Are you a self check-er-out-er? Love them or hate them: the self-service checkout is here to stay so to save our sanity, here’s how to survive that experience!
Plan before you scan
Don’t use a self- service checkout if you don’t want to. It’s not obligatory.
Look to see if the check out is card only before you start.
Don’t place your own bags in the bagging area before first choosing that option on the screen.
Avoid buying alcohol to avoid the Challenge 25 check or scan early to expedite the attention of the assistant.
Have your payment method to hand to avoid lengthy last minute stressful searches through bags, purses or pockets.
To save your blushes, shop during off peak hours. According to Google data, between 5 and 8pm is the busiest time with Tuesdays being the quietest day to visit.
More haste less speed
Ensure any bags at the self-service checkout are placed carefully in the scaled bagging area so that your Sunday joint doesn’t register as a bag of Wotsits and activate an alert accordingly.
Take your time; one false swipe could mean an assistance call. There is no back button, just the voice of shame.
Once something is in the bag, leave it in the bag; one false move to adjust could tip you over the checkout edge.
Last but not least, maintain sense of humour. This might just help!
The thing about self service
That drives me up the wall
Is that if there is a problem
There’s never anyone to call.
If I say I have no bags
Then the system disagrees
And I cannot do a thing
Until an assistant has appeared.
If I buy three cans of beans
Because they are on sale.
No discount is applied
So I have to call someone again.
Two seconds later
I’m in need of further help
To prove I’m over 25
Something you cannot do yourself.
I only picked up 5 things
Just milk and bread and wine.
Self-service should be quicker
But it’s taken far more time.
Please scan your item
But that’s what I tried to do
I’m holding everybody up
And now there is a queue!
I’ll give it one more shot
But then I’m giving up
Because now I’m getting tired
And I’ve really had enough.
Why does this never work?
When I’ve followed instructions to the letter?
And when I look around
Does everyone else do it better?
I’m pressing all these buttons
But I do not have a clue
Is there anyone who can help?
And show me what I need to do?
Next time I’ll save my sanity
And check out the normal way
Because it has to be much easier
Than what I’ve tried to do today!
Hope that you find these tips useful! Are there any more you could add?
