A WALMART shopper has revealed how customers pass the time while standing in long lines while waiting for self-checkout machines to become free.
She bemoaned how the checkout lines had stretched to the middle of stores.
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Shoppers that use major retailers, not only Walmart, have lashed out over the problems caused by self-checkouts.
The machines are convenient for those who want to be in and out of stores, but shoppers have complained about long lines.
“The lines for self-checkout are so long in Walmart (to the middle of the store) that shoppers buy books and snacks to occupy the time while they wait,” a shopper in Canada moaned.
“Apparently holding customers hostage is profitable,” they claimed.
The U.S. Sun has approached Walmart for comment.
Shoppers revealed they've resorted to buying extra items to pass the time.
Another customer claimed they were trapped in Walmart, per a post shared on X.
“I have taken shelter in the tech department and am reading a book to help pass the time,” she said.
They picked up an edition of Sarah J. Maas’ book A Court of Thorns and Roses.
It was Maas' first book in the series under the same name.
In the thread, she revealed another shopper had recommended the book.
Some shoppers have stood and waited in long lines, but for others, the length was just too off-putting.
The U.S. Sun has reported how customers lost patience and abandoned their full shopping carts.
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One furious Walmart shopper claimed the situation had become untenable.
Long lines aren’t just an issue experienced at Walmart stores.
Target shoppers have taken to social media to fume about their in-store experiences.
Chiefs have even rolled out a policy that was designed to cut self-checkout wait times.
The retailer trialed a system where only shoppers with 10 items or less could use the self-checkout.
It was piloted at a number of stores last year but the policy has been rolled out on a wide scale basis.
“Self-checkout was twice as fast at our pilot stores,” a spokesperson said.
“By having the option to pick self-checkout for a quick trip, or a traditional, staffed lane when their cart is full, guests who were surveyed told us the overall checkout experience was better, too.”
But the policy has not gone down well among all shoppers.
Some shoppers have claimed they will boycott the retailer in light of the self-checkout change.
Americans have also alleged that Target has removed an element of choice during shopping trips by enforcing the policy.
Others have ridiculed the measure as they said they will choose to go to different retailers.
Latest self-checkout changes
Retailers are evolving their self-checkout strategy in an effort to speed up checkout times and reduce theft.
Walmart shoppers were shocked when self-checkout lanes at various locations were made available only for Walmart+ members.
Other customers reported that self-checkout was closed during specific hours, and more cashiers were offered instead.
While shoppers feared that shoplifting fueled the updates, a Walmart spokesperson revealed that store managers are simply experimenting with ways to improve checkout performance.
One bizarre experiment included an RFID-powered self-checkout kiosk that would stop the fiercely contested receipt checks.
However, that test run has been phased out.
At Target, items are being limited at self-checkout.
Last fall, the brand surveyed new express self-checkout lanes across 200 stores with 10 items or less for more convenience.
As of March 2024, this policy has been expanded across 2,000 stores in the US.
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