this post was submitted on 14 Oct 2023
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Some Walmart employees say customers are getting hostile at self-checkout — and they blame anti-theft tech::When Walmart's anti-theft self-checkout tech alerts an employee of a missed scan, it can cause some uncomfortable situations.

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[–] IrrerPolterer 151 points 1 year ago (6 children)

The 'robot' isn't the problem. This design is intentional and human made. Here in the Netherlands self checkout is the norm, even in very small grocery stores. However, it's super easy and not frustrating at all, because the stores TRUST their customers. The self checkout is super simple, you scan a product and put it on your bag, or backpack or whatever you have. No need to weigh the scanned products or anything. Nothing overcomplicated.

Now there are some control measures, but they are designed in a way to not be too intrusive or create unnecessary frustration: First, most places have a gate at the exit that only lets you leave by scamming your receipt (or if you go paperless, you scan your membership card on your phone). Also, some places do random inspection. But that's frustration free too - a worker comes up to you with a hand scanner, scans like four or five random items of yours and leaves. Boom, done.

[–] shiroininja 126 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yeah, you can’t trust Americans. They’ll steal your own land out from under you and Rob your grandma and call it good business sense. Saying this as an American.

[–] [email protected] 43 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Don’t drink the water. There’s blood in the water.

[–] Funkymatt 41 points 1 year ago (1 children)

And probably some forever chemicals, but we've made that everyone's problem

[–] [email protected] 24 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Don’t forget microplastics.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

Comes with the blood.

[–] Zoboomafoo 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Where isn't there, the Antarctic?

[–] SpaceNoodle 7 points 1 year ago (2 children)
[–] wreckedcarzz 6 points 1 year ago

oil

DID SOMEONE SAY THEY NEED SOME FREEDOM?!? F16s fly overhead, teens getting tossed ARs

WE WILL SAVE YOU ~~and your resources~~

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] SpaceNoodle 1 points 1 year ago

The penguins are coated in the oil.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago

However, it’s super easy and not frustrating at all, because the stores TRUST their customers.

lol, I've been at the Albert Heijn near my hotel 3 times and 3 times I had to have my items rescanned. Maybe it's because I'm not blond and tall?

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

One week in NL and I'm wondering what we're even doing over here.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Also, some places do random inspection. But that’s frustration free too

Yeah, I'm gonna disagree with that. They've recently ramped up those checks because of increased theft due to inflation. They also scan more items now. After having been checked 4 times in a row and them completely emptying my bag each time, I no longer use the self checkout.

[–] IrrerPolterer 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

NL as well. Maybe it's because it's a big city, poor neighbourhood, more theft, I don't know, but I'm done with it.

[–] IrrerPolterer 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Sounds frustrating, sorry to hear that

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Thanks, it really was. I had happily used the self-checkouts for years before that, so it's a real shame.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

However, it's super easy and not frustrating at all, because the stores TRUST their customers.

Walmart customers

[–] HeyThisIsntTheYMCA 28 points 1 year ago

A third of these are people who are either disabled or in medical crisis. They're marked "funny". And this is where you go for entertainment? Well, when people tell you who they are, believe them.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

most places have a gate at the exit that only lets you leave by scamming your receipt

That would be unlawful detention here. Also, what about people that go in and decide they don't actually want to buy anything after all?

Fun fact: You can ignore the receipt checkers at wal-mart in the states. They have no legal authority to require you to stop. Costco, on the other hand, since it's a membership club, can.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

Costco can stop you from leaving either. They can however revoke your membership for breaking the terms. But if you not longer care about you membership you ignore them like the Walmart checkers

[–] Alexstarfire 2 points 1 year ago

I did that last time I went to Walmart for something. Long line of people waiting to show their receipts and I just walked out.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

That would be unlawful detention here. Also, what about people that go in and decide they don't actually want to buy anything after all?

It's not like you're trapped... you can just walk out if you want, but doing so without paying and carrying full bags may raise an eyebrow with employees. Although I think I could easily get away with that in my small village supermarket during quiet hours when nobody is paying attention.