Good Thing or Bad Thing

[RiverRat1]

I'm a little confused by comparing self checkout to robotic labor. Self checkout uses the exact same machine to scan goods, only you have to do the labor part

And a company does not need customer service to build a stock vehicle as they don't interact with the public so robots taking welding jobs is apples to oranges to a grocery clerk where customer service is needed.

Also almost every thing people have listed as being advanced and not wanting to go back to riding a horse, actually made products cheaper. How much cheaper do self checkouts make products in stores?

BTW - Although I don't like the idea I also, like TLH and Shane, use them if they help me get out quicker. If I have just a few scanable items. So IMO they do have a small place, maybe.

[tvc184]

I'm a little confused by comparing self checkout to robotic labor. Self checkout uses the exact same machine to scan goods, only you have to do the labor part

It is called the free enterprise system.

They are both virtually identical from a business standpoint and isn’t that what we are taking about?

[Slabby]

It is called the free enterprise system.

They are both virtually identical from a business standpoint and isn’t that what we are taking about?

I guess that depends on how much chit people are willing to take. Either way, MAYBE the end result is more $ in the coffers, but the comparison stops there

[hpdrifter]

I had 2 HEB employees shooting the **** and watching me at the self checkout last week. I asked them if I could go on break after I got through checking myself out. They didn`t have a response.

why should they respond? you were self checking out.

[hpdrifter]

just means there will be less people at a store to help you. it's bad enough now. half the store doesn't have prices and there is no one around to find the answers.

[tvc184]

I guess that depends on how much chit people are willing to take. Either way, MAYBE the end result is more $ in the coffers, but the comparison stops there

A company, probably every company, is always looking at ways to cut cost. That if the free enterprise system.

So one cuts labor cost by machines like in the auto industry and one cuts labor costs with machines like self checkout in the retail industry. They are both cutting jobs to save money and thereby make a larger profit, which again is the free enterprise system.

Those that fail to change will fail in business. Look at Sears. In my lifetime they were the largest retailer in the world. The Sears catalog probably dating back to the early 20th century, was almost like a precursor of the Internet. Anywhere in the world you could browse hundreds of pages of machines, clothing, tools, etc. and get it delivered or go to the brick and mortar stores. Where are they now?

They failed to keep up with trends. What worked for decades no longer brought in customers. Their customer service model was great …. up until peoples’ convenience overcame service.

The chit people take is about price, speed and convenience. That goes for the auto industry or retail. Those that fail to keep up with trends will follow in the footsteps of Sears. When I shop at Lowe’s, I self checkout on my phone while at home and never have contact with anyone and don’t scan the items. I just walk in the store and pick up my merchandise and walk out. Lowe’s and others are aware that without innovation to cut costs, they will falter.

Revive this thread in 10 years and see how many companies are following trends.

in my opinion…..

[Slabby]

Does autonomy in auto manufacturing lead to a worse customer service experience? Most people I know that embraced the curbside crap during civid have gone back to in store shopping. I wonder why. When I go to Kroger I park 2nd or 3rd row because the 1st row is all taken up with curbside parking. 90 percent of the time every spot is empty. On rare occasion there will be one car. Just like Lowes and home depot. How many are picking up from a locker vs in store shopping? Why? I would say you represent the minority. I would suspect a big push in customer service is coming. It's what most people want.

The stores are trying to force the issue.....not the consumer

[ThisLadyHunts]

Does autonomy in auto manufacturing lead to a worse customer service experience? Most people I know that embraced the curbside crap during civid have gone back to in store shopping. I wonder why. When I go to Kroger I park 2nd or 3rd row because the 1st row is all taken up with curbside parking. 90 percent of the time every spot is empty. On rare occasion there will be one car. Just like Lowes and home depot. How many are picking up from a locker vs in store shopping? Why? I would say you represent the minority. I would suspect a big push in customer service is coming. It's what most people want.

The stores are trying to force the issue.....not the consumer

You make some interesting points. Speaking for myself, I continue to take great advantage of HEB’s curbside and (most especially) delivery services. In fact, it’s rare that I even enter a grocery store these days. For all other shopping, I still go inside to shop. Not sure why.

