I only had a couple of items and stood in a long line to check out. The woman behind me said, Sir, it might be easier for you to use the Self Checkout. Other people in line heard what she said and I replied, let me explain why I REFUSE to use Self Checkout.
I said, see all these people working here, they do NOT get paid enough! WalMart is the richest company in the retail world and they refuse to pay their employees proper wages.
EVERY TIME you use the Self Checkout you are ELIMINATING JOBS!
Today you see a small portion of Self Checkout. Pretty soon, once you get used to it and spoiled with it, it will expand until ALL Cashiers are GONE.
NOT ONE person in line disagreed. In fact, NONE of them had ever thought about that and ALL vowed to stay out of Self Checkout for good.
Tens of thousands of people in our area are reading this article today. Let's see how many people give a damn about our local economy. Let's see how many people continue to use Self Checkout. I strongly encourage YOU to pass on this message to each and every person you know or are in contact with.
78 comments:
Good point.
True, but self service I get better customer service.
I have a little different opinion. It has been my experience that a lot of employees at Walmart have been gossiping or BSing , have noticed this many times. Most have been complaining about the job. I see them wasting time and being nonproductive.
However , I won't use the self checkout because I truly don't want to.
In todays job market , the people who put in time there , have forced the stores to become less dependent on people who don't want to excel.
Every time you shop at Wal-Mart it costs jobs,period.
Yet we all continue to shop there because it is cheaper and we save money.
7:19 - Agreed
What 7:19 said. If you want to be some glorious "job saver", don't shop at the big box stores genius.
I realized the same thing. The other night we went there the self check out had a line 12 deep waiting to check themselves out and the other and only 2 lines had 8-10 people waiting, where was their help??
A good chance for the small business to gain momentum . NOT!
Guess what? Companies hire folks to make those self checkout machines. They need delivering, setup, and maintainance as well. How many of you still buy buggy whips for your cars, vinyl records, or 8 tracks to keep those companies afloat!
Yet another half-baked diatribe that is short on thought but full of emotional tug. You probably wouldn't be screaming about "lost jobs" if you saw the software designers and electric engineers that designed these things. How about the jobs created to install and maintain them, including the folks that have to keep restocking the cash in them. Throw on top of that Walmart likely sees a bump in sales due to these as time-sensitive customers may be less apt to choose another store now that they have self checkout. That bump in sales means more work xhours at the distribution plants, trucking companies, and port facilities. Now I'm not saying that my statements are the be all-end all of the story. Rather I'm just pointing out that many of you need to learn how to think critically about statements made in post like this before you incorporate this mess into your mindset. If you are too intellectually lazy to do so, please do us all a favor and refrain from voting.
7:42, You just keep thinking like that and you'll see even the lowest paying jobs left on the Shore disappear.
WalMart has already put numerous local businesses out of business, they don't pay their employees well enough as it is and unless YOU can come up with the businesses that will WOW our local elected officials, the Eastern Shore will be the next Detroit. You mark my words.
I wish the younger generation could actually see into the future more but they are too busy paying off their student loans to know what's really going on out there and their Liberal Education is keeping them from knowing and understanding REALITY.
anonymous 7:45, spoken like a true and typical Liberal. Oh, we know. Now you'll come back and say your not. I'll save you the comment. Read my comment above this one. It applies to you as well.
By the way. Is that the new plan for Liberals, "DON'T VOTE"? We'll have to keep an eye on that one and make sure we just keep rejecting ANY comment from here on out that makes such a bully suggestion.
all your ranting and you missed the most obvious comments
7:27 - lines at self check out, not only in walmart but in giant.
Did anyone bother to ask why that is.
As 7:16 stated, I also use self check out in any store that offers it because I get better service, bags are pack the way I want them to be and I do not have to deal with some person who only knows how to grunt and can't even look up and say hello to me and I get out of there faster.
I find most walmart cashiers to be rude, not friendly and ignorant. And I do want to deal with them any longer.
Thanks to Walmart, many of us who DON'T have any jobs at all can eat.
