The pussification of America has reached the Express Checkout Lane

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: Insomniator

Originally posted by: Jeff7
10 Items or Less.
Violators will be shot at least 10 times.

Originally posted by: Scouzer
I LOVE Self Checkout lanes! Best invention in retail EVER! I am infinitely more likely to shop at a store with self checkout lanes over one without. So much faster!

Assuming they actually work. The best ones I've used are those at Giant Eagle. The only things they sometimes have trouble with are Kool-Aid packets, which are probably just barely heavy enough to trigger the conveyor belt's scale.

Yeah I like the idea of the self checkout but I can't stand how they are set up as if prison inmates are buying food. Stop telling me to put my apple in the bag (it probably is anyway), I'm not stealing freaking fruit. They have a kid watching the lanes anyway, why do the machines have to complain and request help every 2 seconds?

It's my understanding that the self checkout lanes were indeed a huge loss prevention nightmare and that Wal Mart in process of phasing them out. My local "Super Walmart" has completely removed them and replaced them with checkout lanes. Insted of there being 5 open "manned" lanes, 2 express lanes, and 8 self check ones, it's now 10 "manned" lanes and 5 express ones. I can actually get through faster without the self check.

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: mugs
I think it's a huge stretch to call this the "pussification of America." A hard cutoff at 15 is pretty arbitrary, so they leave it up to the customer to decide if they're close enough to 15. The customer would do that anyway, they're just giving people permission to do what they're already doing. If you think it's "pussification" because the stores don't stand up to those dastardly customers who dare to enter the express lane with 16 items, then I think you'd do pretty poorly in a sales job.

I'd prefer to see signs that say "[About] 15 items or fewer." I've only seen one store that did that.

Except that 15 is already pushing it. They made the original limit higher than the customers it was meant for would need for a few reasons, but it's still really meant for the people getting about 1-to-5 items so they don't have to line up behind three families doing their month's shopping. It was not made so people with 16 items wouldn't delay people with 15 items. It is a hard limit and should be enforced unless there is no line and the other registers are full.

 

[Gibson486]

We need a mathmetical line:

Approx 15 items or less

Or...

d(f(# of items))/d( # of items)

If items purchased approaches 0, you can just go to the "exit" sign.

 

[Sea Moose]

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: mugs
I think it's a huge stretch to call this the "pussification of America." A hard cutoff at 15 is pretty arbitrary, so they leave it up to the customer to decide if they're close enough to 15. The customer would do that anyway, they're just giving people permission to do what they're already doing. If you think it's "pussification" because the stores don't stand up to those dastardly customers who dare to enter the express lane with 16 items, then I think you'd do pretty poorly in a sales job.

I'd prefer to see signs that say "[About] 15 items or fewer." I've only seen one store that did that.

Except that 15 is already pushing it. They made the original limit higher than the customers it was meant for would need for a few reasons, but it's still really mean for the people getting about 1-to-5 items so they don't have to line up behind three families doing their month's shopping. It was not made so people with 16 items wouldn't delay people with 15 items. It is a hard limit and should be enforced unless there is no line and the other registers are full.

do you struggle to count to 15?

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: Sea Moose

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: mugs
I think it's a huge stretch to call this the "pussification of America." A hard cutoff at 15 is pretty arbitrary, so they leave it up to the customer to decide if they're close enough to 15. The customer would do that anyway, they're just giving people permission to do what they're already doing. If you think it's "pussification" because the stores don't stand up to those dastardly customers who dare to enter the express lane with 16 items, then I think you'd do pretty poorly in a sales job.

I'd prefer to see signs that say "[About] 15 items or fewer." I've only seen one store that did that.

Except that 15 is already pushing it. They made the original limit higher than the customers it was meant for would need for a few reasons, but it's still really meant for the people getting about 1-to-5 items so they don't have to line up behind three families doing their month's shopping. It was not made so people with 16 items wouldn't delay people with 15 items. It is a hard limit and should be enforced unless there is no line and the other registers are full.

do you struggle to count to 15?

No; and I don't have to make a post demonstrating it to inflate my post count. Do you think you're funny? "15 items or less" is a hard limit that should be enforced.

Some stores say "12 Items or Less" or "10 Items or Less." The "few reasons" I am talking about are #1: Multiples that need only be scanned once (time efficient) #2: a customer-friendly buffer not too far over the targeted amount #3: a way to not exclude so many customers that the register spends periods when it is not in use. I'm responding to you-only this time because I can keep it on topic. What's your excuse for bickering publicly about counting to 15 without being relevant?

