Do You Use The U-scan Checkouts?

[Lady's Human]

Again, to those worried about taking someone's job by using the self-scanners....

Someone has to maintain the beasties, which pays more than being a cashier, and someone still has to monitor them.

[Ginger's Mom]

Again, to those worried about taking someone's job by using the self-scanners....

Someone has to maintain the beasties, which pays more than being a cashier, and someone still has to monitor them.

Yes and no. It is not the same high school or college kids who would be running the registers who are maintaining the equipment. And even if they did have live cashiers they would still need someone to maintain the equipment those live cashiers are running instead of the equipment that the public run themselves. So it really is cutting out jobs.

Having said that, if I only have a few items (5 or less) I will use the self serve registers in the supermarket. When I do my bi-monthly shopping I want a cashier to check me out and help bag my items. If I am spending that much money in their store the least they can do is provide someone to help with the check out and bagging.

[Lady's Human]

It's more equipment to maintain. One maintenance person can only do so much. The more equipment there is to maintain, the more personnel needed to do the work, therefore they have to hire (or contract for) additional maintenance personnel. Those maintenance personnel are frequently paid far more than a cashier, and not much technical education is required to do the job. It's not uncommon to find college tech students doing on call maintenance or tech support service, as their hours allow them more of a flexible schedule.

So, where are the savings?

The Wal Mart in Norman, OK took out two regular registers, and put in 6 self serve scanning stations. They cut back to one express checkout lane. They still have 2 cashiers monitoring those self serve aisles, but they can serve many more customers. Fewer lines, more sales, happier customers.

[Ginger's Mom]

Hmm...good point. They usually do put in more self serve aisles than full service aisles that they remove. I didn't think about that. However, I still maintain that it does take away some jobs from high school, college students, and some part time moms or seniors who are looking for some extra cash.