Saw a spot on Food-TV about high tech shopping. I don't know how old the
show was.

Anyway, you walk into the market and swipe your shopping card at a
machine which "logs you in" then unlocks a hand-held wireless barcode
scanner for you to use.

You get shopping bags for your cart. When you pick an item off the shelf
you want to buy, you scan the bar code and it will enter the item and
price, keeping a running total of your groceries, so you're basically
bagging AND checking out as you shop. When you're finished shopping, you
scan an "end of shopping" barcode at a payment machine and pay. It prints
out the list you created.

That's more convenient than the self-checkout lane.

I'm going to have to dial around and see if any markets have this system.
I'd easily change markets for this ultra convenience.

Has anyone used this system to shop?

Andy

"Andy" <q> wrote in message ...
> Saw a spot on Food-TV about high tech shopping. I don't know how old the
> show was.
>
> Anyway, you walk into the market and swipe your shopping card at a
> machine which "logs you in" then unlocks a hand-held wireless barcode
> scanner for you to use.
>
> You get shopping bags for your cart. When you pick an item off the shelf
> you want to buy, you scan the bar code and it will enter the item and
> price, keeping a running total of your groceries, so you're basically
> bagging AND checking out as you shop. When you're finished shopping, you
> scan an "end of shopping" barcode at a payment machine and pay. It prints
> out the list you created.

What's to prevent someone from just dropping an item into a shopping bag
without scanning it first?

Mary

MareCat said...

> What's to prevent someone from just dropping an item into a shopping bag
> without scanning it first?
>
> Mary


Mary,

They neglected to bring up that "MINOR" detail.

Andy

"Andy" <q> wrote in message ...
> MareCat said...
>
>> What's to prevent someone from just dropping an item into a shopping bag
>> without scanning it first?
>>
>> Mary
>
>
> Mary,
>
> They neglected to bring up that "MINOR" detail.
>
> Andy

OK, I got curious and did a search on the Food TV site. This particular
piece was featured on an episode of Unwrapped about supermarkets. Food Lion
is the chain implementing this technology.

Googled and found this info: http://tinyurl.com/ztcby

Still doesn't answer my question, though...

Mary

"MareCat" > wrote in message
. ..
> "Andy" <q> wrote in message ...
>> MareCat said...
>>
>>> What's to prevent someone from just dropping an item into a shopping bag
>>> without scanning it first?
>>>
>>> Mary
>>
>>
>> Mary,
>>
>> They neglected to bring up that "MINOR" detail.
>>
>> Andy
>
> OK, I got curious and did a search on the Food TV site. This particular
> piece was featured on an episode of Unwrapped about supermarkets. Food
> Lion is the chain implementing this technology.
>
> Googled and found this info: http://tinyurl.com/ztcby
>
> Still doesn't answer my question, though...
>
> Mary
>

It's interesting that a store with a reputation like a herpes-positive crack
whore would spend money on this before assuring that their employees know
how to use mops, brooms and cleaning compounds.

On Tue, 12 Sep 2006 13:04:33 GMT, "JoeSpareBedroom"
> wrote:

>"MareCat" > wrote in message
...
>> "Andy" <q> wrote in message ...
>>> MareCat said...
>>>
>>>> What's to prevent someone from just dropping an item into a shopping bag
>>>> without scanning it first?
>>>>
>>>> Mary
>>>
>>>
>>> Mary,
>>>
>>> They neglected to bring up that "MINOR" detail.
>>>
>>> Andy
>>
>> OK, I got curious and did a search on the Food TV site. This particular
>> piece was featured on an episode of Unwrapped about supermarkets. Food
>> Lion is the chain implementing this technology.
>>
>> Googled and found this info: http://tinyurl.com/ztcby
>>
>> Still doesn't answer my question, though...
>>
>> Mary
>>
>
>It's interesting that a store with a reputation like a herpes-positive crack
>whore would spend money on this before assuring that their employees know
>how to use mops, brooms and cleaning compounds.
>
When is the last time you shopped in a Food Lion? The ones I have
shopped in in Virginia and North Carolina have been clean and the
employees polite.
--
Susan N.