 

[Sea Moose]

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: Sea Moose

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: mugs
I think it's a huge stretch to call this the "pussification of America." A hard cutoff at 15 is pretty arbitrary, so they leave it up to the customer to decide if they're close enough to 15. The customer would do that anyway, they're just giving people permission to do what they're already doing. If you think it's "pussification" because the stores don't stand up to those dastardly customers who dare to enter the express lane with 16 items, then I think you'd do pretty poorly in a sales job.

I'd prefer to see signs that say "[About] 15 items or fewer." I've only seen one store that did that.

Except that 15 is already pushing it. They made the original limit higher than the customers it was meant for would need for a few reasons, but it's still really meant for the people getting about 1-to-5 items so they don't have to line up behind three families doing their month's shopping. It was not made so people with 16 items wouldn't delay people with 15 items. It is a hard limit and should be enforced unless there is no line and the other registers are full.

do you struggle to count to 15?

No. Do you think you're funny? "15 items or less" is a hard limit that should be enforced. Some stores say "12 Items or Less" or "10 Items or Less." The "few reasons" I am talking about are #1: Multiples that need only be scanned once (time efficient) #2: a customer-friendly buffer not too far over the targeted amount #3: a way to not exclude so many customers that the register spends periods when it is not in use. I'm responding to you only this time because I can keep it on topic. What's your excuse?

so when your driving your car and its a 70 zone, do you do 80, cause you think there is a buffer? Or its not fair you have to do 70 cause you think your special in some way?

Wether they set the limit to 5, 15 or 20 items or less, rules are rules. Expect someone to knock your front teeth out if you break them.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Sea Moose
they set the line at 15 items

now people will try on 20 items.... eventually they will do away with the speed lane althogether


and then the four horse men of the apocalypse will around and dixycrat will ascend to heaven and the rest of us will burn.

The Flying Spaghetti Monster will come down and save those of us who have touched by his noodly appendage. The rest of you are fucked.

 

[Sea Moose]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Sea Moose
they set the line at 15 items

now people will try on 20 items.... eventually they will do away with the speed lane althogether


and then the four horse men of the apocalypse will around and dixycrat will ascend to heaven and the rest of us will burn.

The Flying Spaghetti Monster will come down and save those of us who have touched by his noodly appendage. The rest of you are fucked.

fuck

 

[Engineer]

My opinion is as grocery stores do away with people running the checkout lanes and going to self checkout, it won't matter much what the limit is. People with more than a certain number of items will naturally go to the people run lanes and resist going to the self checkouts. I personally love the self checkout lanes though.

But...I do hate it when people with 35 items go into an express lane. I worked at Kroger for a year and it happened often. Sometimes, it's by invite (if the express lane was empty, we were told to have people with more than the limit go to the express lane to keep the store registers flowing smoothly).

 

[dman]

Originally posted by: CZroe
Except that 15 is already pushing it. They made the original limit higher than the customers it was meant for would need for a few reasons, but it's still really meant for the people getting about 1-to-5 items so they don't have to line up behind three families doing their month's shopping. It was not made so people with 16 items wouldn't delay people with 15 items. It is a hard limit and should be enforced unless there is no line and the other registers are full.

Agree, it used to be 10/12 items or less, and then they bumped it 15 sometimes 20, so if they are going to do an approximately express lane it should be approximately 10 items.

All in all, in that range, the # of items rarely is the delay factor. Yes, the families doing their monthly shopping vs the express customers is a factor but outside of that, 10, 15, or 20 items is not much difference. The time to apply coupons, scan produce, or write checks is really the big factor. No point in getting worked up over a few items.

Some places keep track of how long the queues are and open new registers for you if there's a backup. There are always going to be bad times with longer lines, but stores like Publix and Target are very good about consistently keeping things moving. Walmart, not so good. Your experience may vary from mine, but if time is important then finding and supporting the stores in your area that cater to that speedy check-out requirement is a must.

So, I agree in concept about the approximately 15 items rule not being a problem, but, for a sign it should just have a limit so the folks who like to complain and fight about everything can do so justifiably.

 

[slag]

Originally posted by: Sea Moose

Originally posted by: Stumps
yeah it's happening here in Australia too.

Nothin like standing in line at an Express checkout while some retard unloads 2 trolleys worth of groceries.

they also have the automatic lanes where your supposed to scan your items and pay your money by card. <--- i refuse to use these cause people loose their jobs for this crap.


Qld pwed Nsw stumps

I cant believe I'm agreeing with you on something, but yeah, I wont use those lanes either. Prices havent come down so I'm still paying for someone, a living person, to check me out, make small talk, and do the checking out work for me. As long as thats available, I'll stand in line and make the cashier do his/her work instead of me doing the work. If I'm forced to check myself out, there had better be at least a 20% discount on my final bill.

