I do not work loss prevention. I would imagine since they have a pic of the person and the transaction they could arrest at any time. Tackling someone at the front door is kind of messy and invites law suits.

quote:

I guess they just hope they make it up in membership fees.

That was my thought.

I don't work somewhere unless they have a 410k match

quote:

Originally posted by oddball:

I remember reading in a doctor's office magazine when Trump was president, that an average of 5% of revenue was lost in grocery store self-checkout transactions. That's $50,000 for every million. And I'm sure it is higher now.

I wonder how that loss compares to the savings in payroll with fewer cashiers.

All these self check out things are due to bean counters.

The machine costs between $25k- $40k-but it’s a one time layout.
Cashiers cost maybe $25k and it’s reoccurring.

Any loss/shrinkage is made up in not paying a person and her salary and healt benefits etc…

I hate the self checkout kiosks.

Although the scan and pay at Sams club is mighty quick. Scan as you put it into the cart with your phone and pay wih your card tied to the account, walk by all the other suckers in line . Lady at the door checks a few items and your out the door

If you don't scan an item, you can't put it in the bag on the scale. It is sensitive enough to pick up very light weight items. Now if you put it in the cart without scanning it... yes, if they are not watching you can prance out with out paying for the item. Eye in the sky? maybe but I have a hard time believing that paying a semi tech savvy person to watch tape 24/7 is saving money unless it turns into a deterrent. Good grief, they loot high end stores with no consequences. Surely a $2 jar of olives is worth less than a 4 0z bottle of Chanel number 5.

quote:

Eye in the sky? maybe but I have a hard time believing that paying a semi tech savvy person to watch tape 24/7 is saving money unless it turns into a deterrent

^^^^^^^^^^^^^L
Let me explain. Stores have specialized software that will identify suspicious movements at the register. A person then reviews that portion of tape. These systems are very sophisticated. Many of the stores employ floorwalkers as well.

I have rarely seen the machines down for repairs. Another factor is the machines don't get sick, don't call off, don't go on strike, don't ask for raises, don't get attitudes.

While they might lose some $$$ due to theft, I believe some sort of insurance would cover that.

I use self checkout frequently as I value a quick transaction over bitching about checking myself out and bagging my own groceries.

V-Tail,

If you are a member at Sam's, their scan and go app is very good.

quote:

Originally posted by Edmond:

If you are a member at Sam's, their scan and go app is very good.

Sounds very similar to Walmart's. In fact, considering they're practically the same company, it probably is the same application.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:

quote:

Eye in the sky? maybe but I have a hard time believing that paying a semi tech savvy person to watch tape 24/7 is saving money unless it turns into a deterrent

^^^^^^^^^^^^^L
Let me explain. Stores have specialized software that will identify suspicious movements at the register. A person then reviews that portion of tape. These systems are very sophisticated. Many of the stores employ floorwalkers as well.

Still not getting it. Suspicious movement in terms of mass shooter or a guy trying to haul out a 75" TV maybe, but I just think these companies are eating the losses of people not scanning or paying for products in lieu of savings from using the self scanners. Trying to stop Laquishia and her four rug rats at the front door because she didn't scan a few items could likely earn tens of thousands of dollars in bad publicity on the news, something no store wants.

I really think the answer was likely posted above. Walmart is hoping to make up any theft with the Walmart+ subscription fees and reduced costs of using self scanners over cashiers.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:

quote:

Eye in the sky? maybe but I have a hard time believing that paying a semi tech savvy person to watch tape 24/7 is saving money unless it turns into a deterrent

^^^^^^^^^^^^^L
Let me explain. Stores have specialized software that will identify suspicious movements at the register. A person then reviews that portion of tape. These systems are very sophisticated. Many of the stores employ floorwalkers as well.

I don't know but wonder if the cost of the technology and support people offsets those jars of olives that walk out.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by oddball:

I remember reading in a doctor's office magazine when Trump was president, that an average of 5% of revenue was lost in grocery store self-checkout transactions. That's $50,000 for every million. And I'm sure it is higher now.

I wonder how that loss compares to the savings in payroll with fewer cashiers.

I would say $50,000 is close to the overall cost of just one non-union cashier. I guess the numbers justify the non-cashier check-out except for Wegman's.

As someone else opined, I'm for people being hired instead of technology. It's easy enough to see the break even point as in the case of Wegmans.

The Walmart self checkouts have camera tech so when I put a bag of limes down on the scale, a bunch of green spherical fruits and vegetables pop up when I select "look up item." One time I weighed zucchini and squash together because they were the same price per lb and before it let me check out a store employee was alerted and they had to verify my cart before overriding the system.

quote:

Originally posted by pedropcola:
I am a law and order guy. However, I have zero sympathy. Pay a fucking cashier to do the job and quit making me your fucking employee.

https://youtu.be/FxINJzqzn4w

First of all, I try real hard never to enter a Walmart. Not that I'm some elitist, I just don't like 'em. A decade or so ago, I'd buy ammo there, but not for at least the last 7 years, probably more.

Other grocery stores have self checkouts and I avoid them completely. I "believe" I have endured a self checkout at a grocery store twice in my life, and, I sincerely hope, never again.

I like to be greeted, see a friendly smile on the cashier, asked if I found everything I was looking for, and be treated as though the employee really cared that I'd come into his/her store to shop. Some friendly small talk is a plus.

I don't think that is too much to ask.

Bob

Yeah, but they download an app on their phone and all is right with the world.

"This is awesome!" they said.

"Take shopping to the next level!" they said.

How about keeping cashiers at the registers and find out where you can stick that 'next level' bullshit.

The three times I tried to use Meijer’s shop and scan, before the machine lets me pay it requests an employee come scan three random things in my cart. Every time they just grab three things from the top. So if I wanted to I could put the expensive stuff on the bottom. It doesn’t save me any time. Just give me a person to scan my stuff and I will bag myself.

The "eye in the sky" thing? Yep, some places have high tech stuff to stop theft.
But:
There has to be a body actually monitoring the system and someone else ready at the point of sale to take action. My experience would appear to be that security and loss prevention staff are undermanned, underpaid and considered low priority in the operation. If I was a cashier I would not want to be in a position to stop theft. Couple that with the fact that many stores prohibit actual physical intervention when a theft occurs. The result is increased loss.

Sadly, it boils down to honesty; and there is a significant slice of society that is dishonest and has no real repercussions for theft. Walmart is famous for basically letting thieves walk out the door rather than having confrontations, thereby passing the losses on to customers in the long run with inflated prices.

I had a buddy that worked loss prevention at our local Wally World. The first time he tried to physically bar a thief seen on camera concealing goods in her purse from leaving the store, he was reprimanded by management. The next time he merely followed thieves doing the same thing until police could arrive and apprehend them. He was threatened with dismissal. He quit in disgust soon after.

quote:

Originally posted by pedropcola:
As for Walmart+, does the plus mean less human trash shopping the aisles? lol`

No, that plan is called Sam's Club.