The New Intimacy

Do you prefer self-checkout or a human cashier at the store?

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Contributor: spiced spiced
I usually go to a cashier, unless it's crazy busy and I'm in a huge hurry. I just prefer the human interaction — and they give me 5¢ back for each reusable bag, which I don't get in the self-checkout line (upon reflection: wow — how cheap is that?!).

How about you? Do you prefer dealing with a human, or with a machine, when you're checking out?
Answers (private voting - your screen name will NOT appear in the results):
I prefer self-checkout
40  (47%)
I prefer going to the cashier
27  (31%)
We don't have self-checkout, but if we did, I'd use it
2  (2%)
We don't have self-checkout, and I wouldn't use it if we did
1  (1%)
Other
16  (19%)
Total votes: 86
Poll is closed
03/17/2013
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Contributor: RonLee RonLee
I prefer to do my small part to help a cashier keep his/her job.
03/17/2013
Contributor: Gone (LD29) Gone (LD29)
It depends on how much shopping I'm doing. If I've got a small load and there isn't anything complicated in my order, I actually prefer going to the self check-out.

If I've got any heavy items that need to be scanned without taking them out of my cart, or if I need to write a check, show my ID for any reason, or if I have coupons for free items, I prefer to go to a cashier because it's much easier than it is to flag down the self checkout attendant for a bunch of little issues.

If I've got a big cart full of groceries, I'll usually go to a cashier unless I've got someone shopping with me to help bag at the self checkout. I'd rather do self checkout, but if I've got more than a few things I always end up with a line of people behind me getting visibly irritated that I'm still hogging up the lane to get everything bagged after I've finished ringing my stuff up.
03/17/2013
Contributor: Trysexual Trysexual
I prefer cashier, but I hate waiting in line, so whichever is shorter...but I won't self checkout for a cart full of stuff either.
03/17/2013
Contributor: jr2012 jr2012
I generally like self checkout, because it seems like no one can pack a bag properly these days!