"Moral indignation is in most cases two percent moral,
48 percent indignation, and 50 percent envy."
Vittorio De Sica, Italian movie director (1901-1974

MareCat wrote:
> "Andy" <q> wrote in message ...
>> MareCat said...
>>
>>> What's to prevent someone from just dropping an item into a shopping bag
>>> without scanning it first?
>>>
>>> Mary
>>
>> Mary,
>>
>> They neglected to bring up that "MINOR" detail.
>>
>> Andy
>
> OK, I got curious and did a search on the Food TV site. This particular
> piece was featured on an episode of Unwrapped about supermarkets. Food Lion
> is the chain implementing this technology.
>
> Googled and found this info: http://tinyurl.com/ztcby
>
> Still doesn't answer my question, though...
>
> Mary
>
>

Just supposition: they may put a scale in the cart, like the self-check
out bagging area. This means you will have to be careful not to bump
your purse or anything else into the area or you'll set off an alarm. Ugh.

More bottom-lining to reduce employee costs. Soon there won't be anyone
live in the supermarket except for the people in the bank kiosks. :-(

gloria p

"Andy" <q> wrote in message ...
> MareCat said...
>
> > What's to prevent someone from just dropping an item into a shopping bag
> > without scanning it first?
> >
> > Mary
>
>
> Mary,
>
> They neglected to bring up that "MINOR" detail.
>
> Andy
>

<delurk> Doesn't the scanner deactivate some alarm or whathaveyou??.... I
know here in Australia, if something isn't scanned through, when you leave
the shop, an alarm sounds to say that you haven't paid for something. The
alarm sits in posts, which are positioned at the exit points.

We have only -just- started a system where you go through the checkout on
your own and scan what you have bought and put your cash/card etc into a
machine to pay.... again, if you leave without having scanned an item......
off goes the ALARM!!

Lili

"Lili" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Andy" <q> wrote in message ...
>> MareCat said...
>>
>> > What's to prevent someone from just dropping an item into a shopping
>> > bag
>> > without scanning it first?
>> >
>> > Mary
>>
>>
>> Mary,
>>
>> They neglected to bring up that "MINOR" detail.
>>
>> Andy
>>
>
> <delurk> Doesn't the scanner deactivate some alarm or whathaveyou??.... I
> know here in Australia, if something isn't scanned through, when you leave
> the shop, an alarm sounds to say that you haven't paid for something. The
> alarm sits in posts, which are positioned at the exit points.
>
> We have only -just- started a system where you go through the checkout on
> your own and scan what you have bought and put your cash/card etc into a
> machine to pay.... again, if you leave without having scanned an
> item......
> off goes the ALARM!!

I was thinking it might be something like that. And when someone scans an
item, then later changes his/her mind about buying it, I'm assuming there's
some sort of scan cancellation on the scanner that removes the item from the
running total.

Mary

"MareCat" > wrote in message

> I was thinking it might be something like that. And when someone scans an
> item, then later changes his/her mind about buying it, I'm assuming
there's
> some sort of scan cancellation on the scanner that removes the item from
the
> running total.
>
> Mary

You'd hope so! I think it's a great idea for those watching every dollar -
you'd be able to keep a tally of the price total in your trolley as you're
shopping - if you go over budget, you can always remove a few items from the
trolly.

one day....

Lili

MareCat said...

> I was thinking it might be something like that. And when someone scans
> an item, then later changes his/her mind about buying it, I'm assuming
> there's some sort of scan cancellation on the scanner that removes the
> item from the running total.
>
> Mary


They explained the scanner has a "Minus" button. You press it then rescan
the barcode of the item you want to put back and it's deleted from the
list.

Andy

Lili wrote:

> We have only -just- started a system where you go through the checkout on
> your own and scan what you have bought and put your cash/card etc into a
> machine to pay.... again, if you leave without having scanned an item......
> off goes the ALARM!!
>
> Lili

I believe those are devices based on magnetic fields - not every item
is magnetized or whatever, so they could be shoplifted without setting
off any alarms. OTOH, sometimes at one of the "mart" centers, my item
will be de-magnetized or whatever, and still set off an alarm, which
would be embarrassing if it didn't happen so often.

N.

