Discussions

No self check outs...they were all pulled out to one side. Yeah!!!! Lots of cashiers.

why is there not a sign up stating what the future plans are, this help with a lot of unanswered questions. I like the self checkout if I have a small cart, but prefer a live person if my order is going to be near the $200 mark. I also prefer, and do pack my own groceries. Walmart has been changing slowly (for the worse) over a period of time. They are replacing "name brands" for their own (thumbs down) the store always looks messy and the aisles are overcrowded with merchandise.

Is it possible that with the introduction of the Click and Collect that some of the cashiers have become personal shoppers? That’s personally how I would do all my shopping. Pick it all out online, have someone do the actual shopping and I just show up and pay for it.

If I only have a few items I would rather go through the self check out and wait in a long line up for a cashier. A lot quicker. I was there tonight and there were lots of self checkouts available and with minimal lineups

To not shop there when they automate and we plan on telling them that. the people who are going to be out of a job need these jobs and I would hope that if it happened to you someone would take that extra step to help you out. Just my opinion.

How about those of you that complain about the self checkouts causing a loss of jobs consider the opportunity of going to school and learning how to program or design the self checkout stations! Voila, then you have a job and a much better paying one than you would have working the till.

ifish said "Your in walmart and you need a jar of Vaseline, then you remember you need some duct tape to fix something then you get a text to pick up a long cucumber for a salad.     Do you really want to go through a checkout with Vaseline , duct tape and a cucumber.     Self checkout it is. "

LMAO!

I won't be using self checkout.  
I use cash.  
I don't use atm's.  
Too many people are unemployed.  
Is this is a smart cost saving method for Walmart, time will tell.

every major chain for groceries, fast food, etc will eventually be almost 100 automated very soon, so just adapt and dont waste your time complaining. insane jumps in minimum wage, higher cost of products, fuel, suplies.. any and all businesses are going to do what they have to. At least the big chains can afford to provide alternative ways to be served. Just wait and see how the upcomming min wage hike is going to close small buisness after small business.

don't you have to bag your own groceries at Superstore, Costco. You pay for that service don't you...hmmm your shopping is gonna be limited if you think your going to get premium service these days. Use to have a Safeway but no one wanted to pay the high price of groceries there so look what happened to that store. I like self check out. I can put what I want into each bag without having things rammed in and bruised, squashed,or damaged by those cashiers that have little to no experience in packing. And then you don't have the cashiers pestering you for signing up for credit cards or begging money for some charity or other.

Will not use them.  
 
I was standing in line one day and The supervisor tried directing me to the self checkout. I told her no way, hate those things. She just walked away lol

That Canadian Tire doesn''t offer everything Walmart does, I would much rather support a Canadian business. And Canadian Tire always has such awesome sales!  
 
But, I use both the self-checkouts and checkouts with cashiers. It totally depends on what I went in to grab, how long the line ups are, etc.  
 
Edited by Mauve, 2018-07-25 23:55:18

Suckie said "I wish every large store had these, i avoid dealing with humans as much as possible. Generally they are rude, dont know how to bag groceries without destroying a dozen eggs and overall just are not friendly.     Self checkout, hardly every lines - Win. No rude under trained employee to deal with - win. Verify the accuracy of scanned items myself - win.     There is a reason self checkouts are becoming the norm. I hate going to a store with a person now. "

You must be a delight to be around.

Though I suspect that the very long-term goal is the Amazon store-esk reality of technology and cameras everywhere in combination with proximity-based payment systems (starting with chip-enabled cards and moving towards mobile payment variants), the near term is the self-checkout. Something that I don't mind, really. You can get used to it now, or be forced to adapt 10 years from now.  
 
One lesson for people though . . . be careful to scan EVERYTHING. Even legitimately forgetting can end up in a shoplifting charge and a ban. Didn't happen to me, but I observed it happen awhile ago.  
My rule of thumb, if it's not paid for, it stays off the bag tray side.

NOYB said "If I only have a few items I would rather go through the self check out and wait in a long line up for a cashier. A lot quicker. I was there tonight and there were lots of self checkouts available and with minimal lineups "

Indeed.  
 