If the job doesn't pay enough then don't work there.
Oh wait, can't get a higher paying job anywhere else? MAYBE THAT'S ALL YOUR WORTH.
LOL, hilarious Joe. I make a statement supporting a company's right to innovate while pointing out the clear connection to job creation in sectors that support that company's growth, yet your well-thought out rebuttal is to scream "liberal". LOL too funny. Sounds like you should pay special attention to the "critical thinking" portion of my comment.
Annie, Gone are the days when milk and eggs were delivered to your home with personal contact, a smile on their face and good morning wishes.
Gone are the days when a Doctor would make a home visit.
I think we ALL miss the wonderful reception we'd get when the local Mom & Pop store truly appreciated our support.
WalMart has played a huge roll in assuring that will NEVER happen again. I can't argue that most of their employees aren't as nice as we'd like them to be.
HOWEVER, let me assure you, there's TWO sides to that story. As an example, I LOVE the Nathans Hot Dogs that Sam's Club sells. When I go there, there's always a sigh of relief when the employees see me and they ALWAYS say hello Mr. Albero. WHY, because I always treat them with RESPECT.
One day I stood in line and people were DEMANDING things. NO ONE said PLEASE or THANK YOU. I always do.
There's a MUTUAL respect and even Cashiers can see it on your face as soon as you walk up to them. They deal with THOUSANDS of people each day and they know what they're about to deal with.
I rarely ever get treated poorly because I appreciate what they do. I know they're NOT paid enough and I walk up with a smile. IF they happen to be having a bad day, I'll start things off by saying, how are you today, with a smile.
Try it some time and you'll see, they instantly perk up. Perhaps, (with all due respect) it's YOU the drives these people to be "offish".
Joe, do you or your wife shop Walmart? - or her brother, Sam's?
If so you are also part of said problem.
8:36, Yes, we do. However, I do NOT see where I am part of the problem as I do not use self checkout.
I tried it once in Berlin and had a horrible experience with the machines. Then I realized this was costing jobs and since then I refuse to use them.
I can't speak for my Wife as I, (for the most part) refuse to go shopping with her. As a "guy" I bring a LIST. I go to where I NEED to go and I GET what is on my LIST. I'm in and I'm out!
To men, going to the store is a MISSION. To women, (with all due respect) it's shopping.
I dont understand the thinking behind shopping at a big box store is part of a problem?I have a problem with government grant money being given to only the politically connected businesses.
It is so sad to see that the entire retail industry has declined in customer service. However I have found that in most cases if I reach out with a smile and a kind word to the check out person..they will do the same. I can only imagine what it would be like to stand for 8 hours a day scanning eveything from toothbrushes to TV's and be continually confronted with impatient, disgruntled and unhappy people.
A simple smile and "hello" (use the cashiers name since they have a name tag) only costs the risk that you must make. The reward just might be the same back to you.
Better stop using ATM machines too.
9:58, I have NEVER used one, honestly.
To all of the ones that say the cashiers are rude, maybe it's because you go up there with a attitude. I have never had a rude cashier because I go up there and smile at them and ask them how they are doing. Treat people like you want to be treated and it will come back to you.Go with attitude you get back attitude. Smile life it too short to bitch about the small stuff.
I care by not shopping at Walmart. I only go there as a last resort if no other place has the item I want. I now shop at local privately owned Hardware stores Like Brittingham's in Delmar, or the Mardela hardware store. If I eat out, I search for only local, Privately owned restaurants. The money stays in the community and for me, it is a way to stick it to the corporations, where the money gets sent elsewhere and offer little or nothing for the community. I also do the same when I travel.
Joe, you are always saying you have "tens of thousands of followers" , just how many is that? A hundred thousand? Half a million? A million?
Personally, I would have more respect for your writing if you would refrain from using "tens of thousands" and "with that being said" a little less often. It simply makes you sound silly.
Joe how is the 8 track playing for you?
