Self-Check Out

The other day I had an odd experience at the grocery store. It all started when I walked in. For some reason, I set the alarm off walking in. I paused, shocked, and looked around. No one seemed to want to check me or my large purse. I realized their were no baskets so I would need to go back outside to get a cart. On my way out, the alarm rang again. Really weird. But no one even looked my direction. My way back in I didn't even pause at the alarm...obviously no one cared.
Then for the next odd part.Remember when grocery stores had express lanes? Ten items or less allowed you to bypass those with a cart full of items. But someone had a great idea to create a self checkout line. It must have sounded like a good idea on paper...they don't have to pay anyone to scan the groceries. We feel special because we get to quickly scan groceries. Up until a few days ago, my only annoyance with them was the constant "skip bagging?" alert every time I bought a light weight item. But was this really a good idea?
I was at the store at a peak time 5pm on a weekday to pick up a few items. Since express lanes no longer exist and too many people were buying a months supply of groceries, I opted for the self checkout. They had 6 "lanes" total, so I did not mind the four people with almost empty carts waiting in front of me. The "supervisor" was busy wiping down a few of the "lanes" that I quickly realized were not turned on. Only 3 were on and open, only 1 for my line. Even though the store was packed and lines were growing quickly, the others were not turned on. But they were very clean when she was done with them. The few people in front of me were obviously annoyed. I saw the women a few people in front of me had flowers and I wondered how long that would take to scan and price check. To my surprise, the flowers scanned find. But it was a different story for the bottled water. The "supervisor" walked by them without helping. After repeated attempts to scan the water, the women just shrugged their shoulders and placed the water in their basket anyway. They smiled at each other and laughed awkwardly. These otherwise innocent 40 year old women had to resort to stealing! (Ok, they did not have to, but those behind them in line were not willing to wait for the supervisor to come back and help them, so no one told on them).
The next person had even more trouble. The supervisor had to enter her code three times. Not one time did she check to see why she was entering the code. I think it was an innocent mistake, but I am pretty sure the man did not scan one of his three 12-packs of cola.
I waited 15 minutes for my turn to purchase my seven items, and as I walked out the doors, the alarm went off again. I could have fit almost anything in that big purse of mine. No one stopped me or even looked my direction, so I just kept on going. I couldn't help but think how I could have saved 15 minutes and a few dollars had I just filled my purse with the items and walked out. Or waited in my line but skipped the scan for my higher priced item. Of course, I would never, but I wondered how many do fall to the temptation, or at least how many people "forget" to scan an item or two. I can't help but wonder if the stores really are saving money with these "self-check out" lines. In my fifteen minute wait alone in one line the store lost at least $10. I never knew a grocery store employee to make $10 every fifteen minutes. Perhaps they should rethink the system.

**Searching my purse later, I found that I had a DVD in my purse that I had been showing in my class that day...I'm guessing it set off the alarm.