RETAILERS nationwide have relied on self-checkout kiosks for decades, but some shoppers still miss regular checkout lanes.
One Walmart shopper slammed the discount chain for not offering a smoother checkout process– and ended up leaving the store without his cart full of groceries.
“I just walked out of Walmart leaving behind a cart full of groceries,” Albert John shared on Facebook.
“Seems this Walmart is all self scan tonight and I’m just not gonna do their job,” he continued.
Despite limiting many self-checkout kiosks to 10 to 15 items or less, many shoppers have voiced their concerns over the retailer’s over-reliance on the self-serve checkout option.
Shoppers often claim that there are so few – if any – cashier-manned checkout lanes available at the discount chain, forcing them to wait in long lines or scan dozens upon dozens of items on their own.
“As I walked out the door I told an employee that someone left a cart full of groceries and pointed in the direction of the self check out stands,” John continued.
“If I had maybe a couple items then I might scan them in, but we’re talking about 200 [dollars] in groceries so f**k em they lost my business tonight,” he added.
While many retailers have begun to close down self-checkout kiosks, citing rising retail theft as the primary reason, several Walmart locations continue to rely on the self-serve machines.
However, some shoppers have noticed that many self-checkout lanes are closed during peak business hours, or “reserved” for Walmart+ shoppers.
Still, despite these changes, Walmart shoppers continue to encounter a shortage of regular, cashier-manned lanes across stores nationwide.
Instead, they find employees crowded around self-checkout kiosks, ensuring items are being properly scanned and bagged, or near exit doors, cross-checking receipts with customer purchases.
John’s followers and fellow Facebook users also shared their thoughts on self-checkout policies, largely agreeing that he did the right thing by leaving his cart behind.
“I hate self check[out],” one user commented.
“I don’t work there and if you miss items they accuse you of stealing,” they added.
“Good for you. I don’t do self check out either. I already have a job,” another user shared.
Some shoppers also shared their concerns over Walmart’s latest policies, which require shoppers in select areas to bring in their own reusable bags for their purchases, or face being charged a few cents per plastic bag used.
“I completely agree with you. At some Walmarts they not only make you self check, you have to bring your own bags and deal with a near pat down upon leaving,” another shopper griped.
Latest self-checkout changes
Retailers are evolving their self-checkout strategy in an effort to speed up checkout times and reduce theft.
Walmart shoppers were shocked when self-checkout lanes at various locations were made available only for Walmart+ members.
Other customers reported that self-checkout was closed during specific hours, and more cashiers were offered instead.
While shoppers feared that shoplifting fueled the updates, a Walmart spokesperson revealed that store managers are simply experimenting with ways to improve checkout performance.
One bizarre experiment included an RFID-powered self-checkout kiosk that would stop the fiercely contested receipt checks.
However, that test run has been phased out.
At Target, items are being limited at self-checkout.
Last fall, the brand surveyed new express self-checkout lanes across 200 stores with 10 items or less for more convenience.
As of March 2024, this policy has been expanded across 2,000 stores in the US.
Shoppers have also spotted their local Walmart stores restricting customers to 15 items or less to use self-checkout machines.
“Bulls**t,” they added, voicing their complaints about Walmart’s newest receipt check policy.
“They lost my business every night. Place sucks!” another shopper agreed.
Still, not everyone was on John’s side.
“Stop being an old grumpy man and do the self scan,” one user advised.
“The Walmarts here in Vancouver heard [sic] you down to a single lane and give you the choice to remain in the single lane or go to self checkout,” they added.
John, however, responded in stride, agreeing that he wouldn’t mind using the self-checkout option for a few items or less.
“I would do self check out for only a couple items but I had half a cart full of groceries and I’m just not gonna do it for that,” he replied.
“If I go to another Walmart and they don’t have cashiers I’ll do the same thing again,” he continued.
“They have all sorts of in-store shoppers filling orders for people too lazy to go shop for themselves but no one to help those suckers who go in and shop for themselves,” John added.
John was likely citing the rise of Walmart+ subscribers or shoppers using Walmart employees or third-party apps to shop for their items, which they can then either pick up in-store, curbside or have delivered to their homes.
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Walmart for comment.
How to sign up to Walmart+
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Here’s how to sign up to Walmart+:
- Head to the Walmart website.
- Select ‘Account’ and then ‘Walmart+’.
- Click ‘Start free 30-day trial’.
- Enter your information.
- Enjoy the trial and benefits.
Remember to cancel before the 30 days are up, or pay $12.95 per month (which you can cancel at any time) or $98 for the annual plan if you want to keep it.
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CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS
Retailers continue to face criticism from shoppers whose one wish is to have a more convenient shopping experience.
Target has faced similar complaints from shoppers, especially after limiting their self-checkout kiosks to 10 to 15 items or less.
Many Walmart stores have also followed suit– though likely not the location John was in.
Target has also faced new complaints after getting rid of a popular payment method last month.
Meanwhile, Walmart shoppers continue to gripe that the retailer doesn’t allow a convenient digital payment option in stores.