You're wrong about this costing jobs. You're looking at the little picture and missing the big picture. Technology doesn't destroy jobs; it creates them. By making Wal Mart more efficient, it puts more money back in consumers' pockets or boosts Wal Mart's profitability. This money is then spent in other areas. It means that it costs less to have the same Wal Mart shopping experience, so more money is freed up to spend in other areas of the economy.
Yes, some cashiers' jobs may be lost. But the money that would have been paid to them will go to pay for the jobs that create & service these machines, or will go back to consumers' pockets to be spent at other stores, or will go to Wal Mart to expand stores or create other jobs, or will do many other things.
When cars were invented, it led to buggy makers being put out of work. But this new technology created many other jobs.
This is how the free market works. Liberals want to stop this free market and freeze things like they are today. They fail to see that the economy is dynamic. They favor things like unions, that preserve certain jobs while stopping economic progress from happening. Don't fall for the liberal logic that says technology destroys jobs. It doesn't, not in the long-run.
BTW Joe who held a gun to those working at Walmart to take a job there. Those folks should have stayed in school, not gotten preggers before wedlock, and stayed off drugs and alcohol.
If you have a problem with walmart, call the manager. If they don't do anything, call corporate.
Honestly Joe, while I don't disagree with you, I always use the scan it gun and self check out at Giant. Hey, at least I'm using reusable shopping bags right? I like packing them as I wish and then just paying and outta there ASAP. But their cashiers are very friendly. To be completely honest, I stopped using the regular check outs because every single time I got hung up behind someone having issues with their food stamp card! And they were more often than not rude to the cashier. So admittedly, I bypass it all. But I agree with your point on the job loss.
seriously Joe? Unless you work for the county the state the hospital (not for long) college every job on the shore is low paying with regards to what other areas pay. But everything costs just as much as it does in other markets! total bs what the employers around here try and do get away with!
10:08. I agree completely. A smile and a Good Morning (afternoon, evening) goes a long way in setting the tone for a transaction. Attitude is a two way street.
Giant employees are great. They always greet you and smile. Not so much at Food Lion. Plus there are never more than 2 lines open there. Now Food Lion could use a self check-out line & you could get out of there a lot faster.
I WAS a Democrat for 20 yrs I have seen how this country is going down hill x 5 yrs I supported the President for about a week until I seen him Bow down to a Saudi King this country is being ripped apart by my Fellow X Democrats I have changed my party bc of the What this Socialist Communist President is doing to America and the rest of the World and I am praying the Democrats do an about turn on this President and do what's RIGHT FOR AMERICA. as far as the Walmart Issue the Self ck out seems to be for Half of people on Welfare so you don't see there Snap Cards...and as far as the Police car parked in the Walmart lot that's for the Welfare crowd to THINK there is a POLICE OFFICER IN THE STORE ..Another thing if this Idiot Ireton get re elected salisbury WILL turn into another detriot you CANNOT have a anti buissness Mayor leading the way..Also if this fool Laura Mitchell gets into Wicomico county along with POLLITT the county is done..IF YOU VOTE ALL 3 Amigos in SlUMSBERRY will continue down the Toilet ....So the Balls in your court.....Tick tock...........,YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED ...X DEMOCRAT.
Self Check outs will not eliminate all cashier Jobs, some yes, but not all, you still need an employee to over see and help people with those self check outs, because self checks can mess up.....
PS, I don't shop walmart period.
I don't do Walmart period. Used to but haven't stepped foot in one in close to 10 yrs.
Walmarts kills small businesses and community.
The self checkouts let you skip scanning some items so you can steal them, it works, I have done it.
I refuse to use self checkout at Giant. Partly because I buy so much stuff. But mostly because the cashiers are really nice and more efficient than using the machine.
At Walmart, I do my best not to use self checkout, even if I am much faster than any paid and trained employee. It's generally when I only want 1-2 things and the lines are long. The self checkout is so frustrating...the worst part is that it thinks you need 5 minutes to put an item into a bag. Not everybody is an imbecile, and making the checkout process cater to those people makes it suck for the rest of us.
Joe,
Sorry but I am not taking the blame for others poor attitudes.
