# How do you feel about self-checkout now? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 10, 2022, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-self-checkout-now/967725 "2022-07-10T20:24:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 37
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2024, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-self-checkout-now/967725/721 "2024-04-15T12:18:01Z")
[Here’s](https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7013803,-73.8911886,3a,15y,14.18h,90.81t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sVspAVgB0DfIM05QdNquCTg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu) one with a parking lot. It’s a pain , because I either have to bring someone with me or leave the cart while I get the car. Been like that since at least the late 60s , so it gets enough business to stay open. I almost never go there. [This](https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7100934,-73.8991697,3a,75y,57.15h,96.97t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sb11iSkzUjIcBEpSI842rmg!2e0!5s20180601T000000!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu) one doesn’t have a parking lot at all. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2024, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-self-checkout-now/967725/722 "2024-04-15T13:26:33Z")
Around where I live in Los Angeles, local ordinances require stores to have magnetic locks on all of their shopping carts. The parking lot will have a buried line which, if the cart crosses, will lock its rear wheels. Ostensibly to prevent their theft, but also to discourage homelessness. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2024, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-self-checkout-now/967725/723 "2024-04-15T13:35:48Z")
An ordinance is nucking futz. I’ve never tried taking a cart from a lot; if one holds up the rear wheels in a ‘reverse wheelie’ can you get around them &/or are the magnets under the driveway? I know of someone who’s dog figured out that loophole in the electric fence - the driveway was a free passageway out to freedom! ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2024, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-self-checkout-now/967725/724 "2024-04-15T13:42:39Z")
The locks are on the rear wheels. Once they’re triggered, you need a special tool to unlock them. Yes, you can reverse-wheelie the cart to move it despite being locked. The line is buried in the pavement and is unavoidable. The biggest problem is that each store at large strip malls has its own lines. So if you park at Ralphs and shop at the Target next door, you’ll get your wheels locked when you try to wheel your cart back into the wrong lot. A no-mans-land border of locked carts will develop until each store retrieves them. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2024, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-self-checkout-now/967725/725 "2024-04-15T13:47:32Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > The locks are on the rear wheels. Once they’re triggered, you need a special tool to unlock them. Yes, you can reverse-wheelie the cart to move it despite being locked. No, I was saying if I lift it up, say 6" over the line (assuming I know where it is) is the magnet weak enough that it gets air gapped & don’t trip & I can then wheel the cart thru the neighborhood? If they’re neodymium, probably not as they’re strong magnets but expensive ones. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2024, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-self-checkout-now/967725/726 "2024-04-15T14:16:51Z")
Ah, I see what you’re saying. I’ve tried that once and it didn’t work (that is, it still locked). I tend to push the cart until it locks and then carry the bags the rest of the way. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2024, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-self-checkout-now/967725/727 "2024-04-15T14:18:25Z")
Back on the topic of self-checkout, I used the one at the local grocery store a day ago and pretty much all of my complaints have been addressed. Produce was easy to scan, it didn’t make me place things in the bagging area if I didn’t want to (like the gallon of milk that I put right back in cart) and my digital coupons were seamlessly integrated. All things being equal, I’d still have someone else do it just because I’m payin’ good money over here but, since the one or two manned lines are always backed up, the self checkout (at this specific store, anyway) isn’t to be avoided. ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Finn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2024, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-self-checkout-now/967725/728 "2024-04-15T21:50:54Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > [Here’s](https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7013803,-73.8911886,3a,15y,14.18h,90.81t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sVspAVgB0DfIM05QdNquCTg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu) one with a parking lot. It’s a pain , because I either have to bring someone with me or leave the cart while I get the car. Been like that since at least the late 60s , so it gets enough business to stay open. I almost never go there. [This](https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7100934,-73.8991697,3a,75y,57.15h,96.97t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sb11iSkzUjIcBEpSI842rmg!2e0!5s20180601T000000!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu) one doesn’t have a parking lot at all. A small parking lot (20-30 cars) - as is the supermarket parking lot I posted about before. It’s not far to walk to your car - you can keep an eye on your cart if you can only take part of its contents in one trip. Or you can drive adjacent to your cart without a bunch of people honking at you (you might have one car behind you - if any at all). The larger supermarkets near me have larger parking lots and places where you are supposed to leave your cart. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2024, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-self-checkout-now/967725/729 "2024-04-15T22:02:32Z")
I’m comfortable either way these days. It’s the lines that make the decision for me now. The self checkout lanes are usually much shorter. Of course, now that I’m ok with the self checkout, the Walmart near me has stopped it completely. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-self-checkout-now/967725/730 "2024-04-16T13:07:21Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > > [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > > > . Somewhere between customer complaints, equipment foul-ups, and outright theft, they’ve decided the cost savings of eliminating a few cashiers just isn’t worth it. > > From what I read, it isnt “outright theft”- its customers mis-scanning things or leaving something under the basket etc- all honest mistakes. Oh, there is _plenty_ of deliberate theft on self-checkouts… ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-self-checkout-now/967725/731 "2024-04-16T13:15:45Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I’ve seen urban stores that have tall poles attached to each cart, so they can’t go out the door (at least not easily). We have poles with flags attached to our scooters so the customers using them who drive them out onto the parking lot (even though they’re not supposed to) don’t get run over by other customers. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-self-checkout-now/967725/732 "2024-04-16T14:12:50Z")
Is a scooter a type of shopping cart, or something else? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-self-checkout-now/967725/733 "2024-04-16T14:16:51Z")
Mobility scooter for people who can’t walk well. Or would rather ride than walk in some cases. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-self-checkout-now/967725/734 "2024-04-16T14:18:49Z")
Ah, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-self-checkout-now/967725/735 "2024-04-16T14:43:57Z")
I shop weekly these days. On Thursday we go to Tesco’s website, choose a collection slot and go through the list of “favourites” to choose 90% of what we need/want. This involves discussion about menus etc, and usually takes half an hour or so. On Friday, I go in the car to the collection point and they bring my order out. There may (rarely) be missing items or “short-date” items and substitutes that I can accept or reject. Once the bulk is loaded into the bags in my car, I park and go into the store to buy fresh fruit and veg, plus find substitutes for any missing items which I scan as I go. The whole process takes about 30 minutes. The people at the collection point don’t help me load the car. If they did, I would probably give them a modest tip. As it is, all they get is a tub of chocolates at Christmas. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-self-checkout-now/967725/736 "2024-04-16T15:13:29Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > so the customers using them who drive them out onto the parking lot (even though they’re not supposed to) don’t get run over by other customers. It’s a jungle out there. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-self-checkout-now/967725/737 "2024-04-16T15:14:12Z")
You can’t avoid what you can’t see. Besides. If you don’t like my driving, get off the sidewalk. 😁 ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-self-checkout-now/967725/738 "2024-04-16T15:49:39Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Besides. If you don’t like my driving, get off the sidewalk. 😁 There’s no sidewalks in a parking lot so where am I supposed to ~~walk~~ cower when you’re around? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-self-checkout-now/967725/739 "2024-04-16T15:50:24Z")
Inside the building. But avoid Aisle 3 where the cold beer is. Every store has a drive through if you do it right. 😁 ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-self-checkout-now/967725/740 "2024-04-16T17:53:01Z")
[Security cam](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIdGxR-aU6o) footage of @LSLGuy (& his brother) at the mall [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-self-checkout-now/967725.md?page=36) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-self-checkout-now/967725.md?page=38)