Self-checkout etiquette - is it rude to start scanning while someone else is still there?

[bcla]

This was a new one for me. I was done scanning but had all my stuff on the platform next to the scanner. As soon as I pull out the receipt, there’s someone right there scanning items. I didn’t say anything, but it felt really uncomfortable. It certainly didn’t seem normal.

I’ve been waiting before, and always made sure that it was unoccupied before scanning. But in this case I was still collecting my stuff.

 

[gatorlisa]

Yeah, I would find that rude. The person should be able to pack up their stuff and move away from the self checkout before the next person begins on their order.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

That's not polite. The person should have waited until your items were bagged and you were walking away from the self-check station. Plus, if they started scanning their items. where did they intend to put them when yours were still on the counter?

 

[BayouQueen]

I think it's rude to crowd someone. I had to make that decision just this week. A person was taking a really long time getting organized to move on. I could have moved forward to the scanner and started, but didn't think that was the right thing to do.

 

[fly girl]

Agree with the others, it’s impolite. Just wait a few moments until the last customer finishes up.

I get we are all in a hurry, but that’s common courtesy. It’s not like you were hangin’ around for fun.

 

[DLgal]

That wouldn't even work at most places I do self checkout. Those damn scales are so sensitive if you breathe on them wrong they will yell at you.

Yeah, it was rude of that person to cram in like that before you had cleared your purchases off the platform.

 

[VFL]

Yes, definitely rude. I would have said something to the effect of “excuse me, I’m not quite finished yet”

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Super weird and just as annoying as the people that cram all their stuff on the belt behind yours without one of those bars and are breathing down your neck while you pay. Once I asked the lady if she was paying for my groceries because she was closer to the credit card machine than I was!

 

[disykat]

Like DLgal I can't believe it actually worked with weight still on the sensor!

Very rude. You shouldn't even step up to the a self check station until it is unoccupied. Those stations generally aren't made for two people. The only place I know of where that would work is Costco. Their shelf check station have really long counters so you could feasibly be packing up at the very end.

 

[tvguy]

IF.......you could do that here, I would consider it rude. The self check stands here wouldn't let that happen if there is anything in the bagging area. It would lock up the checkout and tell you "unexpected item in the bagging area".

 

[China Expat]

Weird and rude

 

[Mysterian]

Same happened to me, in one of those long conveyor self-checkouts. I’m still bagging and finishing up, they’re scanning like they have room to start bagging their own stuff. What to do? Pretend like you’re suddenly trying not to hurl, see if they step back?

Even at the smaller self-checkouts, I had a guy who instead of waiting in the main line, decided to just walk up behind me and wait.

Pitch invaders? We need to advocate against Self-checkout Invaders.

 

[Mysterian]

I think it's rude to crowd someone. I had to make that decision just this week. A person was taking a really long time getting organized to move on. I could have moved forward to the scanner and started, but didn't think that was the right thing to do.

Slow check-out people can be unintentionally painful too, especially if they have to focus on their phone and delay checkout for a line of people.

Or when someone has a million coupons, or they’re sorting through every panel and pocket of their pocketbook, trying multiple gift cards, stopping to pull out of a photo of young Simon “he’s getting so big!”, then Judy “just like her mother!” then ooo! Shoney‘s coupon from 1991!

It’s bad when you’re still there, flipping through the third check-out aisle magazine like this was a doctor’s office.

 

[goofyernmost]

I think you have to consider both sides of this story. We are hearing one. What were you doing? I'm having a hard time picturing the scene. When I am self scanning, I am also bagging and putting stuff back in the cart as I go. When I get the receipt everything is off the platform and in the cart so I can just head away instantly. Were you standing in the way chatting with someone or on your phone or something else that created a situation that someone would feel the desire to move you along? If someone else started scanning where did they put their stuff after it was scanned?

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

When I am self scanning, I am also bagging and putting stuff back in the cart as I go. When I get the receipt everything is off the platform and in the cart so I can just head away instantly.

I wish I could do this. Most of the self checkout around here, it goes off of weight and tells you to put the bag back. So, I end up bagging on the little platform and then trying to quickly move my bags once it's processing my credit card.

Even if the person was being slow to unload, actually starting your transaction when they have stuff up there is very rude. If you want to move the person along, maybe you walk over and offer to help get their things into the cart? You don't actually start scanning your stuff!

 

[_19disnA]

Yes, it is rude and and the way ours works at the grocery store not even sure you could do that. I believe at our grocery store the prior customer has to empty the scales of their purchased items before the next transaction can begin. I know you must immediately place any scanned item into the bags or else it gives you an error message. Our grocery store installed those vertical clear plastic sheets between the check-out areas when covid first started and they are still there, so it is clearly only big enough for one person at a time. Not sure how the person gains anything by crowding you out of the area and is invading your personal space. I find since covid most people are far more aware of not crowding close together whenever they are in line. Self-checkout is good if you have a few items, but the overly sensitive scales are a nuisance if you have lots of items and/or need to shift the bagged items around. Another example where what seemed like great idea in theory doesn't actually work as well in the real world. Walmart has several of them and I only use it if buying a few items.

I would probably also say to the person.............'excuse me I'm not finished yet'.

 

[mamamary]

Before my local grocery store renovated the person behind you could start because they didn’t have the scale for the bags area. It happened a few times where I’d still be packing and their groceries would co-mingle with mine. So I started bagging before paying so they couldn’t scan. Now all the stores self checkout are different so it would be next to impossible to do that which is good. Once or twice the person behind me would apologize and say they didn’t realize I was still bagging.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

Boundaries!

People need to learn them!

 

[John VN]

I think you have to consider both sides of this story. We are hearing one. What were you doing? I'm having a hard time picturing the scene.When I am self scanning, I am also bagging and putting stuff back in the cart as I go. When I get the receipt everything is off the platform and in the cart so I can just head away instantly. Were you standing in the way chatting with someone or on your phone or something else that created a situation that someone would feel the desire to move you along? If someone else started scanning where did they put their stuff after it was scanned?

This was a new one for me. I was done scanning but had all my stuff on the platform next to the scanner. As soon as I pull out the receipt, there’s someone right there scanning items. I didn’t say anything, but it felt really uncomfortable. It certainly didn’t seem normal.

I’ve been waiting before, and always made sure that it was unoccupied before scanning. But in this case I was still collecting my stuff.

I scan and into the bag I bring or into the plastic bag and cart so when receipt comes out it's grab and go and never leave scanned items next to scanner.

 

[ronandannette]

Slow check-out people can be unintentionally painful too, especially if they have to focus on their phone and delay checkout for a line of people.

Or when someone has a million coupons, or they’re sorting through every panel and pocket of their pocketbook, trying multiple gift cards, stopping to pull out of a photo of young Simon “he’s getting so big!”, then Judy “just like her mother!” then ooo! Shoney‘s coupon from 1991!

It’s bad when you’re still there, flipping through the third check-out aisle magazine like this was a doctor’s office.

Yes - especially when the area is busy. I was at a big-box grocer the other day and their self-scan area has 8 kiosks all arranged together. You line up in one long line and it feeds to the next open kiosk AND there's a voice recording that says "Thank you for using self-check out" very loudly when each transaction is finished. I advanced towards one of the units as a lady was tearing off her receipt and presumably within seconds of wheeling her cart away, only to have her stop dead in front of the machine and spend another three or four minutes examining her receipt and then debating it with the attendant. I didn't want to get too close so I ended up stranded there as others in line behind me advanced to other machines as they became available. Awkward.