WALMART shoppers are struggling to stay loyal to the store amid growing frustrations with self-checkout.
Spreading the word on social media, customers say they are tired of bagging their own shopping and dealing with long lines.
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In an effort to reduce and contain theft in the wake of financial difficulties, Walmart is reviewing its self-checkout policies.
But customers are still consistently frustrated with the same issues.
“I’m still waiting for my paycheck from working there every time I have to use the self-checkout,” he said a client on X, the site formerly known as Twitter.
It’s common for Walmart customers to say they feel like they’re working for the retailer when using the kiosks.
Read more about self-checkout
With 77 grocery items, I had to bag my own things at checkout,” said one user remembered after they said they waited 20 minutes for an associate to unplug the television they were purchasing due to the store’s anti-theft policies.
“I will start charging you for my time if you are unable to resolve these service issues,” they continued.
Walmart responded with a post, begging the user to provide more details about the shopping experience that the retailer said it “didn’t want” for the customer.
But the stories vary from store to store, with a user saying your local Walmart “strengthens regularly [them] use self checkout due to zero cashiers.”
They described their self-checkout process as “soooo slow” because they “try to show everything clearly on cameras to avoid false accusations” of theft.
“The lack of human cashiers is why I don’t shop at Walmart anymore,” another user responded.
Meanwhile, another user he said the local Walmart “has no human cashiers and the self-checkout line is ALWAYS long!”
“Please hire more cashiers” asked a user in response.
Walmart closed self-checkout in some locations to prevent theft, and Target reportedly followed suit in some locations.
Meanwhile, some users say their local Walmart is still open, but with a 20-item limit.
The US Sun has reached out to Walmart for comment.
Latest self-checkout changes
Retailers are evolving their self-checkout strategy in an effort to speed checkout times and reduce theft.
Walmart shoppers were shocked when self-checkout lanes at several locations were made available only to Walmart+ members.
Other customers reported that self-checkout was closed at specific times and more cashiers were offered in its place.
While shoppers feared that shoplifting would fuel 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 thwart fiercely contested receipt checks.
However, this test has been discontinued.
At Target, items are being limited in auto-checkout.
Last fall, the brand researched new express self-checkout lanes in 200 stores with 10 items or less for added convenience.
In March 2024, this policy was expanded to 2,000 stores in the US.
THE PRICE OF SELF-CHECKOUT
Shoppers are also frustrated that some Walmart locations have reserved self-checkout lanes for Walmart+ or Spark Drivers.
The policy has been distorted by customers over time, with many spreading the rumor that Walmart is charging $98 annually just to use self-checkout.
But Walmart has repeatedly denied these claims, as well as those claiming the change was made to increase Walmart+ subscriptions.
“It is not intended to increase the number of W+ members,” Joe Pennington, a Walmart spokesman, told The US Sun.
A new Target policy has set an age limit for who can shop alone.
Additionally, Walmart announced a big change to “right sizing” and shoppers will see a difference in certain items with less “waste.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
