Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

I often have to do a big shop as my kids always raid the cupboards and need to go and do more food shopping.

I tend to mix the shops I go to...So buy some stuff in Tesco, Lidl, Aldi, Sainsburys.

Now when I get to the budget supermarkets (Lidl, Aldi) I am made to feel like I need to hurry and that I'm a burden to them.


As an example yesterday I was in Aldi and trying to frantically pack my shopping and the checkout girl was pointing to the card machine and trying to make me hurry up.

They scan items so fast it is hard to keep up.


I'm sure I could hear like a countdown beeping. It's like if they dont complete the sale in less than 30 seconds they'l be shot or something!

It is quite stressful when you are trying your best to pack your shpping, juggle everything, and pay.

Anyone else feel the same?

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

That is why they have a bagging shelf. As my shopping comes through the till it goes back in the trolley and then bagged after. Works loads better anyway than trying to pack right at the till

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

You can also apply a bit of science: Distribute the fresh veg along the conveyer as it slows down the checkout operator as they have to weigh it and put in the details.

Put stuff out in the order in which you will pack it, ie Heavy items and bottles first, light stuff like rolls and bread last.

I can usually keep pace with the Lidl operators. We don't have an Aldi so I don't know about them.

Some of the Sainsbury's operators are pretty fast too.

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

IIRC they have signage telling you not to try to pack your bags at the checkout. You’re meant to chuck it back in the trolley and then bag it up at the space they’ve made for that purpose next to the exit. If she’s pointing at the card machine it’s because you’re fiddling around with your bags instead of paying the bill and moving on. She is deliberately trying to hurry you - one of the ways they keep prices down is by employing fewer checkout staff but moving people through the checkouts faster to compensate.

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

Well I'm not being slow on purpose but I won't be rushed!

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

There's no need to be rushed. Just don't pack your bags at the checkout, use the area provided.

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

Very soon, all supermarkets will be redesigned to work out what you are putting in your trolley and your bill will be sent to you via your mobile phone. That’s what they do in the new Amazon shops.

Much less stressful for everyone.

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

That's why the end of the checkouts usually have the cutout too - the idea is that you put your empty trolley up against it to make it easier to put stuff back in.

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

Aldi and Lidl don't even have self-checkouts (or at least not in any that I've been in). Seems they think it's cheaper to pay people than buy new technology.

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

They are trialling it

https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog...peedier-sales/

But I'm not sure what advantage it would bring for most of their stores. My local Aldi would have to take out at least one till to put self-serve ones in, and I can't see it speeding anything up much. Especially considering my local one still seems very popular with full trolley shoppers.

I can only really see it being useful for them where they either have their bigger stores and have space for them or allowing them smaller locations where putting in enough of their usual tills wouldn't be possible.

Personally I always prefer using the scan and pay services when they are available. Although it's not as 'handsfree' as the Amazon version, since the mobile app versions came along it's good enough for how I shop.

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

I have used scan and pack for years.


I can be in and out with a full shop in around 30 minutes.

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

To tell you the truth I had never thought of doing that.


I guess becuase I use several supermarkets I hadnt realised you do it that way there.

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

There you go, problem solved. I'm sure you can keep up putting your purchases back in the trolley, pay with your card and move over to the packing shelf and pack your bags at your leisure.

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

How strange you missed my reply the one directly under the OP hehehe

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

Until you're selected for a check. Doesn't a proportion of the shopping have to be unpacked in order to double check you've scanned everything correctly?

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

It's usually around 5 - 10 items so it's easy for them to do without disturbing the bags.

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

Tesco check around 5 items and its over extremely quickly unless any item fails the check, they then unpack the bag.

I messed up once by mistake and i had to get everything scanned, still likely quicker than going to a checkout though.

I've had a check requested before when i've only bought 1 item!!!

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

Surely you don't think we'd have weighed the mushrooms as carrots? Easy mistake :D

Haven't done a supermarket shop for 18 months, rather pay someone else to be bored senseless on my behalf.

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

I tried not to for years, gave up when a checkout person suggested I use them and gave me a blank stare when I told her I'd rather keep her in a job as they'd replace her in the end

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

I've used one of them. It's amazing technology. Just scanned my app then you pick up what you want and walk out. I was picking stuff up and putting it back. Grabbing items casually as you would in a supermarket (i.e not making it look obvious that I AM PICKING UP THIS TIME NOW CAMERA) and so on.

Walked out of the store. 30 mins later they got the order exactly right.

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

I dont have a problem bagging at the checkout, a van delivers it each week.

Online shopping, so much easier :D

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

I agree about online shopping.

Started a weekly order in lockdown. If you pick your evening delivery carefully it only costs one pound at Asda. For this, someone chooses all my shopping. It is then loaded into a van and brought to my front door. The service has proven very reliable, usually arriving early.