On the other side, I find most of the people at Sams friendlier. And when at Giant they are ALWAYS willing to give assistance when you cant find something or would like to order product.
Nice try, but no, the problem isn't me.
Funny, you can use the sunshine and rainbow routine all you want, there are definitely employees at Walmart that barely acknowledge your presence. To blame it on others attitudes is laughable and ignorant. We have all experienced it.
Ok lets now look at facts. I have managed a grocery store locally for 15 years. We installed self checkouts ten years ago. Union shop and due to contracts we were and still are limited how many self checkouts can be in based on number of sales. No cashier lost hours or jobs unless for disciplinary reasons. I have found most people choose regular lanes because they like the interaction with a person.... I did have a gentleman tell me that he had just worked nine hours at his job and wasnt doing our jobs too. Self checkouts have been in home depot for last five years at least, lowes for at least three years. Its just a part of technology thats changing way we do buisiness, much like orders are now computer generated based on what is scanned at register. Guess what, we still have people to process those orders, they werent let go. Find another pitcher of kool aid guys.
Annie & 6:26, There will always be another side of the story but you are not ever going to convince me that it doesn't eliminate jobs.
Liberals are so well know, (especially the past 20 years) to flat out LIE to get their agendas passed through.
Annie, I now know it IS your attitude because you never came back and said, I've tried smiling and being kind. Your attitude is more like, serve me and do it right.
Again, these people are paid nowhere near what they should. If they were paid more their attitude might be a bit nicer and like I've said in the past, the Eastern Shore USED to be known for the kind southern charm.
Just keep letting Ireton put in affordable housing and you'll see what I mean. Everyone is going to end up miserable and mean.
Anonymous said...
If you have a problem with walmart, call the manager. If they don't do anything, call corporate.
March 17, 2014 at 10:35 AM
What manager? They don't have on general manager. Most of the time they act like no one is in charge. Lowes is the same way.
Anonymous said...
Ok lets now look at facts. I have managed a grocery store locally for 15 years. We installed self checkouts ten years ago. Union shop and due to contracts we were and still are limited how many self checkouts can be in based on number of sales. No cashier lost hours or jobs unless for disciplinary reasons. I have found most people choose regular lanes because they like the interaction with a person.... I did have a gentleman tell me that he had just worked nine hours at his job and wasnt doing our jobs too. Self checkouts have been in home depot for last five years at least, lowes for at least three years. Its just a part of technology thats changing way we do buisiness, much like orders are now computer generated based on what is scanned at register. Guess what, we still have people to process those orders, they werent let go. Find another pitcher of kool aid guys.
March 17, 2014 at 6:26 PM
I would prefer to do business somewhere other than a business that is directly associated with a union. By the way your grammar is horrible. My guess is you never made it past high school. You are the Kool-Aid drinker.
Forget WALMART!!!! Go to Giant or even Food Lion. Price wise over time it will be equal with better service and better product
Joe
Thanks for the laughs, you do not know me, but feel privileged enough to judge me? We met once, you did not seem to have that opinion of me the day we met.
I have been in their shoes, I have worked with the public for over 40 years. People do not complain that I am rude or unhelpful. I greet every patient that enters the doors, even the scared, mean, and confused ones. I go to lengths to help people that the majority would not.
I find it ironic that you of all people feel the need to judge someone you do not know.
Especially after years of your mantra of standing up for yourself and telling people what a nice guy you are once you are met in person. So misunderstood on the net.
The even funnier joke is for the last month I have been posting under anonymous and not once has there been any backlash, but once that recognizable name pops up the bullying begins. Its the topic of laughs over dinner with friends.
So, simply because I did not state what you felt I should have, you decided it was your prerogative to judge. The difference between us is that I do not need to go around announcing who I am. I simply go about my day Anonymously.
Annie, here's my problem. I don't care if you have a name or you are anonymous, I'd still respond the same way.
You say you served the public for 40 years. YOU WERE BEING PAID. I'll bet you made more than the minimum wage too.