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: Sea Moose

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: Sea Moose

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: mugs
I think it's a huge stretch to call this the "pussification of America." A hard cutoff at 15 is pretty arbitrary, so they leave it up to the customer to decide if they're close enough to 15. The customer would do that anyway, they're just giving people permission to do what they're already doing. If you think it's "pussification" because the stores don't stand up to those dastardly customers who dare to enter the express lane with 16 items, then I think you'd do pretty poorly in a sales job.

I'd prefer to see signs that say "[About] 15 items or fewer." I've only seen one store that did that.

Except that 15 is already pushing it. They made the original limit higher than the customers it was meant for would need for a few reasons, but it's still really meant for the people getting about 1-to-5 items so they don't have to line up behind three families doing their month's shopping. It was not made so people with 16 items wouldn't delay people with 15 items. It is a hard limit and should be enforced unless there is no line and the other registers are full.

do you struggle to count to 15?

No; and I don't have to make a post demonstrating it to inflate my post count. Do you think you're funny? "15 items or less" is a hard limit that should be enforced.

Some stores say "12 Items or Less" or "10 Items or Less." The "few reasons" I am talking about are #1: Multiples that need only be scanned once (time efficient) #2: a customer-friendly buffer not too far over the targeted amount #3: a way to not exclude so many customers that the register spends periods when it is not in use. I'm responding to you-only this time because I can keep it on topic. What's your excuse for bickering publicly about counting to 15 without being relevant?

so when your driving your car and its a 70 zone, do you do 80, cause you think there is a buffer? Or its not fair you have to do 70 cause you think your special in some way?

Wether they set the limit to 5, 15 or 20 items or less, rules are rules. Expect someone to knock your front teeth out if you break them.

You seem to think that we are in disagreement, which can only mean that you had trouble understanding me. I said that it SHOULD be strictly enforced because the limit was calculated with the "buffer" already included and then SURPASSED for additional reasons, which I listed. I'm still talking about express lane checkout limits while you're grasping for straws with unrelated analogies that really only agree with me.

Originally posted by: dman

Originally posted by: CZroe
Except that 15 is already pushing it. They made the original limit higher than the customers it was meant for would need for a few reasons, but it's still really meant for the people getting about 1-to-5 items so they don't have to line up behind three families doing their month's shopping. It was not made so people with 16 items wouldn't delay people with 15 items. It is a hard limit and should be enforced unless there is no line and the other registers are full.

Agree, it used to be 10/12 items or less, and then they bumped it 15 sometimes 20, so if they are going to do an approximately express lane it should be approximately 10 items.

All in all, in that range, the # of items rarely is the delay factor. Yes, the families doing their monthly shopping vs the express customers is a factor but outside of that, 10, 15, or 20 items is not much difference. The time to apply coupons, scan produce, or write checks is really the big factor. No point in getting worked up over a few items.

Some places keep track of how long the queues are and open new registers for you if there's a backup. There are always going to be bad times with longer lines, but stores like Publix and Target are very good about consistently keeping things moving. Walmart, not so good. Your experience may vary from mine, but if time is important then finding and supporting the stores in your area that cater to that speedy check-out requirement is a must.

So, I agree in concept about the approximately 15 items rule not being a problem, but, for a sign it should just have a limit so the folks who like to complain and fight about everything can do so justifiably.

I noticed that too... my local Wal-Mart closes self-checkouts, maintaining long lines. :|

 

[dougp]

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: Sea Moose

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: mugs
I think it's a huge stretch to call this the "pussification of America." A hard cutoff at 15 is pretty arbitrary, so they leave it up to the customer to decide if they're close enough to 15. The customer would do that anyway, they're just giving people permission to do what they're already doing. If you think it's "pussification" because the stores don't stand up to those dastardly customers who dare to enter the express lane with 16 items, then I think you'd do pretty poorly in a sales job.

I'd prefer to see signs that say "[About] 15 items or fewer." I've only seen one store that did that.

Except that 15 is already pushing it. They made the original limit higher than the customers it was meant for would need for a few reasons, but it's still really meant for the people getting about 1-to-5 items so they don't have to line up behind three families doing their month's shopping. It was not made so people with 16 items wouldn't delay people with 15 items. It is a hard limit and should be enforced unless there is no line and the other registers are full.

do you struggle to count to 15?

No; and I don't have to make a post demonstrating it to inflate my post count. Do you think you're funny? "15 items or less" is a hard limit that should be enforced.

