Is self check out at stores the way of the future?

On a recent visit to the United States of America, I went shopping with friends but I noticed that there were no clerks to check out our items. The registers were there along with ample space but there was no clerk  to complete the transaction!

This was because that particular store had a self-check out system.  Customers could scan their own items and swipe their card for the amount displayed on the screen.

Advantage of Self Check out

The biggest advantage of this system is the added speed with which customers can checkout and pay for their purchases. Rather than dealing with long lines that get backed up by customers waiting to pay, people can quickly make purchases by ringing up items themselves.

This can be especially helpful during peak sales times when stores experience a large influx of customers. This is especially true during the holiday season.

Disadvantages of Self Check out

This form of check out is a very impersonal process. Besides stating the price of the item, there is no interaction with the customer. This means that the humanity of the experience is missing and it no longer becomes an enjoyable encounter.

Technology is not infallible, so errors can still be made that can result in you being either overcharged or undercharged.

A self-checkout system can use a single employee can monitor several payment areas, so that could affect job security as  less cashiers would be hired while some would lose their job.

Could this system be adopted in Jamaica?

If you have ever waited in a line for over an hour to use an ABM machine, then you know that the answer to that question is a resounding no.   Although most consumers are aware of the technology that makes our life easier, not everyone is adept at acquiring the skills needed to use it which can cause unnecessary delays.

Imagine those people trying to figure out how to use the technology in a self check out system? Then there would be those persons who need to ask questions about selected discounts before they decide to purchase the item.

This can cause delays as they start checking out the item then pause to get further assistance from store personnel.

Although most systems are equipped with some form of anti-shoplifting technology, there is often a higher likelihood of theft occurring. Since employees are unable to monitor customer transactions as closely on self-checkouts, it’s easier for customers to steal.

Some ways of doing this  would be if consumers replaced bar codes of higher priced items with lower priced items or just did not scan an item before placing it in their bag. A lot of time and energy would be spent in searching carefully the bags packed by consumers. When caught, it’s also possible for customers to plead ignorance or blame it on an equipment malfunction.

So what’s your take? Is self check out in stores the way of the future?

Let me hear from you!

Teri Ann Renee Paisley

Gleaner online Writer

Tags: self check