Do it yourself supermarket checkouts

[fitz]

argh. I hate all those cards too. What a waste.

I usually ask someone else in line if they'd like my 'points' on their card (and I get the special price)...

I complained (jovially) about 'all the cards' to a cashier one day... seems they are trained to say "you know, we have keychain tag cards now, here, we'll set you up"... argh..

[TH2008]

argh. I hate all those cards too. What a waste.

I usually ask someone else in line if they'd like my 'points' on their card (and I get the special price)...

I complained (jovially) about 'all the cards' to a cashier one day... seems they are trained to say "you know, we have keychain tag cards now, here, we'll set you up"... argh..

I tossed my Save-On key chain card in the recycling box.

I am not a big fan of Canadian Tire money either. I give mine to the person behind me. Seems a waste to do so. But heck, they don't give a guy much anyway, cheap b*stards!

Bitch, bitch, bitch, that's all I do

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TH

[swine]

I just thought I would plop out some info on these things because I see a lot of concern over these machines.

1. These machines store no customer information. The machines are what is known as a dumb terminal. The only info stored on the machine is what it needs to operate.
2. The credit/debit machines also are dumb and do not store numbers or customer info.That info is immediately transfered to the financial institution.then removed If one were to be stolen then the thief ends up with a card swipe that is useless, as each one has a unique id hardwired into them and cannot be used anywhere else.
3. I am pretty sure there is no job loss, as they remove two checkouts, usually express lanes, and gain six self serves, which have to have 2 people monitoring them during busy times and at least 1 at all times, much like the express lanes operated in the first place

I am not saying these things are infallible, they are after all designed by humans, but I find them quite convenient, and if I screw up my purchase, as i often do, then I get to talk to a happy smiling cashier who fixes everthing for me!

[3 of 7]

If there is a need for 6 express checkouts let them put in 6 checkouts with people on them.
We pump our own gas, do our own banking, bag our own groceries and cry 'cause there's no jobs for our kids.

[TH2008]

and if I screw up my purchase, as i often do, then I get to talk to a happy smiling cashier who fixes everthing for me!

That's what I do!

But I have only used these machines a few times. I tried one at Canadian Tire as well. It's good if you only have one or two items to ring through.

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TH

[Nostradama]

[*]The credit/debit machines also are dumb and do not store numbers or customer info.That info is immediately transfered to the financial institution.then removed If one were to be stolen then the thief ends up with a card swipe that is useless, as each one has a unique id hardwired into them and cannot be used anywhere else.[*]I am pretty sure there is no job loss, as they remove two checkouts, usually express lanes, and gain six self serves, which have to have 2 people monitoring them during busy times and at least 1 at all times, much like the express lanes operated in the first place

What started to happen about a year ago is that someone takes about two minutes or so to make a change in the swipe machine so that instead of your banking information being transferred to the financial institution, it goes to the scammers. Then they scoop the contents of your bank account. There's no indication at the time you've swiped and purchased that it's happened. The first time you know about it is if you use the card at a later date and discover that there's no money in your account (or you get a bank statement or check your account online.) As I recall, it happened first at Park Royal Shopping Centre in West Vancouver (good location, lots of $$ in West Van) and then spread through the lower mainland. And there was an outbreak of it in the Nanaimo area a few months ago.

I hope that there's no eventual loss of jobs. So many jobs have been lost one way or another that I'm super-sensitive about job losses. I admit I'm a fanatic about it. When I was very active in my union, I had a T-shirt made up that said in BIG letters: "Never trust middle management." And I still don't.

[fitz]

If there is a need for 6 express checkouts let them put in 6 checkouts with people on them.
We pump our own gas, do our own banking, bag our own groceries and cry 'cause there's no jobs for our kids.

*applause*

Also, there is NO way that they are not collecting data from us in some manner with the points cards, here it is right from Overwaitea Food Group website:

Any data that we might collect is used to customize your experience at our store.

We may share information in an anonymous aggregate form, such as percentage of OFG shoppers who shop on Mondays or the number of OFG shoppers who purchase a specific product.

OFG will disclose and transfer personal information to its agents for processing and to assist OFG in its day-to-day business activities and administration.

* OFG will only collect, use and disclose the personal information necessary for its day-to-day administration, reward programs and to enable OFG to:

*understand the needs of customers, their preferences and to establish and maintain a commercial relationship with customers of OFG and to provide customers with ongoing service

*determine the demand for products which OFG makes available for sale to customers

*provide you with information about products and services offered by OFG, and

*enable OFG to more efficiently and effectively operate, manage and develop its business

[TH2008]

*applause*

Also, there is NO way that they are not collecting data from us in some manner with the points cards, here it is right from Overwaitea Food Group website:

"Any data that we might collect is used to customize your experience at our store."

HAHAHA!

Yeah, right! Customize, huh? Sure, customize the prices accordingly to make a lot of money for Jimmy.

I believe we are talking about sophisticated computer technology that is designed and used in such a way to bring in the maximum profit for the company. That's my view of this. And I don't think I am far off.

Oh, and this part, "enable OFG to more efficiently and effectively operate, manage and develop its business"

Rrrrrrrrrrright! Just as I suspected - bring in the bucks, baby! And I guess there is nothing wrong with that. But I wish they would just say so!

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TH

[TH2008]

Also, I was at Chevron gas yesterday, and they asked for my Save On More points card. So, I suppose my experience at Chevron is also being "customized".

Hmmm......

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TH

[nanaimochic]

The thing that drives me nuts about a lot of these grocery stores, etc., is they want you to have their card so you can get the deals. I have a Save-On card. Safeway made me get one too. I think Coop gas also wanted me to get one. How many bloody cards can I stick in my wallet? Sheesh! Just give me the deal - and to hell with the cards!

Also, I think in the long run, stores like Save-On who have these cards make more money. They are able to tell what a person shops for and at what time and they can jack up the prices accordingly via sophisticated computer technology. Hence I believe it's just a rip off.
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TH

Drives me nuts too! Only good thing is if you shop at Quality Foods they will donate your points to charity (something Save on Foods refuses to do now).Consequently I only shop at Quality Foods now!