A SHOPPER exploded in frustration on social media over his experience during a recent visit to Walmart.
In an effort to speed up customer visits and reduce costs and shoplifting, many retailers like Walmart and Target have been revamping their store policies in recent years.
3
3
Installing more self-checkout kiosks has been a big part of the change, with store leaders promising the machines would be a win for workers and shoppers alike.
But many customers have had complaints from the start about self-checkout machines and the receipt checks that often accompany them.
For some shoppers, using self-checkout often leads to technical issues or incorrectly scanned items.
Others have complained that the receipt checking that typically follows the use of self-checkout is another waste of time or even offensive.
For one shopper, the biggest problem with all the changes was the long lines created by the confusion.
“Ok here is my normal complaint/complaint after shopping at Walmart,” wrote Steve Espinoza in a Facebook post publish earlier this month.
“I had three items and they only had one of the two self-checkout areas open,” he explained.
He included several photos of dozens of people in long lines that snaked through the store.
“And the one that was open only had five of the ten stations open, so there was a line of 10 to 12 people waiting to use them.”
Espinoza’s description of the situation only seemed to worsen.
“And they had three people monitoring the self-checkout stations,” he wrote.
There simply weren’t enough people working, he said.
“And they had maybe eight to ten ladies, and it’s Saturday, so there were lines of eight to ten people at each one.”
“That is all!” Spinoza concluded.
MORE ANGRY BUYERS
Several people reacted to Espinosa’s comments and photos, and several left comments agreeing with her frustration with her statements.
“Customer service is a thing of the past…” commented one person.
“Self-checkout should be fast,” added another.
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 upgrades, 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.
Some said they now only shop online to completely avoid the inconvenience of long lines.
“I never go to Walmart… if I need socks I order them from Amazon… haha. Underwear, shoes… towels, you name it. I’m an internet addict. Yes, the lines are ridiculous,” user called Gary Patrick Manning responded.
“Wait until you see what Walmart is doing next“, he predicted.
“Micromanagement of supply and demand digital pricing changes hourly. Depending on hourly purchases and inventory. Phew, man, I don’t see that as a good thing.”
Walmart announced that it will begin introducing digital price tags at dozens of its locations next year.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24814378/STK450_European_Union_02.jpg?w=300&resize=300,300&ssl=1)