It's only annoying if you forget you have a coupon. I can't wait till they just issue them with a generalized UPC code.

There's some misinformation in this thread I'd like to shed some light on:  
 
Did anyone lose their job?  
No one lost their job, there's not one Walmart employee in this thread claiming they lost their job because that hasn't happened. No one has lost hours either, again there''s not one employee in this thread claiming that they've lost hours because that also hasn't happened.  
 
What happened to those cashiers?  
Nothing happened, over half of them are still employed as cashiers in the front end. There's still 8 long belt tills and each self checkout bullpen will have 2-3 cashiers in them per shift The ones that aren't cashiers anymore have been moved to other areas of the store, this is the transitioning period for that.  
 
Can I expect to see an actual warm body to check my purchases when I come in to shop?  
Yes, this puts a few more staff on the floor and there will always be at least 2 or 3 cashiers in the self checkouts to help, they''re all friendly and there to make it an easy experience for anyone wanting to use self checkout.  
 
What I don't like about their self check outs is the amount of space to put things on. Why can't they be like Superstore and have a whole top shelf as well?  
The new tills have a huge bagging area, they're about double what they were before, if you're having trouble making it all fit, ask an attendant for assistance, they're there for reasons like that.  
 
Do they take cash?  
Yes and no, the machines aren't set up to accept cash, however there's always going to be at least two attendants available in the self checkouts who will in fact allow you to pay cash at their till if you'd rather complete your transition that way. You simply need to push the yellow button on the screen and speak to one of the attendants. No one will deny you a cash payment in the self checkout.  
 
Can I do produce?  
Yes you can, there's several ways to do produce at those self checkouts, if you're having trouble ask for help, that's what the attendants are there for.  
 
My wife and I decided to not shop there when they automate and we plan on telling them that.  
That's totally within your right to do that, if you do so choose to voice your opinion please don't direct it at the hourly employees on the floor or working the tills they have absolutely no control over anything company level.  
 
I've never used one before I don't know where to begin!  
That's totally fine, you can ask for help at any time and the self checkout attendants will stay there with you until you're comfortable enough to go it alone. They're literally trained to help you when you run into trouble. Don't be embarrassed to ask for assistance!  
 
Edited by Degenerate108, 2018-07-26 13:58:20

Degenerate108 said "There's some misinformation in this thread I'd like to shed some light on:     Did anyone lose their job?   No one lost their job, there's not one Walmart employee in this thread claiming they lost their job because that hasn't happened. No one has lost hours either, again there''s not one employee in this thread claiming that they've lost hours because that also hasn't happened.     What happened to those cashiers?   Nothing happened, over half of them are still employed as cashiers in the front end. There's still 8 long belt tills and each self checkout bullpen will have 2-3 cashiers in them per shift The ones that aren't cashiers anymore have been moved to other areas of the store, this is the transitioning period for that.     Can I expect to see an actual warm body to check my purchases when I come in to shop?   Yes, this puts a few more staff on the floor and there will always be at least 2 or 3 cashiers in the self checkouts to help, they''re all friendly and there to make it an easy experience for anyone wanting to use self checkout.     What I don't like about their self check outs is the amount of space to put things on. Why can't they be like Superstore and have a whole top shelf as well?   The new tills have a huge bagging area, they're about double what they were before, if you're having trouble making it all fit, ask an attendant for assistance, they're there for reasons like that.     Do they take cash?   Yes and no, the machines aren't set up to accept cash, however there's always going to be at least two attendants available in the self checkouts who will in fact allow you to pay cash at their till if you'd rather complete your transition that way. You simply need to push the yellow button on the screen and speak to one of the attendants. No one will deny you a cash payment in the self checkout.     Can I do produce?   Yes you can, there's several ways to do produce at those self checkouts, if you're having trouble ask for help, that's what the attendants are there for.     My wife and I decided to not shop there when they automate and we plan on telling them that.   That's totally within your right to do that, if you do so choose to voice your opinion please don't direct it at the hourly employees on the floor or working the tills they have absolutely no control over anything company level.     I've never used one before I don't know where to begin!   That's totally fine, you can ask for help at any time and the self checkout attendants will stay there with you until you're comfortable enough to go it alone. They're literally trained to help you when you run into trouble. Don't be embarrassed to ask for assistance!     Edited by Degenerate108, 2018-07-26 13:58:20"

If you honestly think that no employees are losing hours over these changes you're delusional.

