Reusable Bags & The Self Checkout
June 13, 2008 by Peggy
The people who program those self checkout machines should be allowing for bringing your own bags. If they can ask for your Kroger card, etc., then they can ask if you have your own bags. Until that happens, you can:
1. Scan an item, then put it in your reusable bag. Put the bag with first item on the bagging area (with the scale). After that, you can fill that bag, then repeat the process with your next bag. This should work unless you’re dealing with an overly sensitive scale.
2. Put all your bags in the bagging area, then ask the attendant to reset the scale for you. This is easier than method #1, but involves asking someone for help.
3. Totally avoid self checkouts like I do! I hate them, but I have used method #1 with success.
Basically, if your store seems to force the self checkout by having too few cashiers, don’t let that stop you from taking your own bags. The stores need to adjust to changing consumer habits.
How do you deal with self checkouts and your own bags?
Image via flickr.
Yeah, I’m not so sure just yet about how to conquer the self-check-out scale myself. I almost tried it the other day, but balked at the last minute and waited in line. I’ll have to give it another shot and see what I can come up with…
And yeah, awesome month trend! I wrote up a shopping bags fact list as well, if you wanted to check it out.
Hey Reuse This Bag! Great facts list. I think many people are still unaware that paper bags are actually a worse solution than plastic ones. Recycled paper bags may be better though.
I load everything on the shelf, then when done with the order, pop it into the bags that are already open and waiting in the cart.
This helps in two ways:
1. You’re not wrestling with the stupid weight detector at all. You end up fighting with it even when using their bags.
2. The bags are open and waiting, you don’t have to fight with stupid plastic ones that are stuck together.
That’s a great idea Julie. Does it annoy people behind you in line? Anytime I’ve used those things the person behind me is about to run me over to go next.
I’ve been a cashier for so long that I can go thru the self-checkout ones faster than most cashier can ring me up, I love them. I usually do #1 and go. But I do wish there was a way to get credit for bringing my own bag, the only place that does it here is our Fry’s, the Walmart and Safeway don’t do it yet.
Peggy- No, because you move faster. When you use the plastic bags, you hear the machine tell you )or other customers) ‘Please place the item back in the bag’ even before you’ve had time to actually get it in!
So by quickly placing it on the shelf, then bagging it in your cart, you’re done and out of the way faster than others who sometimes have less items!
Julie, that makes sense. The stores I’ve been shopping lately don’t have the self checks, but I may give it a try at Kroger soon! Thanks.
I think the self check-out lanes should not only offer a discount for me bringing my own bags (the don’t here on LI) but also for MY LABOR! By having me check-out myself – I am the de facto employee – guess what – working for free!
I avoid those lines – I think they never save time – and do not give the shopper enough time to bag the groceries properly.
sk – I agree. It saves them money! : )
I was soo happy today when I went to a Real Canadian Superstore and used the self checkout. It gives you the option of placing your own bags/boxes on the scale before proceeding! Its one of many stores that now charges for plastic bags.
Before that I did what Julie did.
Wilson, I’m so glad to hear that! I’m still mostly avoiding the self-checks.