An angry Walmart customer has slammed a controversial self-checkout policy that has raised alarm bells.
Walmart’s recent decision to limit the number of self-checkout counters in some stores to 15 items or less has sparked anger among customers.
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Gene Small complained on social media about a recent experience he had at a store.
“ATTENTION WALMART CUSTOMERS!” began his post on Facebook.
“We have four things on our list. We ended up with 20 things in our cart. We go to the checkout and use the self-checkout, just like we’ve been forced to do for the past few years.”
Small was shopping with his wife when they noticed a sign indicating that a maximum of 15 items could be dispensed at all self-service checkouts.
“I look down the line and see that a few checkouts are open but full of lines,” explains Small.
He and his wife were just about to check and pack their purchases at a self-service checkout when they suddenly stopped.
“As we scan the sixteenth article, lights flash, bells ring and a salesperson’s child with blue hair and what looked like a bone in her nose informed us that we needed to go to the checkout because we had too many items.”
“We say that’s OK, we’ll only pay for what we’ve already typed and packed and make a separate transaction for the remaining five items,” explains Small.
He claims the Walmart employee told him that they were unable to complete two consecutive transactions.
“So now they’re not only paying people to watch you check and bag your groceries so you don’t steal, but now they’re paying someone to watch you don’t buy too many dog treats!” he exclaimed.
“Walmart Hell saved the day.”
Small is not the only shopper annoyed by this item limit policy.
Others also expressed their frustration on social media.
Although the policy does not apply nationwide, those who have learned about it are not happy.
“I’m all for following the rules, but if you’re going to limit self-checkout to 15 items or less, you should employ more than two cashiers,” said one shopper on X.
Some have even threatened to do business elsewhere if this policy continues.
“Walmart forced us to use the self-checkout. Now you want 15 items or less… we don’t want lines at the checkout lines. You want me to count my items? No. Make sure there are enough employees at the checkout lines,” wrote another frustrated customer.
Latest changes to self-checkout
Retailers are developing their self-checkout strategies to shorten checkout times and reduce theft.
Walmart customers were shocked when self-checkout lanes at several locations were made available only to Walmart+ members.
Other customers reported that the self-checkout lanes were closed at certain times and more cashiers were offered instead.
While customers feared that shoplifting was the reason for the changes, a Walmart spokesperson said store managers were simply experimenting with ways to improve checkout performance.
One bizarre experiment involved an RFID-supported self-checkout kiosk that was intended to eliminate the hotly contested receipt check.
However, this test run was discontinued.
At Target, the number of items at self-checkout lanes is limited.
Last fall, the brand tested new express self-checkout lanes with a maximum of 10 items in 200 stores to increase convenience.
Starting in March 2024, this policy will be expanded to 2,000 stores in the United States.
Customers have also noticed that their local Walmart stores are limiting the number of customers at self-checkout lanes to 15 items or less.
“I use self-checkouts or spend more at (Aldi) and Lidl and Bjs,” they added.
“I’m done! Walmart, you can kiss me goodbye! It would have taken me five minutes or less to check out my own items and there’s someone standing there watching us… what a stupid move on your part!” said one angry customer.
Walmart is not the only retailer to have recently implemented such a policy.
Target introduced a policy of selling no more than ten items in March of this year, and customers there weren’t impressed either.
“Man, I really hate that the self-checkout at Target is now only for 10 items or less,” one angry shopper wrote on Facebook.
“Who leaves Target with less than 10 items?!”
“Target showing 10 items or less at the self-checkout is the worst police action ever,” said another customer.
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