Degenerate108 said "There's some misinformation in this thread I'd like to shed some light on:     Did anyone lose their job?   No one lost their job, there's not one Walmart employee in this thread claiming they lost their job because that hasn't happened. No one has lost hours either, again there''s not one employee in this thread claiming that they've lost hours because that also hasn't happened.     What happened to those cashiers?   Nothing happened, over half of them are still employed as cashiers in the front end. There's still 8 long belt tills and each self checkout bullpen will have 2-3 cashiers in them per shift The ones that aren't cashiers anymore have been moved to other areas of the store, this is the transitioning period for that.     Can I expect to see an actual warm body to check my purchases when I come in to shop?   Yes, this puts a few more staff on the floor and there will always be at least 2 or 3 cashiers in the self checkouts to help, they''re all friendly and there to make it an easy experience for anyone wanting to use self checkout.     What I don't like about their self check outs is the amount of space to put things on. Why can't they be like Superstore and have a whole top shelf as well?   The new tills have a huge bagging area, they're about double what they were before, if you're having trouble making it all fit, ask an attendant for assistance, they're there for reasons like that.     Do they take cash?   Yes and no, the machines aren't set up to accept cash, however there's always going to be at least two attendants available in the self checkouts who will in fact allow you to pay cash at their till if you'd rather complete your transition that way. You simply need to push the yellow button on the screen and speak to one of the attendants. No one will deny you a cash payment in the self checkout.     Can I do produce?   Yes you can, there's several ways to do produce at those self checkouts, if you're having trouble ask for help, that's what the attendants are there for.     My wife and I decided to not shop there when they automate and we plan on telling them that.   That's totally within your right to do that, if you do so choose to voice your opinion please don't direct it at the hourly employees on the floor or working the tills they have absolutely no control over anything company level.     I've never used one before I don't know where to begin!   That's totally fine, you can ask for help at any time and the self checkout attendants will stay there with you until you're comfortable enough to go it alone. They're literally trained to help you when you run into trouble. Don't be embarrassed to ask for assistance!     Edited by Degenerate108, 2018-07-26 13:58:20"

their propoganda on this thread?  
Maybe nobody lost employment but how stupid do you think the public is to think no hours are cut and thus benefit thresholds not met? This will adversely affect employment and customer service regardless of how you try and spin to the positive. We can all do the Wal-mart wiggle and everything will be butterflies and rainbows.  
 
Edited by Tiger Barb, 2018-07-26 16:18:45

I have a friend who works there as a cashier and she says that nobody has lost their job. There will be 4-5 people helping out in the self check outs at a time, hence making up for that gap. Instead of on the till, they’ll be helping. Apparently this is the way they do in the states and they’re following suit.

