I’m not a fan of these, especially as it’s really easy to break them. A while back, I tried to scan some paracetomal and it broke. By “broke” I mean “suffered a complete software collapse and hung on a progress bar”. I have no idea how that happened, but it looked like it was an engineer callout.

Anyway, they all have the same voices. I’d like to think that, much like TomTom, they could have program,able voices. For example Homer could pass comment on things you scan: “mmmm, beer” or “mmmm pie”. Or “someone’s going to get lucky!” if you buy condoms.

I would like them if it wasn't for the constant "unexpected item in the bagging area" crap.

I wonder how much the shops lose due to accidental, and I mean accidental, shoplifting because of the dumbfounded things.

I wonder if the cost is less than what it costs to fund a member of staff to man a till?

That was my thought exactly.

Edit: It's like going to a mechanics, buying all the parts, then having to fix the feckin car yourself. Albeit slightly less demanding.

Only used one once, while Sainsbury's was near closing time and they had no tills manned at all.

It was great, except every other item needed someone to come and sign in to fiddle with it. For example, marked down items and booze.

Most of my in-store shopping is from the marked-down or booze isle

Nothing wrong with that, it's exactly why our freezer is always full.

The GF has a great eye for the discounted items and has been known to harass the staff member with the marking down gun to sticker something she wants to buy rather than hang about waiting.

I like them

I especially like that you can start by scanning a barcode, messing with them by walking past all unused ones and scanning my clubcard in just to annoy them (or get free points)

That's a great idea.

This, it's really irritating.

There is a silly amount of effort needed to reset a purchase when started if only a clubcard was scanned

Best self service machine are the ones in Morrisons, the coin conveyor belt lets you overpay and converts your change before giving it back so you don't have to use a coin star machine or go to the bank

Much likeness of this idea I have.

Oh - thanks for the tip. My local shop is a Morrisons. I’ll have to remember to overpay for something.

+1. It's either that or "Please place the item in the bagging area".

I've found that the best way is the way I hate. Place the lighter items first so they'll register on the scales. Otherwise if you place a six-pack in the bagging area and it weights 1234g it won't always register the pack of paracetamol that you've bought.


A real bug-bear for me. I find it can't deal with reduced price stuff, or it has a tizzy fit if I place something in the bagging area and it can't detect it.

The best ones I have seen (although I can't remember where) just had a bucket slot for coins.

To pay with change you just throw all your money in and it counts it all. You don't have to bother with putting individual coins in a slot or anything.