"Nancy2" > wrote in message
ps.com...
>
> Lili wrote:
>
>> We have only -just- started a system where you go through the checkout on
>> your own and scan what you have bought and put your cash/card etc into a
>> machine to pay.... again, if you leave without having scanned an
>> item......
>> off goes the ALARM!!
>>
>> Lili
>
> I believe those are devices based on magnetic fields - not every item
> is magnetized or whatever, so they could be shoplifted without setting
> off any alarms. OTOH, sometimes at one of the "mart" centers, my item
> will be de-magnetized or whatever, and still set off an alarm, which
> would be embarrassing if it didn't happen so often.
>
> N.
>

I'd be shocked to find that every single grocery item is being turned into
its own little spy device, like clothing. Labels & packaging ain't cheap.

Nancy2 said...

>
> Lili wrote:
>
>> We have only -just- started a system where you go through the
>> checkout on your own and scan what you have bought and put your
>> cash/card etc into a machine to pay.... again, if you leave without
>> having scanned an item...... off goes the ALARM!!
>>
>> Lili
>
> I believe those are devices based on magnetic fields - not every item
> is magnetized or whatever, so they could be shoplifted without setting
> off any alarms. OTOH, sometimes at one of the "mart" centers, my item
> will be de-magnetized or whatever, and still set off an alarm, which
> would be embarrassing if it didn't happen so often.
>
> N.


Part of the EasyShop agreement says you accept random audits of your
cart. They know they'll lose a little money on occassion which is why it
hasn't been rolled out far and wide. Maybe after five errors on the
customer's part, they'll void the EasyShop agreement? A kinder/gentler
treatment of intentional shoplifters.

Andy

Lili wrote:
> "Andy" <q> wrote in message ...
> > MareCat said...
> >
> > > What's to prevent someone from just dropping an item into a shopping bag
> > > without scanning it first?

> <delurk> Doesn't the scanner deactivate some alarm or whathaveyou??.... I
> know here in Australia, if something isn't scanned through, when you leave
> the shop, an alarm sounds to say that you haven't paid for something. The
> alarm sits in posts, which are positioned at the exit points.
> Lili

Yeap! That's how it's supposed to work. Except here in the Mid South
the store alarms are always going off on legitimate shoppers who have
one or two items that didn't deactivate properly. It's a moment of
total confusion. I like to stop and hold up my arms. Store employees
signal me to go on and the alarm goes off. I asked the employees what
they were expected to do when the alarm sounds; they said "nothing."
So I guess it's just another one of those "concepts" that may work as a
deterrent unless the perp is totally committed.

In article . com>,
says...
>
> Lili wrote:
> > "Andy" <q> wrote in message ...
> > > MareCat said...
> > >
> > > > What's to prevent someone from just dropping an item into a shopping bag
> > > > without scanning it first?
>
> > <delurk> Doesn't the scanner deactivate some alarm or whathaveyou??.... I
> > know here in Australia, if something isn't scanned through, when you leave
> > the shop, an alarm sounds to say that you haven't paid for something. The
> > alarm sits in posts, which are positioned at the exit points.
> > Lili
>
> Yeap! That's how it's supposed to work. Except here in the Mid South
> the store alarms are always going off on legitimate shoppers who have
> one or two items that didn't deactivate properly. It's a moment of
> total confusion. I like to stop and hold up my arms. Store employees
> signal me to go on and the alarm goes off. I asked the employees what
> they were expected to do when the alarm sounds; they said "nothing."
> So I guess it's just another one of those "concepts" that may work as a
> deterrent unless the perp is totally committed.

I remember when EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance) was first being
rolled out in CVS stores. There were and still are several items that
even with no tag will set the system off. All it needs is for something
in the item to be resonant and bing, bells and lights.

Policy is basically never to pursue when someone triggers alarms.

In article >,
"MareCat" > wrote:

> What's to prevent someone from just dropping an item into a shopping bag
> without scanning it first?
>
> Mary

Personal integrity.
--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://web.mac.com/barbschaller
http://jamlady.eboard.com

Andy wrote:
> [snip description of new system]

> I'm going to have to dial around and see if any markets have this system.
> I'd easily change markets for this ultra convenience. [snip]

Sounds like a crock to me. They get you to do the job of the checker
and the job of the bagger and you somehow think that's "convenient"?
I don't think so. -aem

Yes, this really gripes my ass.... at the self check you do the job of the
checker and the bagger and yet you still pay the same price for the
groceries. What a scam.