Might I recommend you not take my responses so personal. You have your opinion and I have mine. Believe me, I'm a married man to a very independent thinking woman, so I understand how to agree to disagree. She is a democrat, I am a republican, OUCH!
Just because we do not see eye to eye politically as well as other areas of life does not mean she or I are the Anti Christ.
Do I really need to end all of my comments with, but I thank you for commenting.
I would prefer to do business somewhere other than a business that is directly associated with a union. By the way your grammar is horrible. My guess is you never made it past high school. You are the Kool-Aid drinker.
March 17, 2014 at 6:50 PM
Ok so I guess you must make six figures too(haha). So you dont get mail, cause its delivered by union postal workers, or a car made in America by union builders, send your kids to public schools..yes those teachers are union too. Oh wait, those trucks delivering products to Walmart distribution centers, yup union drivers. So suck it up buttercup, you support unions no matter where you go.
Thanks for those stellar examples of unionized industries, 7:41. The post office - really? And, not all automobile manufacturers in the USA are union shops. Most of the successful ones are not union, and the workers have voted to remain that way.
Anonymous said...
Thanks for those stellar examples of unionized industries, 7:41. The post office - really? And, not all automobile manufacturers in the USA are union shops. Most of the successful ones are not union, and the workers have voted to remain that way.
March 17, 2014 at 8:30 PM
Read again friendo, I never said anything about being pro union, nor did I say all American cars were made union, nor was the point to say any of them were stellar. Just saying if someone wants to say unions suck and I wont shop there because of it, they impact more than you know. Maybe the auto wasn't union made , but some parts on it were you can be sure.
What manager? They don't have on general manager. Most of the time they act like no one is in charge. Lowes is the same way.
March 17, 2014 at 6:47 PM
That's funny, when I called and asked for a manager, SOMEONE said they were one.
Regardless, I ended up calling corporate too.
To say they would have better attitudes if they were paid more is simply backwards. It works the other way around. If you are happy and courteous to the customers, you will be recognized for it by the manager and you will ultimately get promoted.
been doing this at Giant for quite a while now. I want the cashiers to check me out and keep their jobs.
fyi wally world is NOT cheaper, save for merchandise quality. AND there are roaches in the fruits & veggies.
10:39 - or Perdue - although they don't hire for good paying jobs locally - they import whenever they can.
Self checkouts are installed to reduce costs (less employees,) not improve efficiency. They eliminate jobs, unless of course the company manufacturing the machines happens to be local.
They cannot be compared to horse & buggy vs. automobiles. There is virtually no trickled down effect with these machines as there is with a car even though cars aren't produced locally.
Costco (FKA Price Club) has eliminated self checkouts as well as many other retailers. One of the downfalls is theft which is 5 times greater at self checkouts. Theft is passed on to the consumers. Large retailers such as Walmart can pass the losses on to consumers with them barely noticing. Self checkouts are a lose situation for consumers.
People need to get their heads out of the sand with regards to Walmart. The ONE and ONLY reason they are "successful" is because the tax payers subsidize them. They are not some kind of geniuses in the retail world. They are the Kings of corporate welfare. Without government handouts and tax payers subsidizing of it's employees, Walmart would cease to exist.
I will ALWAYS use self checkout, especially in Walmart. The cashiers are rude and most of the time wont even say hello.
What is all this crap about self check out? I don't use it but its not because it will cost jobs its just that i enjoy talking to the cashiers.If a business can run more efficiently with self check out I don't blame them for using it.Walmart is the largest retailer on planet earth and they didn't get that way because they are stupid.Sears used to be the largest but look at them now, they can't compete with walmart and that is their own damn fault because of poor management.I'm 77 years old and I hate modern technology but I damn sure realize if your in business today you better use if you want to survive,like it or not that's the way it is.
Post 3:34 wasn't anonymous said, it was Stu Stinchfield said, I'm not embarrased or afraid to use my name.I must have hit the wrong button,maybe I'm getting too old for all this modern technology.
Stu read 8:21 comment above. Walmart's excelled at creating illusions. The one and only reason they are successful is because tax payers subsidize over 80% of their employees in the form of one or more welfare benefits.
