I am not employed by the store.

[Chris]

I like them and I use them. I just have to make sure I don't daydream and make a mistake. If a checker makes a mistake and no one catches it then you get a break or you get screwed. If you are having one of those days where you aren't sharp and make a mistake at the self check lane they might think you are shoplifting. I think the next step will be eliminating the checkout lane altogether. Bag as you shop. Amazon stores are experimenting with this already.

Eliminating checkout with bag as you shop would be great.

Ultimately, though, I think we'll end up going online for shopping with either pickup or even delivery. I help my parents use Walmart Grocery where they order online and schedule pick up and I just park and the order is brought to my truck.

[Don]

Eliminating checkout with bag as you shop would be great.

Ultimately, though, I think we'll end up going online for shopping with either pickup or even delivery. I help my parents use Walmart Grocery where they order online and schedule pick up and I just park and the order is brought to my truck.

That's the direction it will go. Stores like Walmart will not be entered. They will just be warehouses. No need to have precious shelf space limiting products that don't sell as well as others. More choices will again be available. You'll either order and then pickup or it will be delivered to your home. The changes will probably create many new jobs. Even if all the "picking and packing" is done by robots people will still be needed. I still say that if automation eliminated every job on the planet that humans do now its humans who will buy the products or services so we will hardly be left out of the loop.

[Chris]

That's the direction it will go. Stores like Walmart will not be entered. They will just be warehouses. No need to have precious shelf space limiting products that don't sell as well as others. More choices will again be available. You'll either order and then pickup or it will be delivered to your home. The changes will probably create many new jobs. Even if all the "picking and packing" is done by robots people will still be needed. I still say that if automation eliminated every job on the planet that humans do now its humans who will buy the products or services so we will hardly be left out of the loop.

Agree. And history shows that automation does replace but displaces humans.

[Doublejack]

I first was pissed that I was "doing their job for them" but soon realized I'm much better at it than they are.

I love it now as I can get checked out in about 1/4 of the time.

[Ravens Fan]

That's the direction it will go. Stores like Walmart will not be entered. They will just be warehouses. No need to have precious shelf space limiting products that don't sell as well as others. More choices will again be available. You'll either order and then pickup or it will be delivered to your home. The changes will probably create many new jobs. Even if all the "picking and packing" is done by robots people will still be needed. I still say that if automation eliminated every job on the planet that humans do now its humans who will buy the products or services so we will hardly be left out of the loop.

I hope not. I do a ton of research before I buy anything other than clothes, but I still like to be able to go into a store and see/have the product when I am ready to buy. Plus, I hate waiting for something top be shipped to me, when I decide I am going to buy something, I want to go get it now.

[Chris]

I hope not. I do a ton of research before I buy anything other than clothes, but I still like to be able to go into a store and see/have the product when I am ready to buy. Plus, I hate waiting for something top be shipped to me, when I decide I am going to buy something, I want to go get it now.

I felt that way for a long time, preferring hands on, but now do half my shopping online. Amazon Prime is two-day free shipping usually.

[Newpublius]

"Please wait for attendant" is worse than the blue screen of death.

I get that infrequently, when I do, I walk right out of the store.

[Newpublius]

I felt that way for a long time, preferring hands on, but now do half my shopping online. Amazon Prime is two-day free shipping usually.

Although if you can't find it cheaper than Amazon you're really not shopping. Next time you buy something, google the term and hit pahe 5 of the results and see what you find (you might be pleasantly surprised)

[Chris]

Although if you can't find it cheaper than Amazon you're really not shopping. Next time you buy something, google the term and hit pahe 5 of the results and see what you find (you might be pleasantly surprised)

I've heard that but am lazy. Amazon does pretty well at giving you a range of prices. Books, for example, you can get used in various condition very cheaply.

Walmart has a program where after paying you scan your receipt. It then runs what you paid against prices at local stores. If it finds an item cheaper elsewhere, it refunds you the difference. Not all items are checked but many are. In about a year I've save about $75. Of course it benefits them in that they then lower their prices to match competitors.

[Crepitus]

Actually, the bigger picture is the store that implements self-checkout can then lower prices to compete with other stores.

If self-checkout is too much work, just go on line, order, and pick up curbside.

It all ties into the artificially depressed wages we are dealing with at the moment. Profit is all to the corporate bigwigs. They kept hiring lower and lower wage workers to increase their profits. This is the logical extension of that. First bank tellers via ATM. Then store clerks via self checkout lines. Now fast food employees via self order kiosks.

I fully expect soon to show up at a restaurant and be handed a spatula and a skillet along with my check.