Lynne

"aem" > wrote in message
ps.com...
>
> Andy wrote:
>> [snip description of new system]
>
>> I'm going to have to dial around and see if any markets have this system.
>> I'd easily change markets for this ultra convenience. [snip]
>
> Sounds like a crock to me. They get you to do the job of the checker
> and the job of the bagger and you somehow think that's "convenient"?
> I don't think so. -aem
>

King's Crown wrote:
> Yes, this really gripes my ass.... at the self check you do the job of the
> checker and the bagger and yet you still pay the same price for the
> groceries. What a scam.
>
> Lynne

Here (Portland, Oregon) we have a warehouse grocer where you bag your
own stuff. The prices are *much* better than the other chain grocers -
as much as 50% less. I would much rather bag my own groceries anyway,
to keep produce from being damaged.

-L.

"-L." > wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> King's Crown wrote:
>> Yes, this really gripes my ass.... at the self check you do the job of
>> the
>> checker and the bagger and yet you still pay the same price for the
>> groceries. What a scam.
>>
>> Lynne
>
> Here (Portland, Oregon) we have a warehouse grocer where you bag your
> own stuff. The prices are *much* better than the other chain grocers -
> as much as 50% less. I would much rather bag my own groceries anyway,
> to keep produce from being damaged.
>
> -L.
>

Which kinds of items are 50% less? I'm just curious.

On 2006-09-12, JoeSpareBedroom > wrote:

> Which kinds of items are 50% less? I'm just curious.

All items! ...and not just at discount markets. I never buy anything
if it's not at least 40-50% off. All stores will discount just about
everything eventually, even if only once per year. The last time I
bought Swanson's broths, they were 3/$1. I bought cases. This
typically only occurs around Thanksgiving. A recent freak sale
discounted Knott's jams to price I've never seen before and am not
likely to see again. I bought a dozen jars. I'm not a coupon droid,
but I watch the weekly sales fliers like a hawk.


nb

JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
> Which kinds of items are 50% less? I'm just curious.

Oh Jeezz....chips, juice, popcorn, some cereal, soda, some beer, eggs,
ice cream, some fruits and veggies, some canned goods....and that's
just off the top of my head. I am always horrified at the prices at
our local Fred Meyer when I have to stop there for convenience.

-L.

"King's Crown" > wrote

> "aem" > wrote

>> Sounds like a crock to me. They get you to do the job of the checker
>> and the job of the bagger and you somehow think that's "convenient"?
>> I don't think so.

> Yes, this really gripes my ass.... at the self check you do the job of the
> checker and the bagger and yet you still pay the same price for the
> groceries. What a scam.

I love the way they market it ... it's for your convenience. Then you
find yourself being driven to it because there are few cashiers and the
lines are so long. Essentially they pay one cashier to do the job of four;
the one that stands by the self checkout to help people when they have
a problem.

I do have a question. What do you do with coupons in self serve?
I swipe them ... then what? Am I supposed to give them to someone?
Had a little ... issue ... with that a couple weeks ago. Anyone know?

nancy

"Nancy Young" > wrote in message
...
>
> "King's Crown" > wrote
>
>> "aem" > wrote
>
>>> Sounds like a crock to me. They get you to do the job of the checker
>>> and the job of the bagger and you somehow think that's "convenient"?
>>> I don't think so.
>
>> Yes, this really gripes my ass.... at the self check you do the job of
>> the checker and the bagger and yet you still pay the same price for the
>> groceries. What a scam.
>
> I love the way they market it ... it's for your convenience. Then you
> find yourself being driven to it because there are few cashiers and the
> lines are so long. Essentially they pay one cashier to do the job of
> four;
> the one that stands by the self checkout to help people when they have
> a problem.
>
> I do have a question. What do you do with coupons in self serve?
> I swipe them ... then what? Am I supposed to give them to someone?
> Had a little ... issue ... with that a couple weeks ago. Anyone know?
>
> nancy
I just did this last week. The "stand by" cashier has to come over and do
it for you. You swipe it... it comes up saying something like "does not
compute". The cashier takes it to their station and puts it through for
you. This is the 3rd time I've used a coupon. What a pain!