Some stores say "12 Items or Less" or "10 Items or Less." The "few reasons" I am talking about are #1: Multiples that need only be scanned once (time efficient) #2: a customer-friendly buffer not too far over the targeted amount #3: a way to not exclude so many customers that the register spends periods when it is not in use. I'm responding to you-only this time because I can keep it on topic. What's your excuse for bickering publicly about counting to 15 without being relevant?

I use self-checkout lanes whether I have 50 items or 10. Why, you might ask?

Because I'm faster at that checkout lane than most people - I can plow through the 50 items and pay before others do their 10. I hate using any lane that has someone doing the checkouts - cashiers are no longer courteous, and baggers can't efficiently bag. I mean seriously, do I need 5 bags for 5 items that would all fit into 1 or 2 bags?

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: dougp

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: Sea Moose

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: mugs
I think it's a huge stretch to call this the "pussification of America." A hard cutoff at 15 is pretty arbitrary, so they leave it up to the customer to decide if they're close enough to 15. The customer would do that anyway, they're just giving people permission to do what they're already doing. If you think it's "pussification" because the stores don't stand up to those dastardly customers who dare to enter the express lane with 16 items, then I think you'd do pretty poorly in a sales job.

I'd prefer to see signs that say "[About] 15 items or fewer." I've only seen one store that did that.

Except that 15 is already pushing it. They made the original limit higher than the customers it was meant for would need for a few reasons, but it's still really meant for the people getting about 1-to-5 items so they don't have to line up behind three families doing their month's shopping. It was not made so people with 16 items wouldn't delay people with 15 items. It is a hard limit and should be enforced unless there is no line and the other registers are full.

do you struggle to count to 15?

No; and I don't have to make a post demonstrating it to inflate my post count. Do you think you're funny? "15 items or less" is a hard limit that should be enforced.

Some stores say "12 Items or Less" or "10 Items or Less." The "few reasons" I am talking about are #1: Multiples that need only be scanned once (time efficient) #2: a customer-friendly buffer not too far over the targeted amount #3: a way to not exclude so many customers that the register spends periods when it is not in use. I'm responding to you-only this time because I can keep it on topic. What's your excuse for bickering publicly about counting to 15 without being relevant?

I use self-checkout lanes whether I have 50 items or 10. Why, you might ask?

Because I'm faster at that checkout lane than most people - I can plow through the 50 items and pay before others do their 10. I hate using any lane that has someone doing the checkouts - cashiers are no longer courteous, and baggers can't efficiently bag. I mean seriously, do I need 5 bags for 5 items that would all fit into 1 or 2 bags?

I generally do unless I have over 1/2 cart full. Also, just so people don't get riled up about this post, many self checkout lanes at Kroger stores have "Any size order" for the limit.

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer
How is this pussification?

I'll use small words...

"15 items or less" is a declaritive statement. It is very specific. It is meant for those who only need to scan a few items and go. This is the reason for an express lane. Grab and go. If you see someone who is in the line just because it's moving faster and they have way too many items to be there you can badger them back to the regular grocery line so they don't hold everyone up.

The word 'about' is wishy-washy. It takes all the power away from the people who are following the rules. It invites cheaters. It says 'yeah, we would appreciate it if you kept your items to a minimum but if you insist on cashing out here because this line is moving faster than the others then I guess we'll let you do it even though you're technically violating the spirit of the express lane... and we're too pussified to say anything.'

This is like the trend of not keeping score in a little league game. Everyone knows who the losers are, but we are powerless to call them on it.

 

[dougp]

Originally posted by: Engineer

Originally posted by: dougp

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: Sea Moose

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: mugs
I think it's a huge stretch to call this the "pussification of America." A hard cutoff at 15 is pretty arbitrary, so they leave it up to the customer to decide if they're close enough to 15. The customer would do that anyway, they're just giving people permission to do what they're already doing. If you think it's "pussification" because the stores don't stand up to those dastardly customers who dare to enter the express lane with 16 items, then I think you'd do pretty poorly in a sales job.

I'd prefer to see signs that say "[About] 15 items or fewer." I've only seen one store that did that.

Except that 15 is already pushing it. They made the original limit higher than the customers it was meant for would need for a few reasons, but it's still really meant for the people getting about 1-to-5 items so they don't have to line up behind three families doing their month's shopping. It was not made so people with 16 items wouldn't delay people with 15 items. It is a hard limit and should be enforced unless there is no line and the other registers are full.

do you struggle to count to 15?

No; and I don't have to make a post demonstrating it to inflate my post count. Do you think you're funny? "15 items or less" is a hard limit that should be enforced.

