IKEA Gets Rid Of Self-Checkouts
Posted: September 20th, 2012, 8:28 pm
IKEA has finally gotten rid of self-checkout. If you have ever been to IKEA you know what a disaster self-checkout is at IKEA.
IKEA is a furniture store and when you do self-checkout it is very difficult to scan the barcodes on heavy pieces of furniture. The scanners were awful. You had to hold scanner in just the right way. The scanner didn't even work if you held it closer than 6 inches to the barcode. There were never any signs telling customers about this. There were long lines at the self-checkout units and the haggard employee at the self checkout area had to constantly run from self checkout to the next self checkout and explain everything to each customer. If there is a problem during self checkout the self checkout unit locks up and tells the customer to wait for an employee to come over and reset the machine.
This was such a waste of time. The time spent sorting out all the problems and fixing the locked out self checkout units could have been better spent by having more cashiers. At some times of the day they didn't even have any regular cashiers at the checkouts. They tried to get everyone to use the self checkout units and the lines were so long.
Self checkout really does not work at a furniture store with various huge items that are difficult to move and position in order to scan.
Finally, there can be some sanity at the checkout lanes at IKEA.
Companies try to save money by getting rid of cashiers for machines. Then they create all sorts of delays and long lines. Customers are unhappy. The few employees looking over the self checkout machines are unhappy and the lines just keep getting backed up.
Enough with these self checkout machines. Bring back customer service and bring back employees who will bag your purchases for you. If I am paying money at the store, I expect someone to bag my items. I am not working as a bagger for free.
IKEA is a furniture store and when you do self-checkout it is very difficult to scan the barcodes on heavy pieces of furniture. The scanners were awful. You had to hold scanner in just the right way. The scanner didn't even work if you held it closer than 6 inches to the barcode. There were never any signs telling customers about this. There were long lines at the self-checkout units and the haggard employee at the self checkout area had to constantly run from self checkout to the next self checkout and explain everything to each customer. If there is a problem during self checkout the self checkout unit locks up and tells the customer to wait for an employee to come over and reset the machine.
This was such a waste of time. The time spent sorting out all the problems and fixing the locked out self checkout units could have been better spent by having more cashiers. At some times of the day they didn't even have any regular cashiers at the checkouts. They tried to get everyone to use the self checkout units and the lines were so long.
Self checkout really does not work at a furniture store with various huge items that are difficult to move and position in order to scan.
Finally, there can be some sanity at the checkout lanes at IKEA.
Companies try to save money by getting rid of cashiers for machines. Then they create all sorts of delays and long lines. Customers are unhappy. The few employees looking over the self checkout machines are unhappy and the lines just keep getting backed up.
Enough with these self checkout machines. Bring back customer service and bring back employees who will bag your purchases for you. If I am paying money at the store, I expect someone to bag my items. I am not working as a bagger for free.