And yes the quick check is closed most of the time now forcing one to use
the self check. Grrrrrrr!

Lynne

"King's Crown" > wrote

> "Nancy Young" > wrote

>> I do have a question. What do you do with coupons in self serve?
>> I swipe them ... then what? Am I supposed to give them to someone?
>> Had a little ... issue ... with that a couple weeks ago. Anyone know?

> I just did this last week. The "stand by" cashier has to come over and do
> it for you. You swipe it... it comes up saying something like "does not
> compute". The cashier takes it to their station and puts it through for
> you. This is the 3rd time I've used a coupon. What a pain!

Heh, okay. It scanned just fine, then I stood there like ... what do I
do with this? and put it down to continue checking out. The minder person
came over and said, where did you put that coupon??? You're supposed to
do that last!! Well. Excuuuuse me.

I don't do produce that you have to weigh in the self-checkout lane,
now I won't do coupons.

> And yes the quick check is closed most of the time now forcing one to use
> the self check. Grrrrrrr!

Make matters worse? Now there are lines for the self checkout.

nancy

In article >,
"Nancy Young" > wrote:

> > Yes, this really gripes my ass.... at the self check you do the job of the
> > checker and the bagger and yet you still pay the same price for the
> > groceries. What a scam.
>
> I love the way they market it ... it's for your convenience.

Have you ever noticed that, whenever someone says something is "for
your convenience", it really never is? "For your convenience, all
packages must be checked at the door." "For your convenience, sales
are by appointment only." "For your convenience, you may use the
pre-addressed envelope to return your card. Cards returned in any
other envelope may be subject to delay." :-(

I have a love/hate relationship with self-checkout at the grocery.
Around here, they turn up the volume to Insultingly Loud and the
machine can't quite get the hang of purchasing multiples of any item
without stop.scan.place in bag.stop.scan next item.stop.place in
bag.stop.scan ... OTOH, if the machine has a problem (which is
frequent), the beleaguered clerk minding the pen usually just lets
me put the item in my bag without charge because it's easier than
fixing the problem. I wonder if that's really saving them any money.

sd

"sd" > wrote

> "Nancy Young" > wrote:

>> I love the way they market it ... it's for your convenience.
>
> Have you ever noticed that, whenever someone says something is "for
> your convenience", it really never is? "For your convenience, all
> packages must be checked at the door." "For your convenience, sales
> are by appointment only." "For your convenience, you may use the
> pre-addressed envelope to return your card. Cards returned in any
> other envelope may be subject to delay." :-(

(laugh) You just reminded me, I used to be billed for water every
quarter. One day the bill comes, from now on, for your convenience,
we will be billing monthly. I said, Darn! I was thinking it would be so
much more convenient if you billed me daily!

Gimme a break. Just tell me you're billing monthly now.

> I have a love/hate relationship with self-checkout at the grocery.
> Around here, they turn up the volume to Insultingly Loud and the
> machine can't quite get the hang of purchasing multiples of any item
> without stop.scan.place in bag.stop.scan next item.stop.place in
> bag.stop.scan ... OTOH, if the machine has a problem (which is
> frequent), the beleaguered clerk minding the pen usually just lets
> me put the item in my bag without charge because it's easier than
> fixing the problem. I wonder if that's really saving them any money.

Man, that never happens to me. They don't sound very well run
if they have so much trouble with their machines and don't fix them.

nancy

aem said...

>
> Andy wrote:
>> [snip description of new system]
>
>> I'm going to have to dial around and see if any markets have this
>> system. I'd easily change markets for this ultra convenience.
>> [snip]
>
> Sounds like a crock to me. They get you to do the job of the checker
> and the job of the bagger and you somehow think that's "convenient"?
> I don't think so. -aem


There are several things I see as convenient to me:

1. I can bag items the way I want while shopping, making putting
groceries away at home quicker.
2. I don't have to unload the cart at checkout, bag and reload the cart.
3. The scanner would let me scrutinize the displayed vs. barcode price
for any discrepency.


A couple flaws are, as Mary mentioned, they made no mention of not
scanning items you put in the cart. The other flaw that wasn't addressed
is that raw vegetables don't have barcodes. Eventually you'll scan a
vegetable bin's barcode then weigh a bag of that veggie on a digital
scale and scan the generated barcode displayed on the scale's LCD?