Some stores say "12 Items or Less" or "10 Items or Less." The "few reasons" I am talking about are #1: Multiples that need only be scanned once (time efficient) #2: a customer-friendly buffer not too far over the targeted amount #3: a way to not exclude so many customers that the register spends periods when it is not in use. I'm responding to you-only this time because I can keep it on topic. What's your excuse for bickering publicly about counting to 15 without being relevant?

I use self-checkout lanes whether I have 50 items or 10. Why, you might ask?

Because I'm faster at that checkout lane than most people - I can plow through the 50 items and pay before others do their 10. I hate using any lane that has someone doing the checkouts - cashiers are no longer courteous, and baggers can't efficiently bag. I mean seriously, do I need 5 bags for 5 items that would all fit into 1 or 2 bags?

I generally do unless I have over 1/2 cart full. Also, just so people don't get riled up about this post, many self checkout lanes at Kroger stores have "Any size order" for the limit.

I rarely even have a full basket, but it never matters to me. People are so damn slow, like it changes every time they walk up to the machine.

 

[Red Squirrel]

What pisses me off is people who go to those lanes with a cart full, or when someone goes in there with a status card (lot of paper work and crap to do which delays). ARG. I just want to pay for me 2 items and get out. i've always thought they should make it so you can't bring a cart in those lanes. Now there are times where you have 3 big items so it would be kind of inconvinient for that, I guess. (walmart and stuff, not so much grocery stores)

 

[marrr]

One thing I hate about self check out is I just finish paying and while im bagging my stuff some fool starts sending their stuff down. Can you not wait 1 min so I can bag my stuff and leave?

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: mar23
One thing I hate about self check out is I just finish paying and while im bagging my stuff some fool starts sending their stuff down. Can you not wait 1 min so I can bag my stuff and leave?

Self checkouts in Lexington, KY go from cart, to scanner to bag (bag racks are on a scale). There is no belt to send anything down (if that is what you are talking about). I do hate it when they start trying to get started before you get your bags off of the scale though.

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: Engineer

Originally posted by: dougp
I use self-checkout lanes whether I have 50 items or 10. Why, you might ask?

Because I'm faster at that checkout lane than most people - I can plow through the 50 items and pay before others do their 10. I hate using any lane that has someone doing the checkouts - cashiers are no longer courteous, and baggers can't efficiently bag. I mean seriously, do I need 5 bags for 5 items that would all fit into 1 or 2 bags?

I generally do unless I have over 1/2 cart full. Also, just so people don't get riled up about this post, many self checkout lanes at Kroger stores have "Any size order" for the limit.

Yeah, self checkout != express lane... it's just that it allows them to keep more lanes open so it has displaced a lot of express lanes, especially in converted supermarkets. If it isn't Wal-Mart, there should be enough for everyone.

Originally posted by: RedSquirrel
What pisses me off is people who go to [express] lanes with a cart full, or when someone goes in there with a status card (lot of paper work and crap to do which delays). ARG. I just want to pay for me 2 items and get out. i've always thought they should make it so you can't bring a cart in those lanes. Now there are times where you have 3 big items so it would be kind of inconvinient for that, I guess. (walmart and stuff, not so much grocery stores)

Most grocery stores still sell 50lb bags of dog food (55lb "bonus bags") and 24-48 multi-packs of bottled water, but I still like the "no cart" idea.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: Gibson486
We need a mathmetical line:

Approx 15 items or less

Or...

d(f(# of items))/d( # of items)

If items purchased approaches 0, you can just go to the "exit" sign.

I love it!! It would make going to grocery store fun, just to see people having seizures trying to interpret the sign :^D

 

[Stumps]

hmmm what was this thread about again?

 

[BeauJangles]

At least this "pussification" uses proper grammar.

"15 items or fewer." not "15 items or less"

Also, you need a life. I fail to see how this is pussification in any conceivable way. Yeah, people can now theoretically bring 16 items into a checkout. Who fucking cares? People were already doing that. Grow up.

 

[Aikouka]

I won't go to a "X items or less" lane if I am over said amount (even by one item), but I also have no qualms if I go into the lane with X items as I am in the bounds of the lane's restrictions. I do typically allow people with an extremely small amount of items to get ahead of me. X can vary greatly depending on the store... Wal-Mart is 20 items and another local grocer (Price Chopper) is 8 items.

Now, some may not prefer going into said lines with more than 5 items, but frankly if I'm at Wal-Mart with 15 items in my car, I am not going to sit behind someone with an entire cart full in a regular line just because you think it's too much . Although I do try to expedite my check out with entering my debit information before everything is done so it's a simple button press for the cashier at the end and only a quick authorization until I get my receipt and I am out of there.

 

[nageov3t]

error 404: big deal not found