated by them and use the the normal checkout. I find it interesting that Raleys is doing this. It must be a cost saving thing. Less checkout clerks hanging around waiting. And yes, they are watched. The Albertsons always had one clerk to help and monitor.

[Ironhorse]

I've used the ones at the Save Marts in the valley when I have just a few things. Much faster and not that hard to use. When I have LOTS of groceries, then I go through the regular chackouts.

[Yosemite Joy]

I used the self checkout thingy today. I only had a few things, paper towels, chicken, fries, cereal and two gallons of milk. I thought it was okay, and I stand corrected on the check thing. The auto things will almost take your blood as payment, it takes everything the checker would.

I didn't know what to do with the milk after I rang it up, there was no room in the bags... but there is a nifty button that says "Not bagging" on the screen, and so I pushed it.

And FYI if you go through the auto thing and use cash as I did, the cash change comes out under the laser light thingamajjiggy. I was all confused for a couple seconds as the thing BEEP BEEP BEEPed me for me to take the dollar out of the holder. There are five different money type things (credit cards, coin change, atm pad, etc) right in front of your face but the cash is down below, and the damn thing kept BEEP BEEP BEEPing at me, augh! But anyway, it was sort of fun.

[only1alphafemale]

I used the self checkout thingy today.

And FYI if you go through the auto thing and use cash as I did, the cash change comes out under the laser light thingamajjiggy. I was all confused for a couple seconds as the thing BEEP BEEP BEEPed me for me to take the dollar out of the holder. There are five different money type things (credit cards, coin change, atm pad, etc) right in front of your face but the cash is down below, and the damn thing kept BEEP BEEP BEEPing at me, augh! But anyway, it was sort of fun.

:rofl: I can sooooo relate !!!...."Thingamajiggy" and dohickies....LOL I knew exactly what you were talking about.... :grin: Thank you for the warning about where the cash comes out, I'm going to have to try this new "thingy" in town...~ :D

[monkey]

I also used the watchamacallit yesterday on a package of english muffins. It worked well, but I'll be interested to see how it works on furits and veggies. I also didn't see where my bill change was even with the beeping.

[Mysteefied]

Monkey, I went yesterday morning and got a few things, including bagels from the bin, and I asked the manager to show me how to run those types of things through self check out. He told me to press "find item" and it brought up several items that are sold seperatly, including fruits and veggies...I just clicked the "bagel" button, it asked how many, and I put in the number and it came up with the price. it was quick and easy. I liked it.

[Yosemite Joy]

*Thinks of things to buy so I can go through the thingmajiggy again*

[nosmatt]

anyone bought alcohol through auto-check yet?

and does the computer check your eggs?

lol. j/k on the eggs.

[only1alphafemale]

*Thinks of things to buy so I can go through the thingmajiggy again*


Raleys is going to experience an increase in their profits this month, just from all of us "playing" and testing the whatchamacallit ~ as we think of new things to buy and test it with! :rofl:

[Dodgergirl]

checking out the alcohol is a valid question. I'm sure they have watchful eyes looking over the customers....

[Sandman]

checking out the alcohol is a valid question. I'm sure they have watchful eyes looking over the customers....

Driver's Licenses have a magnetic strip on the back. Perhaps you can slide your Driver's License to purchase alcohol? But, how would they know your sliding your license? I bet it makes a sound or turns on a light to alert an employee that alcohol is being purchased so that a clerk can come over and ID you.

[monkey]

I went today to buy some stuff from the doohickey. It locks up when you scan alcohol and alerts an employee who must verify your age and clear the machine. I bought some bulk almonds and used the "spell the item" screen an it only came up with 1 type of almonds an it was the wrong price for what I had. (lower price) Since I had only a small bag of almonds and was in a rush, I accepted the sale and gave it my money and completed the transaction. I had origionally started at a different doohickey, but it scanned my potato chips twice and when I tried to remove one of them, it locked up and noone came by to fix it, so I gave up and went to the second doohickey. It seems like there will be alot of bugs to work out.

[Mysteefied]

I like that you named them doohickey..lol
I think we should secrety put a sticker on each one that reads "doohicky #1" doohicky #2" and so on...