JackAzz said "    Degenerate108 said "There's some misinformation in this thread I'd like to shed some light on:     Did anyone lose their job?   No one lost their job, there's not one Walmart employee in this thread claiming they lost their job because that hasn't happened. No one has lost hours either, again there''s not one employee in this thread claiming that they've lost hours because that also hasn't happened.     What happened to those cashiers?   Nothing happened, over half of them are still employed as cashiers in the front end. There's still 8 long belt tills and each self checkout bullpen will have 2-3 cashiers in them per shift The ones that aren't cashiers anymore have been moved to other areas of the store, this is the transitioning period for that.     Can I expect to see an actual warm body to check my purchases when I come in to shop?   Yes, this puts a few more staff on the floor and there will always be at least 2 or 3 cashiers in the self checkouts to help, they''re all friendly and there to make it an easy experience for anyone wanting to use self checkout.     What I don't like about their self check outs is the amount of space to put things on. Why can't they be like Superstore and have a whole top shelf as well?   The new tills have a huge bagging area, they're about double what they were before, if you're having trouble making it all fit, ask an attendant for assistance, they're there for reasons like that.     Do they take cash?   Yes and no, the machines aren't set up to accept cash, however there's always going to be at least two attendants available in the self checkouts who will in fact allow you to pay cash at their till if you'd rather complete your transition that way. You simply need to push the yellow button on the screen and speak to one of the attendants. No one will deny you a cash payment in the self checkout.     Can I do produce?   Yes you can, there's several ways to do produce at those self checkouts, if you're having trouble ask for help, that's what the attendants are there for.     My wife and I decided to not shop there when they automate and we plan on telling them that.   That's totally within your right to do that, if you do so choose to voice your opinion please don't direct it at the hourly employees on the floor or working the tills they have absolutely no control over anything company level.     I've never used one before I don't know where to begin!   That's totally fine, you can ask for help at any time and the self checkout attendants will stay there with you until you're comfortable enough to go it alone. They're literally trained to help you when you run into trouble. Don't be embarrassed to ask for assistance!     Edited by Degenerate108, 2018-07-26 13:58:20" If you honestly think that no employees are losing hours over these changes you're delusional. "

currently work at Walmart, one in grocery and one was a cashier. Neither of them have had their hours cut, nor have they heard of any other employees complaining of hours being cut. My daughter who was on cashier is now being trained in grocery and on the floor in children’s wear.

Call it what you want, fact is there isn't one cashier in this thread who's upset about this. Talking to them in the store will get you literally the same answers I gave you here. No one lost jobs, no one's hours got cut.  
 
Edited by Degenerate108, 2018-07-26 19:30:10

Belly Fuzz said "    ifish said "Your in walmart and you need a jar of Vaseline, then you remember you need some duct tape to fix something then you get a text to pick up a long cucumber for a salad.     Do you really want to go through a checkout with Vaseline , duct tape and a cucumber.     Self checkout it is. " LMAO! "

this was the best post so far.

Degenerate108 said "There's some misinformation in this thread I'd like to shed some light on:     Did anyone lose their job?   No one lost their job, there's not one Walmart employee in this thread claiming they lost their job because that hasn't happened. No one has lost hours either, again there''s not one employee in this thread claiming that they've lost hours because that also hasn't happened.     What happened to those cashiers?   Nothing happened, over half of them are still employed as cashiers in the front end. There's still 8 long belt tills and each self checkout bullpen will have 2-3 cashiers in them per shift The ones that aren't cashiers anymore have been moved to other areas of the store, this is the transitioning period for that.     Can I expect to see an actual warm body to check my purchases when I come in to shop?   Yes, this puts a few more staff on the floor and there will always be at least 2 or 3 cashiers in the self checkouts to help, they''re all friendly and there to make it an easy experience for anyone wanting to use self checkout.     What I don't like about their self check outs is the amount of space to put things on. Why can't they be like Superstore and have a whole top shelf as well?   The new tills have a huge bagging area, they're about double what they were before, if you're having trouble making it all fit, ask an attendant for assistance, they're there for reasons like that.     Do they take cash?   Yes and no, the machines aren't set up to accept cash, however there's always going to be at least two attendants available in the self checkouts who will in fact allow you to pay cash at their till if you'd rather complete your transition that way. You simply need to push the yellow button on the screen and speak to one of the attendants. No one will deny you a cash payment in the self checkout.     Can I do produce?   Yes you can, there's several ways to do produce at those self checkouts, if you're having trouble ask for help, that's what the attendants are there for.     My wife and I decided to not shop there when they automate and we plan on telling them that.   That's totally within your right to do that, if you do so choose to voice your opinion please don't direct it at the hourly employees on the floor or working the tills they have absolutely no control over anything company level.     I've never used one before I don't know where to begin!   That's totally fine, you can ask for help at any time and the self checkout attendants will stay there with you until you're comfortable enough to go it alone. They're literally trained to help you when you run into trouble. Don't be embarrassed to ask for assistance!     Edited by Degenerate108, 2018-07-26 13:58:20"

Whether you like self check-outs or not, they are here for those who choose to use them. If you do not, they are tracking the use of them daily to monitor their effectiveness.  
 
