Once, the automatic-checkout-lady voice at QFC told me to put a packet of Emergen-C in my bag even though it hadn’t scanned properly. I listened to her, even though I fucking hate that lady.
Grant Brissey covered everything from hard news and technology, to music, film, and visual arts during his time working for The Stranger. Grant's work has also appeared at Geekwire, and in Billboard,... More by Grant Brissey
OK — I don’t even understand that one…
Neither do I.
Cracker Jack, he’s referring to the voice of the UScan machines.
Right, but what exactly happened? That’s what I don’t get — it didn’t scan, but it still explicitly told him to take it? This sounds like a cover-up to me!
That same voice told me to assassinate Reagan so I could impress Jodie Foster…
Is it stealing like if you remove one gelatin packet (all the recipe called for) out of a 50-packet box, reseal the box and shove it to the rear of the shelf? Or should I soon be girding my loins for San Q? This act of filching occurred after the perp had well come of age.
Why is it that people use self-checkouts anyway? It amazes me how many people willingly accept corporations/others handing them additional work. I mean, it’s not as if self-checkouts save the shopper any money (that all goes into store profits). No – people simply take on the extra work because they are too nice or too compliant to do otherwise. Orwellian sheep, I say! The day I use a self-checkout will be the day some store offers me 5% off my bill in return. I prefer to get compensated for my labor.
@7 ’cause sometimes I’m embarassed to buy Baked Doritos at 11:30 at night. Or tampons, or whatev.
Also, I hate talking to people.
@7: The line is also usually shorter. Plus, as @8 pointed out, there is the embarrassment factor. I’m not looking forward to the day when my shopping list includes Preparation H.
I just tell the checker that the Prep H is for the laugh lines around my eyes.They usually just laugh in my face right before I try to squeeze some in their eyes and am then escorted out by security.I often get the Prep H for free this way so I still feel like a winner.
@7: “it’s not as if self-checkouts save the shopper any money”
Not true. At Albertson’s if you have a coupon it asks you to insert the coupon into the coupon slot. All you have to do is stick it in* the slot but not drop it in. You can keep your coupon and use it as many times as you want. I once got a coupon from Albertson’s for $5 off my next purchase… no restrictions. I used it as many times as I could until it expired a month later. I saved tons of money. If I had gone to a checker they would’ve made me surrender the coupon.
*yes, I realize I just said “stick it in”.
Thanks @11 – you made my day!