Retailers across the country have relied on self-checkout kiosks for decades, but some customers still miss traditional checkout counters.

A Walmart customer sharply criticized the discount chain for not offering a smoother payment process – and ended up leaving the store without his shopping cart full of groceries.

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Shopping for everyday items should be smooth and easy.

However, many shoppers have begun venting their grievances on social media, sharply criticising retailers for long queues, new security measures and staff shortages.

“I just walked out of Walmart and left a cart full of groceries,” Albert John shared on Facebook.

“Seems like this Walmart is all about self-scanning tonight and I’m just not going to do their job,” he continued.

Although many self-checkout lanes limit the number of items to 10 to 15 or less, many customers have expressed concerns about retailers’ “over-reliance” on self-checkout lanes.

Customers often complain that discount stores have so few, if any, checkout counters staffed by cashiers that they are forced to stand in long queues or scan dozens of items themselves.

“As I was walking out the door, I told an employee that someone had left a shopping cart full of groceries and pointed toward the self-checkout lanes,” John continued.

“Maybe if I had a couple of items, I might scan them, but we’re talking about $200 worth of groceries, so screw them, they lost me as a customer tonight,” he added.

While many retailers have begun closing self-checkout lanes, citing increasing shoplifting rates as the main reason, several Walmart stores continue to rely on the self-service machines.

However, some shoppers have noticed that many self-checkout lanes are closed or “reserved” for Walmart+ customers during peak business hours.

Despite these changes, Walmart customers still face a lack of regular, cashier-staffed checkout lanes at stores across the country.

Instead, employees crowd the self-checkout kiosks, making sure items are scanned and bagged properly, or they stand near the exit doors, comparing receipts to customers’ purchases.

John’s followers and other Facebook users also shared their thoughts on the self-checkout policy, and largely agreed that he did the right thing by abandoning his shopping cart.

“I hate self-checkout,” commented one user.

“I don’t work there and if you’re missing something, they accuse you of theft,” they added.

“Good for you. I don’t use the self-checkout either. I already have a job,” another user shared.

Some shoppers also expressed concerns about Walmart’s latest policy, which requires customers in certain areas to bring their own reusable bags for their purchases or face being charged a few cents per plastic bag used.

“I completely agree with you. In some Walmarts, not only do you have to open the register yourself, but you also have to bring your own bags and are almost frisked when you leave the store,” complained another customer.

“Bullshit,” they added, complaining about Walmart’s new approach to checking receipts.

“You ruined my business every night. The store really sucks!” another customer agreed.

Still, not everyone was on John’s side, with some users telling him to “stop being a grumpy old man.”

“Stop being a grouch and do the self-scan,” advised one user.

“The Walmarts here in Vancouver have reduced you to a single checkout and give you the choice to stay in the single checkout or go to the self-checkout,” they added.

However, John reacted calmly and agreed that he would not mind using the self-checkout option for a few items or less.

“I would only pay for a few items at the self-checkout, but my cart was half full of groceries and that’s just not what I’m doing,” he replied.

“If I go to another Walmart and they don’t have cashiers, I’ll do the same thing again,” he continued.

“They have all kinds of buyers in the stores filling orders for people who are too lazy to go shopping themselves, but no one to help the idiots who go in and shop themselves,” John added.

John was likely referring to the growing number of Walmart+ subscribers or shoppers who use Walmart associates or third-party apps to purchase their items, which they can then either pick up in-store or curbside or have delivered to their home.

This isn’t the first time Walmart has faced complaints about its self-checkout policies, and it won’t be the last.

The US Sun has asked Walmart for comment.

CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS

Retailers continue to face criticism from customers whose only desire is a more convenient shopping experience.

Target faced similar complaints from customers, especially after limiting self-checkout lanes to 10 to 15 items or less.

Many Walmart stores have followed suit – although probably not the location where John was.

Target also faced new complaints after the company eliminated a popular payment method last month.

Meanwhile, Walmart customers continue to complain that the retailer does not offer a convenient digital payment option in its stores.