Though I heard self checkout is causing lots of companies to downsize their cashier departments, so I do feel a little bad about that. My favorite grocery store does not have the self option, so at least I continue to patronize them!
03/17/2013
Contributor: palindromic palindromic
It really depends on what and how much I'm buying. If it's only a couple items that I don't even need a bag for, I much prefer self check-out. If I'm getting a couple weeks' worth of groceries, I'll go to the cashier.
03/17/2013
Contributor: Gracie Gracie
I like the idea of self check out, but invaribly something happens and I need the check out person to come over and do something before I can check out. So now I just use the checker even if the line is longer. For me it turns out to be more effecient,
03/17/2013
Contributor: GirlOnGirl GirlOnGirl
I prefer self checkout when I only have a small number of items but if I have a lot of stuff or large items I don't wanna take out of the cart, then I prefer a live cashier.
03/17/2013
Contributor: Lildrummrgurl7 Lildrummrgurl7
It depends on how many items I'm buying. When I go to Wal Mart to just pick up shampoo or something, I hate standing in lines so I try for self-checkout if it's not too busy. If I'm full on grocery shopping, I go through a cashiers lane.
03/17/2013
Contributor: 1001 Pleasures 1001 Pleasures
I use a self-checkout whenever I can. Many stores seem to have long lines and irate/incompetent cashiers, so I don't mind ringing up my own purchases, because it's usually faster and ensures my cold stuff all gets bagged together and that fresh foods aren't put together with soaps and the like. There are a few stores that treat their employees well -and it's reflected in their performance and personality - and I don't mind using the cashier line, even if they have a self-check available.
03/17/2013
Contributor: Sammi Sammi
If I don't have much, I do self-checkout. But if I have a lot of items, items that are on sale, or a lot of coupons (our self-checkout stands have a limit), I much prefer going through a cashier.
03/17/2013
Contributor: Lioncub Lioncub
I only use a cashier. Luckily no place in town has the self checkouts but everyplace does when we go shopping out of town. I like the personal touch of a human vs a machine.
03/17/2013
Contributor: Vanille Vanille
Quote:
Originally posted by spiced
I usually go to a cashier, unless it's crazy busy and I'm in a huge hurry. I just prefer the human interaction — and they give me 5¢ back for each reusable bag, which I don't get in the self-checkout line (upon reflection: wow — how ... more
Self-Checkout if I can. Cashiers make me anxious. Yay social anxiety. (not.)
03/17/2013
Contributor: married with children married with children
If they want to give me a discount for using the self checkout lane, I will go that route. Otherwise, a employee can check out my purchases.
03/17/2013
Contributor: Beautiful-Disaster Beautiful-Disaster
Self checkout
03/17/2013
Contributor: DawnStar DawnStar
Cashier I prefer.
03/17/2013
Contributor: TJtheMadHatter TJtheMadHatter
Self-check out if I can. Like if I'm at Target and I only have a few items, it's the quickest way for me to get out of there.
03/17/2013
Contributor: melissa1973 melissa1973
We don't have the self checkout option here, we just find the shortest line and grab it.
03/17/2013
Contributor: CSM2010 CSM2010
I prefer the self checkout.
03/17/2013
Contributor: spiced spiced
Quote:
Originally posted by RonLee
I prefer to do my small part to help a cashier keep his/her job.
That's a really good point and I hadn't even considered it. I'll think about that the next time I'm thinking of checking myself out.
03/17/2013
Contributor: Gone (LD29) Gone (LD29)
Quote:
Originally posted by 1001 Pleasures
I use a self-checkout whenever I can. Many stores seem to have long lines and irate/incompetent cashiers, so I don't mind ringing up my own purchases, because it's usually faster and ensures my cold stuff all gets bagged together and that ... more
I know what you mean about the bagging. I've had a few cashiers give me dirty looks when I asked them not to put my fresh fruits & veggies in the same bag as my raw meats. I don't usually like making a scene and have to tone down my rant on cross-contamination, but that is one thing that really upsets me.
03/17/2013
Contributor: Septimus Septimus
Self-checkout just goes a lot faster when I don't have that many items. If I'm doing a full load of grocery shopping or something like that though, I'll go to the cashier.
03/17/2013
Contributor: *Camoprincess* *Camoprincess*
I prefer self checkout so I can bag my groceries how I want so many stores now a day don't sort the stuff unless you already sort it on the counter. That aggravates me I worked in a grocery store an I would bag things that went together even if they didn't separate it.
03/17/2013
Contributor: LAndJ LAndJ
I find it takes even longer for me to check out at a self-check out.
03/17/2013
Contributor: travelnurse travelnurse
I prefer humans who have jobs and can fix problems if they arise.
03/17/2013
Contributor: LavenderSkies LavenderSkies
Quote:
Originally posted by spiced
I usually go to a cashier, unless it's crazy busy and I'm in a huge hurry. I just prefer the human interaction — and they give me 5¢ back for each reusable bag, which I don't get in the self-checkout line (upon reflection: wow — how ... more
I'd rather have somebody do it for me.
03/17/2013
Contributor: Rossie Rossie
Quote:
Originally posted by *Camoprincess*
I prefer self checkout so I can bag my groceries how I want so many stores now a day don't sort the stuff unless you already sort it on the counter. That aggravates me I worked in a grocery store an I would bag things that went together even if ... more
Same here. I like to bag my groceries the way I want it, it annoys the heck out of me watching the bagger person dump my nicely picked produce and breads roughly into the bags!
03/17/2013
Contributor: ZZ ZZ
I'm half and half on this. I worked as a grocery cashier for a few months one summer right after high school and developed a preference for a quick checkout time and how things should be bagged. Where I grocery shop now there isn't a self-checkout option, so my reasoning here is kind of moot.

On the other hand, it can be a pain in the ass when you go to Lowes to pick up some 8ft long pieces of wood and all they have open are the self check-outs. The wood is close to being three feet taller than me and I have to finagle it in order to scan the little barcode stuck to one end. I've very nearly knocked into the person at the checking out behind mine... A person with a hand held scanner would make this easier.
03/17/2013
Contributor: AmethystQueen AmethystQueen
It depends on what I have. Quick shopping, I'll do it myself. If I may go over my limit, I'll seek help and prefer the live person.
03/17/2013
Contributor: BlooJay BlooJay
Usually human cashier.
03/17/2013