I Made An Anthopological Observation In Tescos

[Booldawg]

As someone in their mid 40s I tend not to use the self-service checkouts as I'd sooner be served by a real person - even if the SC checkouts are clear and there's a queue at the 'real person' checkouts.

I notice its the opposite with younger people; they'd sooner go self service even if 'real person' checkouts are free.

Does this mean that older people are technophobes, younger people would sooner deal with a computer, or both?!

[jim360]

I'd say you need a larger data sample to be sure of the stats here. For myself I tend to take whichever is free first, with a slight preference towards manned checkouts just on the off-chance that there is a technical hitch, or perhaps on occasion I'll want change in a specific way, or something. Not sure if this is typical for youngsters or not.

Interesting observations, though.

[mccfluff]

i go where the shortest queue is, although if i've got anything dodgy on me i'll go manned as its quicker than waiting for someone to come and not bother to ask my age....

[wolf63]

It depends what mood I am in. I have found that PMS plus self-scan is an explosive combination.

[ivor4781]

im 60 plus !! I prefer self service but then im a techno freak
btw mid 40s old ? lol

[douglas9401]

Operative every time and yes, you can give me a 'hand to pack'. :-)

[sandyRoe]

I don't like it when charity volunteers offer to help you pack the shopping. Somebody should teach them to put the heavy stuff in the bags first.
I'd go for the shortest queue.

[Svejk]

I always use the machines. Why would I want to talk to some half-wit sat behind a till?

[Butterbun]

I prefer the manned checkouts, and I never ever allow charity volunteers to pack my goods. The last time they did my trifle ended up upside down, got pierced, and leaked all over everything in that bag.

[andy-hughes]

Svejk - //I always use the machines. Why would I want to talk to some half-wit sat behind a till? //

I'm glad the superior cultural stereotyping machine is in good hands this morning!

[andy-hughes]

wolf63 - //It depends what mood I am in. I have found that PMS plus self-scan is an explosive combination. //

That made me laugh out loud!

[wolf63]

andy - your family is overflowing with females so I know that you understand

:-)

[grasscarp]

I (nearly always now) go to manned checkouts even if there is a wait.
Reason - I dont want to have to wait for a person to verify I am over 18 and can be trusted with a bottle of wine.
I dont want to hear the dreaded words Unexpected item in the bagging area.
I dont want my fake one pound coins to drop out the bottom of a machine - assistant doesnt test for fakes.
I dont want a machine to prompt me to take my items. I will do it when I am ready.
How many more reasons do you want Booldawg? I once had the machine assistant have to help with ALL my purchases!

[ABSpareEditor]

Depends on the shop for me, and how much shopping I have - I find that some self-service checkouts have more room to pack than others.

Also if I'm on my own, I prefer self-service because I can take my time a bit more and don't have the person on the till already scanning the next person's stuff and making me feel rushed before I'm ready to move out of the way - very annoying!

[New Judge]

I used a self-scan checkout in B&Q once to buy a tin of paint. The till charged me for a wheelbarrow, the machine made all sorts of Dalek-like noises, flashing red lights came on, I waited two or three minutes for an attendant to sort it out, she couldn't so I walked out leaving behind my paint (or was it a wheelbarrow?) I haven't used one since.

I've spent my working life using all sorts of modern machinery and electronic wizardry and I'm by no means a Luddite or a technophobe. But I am not going to ponce about scanning goods that I have had to find, load into a trolley, unload onto a belt, reload onto my trolley and cart to my car. It's not too much to ask of the store to provide a staff member to scan the goods for me whilst I pack them and any that don't do not deserve (or will be granted) my custom.

[Prudie]

I absolutely always use the self-sevice in Tesco and everywhere else I come across them (and I'm well over the 40 mark). Much prefer that to a manned till where undoubtedly a very politely trained person will ask me how my day is going when they probably don't give a hoot.

[jno]

till operators are far too busy round here to be talkative. I prefer the human interaction of self-service because something always goes wrong and I get to chat to the person who comes to sort it out.

[Captain2]

Please don't tar us all with the same brush (as I'm sure BOO will agree).
Yes we have to ask the same inane questions (Do you want any bags?, are you OK with your packing?, etc) but that is company policy.
I usually do two shifts a week on tills and love the interaction I can have with the regulars that I've come to know. I know who to have fun with, who to ask about family members, etc.
As for being a 'half-wit' well I ran my own business successfully for 25+ years, consider myself well read, enjoy my crosswords and like to think I'm a social person. The chap behind me today plays Bridge to international standards and there are others of similar standings.
Rant over (but don't come to my till please).

[Jackdaw33]

Loose goods, which have to be weighed, must cost them a fortune. Unless an assistant is standing over you, what's to stop you weighing a pound of apples and putting it through as potatoes?

[Captain2]

Very true Jackdaw. We had a woman the other day pick up a large piece of beef and try to weigh it through the self scan as carrots or something in the hope that the supervisors would think all was above board because she was paying for something.

[Stephen_G]

I'm 42 and would rather use the self-service machines. I don't want to speak to anyone in a Supermarket (Unless I know them personally).