What a bargain! I am told at Iceland there is no delivery charge

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

I pay £3.49 a month for midweek delivery saver with Tesco. Anytime Tues Wed and Thurs . Have a delivery a week

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

:tu: plus I've had my entire shopping checked in the past. Mind I use trolley bags so I pack as I shop and scan as I shop so these days I use Tesco and Asda.

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

Sorry Old Boy, I can't resist. Are you going to put (a moving) timescale on that prediction?

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

Might have to give online shopping another try.

I do like wondering down the aisles though as it helps give me ideas on what to cook.

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

I like food shopping, I miss the chance to taste new things or even older things that change seasonally. Talking with the counter experts. You feel and smell fruit, veg, herbs. Read the ingredients. Cook what's fresh and nice rather than panicking because you can't find what you want for the recipe plan.


OK I do understand not everyone is like me, that's a good thing but making food shopping an adventure could help make it more enjoyable.


Oh, and maybe you can tell that Aldi isn't my prime supermarket choice.

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

I like to shop in person as it gives me the chance to bag a bargain in the reduced sections.

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

I'm the bone idle chauvinist type of shopper, married someone to do it for me :p:

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

I do the shopping because I can't trust others to do it properly.The last time I did an Asda online shop I had 17 substitutions with products that in no way resembled what I had ordered.

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

My experience with Asda has been very positive with few substitutions. They often tell you the day before anything that isn't available. Except for just before Christmas, I have never had a problem booking a reasonably priced delivery slot within the following day or two.

I can only repeat what a bargain to get somebody to do your shopping and deliver it at a time of your choice! Amazing

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

I've been scanning at packing for years.


I have a large foldable keep cold for chilled and frozen food.


I have several large and small bags from Tesco and Sainsbury's, and I pack according to weight and type, I will never put 5kg od spud on bread or soft fruit.

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

Unless they have changed their system, you can disabled substitutions.

(I wish Morrisons would do the same).

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

Exactly as we had a Morrisons order several weeks ago and there were quite a few substitutions which as soon as they come to the door we politely asked them to take back which they did.

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

Then I still have to go and get the products they haven't supplied from somewhere else.

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

I like doing the weekly food shopping (at Morrisons) - I have a list in my phone, but I like buying extra odds and ends a I go round the shop (usually red wine, but occasionally whatever is on offer).

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

I find on this forum it’s best to say ‘coming soon’.

---------- Post added at 12:59 ---------- Previous post was at 12:57 ----------

I find Asda to be the least reliable where deliveries are concerned. Sainsbury’s and Ocado are pretty good on the whole.

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

We have Tesco deliver our groceries once a week, and generally book a slot each week for the following three weeks. I don't allow substitutions, but pick up missing items or extras during the week in town. Each to their own, works for us. :)


PS Not all of us have mobile phones.

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

Amazon currently are doing this

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

Over the lockdown I have done really well with substitutes. Often gotta better products. Sometimes of course they do something silly. Last week the substituted frozen Green Beans with frozen Broccoli but then said my frozen broccoli I had on my order was unavailable hehehe

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

Asda’s stock prediction algorithm has got quite aggressive since lockdown. We frequently get emails warning us items we’ve ordered for home delivery are out of stock, when 24 hours later those items are delivered without issue. It becomes a problem if you attempt to amend the order the night before delivery because it forces you to remove any items from the trolley that it predicts won’t be available. It’s annoying when you know that if you just leave it alone the items will almost certainly be delivered as ordered.

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

And as if by magic and against what I thought they'd do, my local Aldi now has self-scan tills replacing several of the others.

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

Yes it's good they stuff wine at the end of every aisle .Go in for a couple of bottles cone out with 6 ! ;)

Online shopping does allow you to be more in control, less aisle placement impulse buying, and know what you're spending, instead of it getting a nasty checkout surprise !

Each to their own, don't think I'd go back to shopping instore now, it wastes too much of my valuable time more than anything else, particularly at checkout.

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

I never use self check out and i never pay by card. People will be out of a job with these check out. Maybe old fashioned but i prefer cash,

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

To be accurate we do our main shop online, but still pop into Morrisons 2 or 3 times a week for extra items we decide we want (and certain fresh items like fruit).

Dont queue at checkouts though, we use the self service, and pay by [contactless] card.

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

2035?

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

By 2035 we'll be back to small corner shops with local produce being delivered using small electric powered vans.

There will no longer be convoys of diesel powered lorries running up & down motorways to feed the supermarkets.

People will be growing their own veg in window boxes ;)

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

Nah, all delivered direct to homes by Amazon drones…

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

From the brand new 1000 sq mile distribution center in the area once known as Staffordshire :D

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

Huh :confused: How is Amazons store going?

---------- Post added at 16:10 ---------- Previous post was at 16:03 ----------

They have gone nuts :shocking:

Re: Paying at the supermarket checkout
 

I would not use such a store.
I would not trust cameras to correctly pickup what I'm buying.
What if I pickup items just to look at them ? or put something back later.