Back in the early 1990's, I used a system at a supermarket that had a
large flatscreen wireless LCD touchscreen monitor on the push handle of
the cart where you could pick an item and it would show you where you
were in the store and where the product was located. It also did some
bothersome things, like beeping and blinking a discount coupon as you
passed any item on sale.

It would be more convenient to just on-line shop and have it delivered.
ACME does that here, but just because they have it on the website
"shelves" doesn't mean it's stocked locally (even after entering a
zipcode). I saw this done with great success in the Australian outback
where the owner somehow transmitted a shopping list to the market and the
goods arrived two days later by mail truck.

Andy

On Tue, 12 Sep 2006 04:41:53 -0500, Andy <q> wrote:

>aem said...
>
>>
>> Andy wrote:
>>> [snip description of new system]
>>
>>> I'm going to have to dial around and see if any markets have this
>>> system. I'd easily change markets for this ultra convenience.
>>> [snip]
>>
>> Sounds like a crock to me. They get you to do the job of the checker
>> and the job of the bagger and you somehow think that's "convenient"?
>> I don't think so. -aem
>
>
>There are several things I see as convenient to me:
>
>1. I can bag items the way I want while shopping, making putting
>groceries away at home quicker.
>2. I don't have to unload the cart at checkout, bag and reload the cart.
>3. The scanner would let me scrutinize the displayed vs. barcode price
>for any discrepency.
>
>
>A couple flaws are, as Mary mentioned, they made no mention of not
>scanning items you put in the cart. The other flaw that wasn't addressed
>is that raw vegetables don't have barcodes. Eventually you'll scan a
>vegetable bin's barcode then weigh a bag of that veggie on a digital
>scale and scan the generated barcode displayed on the scale's LCD?
>
>Back in the early 1990's, I used a system at a supermarket that had a
>large flatscreen wireless LCD touchscreen monitor on the push handle of
>the cart where you could pick an item and it would show you where you
>were in the store and where the product was located. It also did some
>bothersome things, like beeping and blinking a discount coupon as you
>passed any item on sale.
>
>It would be more convenient to just on-line shop and have it delivered.
>ACME does that here, but just because they have it on the website
>"shelves" doesn't mean it's stocked locally (even after entering a
>zipcode). I saw this done with great success in the Australian outback
>where the owner somehow transmitted a shopping list to the market and the
>goods arrived two days later by mail truck.
>
>Andy

Mother did on-line grocery shopping 50 years ago. The line was a
telephone. Called the grocery store and told the owner what she
needed. No extra charge for delivery.
--
Susan N.

"Moral indignation is in most cases two percent moral,
48 percent indignation, and 50 percent envy."
Vittorio De Sica, Italian movie director (1901-1974

aem wrote:
>
> Andy wrote:
> > [snip description of new system]
>
> > I'm going to have to dial around and see if any markets have this system.
> > I'd easily change markets for this ultra convenience. [snip]
>
> Sounds like a crock to me. They get you to do the job of the checker
> and the job of the bagger and you somehow think that's "convenient"?
> I don't think so. -aem

It is. I check out in the regular self checkout lanes at probably 3x the
speed of the typical register goon. I also insure that everything is
packed properly which the regular goons aren't too good at. I haven't
tried the scan-on-the-fly system yet, but they have it at both of my are
Albertson's.

Pete C.

In ,
Andy <q> typed:
> Saw a spot on Food-TV about high tech shopping. I don't know how old
> the
> show was.
>
> Anyway, you walk into the market and swipe your shopping card at a
> machine which "logs you in" then unlocks a hand-held wireless
> barcode
> scanner for you to use.
>
> You get shopping bags for your cart. When you pick an item off the
> shelf
> you want to buy, you scan the bar code and it will enter the item
> and
> price, keeping a running total of your groceries, so you're
> basically
> bagging AND checking out as you shop. When you're finished shopping,
> you
> scan an "end of shopping" barcode at a payment machine and pay. It
> prints
> out the list you created.
>
> That's more convenient than the self-checkout lane.
>
> I'm going to have to dial around and see if any markets have this
> system.
> I'd easily change markets for this ultra convenience.
>
> Has anyone used this system to shop?
>
> Andy

Are you getting a discount for doing their work? You are eliminating
a job, so are you getting the financial benefit from this lost job?
Or is the store just making more profit from you, like in the "self
serve check out" (which never works correctly).

