What did you do in the garden today?

[Sequel]

I rarely use the self checkout machines. Write a check for your purchase? Major hassle!

The only times I have is when there are long waits in the express line and there is an employee who waved me over and essentially did it for me.

 

[gtaus]

The only times I have is when there are long waits in the express line and there is an employee who waved me over and essentially did it for me.

Our local WalMart has eliminated almost all the lanes where they have someone to check out your items. Out of 20 lanes, they might have 2 staffed by a checkout person. Usually, those lines are backed up with people who have one or more full shopping carts to check out. No such thing as an express lane anymore - it's self-checkout now.

 

[dirkandlorie]

Our local WalMart has eliminated almost all the lanes where they have someone to check out your items. Out of 20 lanes, they might have 2 staffed by a checkout person. Usually, those lines are backed up with people who have one or more full shopping carts to check out. No such thing as an express lane anymore - it's self-checkout now.

After I retired I worked as a cashier at Walmart. They purposely pulled the fastest cashiers off the registers, made us put up stock, handle returns, anything to force long lines so people would use self check. Self check attendees were directed to pull people from lines and help them check out, so that customers would become used to the DIY checkouts. Why any business would want to pay a cashier 12-15 dollars an hour when they can bamboozle the customers into doing it themselves is beyond me. Smart business practices! And any customer who chose to do self check contributed to the demise of cashier positions, perhaps unknowingly, perhaps uncaring, who knows. But the days of lots of cashiers who took pride in taking care of the customers is over.

 

[gtaus]

Why any business would want to pay a cashier 12-15 dollars an hour when they can bamboozle the customers into doing it themselves is beyond me. Smart business practices!

I suspect most people are honest and will checkout their items without any problems. But I have heard of some people who scan a cheap item and toss an expensive item in their bag. That, and other tricks they use to steal goods at the self-checkouts. I guess WalMart figures that the self-checkout theft is still less than how much they paid cashiers.

But the days of lots of cashiers who took pride in taking care of the customers is over.

It used to be a good job for lots of people. I hate to see the cashier jobs being gone forever.

Not to complain about WalMart all the time, but the last 2 times I went there to buy something, it was only available online. They don't even stock the items I wanted in the store anymore.

Years ago, our WalMart used to get good plants for gardening. I don't know what happened to them, but they are the worst place to buy garden plants for the past 5 years. They really went downhill. Dear Wife gets her plants at Home Depot, Menards, or our local nursery. WalMart's not even considered anymore.

I don't think I have purchased any gardening supplies from WalMart for the past 5 years, or maybe longer. They just don't seem to want to compete in that market anymore.

 

[dirkandlorie]

I suspect most people are honest and will checkout their items without any problems. But I have heard of some people who scan a cheap item and toss an expensive item in their bag. That, and other tricks they use to steal goods at the self-checkouts. I guess WalMart figures that the self-checkout theft is still less than how much they paid cashiers.



It used to be a good job for lots of people. I hate to see the cashier jobs being gone forever.

Not to complain about WalMart all the time, but the last 2 times I went there to buy something, it was only available online. They don't even stock the items I wanted in the store anymore.

Years ago, our WalMart used to get good plants for gardening. I don't know what happened to them, but they are the worst place to buy garden plants for the past 5 years. They really went downhill. Dear Wife gets her plants at Home Depot, Menards, or our local nursery. WalMart's not even considered anymore.

I don't think I have purchased any gardening supplies from WalMart for the past 5 years, or maybe longer. They just don't seem to want to compete in that market anymore.

You are exactly right on all of it. The theft is less than cashier wages, workers comp, etc. and they don't have to worry about employees not showing up, not doing a good job, etc. And their target competition is amazon, has been for the last 8 years, a d that's the direction they're taking. Heard of Wal-Mart plus yet? Very similar to Amazon prime, free deliveries a d all.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Walmart and other retailers like them have been trying for years to get rid of cashiers. My MIL refuses to use self checkout. Sadly the only thing that will change the mind of these retailers is to vote with your feet and only buy from establishments that have real cashiers.

 

[dirkandlorie]

Walmart and other retailers like them have been trying for years to get rid of cashiers. My MIL refuses to use self checkout. Sadly the only thing that will change the mind of these retailers is to vote with your feet and only buy from establishments that have real cashiers.

You're right, but the big companies will always follow the money. Right now that's the young kids and online purchases. Us older folks might have money, but we have too much sense to fritter it away like today's kids do. We ha e too much common sense to be swayed by the advertising for whatever the latest and greatest thing is. Our not shopping there will not impact them in any way. We're not their target customer.
And to make sure this is about gardening like its supposed to be, I vow to keep growing all the food I can, so I spend even less at big companies! Not a great year in the garden, but grateful for all I've pulled out a d put up so far.

 

[MotherofOrpies]

I am grateful we still have cashier’s here, there already are self checkout maschines here too, but if at all, only 20%, and people usually only use them when the line is too long at the regular cashiers

 

[gtaus]

Our not shopping there will not impact them in any way. We're not their target customer.

I seem to have aged into that demographic that retailers really don't care about. When I was younger, I wondered why older people did not buy as much stuff. Now that I'm older, I find that I bought lots of good tools and stuff 30 years ago, took good care of them, and don't need to buy new stuff. In fact, some things were just flat out made better years ago and made to last, whereas today the replacement might be total junk in comparison.

My suggestion for young gardeners is to buy the highest quality tools you can afford, take good care of them, and chances are you will still be using them many years from now when you get to be my age. I'm still using shovels, axes, wheelbarrows, and other stuff purchased 30+ years ago and would not trade them in for a new replacement of inferior quality.

Having said that, I'm also at an age where if I do have to replace something, I might just buy a cheap item because I know I don't have 30 years ahead of me.

 

[pennyJo1960]

We bought a mower from old guy old sears yard king runs like a top.
New tires a trailer it can pull easy.