Dimitri wrote:
>
> The thread on grocery stores has taken a little drift over to the self
> checkout subject.
>
> We need to stop and think for a minute about what business is doing to us.
>
> 1. ATM'S are a labor saving device - they are designed to have the
> customer do the data entry for their transaction thereby eliminating
> teller-labor-costs.
>
> 2. Why are Salad bars so popular - simple no labor involved to make the
> salads. The customer provides the labor and doesn't need to be certified.
>
> 3. Self check out lanes - all that is necessary is 1 person to monitor
> the lanes thereby eliminating retail clerk positions at $18.00 + per hour
> (depends on the store and area & union not to mention the benefit load of
> 25% to 30 % per employee)
>
> 4. Remember the "paperless society" and EDI (Electronic Data
> Interchange)? How it was supposed to simplify business - well it didn't -
> not we have to have a paper back-up for all transactions. How about the
> retailer that charges a data entry fee to process a paper invoice - unusual?
> nope very common.
>
> Rant over....
>
> Want me to check my own groceries - sure give me a discount or pay me.
>
> :-)
>
> Dimitri

Anything that helps me avoid having to deal with an under trained, under
motivated, under paid and usually incompetent employee is a plus.