BOB

BOB wrote:
> In ,
> Andy <q> typed:
> > Saw a spot on Food-TV about high tech shopping. I don't know how old
> > the
> > show was.
> >
> > Anyway, you walk into the market and swipe your shopping card at a
> > machine which "logs you in" then unlocks a hand-held wireless
> > barcode
> > scanner for you to use.
> >
> > You get shopping bags for your cart. When you pick an item off the
> > shelf
> > you want to buy, you scan the bar code and it will enter the item
> > and
> > price, keeping a running total of your groceries, so you're
> > basically
> > bagging AND checking out as you shop. When you're finished shopping,
> > you
> > scan an "end of shopping" barcode at a payment machine and pay. It
> > prints
> > out the list you created.
> >
> > That's more convenient than the self-checkout lane.
> >
> > I'm going to have to dial around and see if any markets have this
> > system.
> > I'd easily change markets for this ultra convenience.
> >
> > Has anyone used this system to shop?
> >
> > Andy
>
> Are you getting a discount for doing their work? You are eliminating
> a job, so are you getting the financial benefit from this lost job?
> Or is the store just making more profit from you, like in the "self
> serve check out" (which never works correctly).
>
> BOB

I've seen this system in one of the newer stores in the Pittsburgh, PA
area from the local Giant Eagle chain called "Market District".
Actually, I ran into a friend using it in the store. She had a couple
of bags in the cart, and would scan and put the item in to the bag.
The new store format is supposed to compete with the Whole Foods down
the street. I wondered how it works and the next time I'm in the
store, I'll take a closer look. Yes, you are definitely doing
someone's work but you will also get to leave the store quicker and,
you don't have to wait to consume something you intend to purchase.

Heidi

BOB > wrote:

> Are you getting a discount for doing their work? You are eliminating
> a job, so are you getting the financial benefit from this lost job?
> Or is the store just making more profit from you, like in the "self
> serve check out" (which never works correctly).

The way I see it is that the system is eliminating work, not
getting the customer to do it. In other words, you already
walk around the store taking stuff off the shelves and putting
it in the cart, this system just eliminates taking the stuff
out of the cart and bagging. The customer isn't
really doing more work (less if you count putting stuff on
the checkout belt), putting stuff in a bag in the cart is
no more work than just putting it in the cart. As for where
the cost savings go, supermarket margins are miniscule and
if one store can charge a few cents less per item they generally
will because the competition is so fierce. Yes, one store might
enjoy some extra profits for a while, but as soon as another
store nearby has the same technology market forces take over.

Bill Ranck
Blacksburg, Va.

said...

> As for where
> the cost savings go, supermarket margins are miniscule and
> if one store can charge a few cents less per item they generally
> will because the competition is so fierce. Yes, one store might
> enjoy some extra profits for a while, but as soon as another
> store nearby has the same technology market forces take over.
>
> Bill Ranck
> Blacksburg, Va.


Bill,

On the same show, a supermarket manager confided that the profit margin for
most supermarkets is indeed miniscule, "about one penny on the dollar."

Andy

In article >,
" BOB" > wrote:

> Are you getting a discount for doing their work? You are eliminating
> a job, so are you getting the financial benefit from this lost job?
> Or is the store just making more profit from you, like in the "self
> serve check out" (which never works correctly).
>
> BOB

Sounds great to me It would mean I would have to handle the groceries
two fewer times than normally done. AFA supermarket profits, their
profit margin is among the smallest * I remember reading 3% somewhere.
I like the self-checkout things, too. I don't usually have problems
with them, but I don't think they're fast. My two cents worth.
--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://web.mac.com/barbschaller
http://jamlady.eboard.com

"Melba's Jammin'" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> " BOB" > wrote:
>
>> Are you getting a discount for doing their work? You are eliminating
>> a job, so are you getting the financial benefit from this lost job?
>> Or is the store just making more profit from you, like in the "self
>> serve check out" (which never works correctly).
>>
>> BOB
>
> Sounds great to me It would mean I would have to handle the groceries
> two fewer times than normally done. AFA supermarket profits, their
> profit margin is among the smallest * I remember reading 3% somewhere.
> I like the self-checkout things, too. I don't usually have problems
> with them, but I don't think they're fast. My two cents worth.
> --
> -Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ

The only potential problem I see with the new idea is traffic jams when The
Challenged have problems scanning items. You know the type of person I
mean - the ones who are unable to operate their car alarms correctly, don't
understand e-mail, and think (or wish) touch tone phones are a passing fad.