The only reason I use the Self check out line is that employees had a bad attitudes few times and also the reason I don't go to Walmart. Because the last time I went there a lady when I was exiting stopped me as checked my bags as if I was stealing something. The alarms for thief didn't go off, everything was in a bag and she saw me buying everything at check out.
Boom!! 2:08 nailed it. Thw Wal Mart family is worth about 180-200 BILLION (read that again for effect), but they want to eliminate some MORE jobs?
Many of their employees are paid such low wages they qualify for wqelfare (and WE pay taxes for that!?). Some people come here and say "if you don't like your wages, get a better job". I didn't hear them say THAT when it was a cop saying $85,000 (!!) a year was not enough.
I PROMISE that you won't see any price reductions on any items at WalMart based on their lower labor costs. It will ALL go to the purchase of their next mansion on a Hawaiian shoreline, or another Porsche.
And PLEASE--- don't preach to me about "capitalism". It's NOT "capitalism" when taxpayers are funding your ever-increasing wealth. Thats EXACTLY what is happening at WalMart.
Keep cheering, you dummies.
Walmart has no illusion. They are more than 5% more efficient at delivering product alone. That is not including original cost of goods. They swing their weight in buying power, but it came from delivering goods at a lower cost than the competition. Getting rid of illegal aliens would improve all wages!
Still confused; drive to 4 or 5 stores to see if they happen to have what you want, at an acceptable price,without getting to offended by attitudes, rudeness, ignorance, or ridiculous prices; go to Wal-Mart and hope you can find what you're looking for, then suffer the ignorance of the cashier (or play with the machines to work for free); or sit home, Google your needs and wait a day or two - stress free, no gas costs,no taxes, no rudeness, exemplary service, and low prices guaranteed (you choose). How should I choose my way to shop?
"I find most walmart cashiers to be rude, not friendly and ignorant. And I do want to deal with them any longer."
Oh Annie, going by your past comments it sounds like you are describing yourself. No wonder you get poor service from cashiers!
Self checkout has it's place but If I'm buying a lot ill stick to a real cashier.
6:15 It's an illusion-period end of story. Of course they can sell items for less money when tax payers are footing the bill to the tune of 100's of billions in entitlements to Walmart employees. More than 80% of Walmart's employees nationwide receive one or more type of welfare benefit.
When they expanded the food entitlement benefits, Walmart was the number 1 lobbyist to get them passed. It not only benefited more of their employees but since they are the largest grocer retailer it benefitted that way also. Walmart is great at pulling the wool over people's eyes as well.
Hahaha so true
This is just ignorant and full of claims that are not backed up with any facts or cited sources. I should be used to this since I have been dealing for a long time with liberals who don't like to back up their claims with proof, but it is still annoying. I am not going to stop using self-checkouts because of somebody running around crying "the sky is falling" like Al Gore ranting paranoidly about the polar ice caps melting. You showed no proof that jobs are being eliminated, or that the economy is being affected, and until you do, it's just your opinion, and that's not good enough.
Walmart seems to put slow employees at the cash registers so that everybody in line gets pissed off and goes over to the self checkout. I will never ever use a self checkout. If I wanted to ring up my own items and bag them I would apply for a job there! The cashiers that work at Walmart I would assume make minimum wage. Here I am standing right next to them ringing up and bagging my own stuff for FREE! Not going to happen. I already have to pump my own gas at the gas station for FREE and stand at a machine putting my cans and bottles in it getting my deposits back. Then, run around a parking lot putting my grocery cart in a little parking area so they don't have to hire any kids to gather up the grocery carts like they used to.
When machines replace a person it always leads to greater benefit for all.
Or would you rather higher a team of men to cart you around instead of using your machine? (your car)
wow you are lazyyyyy
I do agree with all the ideas you've presented on your post.
They are really convincing and will definitely work. Nonetheless,
the posts are too quick for novices. May you please prolong
them a little from subsequent time? Thanks for the post.
Like!
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