Text 21708, 128 rader
Skriven 2009-03-09 16:57:56 av hap newsom (1:124/311)
     Kommentar till en text av DAVE SACERDOTE
Ärende: RE: Computerized checkouts
==================================
Hey Dave!

-> DSh> I refuse to use computerized checkouts.
-> 
-> DS> Why?
-> 
-> HN> I also refuse to use them...because there's 
-> HN> no benefit to me. 
-> 
-> The most tangible benefit to me is that I get to speedily
-> check myself out without waiting in a line.  
-> 
I am seldom in that much of a hurry. I don't mind
waiting in line.

-> HN> The store gets to eliminate
-> HN> a checker or two,
-> 
-> At the two supermarkets in my home town where self-service
-> checkouts are in use, they were installed in ADDITION to
-> the full-service checkouts; no jobs were lost.  In fact, 
-> additional people were retained, because there is one
-> cashier specifically assigned to oversee the self-service
-> checkouts, rendering assistance as needed (whether with
-> recalcitrant items or to bag for the customers if they
-> wish.)
-> 
I don't see it that way at all. While the self 
checkouts exist in tandem with the full 
service ones, a clerk is not needed for
each station. In fact most of the places
around here that used to have them
have taken them out..Fred Meyer still
has them and that's the only food 
place I think that does. Lowes and 
home despot have them and most 
folks (here at least) simply ignore them.
-> 
-> HN> and they get me to do their
-> HN> work for them. 
-> 
-> As I noted, your labor isn't used as a replacement for
-> anyone.  It simply offers you another checkout option
-> (one which you choose not to exercise.)
->
I choose not to exercise it because I
don't accept your position that I'm not
doing the clerk's job. 
 
-> HN> If they were to offer a cash discount
-> HN> if you used the computerized checkout I might 
-> HN> consider it.
-> 
-> Non sequitur.  All checkouts are computerized.  The only
-> difference is that you, rather than a cashier, are passing
-> items over the scanner.
->
Exactly....I am performing the clerk's job.
 
-> Supermarkets already operate on razor-thin margins.  I
-> can't imagine that there is much cash savings in offering
-> self-service checkouts, especially because - as I noted
-> earlier - they augment, rather than replace, employee-operated
-> checkout lanes.
-> 
If there weren't cash savings in offering the
service...they would not be offering it. As you
pointed out they already run on razor thin margins.
And as you have pointed out before, they have
no qualms about cutting a corner here and there
to augment that margin. Here Fred Meyer was sued
for selling meat by weight....but they were weighing
the meat and the packaging together..so they were 
selling packaging to you at meat prices. Cost em a
bunch of money in settlement, and even more in 
good will as folks refused to buy meat there unless
it was reweighed  in front of them.
-> 
-> HN> I don't use ATM's either, I need 
-> HN> cash I go to the Bank and see a teller and 
-> HN> get some of my money. Sure if I want $$
-> HN> on Sunday night I'm outta luck..but if 
-> HN> I can't use a credit card or don't have 
-> HN> the cash...I'll wait.
-> 
-> Why?
->
Because that's the way I want to do
it. I don't like ATM's don't like the additional
charges, don't like pin numbers and don't like
standing out in the open waiting for money 
to fall out of a machine. Here in Washington
more muggings are happening at ATM's than
almost any other location.
 
-> My whole family is on a first-name basis with every employee of
-> the bank branch where we do all of our banking.  But I still use
-> the ATMs when necessary.  On particularly busy days at the bank,
-> I can walk past the line to use the ATM and still wave "hello"
-> at the tellers, who smile and wave back.
->
Same here I know all of them, they all know
me. And if everyone used the ATM you can
bet they'd let em...
 
-> What purpose is served by deliberately inconveniencing yourself?
->
What inconvenience? I don't feel inconvenienced. 
 
-> Just out of curiosity, do you only go to full-service 
-> gas pumps?  Because that is a TRUE example of a self-
-> service option that does indeed cost jobs.
-> 
The nearest full service gas station is over
200 miles away....in Oregon, where it's against
the law to pump your own gas. I'd wager that 
in Washington state, you could not find 3 
full service gas stations. You would have a 
hard time finding free air or water at one 
too. In fact I don't think I've seen a gas
station with a work bay and car hoist
in several years.  Now they're all "mini marts".
Most don't even have a bathroom. 
-> 
Chat with you soon!
hap 
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