I have to hand it to Degenerate108, who took the time to go into details as to the ins and outs of a self check out and the current state of jobs at the local store. Thanks for taking the time to do that.  
 
I don't mind Self check outs when all the criteria is ripe for me doing so. If I'm in a hurry, have a few items and don't want to engage with a cashier or stand in a line. Yes, there is always someone there to help if you run into a glitch and that help is always welcomed.  
 
There still is social interaction whether it's at Walmart, Sobey's or Superstore. Looks like Safeway is the only big store to not have self check outs as yet.

If Walmarts motive isnt to reduce cost by reducing cashiers hours, then what is their motive? Maybe short term there will be lots of "helpers" there to assist you. As time goes by they will reduce those positions. They may not admit it to their employees, and some people wont believe it, but the motive for this is for cost savings by staff reductions. You will never convince me otherwise.

JackAzz said "If Walmarts motive isnt to reduce cost by reducing cashiers hours, then what is their motive? Maybe short term there will be lots of "helpers" there to assist you. As time goes by they will reduce those positions. They may not admit it to their employees, and some people wont believe it, but the motive for this is for cost savings by staff reductions. You will never convince me otherwise. "

The motivation is improved customer experience. Some people don’t want to stand in line and the self checkouts allow for more options rather than having extra tills open when the cost to do so exceeds the benefit. So customers get in and out faster and are happier for it. If you want to go through the line with the employee, that’s fine but you may have to wait longer. Seems fair to everyone.

this is why more people are shopping Amazon. Stores are starting to act like warehouses with no service. I have also heard that theft is higher at self checkouts which we have to pay for in higher prices.

Degenerate108 said "Call it what you want, fact is there isn't one cashier in this thread who's upset about this. Talking to them in the store will get you literally the same answers I gave you here. No one lost jobs, no one's hours got cut.     Edited by Degenerate108, 2018-07-26 19:30:10"

In the months to come this will still be true. I highly doubt it but we can hope. I just think they will be wishing they made more of a stink now than dealing with it later.

I went to Walmart last night and they had two full rows of self checkouts open. They added a bunch more and it was laid out better than before. Was great. I love self checkouts.

Although job losses may not begin immediately, there will inevitably be job losses. Most of those job losses will be through attrition. As store hours are reduced, employees will seek employment opportunities elsewhere. The positions abandoned by those employees will simply not be replaced.  
 
The main incentive for companies to install self-checkouts is to reduce labour costs. Why pay an employee to do this job when a customer will do it for FREE? Not only will the customers ring in their own purchases, but they will do so without incentives or discounts to participate...

GO JETS GO said "Although job losses may not begin immediately, there will inevitably be job losses. Most of those job losses will be through attrition. As store hours are reduced, employees will seek employment opportunities elsewhere. The positions abandoned by those employees will simply not be replaced.     The main incentive for companies to install self-checkouts is to reduce labour costs. Why pay an employee to do this job when a customer will do it for FREE? Not only will the customers ring in their own purchases, but they will do so without incentives or discounts to participate... "

Why pay an employee to do this job when a customer will do it for FREE?  
The customer will never re-bag these tills, nor will the customer ever empty the coupon bins, nor will a customer ever be able to reset a malfunctioning register. The machines aren't self cleaning, and although they're user friendly they're never going to be able to be 100% foolproof. You're going to need someone there to punch in produce or explain price or override discrepancies.  
The amount of human error and general upkeep involved is enough that until the machines can be 100% automated there's going to be jobs available.  
It does on average though allow for faster checkout experiences.  
The incentives are there as well, the lines generally move a lot faster, you're getting to do it at your leisure, there's no queued line up behind you, you can scan and pack your bags the way you want and you can make sure your scans are accurate, and the attendants can be as hands on as you need them to be.  
 
Edited by Degenerate108, 2018-07-27 13:52:19