[DedDuk]

Does autonomy in auto manufacturing lead to a worse customer service experience? Most people I know that embraced the curbside crap during civid have gone back to in store shopping. I wonder why. When I go to Kroger I park 2nd or 3rd row because the 1st row is all taken up with curbside parking. 90 percent of the time every spot is empty. On rare occasion there will be one car. Just like Lowes and home depot. How many are picking up from a locker vs in store shopping? Why? I would say you represent the minority. I would suspect a big push in customer service is coming. It's what most people want.

The stores are trying to force the issue.....not the consumer

Curbside pick up is way more customer service than you will ever get in the store.

[Slabby]

^^I'm not opposed to curbside if that's what a consumer wants. I shop in the store and have seen too many scenarios of meat/produce being handled inappropriately to be comfortable with it. When you buy curbside, how long does the milk, eggs, cottage chz sit out before you recieve it. It's not for me. Heck, I have to go through the beef to find something that looks like a good cut

[BowhunterB]

I love it also..........and the up and coming generation has already voted with their fingers, no stopping it now!
Concept locations of Whole Foods are doing ZERO CHECKOUT. Your credit or debit card (or form of payment) is registered in their system. You walk in the location and you are identified as a qualified customer. You pick up everything you want to buy and just walk out the EXIT door. All items are scanned as you walk out......your method of payment is charged. No different than a TOLL ROAD............I am sooooo excited for that day to reach our local grocery stores, pharmacies, etc.

I don't mind self check-out at all, but that is a little over the top for me. I don;t want to be "identified" upon entering the store.

[BowhunterB]

A company, probably every company, is always looking at ways to cut cost. That if the free enterprise system.

So one cuts labor cost by machines like in the auto industry and one cuts labor costs with machines like self checkout in the retail industry. They are both cutting jobs to save money and thereby make a larger profit, which again is the free enterprise system.

Those that fail to change will fail in business. Look at Sears. In my lifetime they were the largest retailer in the world. The Sears catalog probably dating back to the early 20th century, was almost like a precursor of the Internet. Anywhere in the world you could browse hundreds of pages of machines, clothing, tools, etc. and get it delivered or go to the brick and mortar stores. Where are they now?

They failed to keep up with trends. What worked for decades no longer brought in customers. Their customer service model was great …. up until peoples’ convenience overcame service.

The chit people take is about price, speed and convenience. That goes for the auto industry or retail. Those that fail to keep up with trends will follow in the footsteps of Sears. When I shop at Lowe’s, I self checkout on my phone while at home and never have contact with anyone and don’t scan the items. I just walk in the store and pick up my merchandise and walk out. Lowe’s and others are aware that without innovation to cut costs, they will falter.

Revive this thread in 10 years and see how many companies are following trends.

in my opinion…..

Not to start another debate but that is not the main thing that killed Sears, at least in my opinion. They didn't know what business model they wanted or needed to follow. They tried to go to cheaper products like KMart or Walmart and couldn't compete and didn't have the somewhat higher end merchandise like Dillards or Macy's.

[Luck_of_the_Draw]

I refuse to use them.

[tvc184]

Not to start another debate but that is not the main thing that killed Sears, at least in my opinion. They didn't know what business model they wanted or needed to follow. They tried to go to cheaper products like KMart or Walmart and couldn't compete and didn't have the somewhat higher end merchandise like Dillards or Macy's.

That is why I said that they failed to keep up with trends.

[rut-ro]

I refuse to work for the store I’m shopping at. I will not do self checkout. Now if they want to pay me by giving me a 15% discount for checking out my goods then I would try it but until then they can pound sand.
I’ve had many checkers thank me for using them a helping to save their jobs.

A 15 % discount, how long does it take you to check out? If a cashier was making 10 dollars an hour and it takes you maybe 5 minutes how much are they making to check you out? Probably takes longer for you to get all your coupons out and write your check than it does for the person working.