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I’ve never been a big fan of Wal-Mart, for many different reasons, but their relatively new practice of replacing part of their check-out stands with these ’self-service’ kiosks is a step beyond.

A new Wal-Mart super center opened a few months ago and about a forth of their check out stands are the self-serve variety. I work in the tech field, so I’m by no stretch of the imagination a Luddite, but I was very skeptical that it could be that easy to check out with no assistance.

Unfortunately, I was right (or maybe it’s just me).

After taking about 25 items up to one of these kiosks from hell, I started scanning the different items through.

“Bzzt! An error has occurred, please summon a cashier. ”

This error was because I hadn’t moved all the items off the ledge past the scanner (which I found out was actually a scale that measures the weight of the items scanned. ) I had to put everything in bags AS I scanned them.

I continued on,..

“Bzzt! An error has occurred, please summon a cashier, or replace the user with someone that can perform simple actions. ”

This error was caused because something I scanned didn’t show up in their system. The cashier was nice enough to swipe her card, input the UPC code, input her security ID, lookup the price, override the price and input the price printed on the sale tag on the item, then log out, re-enable the kiosk, and walk back to her little station with an amused smile on her face.

Again, I start the scanning of items.

“Bzzt! An error has occurred. Are you sure you’re smart enough to be allowed out by yourself?? Should you be allowing your Mommy to do this instead?!??”

At this point, both I and the Checkout Gal are both getting a bit peeved. She comes over and does the whole override/reset/re-enable stuff and leaves in a slight huff.

By this time, All I have to do is run my CC through the machine to get away. I swipe the card through, starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I start to grab the bags and prepare to leave while the transaction completes…

“Bzzt!!!”

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