How to Use Self-Checkout at the Grocery Store

Many grocery stores are implementing Self-Checkout Kiosks now. They have the potential to save you time as you're leaving a busy grocery store, but they do have pros and cons.

First, here's a little overview of how Self Checkout works, and why you may have had trouble with it before. You go up to the kiosk. If you have a cart full of stuff, don't waste your time or the person who's working there's time - just go to a register with a cashier. If you have a small basket or a couple items, this is your place. Scan your shopper's card if you have one. Scan one item by passing it in front of the scanner in a smooth motion; the lasers are facing every which-way in there, they'll usually get it. If you have some kind of produce, then look for a sticker with its number; if there's no sticker, look it up by name. The computer will walk you through every single step. You will need to bag each item before scanning another. Do not move the items after you bag them. Do not hit "Skip Bagging" and set the item down on the scale - the whole part with the bags is a big scale, and that messes it up. Only skip bagging if you're putting the item back in your cart. If the computer says the attendant is going to assist you don't get angry - it's usually a very quick fix and that attendant is probably pretty used to his or her own terminal telling her everyone needs help. There's only one of them and a whole bunch of customers at one time, they're probably doing their best. Pay by hitting "Pay Now" and they payment type, then either putting cash in (just like a soda machine) or sliding a card. Remove the itmes only after you've paid.

Some reasons you might want to go to a regular cashier include writing a check (this slows down self checkout tremendously), getting anything that you'll need to be carded for, getting anything you'll need a price check on (if you know it when you're checking out), and if you want the self checkout attendant to check you out. If you want to be checked out by someone, that's why there are cashiers. The self checkout attendant has from four to six terminals that they're trying to help everyone at. Using your own bags can sometimes be complicated here, too.

Some reasons self checkout can be great for shoppers? If you have one or two items that have bar codes and are very easy, if you know how to do it, if you want to learn how to do it (it is the job of the attendant to teach people). The self checkout can be the quickest way out of a busy grocery store.

So next time you're in your local grocery store, try the self checkout if you haven't yet. If you let the attendant know you've never done it before, then they'll be glad to show you the ropes. If there is no attendant, the computer will do a pretty good job of walking you through it. Good luck!