Then, there are the slobs who figure out exactly where to park their carts
in order to cause immediate traffic jams in the aisles. Instead of being a
random occurrence, they will now park their carts at the scanning points. In
a typical aisle, it only takes two carts plus a big fat ass to cause
problems.

On Tue, 12 Sep 2006 14:39:30 GMT, "JoeSpareBedroom"
> wrote:

>"Melba's Jammin'" > wrote in message
...
>> In article >,
>> " BOB" > wrote:
>>
>>> Are you getting a discount for doing their work? You are eliminating
>>> a job, so are you getting the financial benefit from this lost job?
>>> Or is the store just making more profit from you, like in the "self
>>> serve check out" (which never works correctly).
>>>
>>> BOB
>>
>> Sounds great to me It would mean I would have to handle the groceries
>> two fewer times than normally done. AFA supermarket profits, their
>> profit margin is among the smallest * I remember reading 3% somewhere.
>> I like the self-checkout things, too. I don't usually have problems
>> with them, but I don't think they're fast. My two cents worth.
>> --
>> -Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
>
>The only potential problem I see with the new idea is traffic jams when The
>Challenged have problems scanning items. You know the type of person I
>mean - the ones who are unable to operate their car alarms correctly, don't
>understand e-mail, and think (or wish) touch tone phones are a passing fad.
>
>Then, there are the slobs who figure out exactly where to park their carts
>in order to cause immediate traffic jams in the aisles. Instead of being a
>random occurrence, they will now park their carts at the scanning points. In
>a typical aisle, it only takes two carts plus a big fat ass to cause
>problems.
>
There are no "scanning points." You carry a hand held scanner with
you. Probably no more traffic jams than now. And you do not have to
wait until you get to the check out to find out that you do not have
enough money for you purchases or the can of peas costs twice what you
thought.
--
Susan N.

"Moral indignation is in most cases two percent moral,
48 percent indignation, and 50 percent envy."
Vittorio De Sica, Italian movie director (1901-1974

On Tue, 12 Sep 2006 09:31:15 -0500, Melba's Jammin'
> wrote:

>In article >,
> " BOB" > wrote:
>
>> Are you getting a discount for doing their work? You are eliminating
>> a job, so are you getting the financial benefit from this lost job?
>> Or is the store just making more profit from you, like in the "self
>> serve check out" (which never works correctly).
>>
>> BOB
>
>Sounds great to me It would mean I would have to handle the groceries
>two fewer times than normally done. AFA supermarket profits, their
>profit margin is among the smallest * I remember reading 3% somewhere.
>I like the self-checkout things, too. I don't usually have problems
>with them, but I don't think they're fast. My two cents worth.

I agree. I'm very particular about how my groceries are bagged. Even
when I put the items on the belt in the approximate configuration I
like, the checker/bagger doesn't do it the way I want. But I still go
through the checker rather than self-check. WHile I love the idea of
scanning/bagging/done, there is the inevitable loss of the job. And I
am very chummy with several of the grocery store personnel, I'd be sad
to have yet another personal aspect of doing business go by the
wayside, but I suppose it's inevitable. Back in the day, you'd
actually see a gas station attendant when you bought gas, a teller
when you made a deposit. No more.

TammyM

BOB wrote:
>
> Are you getting a discount for doing their work? You are eliminating
> a job, so are you getting the financial benefit from this lost job?
> Or is the store just making more profit from you, like in the "self
> serve check out" (which never works correctly).
>
> BOB

The more appropriate question is "are you postponing a price increase?".
Costs on everything keep increasing, why would you expect to see a
discount for something that saves the store money vs. just not seeing a
price increase if they don't save money?

Pete C.